Stroller/Diaper Bag Strategy...let me know what you think

[GWhitten98]

As many PP said we just left the diaper bag in the stroller with the essentials and never had any issue.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We have never had any issue with leaving anything in the stroller. The diaper/toddler bag has lived in the basket of the stroller everytime our DS4 has been do Disney (our most recent trip was his 4th) and nothing has ever gone missing. Actually, to be honest it never even occured to me that I should worry about anything being stolen.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Ditto the others on just leaving the diaper bag in the bottom of the stroller.

One thing to add, though - I decorate the stroller with something bright so we can easily spot it in the huge line of strollers. Nothing overwhelming, just something to look for to save time hunting. Kinda like tying ribbon on luggage to make it stand out from all the other black luggage

As for spotting the stroller we like to buy a balloon at MK and tie it to the stroller. Then on our way out we give it to a family on their way in if we can find one...usually makes the little ones smile.

 

[Kathryn777]

We use a smaller diaper bag and stick it under the stroller with no valuables in it. I keep a few diapers and wipes in the car on the remote chance the bag get stolen

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Thanks guys! The comments have helped a lot. I think we are going with the Ziplock or cheap bag approach with a retractable ring after reading this. I guess I'm overly paranoid, but that comes with the territory after being robbed twice in a 6 month period. You overthink things and have a distrust of people's intentions in general. Whoever had the idea of putting a "dirty" diaper on top, that's brilliant!!

 

[Lilliputian]

I always use one of those diaper pads that has pockets for diapers and wipes. It rolls up into the size of a clutch and has a snap-on loop that attaches to the handle of the stroller. It's very easy to get on and off, and whoever changes the baby just has to take the packet and go to change a diaper. I got mine at Target for about $15.

 

[Meriweather]

We took DGD for the first time in Dec.
Had a stroller and just left the diaper bag underneath.....no problems and 1000s of others the same way

 

[Dismama2boys]

As for spotting the stroller we like to buy a balloon at MK and tie it to the stroller. Then on our way out we give it to a family on their way in if we can find one...usually makes the little ones smile.

I put neon green tape over the handle so I could spot it easily. It would also take a few minutes to unwrap and take it off, so I hoped it also might deter theft. The baloon would help too, although I did see a lot of those.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks guys! The comments have helped a lot. I think we are going with the Ziplock or cheap bag approach with a retractable ring after reading this. I guess I'm overly paranoid, but that comes with the territory after being robbed twice in a 6 month period. You overthink things and have a distrust of people's intentions in general. Whoever had the idea of putting a "dirty" diaper on top, that's brilliant!!

Think of it this way: if someone really wants to take your bag, they will. If they can't get it out of the stroller, they'll just take the whole stroller. A few diapers are much easier to replace.

The best way to avoid theft is to avoid making the bag look like it contains something worth taking.

On a related topic - don't leave food of any kind in the stroller. The squirrels will steal it.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you plan to use the balloon on the handle remember that balloons are not allowed in AK. you can not take a balloon from another park in even tied on the stroller in

 

[disnut8]

As for spotting the stroller we like to buy a balloon at MK and tie it to the stroller. Then on our way out we give it to a family on their way in if we can find one...usually makes the little ones smile.

I hope this doesn't sound the wrong way but if you do get a balloon for the stroller on your way in, please make sure it's tied down as you are walking around. Then, release is back up when the stroller is parked. It's just that I've been behind or to the side of strollers with balloons attached and, well, the balloon really doesn't have a mind but it goes where it wants to and into the path of others might be the case.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I hope this doesn't sound the wrong way but if you do get a balloon for the stroller on your way in, please make sure it's tied down as you are walking around. Then, release is back up when the stroller is parked. It's just that I've been behind or to the side of strollers with balloons attached and, well, the balloon really doesn't have a mind but it goes where it wants to and into the path of others might be the case.

I'm the stroller driver and I'm always mindful to hold the balloon so it's under control while I'm driving. I'd hate to smack someone in the face with a Mickey balloon!

 

[scrapquitler]

This September will be our 1st time at WDW with a child. We have decided to buy a lighter weight stroller so we don't have to rent the hard plastic ones. There is a storage bin under the seat. My DH came up with an idea reading about other people's trips about zip-tying the diaper bag to the stroller so we don't have to carry it into attractions. Now, the only things that will be kept in the bag is diapers and wipes. All of our valuables will be with us in my backpack. I think it sounds like a decent strategy. I can't imagine there are people walking around with knives to cut zip ties and steal diaper bags (at least I hope not...I would think security would frown upon that!!)

What do you guys think about this?

I always left the diaper bag in the stroller basket. No need to zip tie it, if anything that makes it harder for YOU to get your stuff in and out of the diaper bag. And yes, it might make it look more interesting and appealing to a thief.

 

[Vylette Rose]

I see that people are talking about marking your stroller visible with a balloon, this is a great idea. However, sometimes the cast members move the strollers to a spot you may not have been anticipating. So if at first you don't see it, it could be obstructed by buildings, polls or other such things. There were many a time when I was looking left and the stroller had been moved right, if you catch my drift.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Brief update: we went ahead and bought our own lightweight foldable stroller with storage room in the bottom and taking the unassuming plain diaper bag approach. Thanks for your advice, everyone!

 

[hopeful4fl]

Guys. I do not want to come out sounding naive, but is there really a theft problem at MK (or any park), or is this a perception issue based on "anywhere else"? I totally get our paranoia in today's world, but man..... if Disney World has issues with theft (true issues and not perceptions), tis a sad day.

Does anyone have any data points to show theft is an issue and not just perception? Just trying to understand, cause this coming Jan we will have some family members with little ones and strollers, etc and I had not planned for securing things as I would in any other place.

 

[Crystal824]

We go to WDW generally once a year sometimes more. For the last 5 years, we have had a stroller and a diaper bag on those trips. For the last 5 years, we have left the diaper bag in stroller while on attractions. Mind you nothing really valuable was in the diaper bag (formula, bottles, wipers, diapers, hat, sunscreen, and extra clothes for the kids). We also leave a small soft sided cooler with water and a few snacks on the stroller too. We have never had an issue. We always take our wallets, cameras, and phones with us.

If either bag gets stolen, it will be a pain to deal with no doubt, but we will not have lost anything we can't replace fairly easily. For us, it just isn't worth it to drag all those bags onto every attraction. If people start reporting stolen diaper bags occurring on a weekly basis, I might rethink my strategy.

 

[Vylette Rose]

In all our trips we have never had anything stolen. That being said, we try our best to be careful. I don't believe Disney has a huge theft problem, but wherever there are crowds, there will be those trying to take advantage.

 

[Vylette Rose]

Oh and another aside, we left out diaper bag in the stroller every trip we had one.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Guys. I do not want to come out sounding naive, but is there really a theft problem at MK (or any park), or is this a perception issue based on "anywhere else"? I totally get our paranoia in today's world, but man..... if Disney World has issues with theft (true issues and not perceptions), tis a sad day.

Does anyone have any data points to show theft is an issue and not just perception? Just trying to understand, cause this coming Jan we will have some family members with little ones and strollers, etc and I had not planned for securing things as I would in any other place.

I created this posts to gain feedback on this since I've never had to deal with a stroller before. It was due to my own paranoia (when you have your house broken into twice within 6 months, it happens). I don't plan on keeping anything but diapers, wipes, sippy cup and a change of clothes in the diaper bag. I would never leave anything of value in the stroller anyway. It looks like everyone who responded has had positive experiences with this.