Stealing in Parks?

[ShayBells]

I've never had a problem. I take money and phone w/ me on rides and leave everything else behind except the one year I really wanted a new phone so I left it in the stroller. It never got stolen and I never got my update til way later lol

But just like most people said if you don't want it taken don't take the chance. I leave most things on the stroller but they are all things easily replaced.

I do try to keep things in the small basket underneath. My umbrella strollers basket is small but deep. It's hard to get into so I figure people won't take the time to try to dig. I try not to leave anything sitting on the seat or easily reachable just incase.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Autumnslight]

I'm more concerned that someone will take our stroller accidentally, mistaking it for theirs, especially when it's dark out or in a place like Fantasmic!, where there are literally hundreds of strollers.

I'd just make sure not to leave anything expensive or irreplaceable in the stroller, and try to make the stroller somehow stand out. For us, I generally kept two (cheap) brightly colored/patterned sports bottles in the cupholders. You see them immediately when you go to take the stroller, and if they aren't yours, you should realize it right away.

 

[bdklein]

I leave a dirty diaper in the stroller. Haven't had one stolen yet!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

We take our city mini double stroller (yes I realize there are hundreds of those things) to the park. We always put something on it to make it stand out. DW had all kinds of ribbons and decorations hanging from the handle last time, as well as some battery operated led things in the evening. It helps to make it stand out in the case of mistaken identity. We also take 2 bags to the park. 1 is a backpack that has our essentials and any valuables in it and it goes everywhere. The other is a bag with some extra diapers, sweatshirts, blankets, etc. that we leave underneath the stroller. Would I be ticked if I came back and that stuff was gone? Yes Would I be shocked? In this day and age, no.

As others have stated, I wouldn't be uncomfortable leaving a few non valuable items with the stroller and I've never had an issue with it walking away in the past. Just don't leave anything expensive or something that you can't replace...

 

[speedo]

I've never had anything stolen from me at the parks or resorts. But a former colleague and his family did have their expensive stroller stolen along with everything that was in it. Disney replaced the souvenirs that were in the stroller which was a nice gesture. But I'd add to the warning to be careful about brining expensive strollers to the park.

 

[CurtisB]

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.

We were coming out from Nemo's at Epcot and saw a squirrel jump into a bag on a stroller and come back out with an entire waffle in his mouth and run off. It was hilarious.

 

[dayvewc]

The only thing I've had stolen was a bottle of sunscreen. Came out of Rain Forest Cafe at AK, and the (almost) full bottle was gone. Don't know why someone would feel the need to steal sunscreen, but they did.

 

[Bean786]

The only thing I've had stolen was a bottle of sunscreen. Came out of Rain Forest Cafe at AK, and the (almost) full bottle was gone. Don't know why someone would feel the need to steal sunscreen, but they did.

Clearly they didn't want to get burnt. It's Florida!

No seriously, rude

 

[skriegerjr]

This thread reminds me of the ad where they guy is trying to get someone to take his old cell phone and the guy just refuses!

 

[dayvewc]

Clearly they didn't want to get burnt. It's Florida!

No seriously, rude

I agree, seriously rude. I mean, if they were THAT worried about getting burned, just take some out of the bottle and slather it on. I would never have noticed. But to just take the whole bottle? Really?

The amusing part was that they left my souvenir t-shirt, left the umbrella (it was raining while I ate) left the backpack with the maps, snacks, and drinks. They took the sunscreen and nothing but. That thief knew what they wanted!!

 

[AuroraRora]

I agree, seriously rude. I mean, if they were THAT worried about getting burned, just take some out of the bottle and slather it on. I would never have noticed. But to just take the whole bottle? Really?

The amusing part was that they left my souvenir t-shirt, left the umbrella (it was raining while I ate) left the backpack with the maps, snacks, and drinks. They took the sunscreen and nothing but. That thief knew what they wanted!!

That's some top family morals they must've been teaching their kids right there! "Oh sweetie, are you burning? Mommy didn't plan enough to bring suncreen for her children, wait here while I go steal some from a stroller, ok honey?" SMH!

 

[Sydnerella]

Never any issues with stolen stuff from stroller - last stroller was 2012. We even left a couple Disney merchandise bags tucked under sweatshirts, water bottles, diaper bags in the past with no problems.

 

[shadow0421]

I was just talking to a coworker today and he said when he and his wife went to WDW her $150 sunglasses flew off the top of her head during a ride. They went to lost and found the next day and luckily they were there.

 

[lovedworld]

We have been to WDW and DL more times than I can count and we have never had anything stolen off of our stroller in all those years. Of course we don't leave cameras or anything expensive, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Cover things with blankets or jackets that way they won't attract attention.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think the mindset of "they needed it more than me" is more of a way to not let someone else's actions ruin ones wonderful vacation.

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.

Exactly!!
Thanks to both of you for responding on my behalf perfectly.

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

We hadn't been in about 3-4 years until last week. We left jackets, back packs, cups and a balloon on our stroller.

Although I did think about it several times, everything was fine and I would do the same thing again.

If someone were to steal a drink or jacket, well....... you know.

ETA: I think when most people get to the stroller parking area, they are more concerned about getting their own stroller and heading on to their next destination. I know I am.

Finding your own stroller is hard enough in that massive sea.

 

[davedmaine]

As long as you don't leave electronics or other expensive items in your stroller you should be fine.

We always leave snacks, water bottles, clothing, ponchos, etc.... In our stroller and have never had a problem.

I figure if somebody is going to steal my food, water or clothing, they probably need it more then me anyways.

It's never ok to steal. Besides, if someone can afford to go to Disney, I don't think there in such dire straits that they to need to steal a knock off Vera Bradley bag

 

[davedmaine]

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.

I think somebody stole your stroller

 

[Marshypooh]

Something to keep in mind.....

My uncle is a detective for a gang member task force. He said that alot of drug dealers give the kids/gang members tickets for WDW, US/IOA, the water parks, etc., in exchange for "jobs" they do for them. It's a way to lure more kids into their webs.

So that means alot of these young crimnals are running around all over the place and while there take the opportunity to steal backpacks or diaper bags hoping they will find cash, credit cards, or electronics. Some just steal for kicks to impress their friends.

Uncle said they tend to be at the water parks the most and the girl's are the worst offenders.

 

[mikek]

we've been tens of times over the years. My kids are all past stroller age, but one trip we had a rented stroller.

The rentals might all look alike but you write your name in giant sharpie on the insert so a quick look and you know which is yours or not yours. We were in MGM (er studios or whatever- lol) and ate lunch back by the tough to be a big playground. After lunch my boys wanted to play in the playground so we parked the stroller over there and went in with them- maybe 10 minutes.

Someone stole the stroller.

Nothing in it of real value but mostly some souvenir bags in the bottom. Maybe with some sweatshirts or hats and autograph books- some snacks perhaps. Maybe some crappy canvas travel bag my wife had.

Thing is while there was nothing worth anything It was REALLY upsetting. The stuff in it was crap not worth much but it just sucked to realize that WDW isn't a mythical place but still exists in the real world with people lower than low.

The security guard asked all sorts of questions about what was in the bags. Living in NJ my whole life, i figured it was to 'identify the perps'- lol. But then he called a retail manager and told her what we had stolen- she went and got us replacements for everything, i think she even got some 'starter' autographs for the kids in their autograph books. It was many years ago but i think she even replaced our pre-trip "stuff" as best she could- like giving us a tote bag or something for a bag that was taken. They clearly deal with this all the time.

Anyway, i guess the bottom line is- it does happen. it sucks when it does. But Disney does whatever they can to take the edge off it.

I just dont want to have that feeling ever again so we left nothing but total junk in the strollers after that. If they wanted our ripped ponchos then have at it.