Stealing in Parks?

[butterflygirl812]

Our umbrella stroller was taken, mistakenly I believe, from the area at the people mover ride in MK. When we got off the ride, we found the exact same stroller, but with someone else's stuff in it. The only thing that we had left in our stroller was our resort mugs. After talking with CM, we received tickets to be able to replace our resort mugs. We left that other stroller there, in hopes that whoever took ours would realize their mistake and come back to exchange. We used a Disney rental stroller the rest of the day. At the end of the day,we came back to see if the person had returned our stroller and picked up theirs, but sadly, they did not. I didn't care about the mugs, but our stroller was definitely in much better condition than the one they left. But we knew that we still needed a stroller for my three year old, so we used this other persons umbrella stroller the rest of our stay. We left our name and cell number with guest services in case the other person wanted to return our stroller, and retrieve the things they left in theirs (guest services would not hold that persons items, for some reason). No luck.

 

[yoopertravelers]

We come on these boards to ask simple questions and somehow, in every thread someone ends up snippy! What the heck....

 

[dawnhaze]

I'd leave a sweatshirt or poncho, but not a purse or camera. If you'd be devastated to lose it, take it with you.

 

[Gracie09]

So because your expensive stroller hasn't been stolen that means expensive strollers aren't likely to be stolen? That's like saying because you've never been in a car accident you don't have to wear a seatbelt. I can name at least two families who had their expensive strollers stolen at WDW. One recovered it. The other did not. It happens. It may not be a rampant occurrence, but it does happen. Anyone who brings anything of value into the park risks losing it. It's the general risk we take in life in general. Just be vigilant. Take steps to make it harder for thieves etc.

Same could be said for your example. Just because you know two people who have had an expensive stroller stolen doesn't mean they are more likely to be stolen. Between myself and two or three other families I know who have travelled with expensive stroller, every one has come back and wasn't stolen. It's the stuff people leave in a stroller thieves want. Any stroller can be stolen. A bugaboo is no more likely than a graco.

 

[PrettyFlower2]

We come on these boards to ask simple questions and somehow, in every thread someone ends up snippy! What the heck....

Yes I agree

 

[Jennasis]

Same could be said for your example. Just because you know two people who have had an expensive stroller stolen doesn't mean they are more likely to be stolen. Between myself and two or three other families I know who have travelled with expensive stroller, every one has come back and wasn't stolen. It's the stuff people leave in a stroller thieves want. Any stroller can be stolen. A bugaboo is no more likely than a graco.

I'm not talking about the statistical likelihood of it happening. I'm saying it can and does happen. How likely is it to happen? Based on the number of people in the park every day? I'm no good at math but I'd say they odds are pretty low...but wouldn't it just suck to be the 1%?

Better to be safe than sorry. Especially on vacation. That's all.

 

[AmyB2006]

Yes I agree

Agreed as well.

I don't think DisneyLover meant that it was ok to steal because she is saying they need it more than her. She's saying that because if someone does steal your stuff, there's not a lot you can do about it, so you might as well have a positive outlook, figure out how to not let it happen again, and move on.

Good grief. LOL


It's simple, don't make yourself a victim by leaving things on the stroller that are valuable. Realize that anything, even something as simple as your sweater could get taken, but the chances are pretty slim of that happening. Leave your $600 camera on the stroller... well, I just wouldn't do it. Theft does happen, so just protect your valuables. And yes, theft is wrong in any form. That's a given. LOL

 

[EricnJackie]

Several trips back, we left our WDW rain ponchos in our stroller while we went into the Land in Epcot. (yes, it was raining at the time) Upon returning to the stroller, the rain ponchos were gone. Not like we could pick our ponchos out of the THOUSANDS of others that were all exactly the same. LOL So, yes. Things DO get stolen in WDW.

On the good side, my DS purchased a hat from Test Track and on the same night, accidently left it on a ride. He was very upset, so we contacted GS. While we thought it was gone for good, someone did turn it in and we were able to pick it up at lost and found the very next day.

Just be careful. If it's important/expensive, don't leave it behind.

 

[shadow0421]

Because we are renting our stroller, should we use something to "mark" it and make it more visible to us? Any recommendations?

Last time we went we used colored bandana and tied it to the handle of the stroller.

 

[Kristibo42]

We have never had anything taken in parks or resorts.

 

[LoveMMC]

This! Watch out for the sneakiest ones of them all - the furry thieves!

This is true!! We have squirrels all over Canada, but never see them so bold as at wdw.
I was waiting outside soarin' one ran up and I shooed it- ignoring me it jumped into our stroller baskets. No food - he took off.

 

[PEC]

Often we leave water, snacks and a few gift souvenirs in our stroller. Common sense. I dont think somebody that has paid a minimum 90+ dollars is going to steal a half drunk bottle water with likely some back wash in it or a half eaten snack (a squirrel maybe). That said don't be leaving your wallet, expensive electronics or expensive souvenirs unguarded. Is the crime rate at Disney lower than society norm. I am sure it is but if you make it easy a thief will rob something anywhere.

 

[AmyB2006]

I dont think somebody that has paid a minimum 90+ dollars is going to steal a half drunk bottle water with likely some back wash in it or a half eaten snack (a squirrel maybe).

Thieves come in all forms.

 

[goofydad621]

Take clean diaper, poor some Root beer or cola on it put a half a peeled banana inside it and roll it up like a used diaper give it a squish , put that into a clear small trash bag like the ones inside the waste baskets in hotel bathrooms and tie it hanging off the handle bars, you are the only ones that will know that it is not filled with poop, if someone still takes it then any other marking is not going to stop them

Humm I wonder if that would work with a ECV or wheel chair and an adult diaper

good luck

goofydad

 

[Gracie09]

Take clean diaper, poor some Root beer or cola on it put a half a peeled banana inside it and roll it up like a used diaper give it a squish , put that into a clear small trash bag like the ones inside the waste baskets in hotel bathrooms and tie it hanging off the handle bars, you are the only ones that will know that it is not filled with poop, if someone still takes it then any other marking is not going to stop them Humm I wonder if that would work with a ECV or wheel chair and an adult diaper good luck goofydad

You and about a million people who read the same tip. Which btw makes no sense since there are garbage pails every five feet so why in the world would you keep a dirty diaper. If I was a stroller thief I would target your stroller because you think I am that stupid to fall for this trick.

The exception to those carrying dirty diapers would be cloth diapers but people who so that are better prepared with wet bags what not so it wouldn't be hanging there.

 

[winthropf]

For clothing, the "they need it more than me..." doesn't cut it for things taken from a stroller at WDW. If anyone needs clothing that bad, they probably can't afford a park ticket.

 

[Q-man]

Because we are renting our stroller, should we use something to "mark" it and make it more visible to us? Any recommendations?

We've found a helium balloon tied to the handle the fastest way to find our stroller in the sea of a hundred identical ones. Otherwise a bright colored bandana works but is not as quick to locate.

 

[Bean786]

As others have said, only leave what you wouldn't mind being taken. We have one bag we put all our 'important stuff' in and take on the ride. Just know things sometimes happen. I went to the Halloween party and stole somebody's stroller. Luckily I noticed pretty quick, and luckily there was a lady looking like she lost a stroller. I said to her ' I think your looking for this? Let me get my kid out lol' we had the same stroller. When I looked down I saw her wallet and stuff, so I know she must have been freaking out. But what if I haven't had noticed till the next morning. I normally don't even clean out my stroller till the next day. Sometimes things like this happen. Not often but can and it's not always on purpose.

 

[gortman65]

I like the balloon and bright bandana suggestions for spotting your stroller - thanks!

I always have a moment of panic when I go to retrieve our stroller and don't see it where we originally left it. The CM stroller jockeys do a great job of keeping those stroller parking areas dynamic and that's something I seem to forget!

 

[jennylyn_b]

I would disagree with that. We have what most would consider a very expensive stroller and we never had an issue at wdw or anywhere else for that matter. I would think the ones that look like the rentals (citi minis and the like) are more likely to be stolen because they all look alike and if it's a true thief and not a mistaken person they assume the person wouldn't care as much if it's a rental. I think you would be more likely to lose something left in a stroller like a phone or tablet than lose an entire stroller. It's much easier to resell a phone than a stroller

Sorry but it has been found that often people steal the strollers that will fetch a good price second hand. A few people have been caught in parking lots with several (5+) strollers in their car. I truly don't think a thief cares if it's rented or not. If they want it they will take it. Sad but true.
That said, theft isn't rampant in the parks but it does happen. Just use common sense. If something does happen just report it and let it go. You can't change bad things so try not to let them ruin your vacation. That is what I believe the pp was trying to say with the "they need it more than me".