Stroller Gone

[lucky1]

It happened. Our stroller was taken at DL last night. This was going to be our last trip with the stroller and after 4 other trips within the year we have had no problems. I tried to find a previous post on stroller at DL, but the search function is not working for me. (That is a different topic)

We left our stroller infront of buzz about 8pm and were probably gone just 15 minutes and returning we did not see our stroller anywhere. DH talked to CM at the entrance and she called it in and a Security came and we looked a bit longer and then they took us to Lost and Found, to file a report. They also gave us the option to file a police report. They say they generally find the stroller in another location of the pack and if there is nothing of value the packs in another location.

Now we didn't pack anything of value in the stroller, just a backpack with a change of child's clothes and some snacks. Water bottles in the cup holders and basket. That was the luckly thing and a recommendation that I would pass on to everyone. If you can't live it out it or replace it, then don't put it in your stroller unattended. It was just the point that a small child is now very upset that it was taken.

When we left the park about 9:15, DH found the stroller, without anything in it, including our luggage tag we had on it, abandoned by a trashcan near the entrance inside the park. Looks like they left the park with the backpack. About Midnight we got a call on our cell from someone saying their stroller was missing and when they found it our luggage tag inside their stroller. They were not making much sense, but figure they were very confused as well.

Do NOT pack anything of value in your stroller. We were lucky After numerous trips over the past years with a stroller, we felt pretty comfortable leaving our stroller at DL, but always careful.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Wow that is very strange. I'm sorry this has happened to you.

We haven't had any problems and go numerous times a year and up until last year with 2 strollers each time. But I agree to never pack anything you can't live without in your stroller when you leave it. This is the reason we do all our shopping at night or the next morning before we leave.

Sounds like there was some crazy person in there last night messing with strollers.

 

[jemilah]

I am sometimes amazed at the things people leave in the strollers. sorry that happened to you , hope your trip was not ruined.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

WOW. I'm so sorry your stroller and contents were taken. It was very lucky to get the stroller back, that is the most expensive item taken! I'm guessing that backpack with its unknown contents was what made the thieves target your stroller. And apparently you weren't the only one stolen from by them.

When we left stuff in our stroller to go on a ride, everything was visible: Water bottles, snacks, and a couple sweatshirts unless we were wearing them. That way it was clear nothing of value was in there. Maybe that was why we didn't have any trouble, or maybe it's just by luck, who knows. It's too bad this happens.

 

[AskTheChief]

My guess is that they just threw your stuff away (nothing of value, really) so your stroller would not be "easily identifiable".

Some loser had a tired kid and was too lazy/cheap to go rent their own. Nice lesson to teach your kid, jerk.

 

[tracer]

I would have to agree with AskThe Chief, that some lazy jerk took it for their own sake. Why in the world would anyone pay to get into DL just to take things from people's strollers?? It's not like it's a cheap ticket. I guess some people don't think twice about leaving valuables behind and tempt to many iffy people. I am so sorry this happened to you, that flat out sucks.

 

[PrincessSitka]

Maybe they need to have a cm there where you park the strollers. They could hand out a ticket like they do for your coats. When you get off the rides you hand them back your ticket and you receive the correct stroller. I really think that this was a thought out plan, after you said that another party called you, just as confused as you where. I am reading more and more about the strollers being taken. So sorry to hear about this luck1

 

[MATTERHORN]

So sorry that happened to you! That's the first thing I post when people ask if they should bring their own - never leave anything in it besides things that can be replaced easily. Atleast you were able to recover the stroller, I agree with PP, someone was just really lazy and mean!

Andrea

 

[robinb]

Bummer . It sounds lik ike someone was actually stealing strollers for the contents instead of just "borrowing" one and your luggage tag found it's way into the other person's stroller. Scum.

We just finished our final stroller trip as my DD will be 8 on her next trip. In 7 years of Disney trips to WDW. Disneyland, Tokyo DL and DL Paris we have never had a problem with our strollers. We also never, ever left anything in the stroller. A thief does not know that the backback left in the basket only contains a change or clothes instead of your new camera. I think leaving a bag in your stroller really just an invitation to take your stroller elsewhere so the thief can grab the bag and take it into the nearest restroom to search it.

 

[Rapunsel]

I met a woman and her stroller with an infant seat attached was taken. SHe didn't care that it was gone she just didn't have a car seat to get her baby home in..

I told her I had an extra car seat in my car that she could have and gave her my cell phone number to call me if she didn't get it back.

Well about closing time her DH went to the main gates and watched people leave.. Lo and behold her found the person responsible for stealing the stroller..

The story was lame that the person gave for having the stroller, but they filed a police report and the person was taken into custody by Dl security..

Thankfully I stopped by guest relations before we left and saw the woman there and she said that it was found and she could safely get her baby home. She did thank me for the offer on a car seat.

I feel so bad for people that steal that they have to go that low to steal from a child..

 

[shellyof4]

We had things stolen both trips to WDW. It stinks. It puts a bit of a damper on things momentarily...I'd say it usually takes me half a day to totally recover. It's not so much the thing that's gone as it is that someone has broken your trust and has your things. I was nervous this time at DL, but nothing got taken. But I can relate.

Oh, and it doesn't seem to matter if we have things on our stroller or not. Once it was just the stroller and it got taken. Once only my baby sling got taken off the stroller...Stupid me...I never do that anymore! But really, be careful... I noticed cameras, camcorders, wallets and more all sitting in strollers on our trip there. Some people make their living by stealing at theme parks. They buy their annual pass and then make multiple trips to lockers and then leave with their stash. Sad but true. I'm not trying to scare anyone, it's a small percentage who have this happen, but when it's you, it really stinks.

 

[MATTERHORN]

We had things stolen both trips to WDW. It stinks. It puts a bit of a damper on things momentarily...I'd say it usually takes me half a day to totally recover. It's not so much the thing that's gone as it is that someone has broken your trust and has your things. I was nervous this time at DL, but nothing got taken. But I can relate.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, it's a small percentage who have this happen, but when it's you, it really stinks.

Yes it is a small percentage and it sucks that it seems like you are very unlucky in that department to have stuff stolen that many times!! Sorry about that, I konw what you mean when you say you feel violated. I don't know if I'd even keep the stroller or put my kid back in it for fear of what they could have done to it or put on it. I'm weird like that!


Andrea

 

[kc10family]

I have never had a problem, but I do take just about everything. I leave the kids blankets in the lower basket along with a few snacks and drinks in the drink holders. I embroidered some fabric and then attached it to the hood of the stroller so as to stand out. I also place my strollers (we have two) together and make it so they are hard to just back out of the spot. I guess I should say I place the wheels together so they are somewhat interlocked, then I place the breaks on both of them. That may not stop someone one day, but it would make it hard for a fast get away.

I am sorry this happend to you. I am sure that the circle of life will come back to get these folks.

 

[lucky1]

Thanks everyone. Update is that we checked with Lost & found yesterday and they found the backback and are mailing it to us. One reason why we just don't put anything of value in our stroller. As we were in the parks today, we watched so many people leaving things of value in their strollers (or at least I perceive them as valuable).

Watch one family detach an oxgen tube from their DD and cover the tank in the stroller with a blanket befor heading on a ride. Unfortunately that is something I don't think someone would want, but it would definately be a hardship if the stroller came up missing.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Thanks everyone. Update is that we checked with Lost & found yesterday and they found the backback and are mailing it to us. One reason why we just don't put anything of value in our stroller. As we were in the parks today, we watched so many people leaving things of value in their strollers (or at least I perceive them as valuable).

Watch one family detach an oxgen tube from their DD and cover the tank in the stroller with a blanket befor heading on a ride. Unfortunately that is something I don't think someone would want, but it would definately be a hardship if the stroller came up missing.

Great, do you know if the contents were in the backpack? At least that was found.

I'm still very sorry this has happened to you guys.

Also to Rapunsel, I can't believe that someone would take a stroller with an infant seat! As I have stated before I like to think I walk into DL and the realities of the world don't follow me. I have to say you balanced out that bad experience with your offer of giving her your extra seat. That was so kind. It's stories like yours that renew my faith that most people are GOOD and decent in this world.

I can't imagine thinking that I had to walk my baby down to Target to buy a new seat just to get her/him home. Terrible. I'm glad she got it back.

 

[CindyH]

Most of the stuff people have in strollers is really not very valuable to anyone but the family - clothing or toys that the child really likes - that's not replaceable stuff!

I'm really hope that what goes around comes around - i.e. the people that took your stuff get something really irreplaceable taken from them. (Yes, I know, that's really mean of me, but it's Monday.)

 

[robinb]

Thanks everyone. Update is that we checked with Lost & found yesterday and they found the backback and are mailing it to us. One reason why we just don't put anything of value in our stroller. As we were in the parks today, we watched so many people leaving things of value in their strollers (or at least I perceive them as valuable).

I'm glad you got your backpack back and kudos to DL for sending it back to you.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I'm glad you got your stroller back!

My kids still remember and talk about the time their stroller was stolen at DL, back in September 2005. Unfortunately our stroller and diaper bag in the basket were never returned.

That's why we ALWAYS lock our stroller whenever we leave it. Takes a minute or two, but we don't want to go through that ordeal again. It's no fun.

 

[lucky1]

Great, do you know if the contents were in the backpack? At least that was found.

I'm still very sorry this has happened to you guys.

No sure, since they are sending it to me. When I did ask that question, she said that they were able to match it to us, because of the detailed information I had about each item in the backpack. (color of clothes, shoe color brand and size, etc)

Hopefully they threw out the banana from the backpack before sending, but generally Disney does everything express mail so it might not be too ripe before it gets to our house

Thanks everyone because I think one lesson I have learned it to either have everything visible in the basket or in a clear bag so no one thinks there is something of value in there. I guess I was feeling pretty confident after multiple trips to DL and WDW in the last 4 years and no problems before, that a backpack used as a diaper bag in the past would not pose a problem.

 

[newfamilyman]

Some loser had a tired kid and was too lazy/cheap to go rent their own. Nice lesson to teach your kid, jerk.

No, this was widely discussed last year. Thieves walk off with a stroller, looking natural, and then take it to a quieter part of the park, take the valuables, and leave the stroller behind. The lesson remains, though, as others have said, not to leave valuables in the stroller. The strollers themselves always seem to be left behind somewhere.