Stoller Theft - is it a big problem

[tray11c]

We are renting a double jogger stroller from an outside company for the week we are there in Dec (3-10th) and they just sent me an email saying that stroller theft is a huge problem right now and we should rent or bring a lock for the stroller. My husband and I are wondering if this is truely a problem and something that we need to do? We are just thinking that this is going to be such a pain everytime we go to get out and ride/eat. Stroller is a must since we have a 4 yr old & 21m old and we don't want to pay the outrageous fees that Disney is now charging.

 

[jacksmomma]

Stroller theft is not as big of a concern in Disney as it is other places (although it does happen). We went in Feb. with a new name brand stroller and had no problems. We took a bike lock and used it a few times, but really we did not need it (in some areas CMs will not allow you to lock it up). I think a lot of times strollers are "taken" by mistake because there are many of the same makes and models. Just decorate your stroller to make it stand out and you should be fine.

 

[aaronandterri]

ive always left ours just fine on all 4 trips, and never had any problems, i probably lax as well *** i leave bags and items i bought in the park in and on my buggy too and have never ever had a problem.

 

[JimR24]

Never had an issue and have been 20+ times with my kids. The only problem i have is coming out of Smallworld and trying to locate it since the CM moved it, but thats an issue on it's own.

 

[tzolkin]

i tend to be really paranoid in general and was really worried about this. i bought two maclarens for this trip and thought i would be preoccupied worrying about them getting stolen and miss out on enjoying our vacation. we bought a bike lock, but forgot it the first time we went to the park. i felt really uncomfortable just walking away from my strollers the first few times, but by the end of our trip i was not concerned at all. we never used the lock, never had a problem finding our strollers, and never noticed anyone who was missing theirs.

 

[snugglepeas]

I wouldn't bother bringing a lock, what we usually do is, bring a few small pieces of cloth in very wild patterns and tie them to the handles so that you can tell it's our stroller a mile away, it helps with finding it fast in a crowd( as on any given day at the parks I have seen at least 12 other stroller of the same kind and color as ours) and it also helps others know it's not theres

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Never had an issue and have been 20+ times with my kids.

 

[Schmeck]

You cannot lock your stroller to anything at WDW!!!!! The CMs will have the lock cut and then move your stroller - I've seen this happening at Magic Kingdom, as a large stroller was locked to a metal railing and was blocking part of the path. You can lock the front wheels together, but a CM must be able to move the stroller by tipping it on its back wheels.

 

[arabians207]

I don't think you would have a problem. We brought a borrowed wheel chair for my sister (she can walk but walking long distances is a problem for her) and we never had any problems. If you leave any bags with it, i might put all valuables in a smaller bag, like a drawstring bag, and take them off the stroller and bring them on the ride with you, if that makes any sense.

 

[adell557]

Never had a problem with it and our strollers. We took a double jogger as well. And PP is right, some places it isn't allowed to be locked up as they move the strollers around. So don't freak out if you come out of an attraction and your stroller isn't right where you left it, the CM's try to keep it organized, so as people leave w/ strollers they readjust, so your stroller will be in a totally different place than where you put it, just decorate it so it is easy to find, at night use those glow sticks you can get at the dollar store, tehy help you find it easier.

 

[bartleby1]

We've brought strollers and rented them each trip for the past 7 years and never had a problem. I'm sure that it can and does happen on occassion but it has not been a huge problem in the past. We did try using a bike lock/chain to lock the wheels together on our first trip (as others have stated you can't lock the stroller TO anything) but we found it to be a bigger pain than it was worth. I refuse to waste the time and energy worrying about a stroller while on vacation. I've always been curious though as to what happens if you rent from an outside company and the stroller disappears. Do they hold you responsible?

You know, I wonder if stroller theft is up due to the crazy rental prices disney is charging now. I know that this was a concern of many people on the dis when the increase was announced. Or, perhaps stroller theft isn't really up but the offsite rental places are afraid that it is?

 

[snickerboo]

Will they let you lock your stroller at stroller parking since the CMs move them around?

 

[bartleby1]

Will they let you lock your stroller at stroller parking since the CMs move them around?

You can't lock it TO anything, but some people have posted about wrapping a bike chain/lock around the wheel or wheels to prevent the wheels from turning. The CM's can still pick it up to move it, but it prevents it from being "usable" to someone who wants to take it to use for the day. We did try it when we only had one child and by the end of the trip we tossed the bike chain. It was too big of a hassle for us.

 

[tray11c]

Thanks for the reponses - I think we are going to decorate the rented stroller as suggested and hope that it doesn't get swiped!

Thanks again!

 

[katied]

We had no issues in Oct, Dec or May. Total of 18 days in the parks over these days, with a Maclaren 12 of the days. Plus DSister had a stroller too on the last trip. We have our name written on ours, so no one could put a kid in it by accident. I think some of the issues come because lots of people have the same strollers, and sometimes the husbands grab the wrong one. DBrother in law did this on our last trip. DSister made him take it right back, and then went to find her stroller. So - I think decorating or somehow making your stroller different helps .

 

[mrsklamc]

Stolen idea ...i believe it's in the ultimate guide.. they suggested hanging a coca-cola soaked diaper from the handle....

 

[FunkyDuck]

what is the rate to rent a single stroller at Disney? Is it less if you rent it for you whole stay?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We have a Lime Green Mac that really stands out from the sea of deep blue. Ours is the only lime green one we have seen yet and we love it. I know the kind you rent at the parks can easily be mistaken even with name signs.