Stroller lock?

[weregoingtodw]

I guess it's your choice if you want to let paranoia and fear rule your trip to WDW.

For the record, my child is nine, so I don't use a stroller. However, if I did, I am ruled by common sense, not by paranoia & fear. If you'd like to defend your choices, that's fine! However, don't put words in my mouth, please .

 

[robinb]

I have been worried about the whole stolen stroller issue and my husband told me not to worry....now I am worried again.

Your husband is a very smart man .

 

[Harmony]

Safety 1st Avila LiteRider Resort Stroller - 01900RSO
Target $39.99[/QUOTE]



That's the one we bought and took in place of our pricey stroller. However, my son wasn't very comfy in it. It didn't have much cushion for him and wasn't very easy to handle either.

I'd also like to add....the cost of the stroller, although a concern, isn't my major worry...it's the fact that *if* my stroller is stolen then what will my son use? The strollers that Disney rents out are SOOOOO uncomfortable for a toddler. Just plastic and no comfort. So for me...it's not about the money...it's about enjoying the day with a comfy toddler! If he's in a good mood...then we *all* are in a good mood.

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

AND - then you have to walk your toddler(s) to the car by themselves, on transport, through the parks beyond the drop off.

Regardless of those who have said theirs wasn't - guess what? Neither were millions of others. But, that doesn't mean that those who DID have their strollers stolen couldn't have prevented it by doing some small security measure.

Like it or not, Disneyworld isn't some Nirvana without any crime. Just because these things are reported on some national news story doesn't mean they don't happen. In fact, the evidence suggests that it does happen regularly if Disney has a policy in place to supply families with rentals and such when a stroller is stolen or accidentally taken.

The question I posted was NOT whether or not you think I should use a stroller lock. The question was HOW to use one.

Maybe I'm "paranoid" because I lock my house when I'm home...or watch my kids in the stores...or hold hands crossing the street...or lock the car doors when I'm at a red light...or don't carry a purse...or carry a debit card instead of sums of cash.

Or maybe I'm just cautious and preventing the preventable crimes that happen daily.

It really isn't up to you to decide - and I wasn't asking for your opinion. Be careless and haphazard with your belongings, and one day maybe you'll learn a lesson. Call me paranoid all you like, but I don't think you are the one replacing stolen goods, now are you?

 

[tlbwriter]

I guess it's your choice if you want to let paranoia and fear rule your trip to WDW. {{shrug}}

That's a little extreme. Simply being cautious should not be branded as "paranoia." Do you consider people "paranoid" who keep their wallets with them?

I still think that locking a stroller ... one of thousands at WDW at a given day ... is over the top. I have far more important things to worry about than if someone wants my butt-ugly lime green plaid Maclaren Techno.

Yay for you. (eta... Actually, no - if you're worried about a lot of things at WDW, then it's sad for you.) But someone who really relies on their stroller and would be inconvenienced by losing it may feel differently. And if I put a simple lock on it, then I'm *not* worrying about it. Problem solved.

You seem to assume people only take strollers because they are valuable. I don't believe that is the case. Sometimes people just decide they want a stroller, and they take the first one they can find. It's just like cars... if someone wants to steal *your* particular car, you can't really stop them. But if they're just looking for a joyride and they want the car they can steal the quickest, all you have to do is make it a teeny bit more difficult than the car next to yours, and they'll move on. Someone walked off with my rented stroller last year - not because it was valuable, just because it was there and they could. I personally have no reason to think it wouldn't happen again.

 

[Aneille]

I brought my Mountain Buggy Urban to WDW in September(btw I did see someone else with one while I was there both my husband and the other had this look like "I can't believe my wife convinced me to buy this thing!) and it was brand new. I was always worried it would be taken. Anyway it never did, but the airlines sure did a number on it.

I am taking it again on our next trip and I am seriously considering purchasing some sort of lock. Honestly I don't have the $$ to purchase another stroller like that one and I don't want to lose it.

I could take a cheaper stroller to WDW but the buggy works well for my family. Its easy to turn, fits in doorways and comfortably fits both my 3.5 and 21 month old. I asked my husband if we should bring one of other strollers and he said no way. It worked out really well for us last time.

I understand its rare to have strollers stolen at WDW but it does happen sometimes. I don't think my stroller has a better chance than anyone elses of getting stolen but it would be a big deal to ME if it was. I am not paranoid, having it locked or unlocked will not ruin my trip. Its a precaution that is all.

 

[robinb]

Yay for you. (eta... Actually, no - if you're worried about a lot of things at WDW, then it's sad for you.) But someone who really relies on their stroller and would be inconvenienced by losing it may feel differently.

Actually, that's the point. I don't worry about stuff at WDW. And I'm not naive thinking that "stuff doesn't happen" at WDW. I know it does. I depended on my stroller (for those 100 days in the park mentioned before) just as much as anyone on this thread. I would be bummed if it had been taken. But ... I didn't waste my energy protecting it from the small chance of possible theft.

I lived in the Chicago for years and still visit often now that I live in Wisconsin (Go Cubs!). One of the things I learned living in the Big City is that you can worry about this and you can worry about that until your entire world is a world of worry. There is a point where you have to let your worry go and play the odds of you won't step out the door. I just don't worry about stuff that doesn't happen often. Comparing thefts that happen frequently with thefts that happen infrequently is like comparing apples to oranges. Wallets taken? All the time. Camcorders taken? All the time. No, I don't leave my backpack filled with my camera and wallet in the unlocked stroller.

Honestly, if locking your stroller brings you one iota more emotional security v/s the PITA factor, be my guest and lock it! I really don't care if someone locks their stroller or not as long as the CMs can move it easily. If you want to throw a big chain and uncomfortable pad lock on the seat so someone can't put their kid in the seat (as someone suggested), knock yourself out . While you fight with all the locks and chains just to move from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland, I'll already by half way there pushing my butt-ugly lime green plaid Maclaren.

 

[tlbwriter]

Actually, that's the point. I don't worry about stuff at WDW. And I'm not naive thinking that "stuff doesn't happen" at WDW. I know it does. I depended on my stroller (for those 100 days in the park mentioned before) just as much as anyone on this thread. I would be bummed if it had been taken. But ... I didn't waste my energy protecting it from the small chance of possible theft.

Eh. I'm a worrier. I don't consider it a "waste of engery" to spend 30 seconds putting a bike lock on it, if it keeps me from worrying. My peace of mind is well worth the 30 seconds. Again, I don't care if there's a small chance overall... if it happens to me, it's a 100 percent chance. I can see why someone who never worries at all would think this is weird. But if someone really does feel more comfortable with their stroller locked, it's kind of a "waste of energy" to try to convince them otherwise, kwim?

 

[robinb]

Eh. I'm a worrier. I don't consider it a "waste of engery" to spend 30 seconds putting a bike lock on it, if it keeps me from worrying.
{snip}
But if someone really does feel more comfortable with their stroller locked, it's kind of a "waste of energy" to try to convince them otherwise, kwim?

Yes I do .

The only reason why I am in this thread is for the newbies and first time visitors. Many would read this thread and think there is a rash of stroller thefts at WDW and that everyone which an ounce of sense locks their stroller or it will be taken in two shakes of a Mouse's tail. That's just not true. The vast majority of people at WDW don't lock their strollers and the vast majority of strollers are left alone. Like I said, if it makes you feel better to lock your stroller, then that's really OK with me. It's just not a requirement.

 

[corndog]

Regardless of those who have said theirs wasn't - guess what? Neither were millions of others. But, that doesn't mean that those who DID have their strollers stolen couldn't have prevented it by doing some small security measure.

I'm sorry, but based on this comment, I have to ask. Do your children wear helmets in the car to protect their heads in case of an accident?

/I realize this might sound like a negative comment to some, but please don't take it as one. I've been seeing this more and more.

 

[sha_lyn]

We are beyond using strollers now, but never locked them in the past. Never had a problem.
Many times someones "stolen" stroller isn't stolen, it has been moved by a cm. I've seen plenty of claims of stolen strollers here that said somethings like "yep they took the stroller and must have used it all day. would you believe they left it at the end of the night very near where we had left it".

Locking the strollers to anything in WDW is against fire code from everything that I have read. I could see locking to so it won't fold, but personally I wouldn't want to inconvenience a CM by making them have to carry my stroller instead of pushing it. Imagine if everyone locked the wheels so they wouldn't roll. That would be a lot of extra work for the CM's who have to move the strollers.

As for those who wonder why they move them. It helps with the flow. People tend to leave them near the entrance of a ride. Then as more people arrive they are parking theirs further down, toward the exit. If the strollers are constantly moved toward the exit, then you don't have as much of a bottle neck of people trying to get through each other.

 

[tlbwriter]

I've seen plenty of claims of stolen strollers here that said somethings like "yep they took the stroller and must have used it all day. would you believe they left it at the end of the night very near where we had left it".

 

[Aneille]

I guess I don't understand why some people are really making those that would consider locking their stroller feel like paranoid freaks etc.

Honestly if my stroller gets stolen it WOULD make my vacation much less enjoyable. Its an expensive stroller and one I'd probably never get to replace. It was an extravagent splurge one day

Like I said I have taken it and I did not lock it, but I thought about it. And I am not going to worry about if someone else does or doesn't. I wouldn't take my bike and leave it unlocked in front of most stores either.

Plus the poster never asked about how safe WDW was in regards to strollers they wanted to know how people that do lock their strollers do it. It doesn't take a long time to lock a stroller and the person that locks their stroller isn't going to get their any slower than someone that doesn't. For me with 2 kids and all their junk they have whats another 30 seconds ?

 

[nemomama]

AND - then you have to walk your toddler(s) to the car by themselves, on transport, through the parks beyond the drop off.

Regardless of those who have said theirs wasn't - guess what? Neither were millions of others. But, that doesn't mean that those who DID have their strollers stolen couldn't have prevented it by doing some small security measure.

Like it or not, Disneyworld isn't some Nirvana without any crime. Just because these things are reported on some national news story doesn't mean they don't happen. In fact, the evidence suggests that it does happen regularly if Disney has a policy in place to supply families with rentals and such when a stroller is stolen or accidentally taken.

The question I posted was NOT whether or not you think I should use a stroller lock. The question was HOW to use one.

Maybe I'm "paranoid" because I lock my house when I'm home...or watch my kids in the stores...or hold hands crossing the street...or lock the car doors when I'm at a red light...or don't carry a purse...or carry a debit card instead of sums of cash.

Or maybe I'm just cautious and preventing the preventable crimes that happen daily.

It really isn't up to you to decide - and I wasn't asking for your opinion. Be careless and haphazard with your belongings, and one day maybe you'll learn a lesson. Call me paranoid all you like, but I don't think you are the one replacing stolen goods, now are you?

05ChristmasSurprise, as you said, all you did was ask HOW to use a lock on your stroller, not IF you should use one! I don't think you're being paranoid at all, I think you're being realistic and well-prepared. Disney is still the real world, and yes, stuff gets taken sometimes.

I know I'm definitely locking up my stroller. I'll be dammed if someone walks away with my Bugaboo! Lol, just kidding...I have a Peg. Seriously though, I don't think it's a pain or an inconvenience to lock it at all.

To answer your original question, I thread a thin bicycle lock between the front and back wheel to lock it while the stroller is open. This seems to work pretty well.

 

[metta4]

If you are that concerned about your stroller getting stolen...then don't take it. I took my peg double stroller last week and no problems at WDW....the airlines however managed to bust a piece off it of.

I personally think that if you feel you have to chain it up, don't bring it.

 

[cheyennemama]

My biggest concern (I'll be chaining my 2 strollers together) isn't the stroller but the stuff inside it! I don't want someone to just take it all! My own stroller is fave but only about $150. The other was about $15 at Target! But if they stroll it away with my souvenirs inside, I'll cry!

 

[tlbwriter]

If you are that concerned about your stroller getting stolen...then don't take it. I took my peg double stroller last week and no problems at WDW....the airlines however managed to bust a piece off it of.

I personally think that if you feel you have to chain it up, don't bring it.

Um, that's a little extreme, isn't it? If your stroller is so useful that you'd hate to lose it, you should just do without it? That's kind of like telling someone who asks where to buy a poncho that if you're afraid it's going to rain, you should stay home from WDW.

 

[disneymama73]

I took my peg double stroller last week and no problems at WDW....the airlines however managed to bust a piece off it of.

This is what I am worried about!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

On our first trip I worried about the stroller before we left....not in the parks...the plane!.....so instead of our "Good"stroller I bought a stroller at Target (also the lite rider by Safety 1st.....Love it for the parks..light, great job at manuevering, cup holders etc......) It worked great. I didnt give it another thought. On our last trip our stroller came out (we had it stowed under the plane after we wheeled it down the jetway) with a huge dent in the wheel part....wheel wobbled like a shopping cart. It was on the trip home so I didn't worry about it ...for $39.99 it did a great job on its 3 trips to WDW...it is now in stroller heaven. AMEN...thank you stroller for your service. DS's "Stroller" type wheelchair also came out damaged on one of our trips....also a piece of the sunshade was missing ....we got back Sept. 9th and then then Sept 11 happened.......put things into perspective...never complained to the airline about the stroller....they got us all home safe. I guess if you are terribly worried about your stroller I would lock it...but I would ask a CM where. Maybe someplace out of the way. If you are not worring you can relax and enjoy the trip. If It is locked somewhere where it won't have to be moved then the CMs dont have to carry it.

 

[lulu71]

I wasn't even going to respond to this thread because I see both points. I paid a small fortune for my stroller and like anything expensive I would be nervous to leave it unsecured. I know that stoller stealing incidents are rare, but I would kick myself if something happened to it. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Now that's not to say it's not going to be a small inconvenience to lock it all the time, but it's not going to ruin my trip by any means. Come on, how big of a deal can it be to spend a minute locking it up? And for the poster that said leave it at home, sorry, but I bought the stroller to use it, not leave it!