Stroller safety

[PinkBudgie]

Boy, can I relate to "old mommy" memory!

Unofficial Guide had a funny (and somewhat icky) tip for stroller identification. They say that the weirder your identifier, the less likely your stroller is to be stolen. So they recommended stuffing an athletic sock with newspaper and tying it on there, or something like that. Apparently there's kind of a psychological deterrant. They included a tip from a lady who said that they took a clean disposable diaper, poured a little root beer into it so it looked "used," wrapped it in a clear plastic bag, and tied that to the handle of the stroller. Yep, that would deter me!

I was going to mention that too. That sounds like the best stroller tip!
We are way past stroller age but I would do it with a rental or my own.

 

[Mybananas]

So this thread gets me wondering, what happens if your stroller gets stolen or misplaced? Do you get charged a fee?

 

[Mugglemama]

my husband reminded me today that we also had a watch stolen from our stroller once. he had gotten me this really cool watch that clipped on, specifically for our trips to DLR (when we had AP's and were there a lot). somebody stole it right off of the stroller. it wasn't expensive or anything, but it's really annoying that people would do that.

personally, i'll be glad when we're done with strollers at DLR, lol! such a hassle! the way our kids are spaced apart, we've been using strollers at DLR for 11 years straight, UGH! my youngest will be nearly 5 on this next trip, and i'm thinking this will likely be the last trip we need a stroller. WOOHOOO!!

 

[MichaelColey]

So this thread gets me wondering, what happens if your stroller gets stolen or misplaced? Do you get charged a fee?

With most theme parks, that's what you would suspect. Disney's policy is much more friendly. If your rented stroller is stolen or misplaced, just bring your receipt to any stroller location (they're listed on the receipt) and they'll replace it for free. Kudos for Disney for this!

 

[mechurchlady]

They never charge you if you do not return the rental stroller. I seen them dumped all over the parks and esplanade. If you do have a theft then contact security and they can help you out with reports and then put in a report with lost and found in case a guilty person ditches the item.

 

[youmyflower]

I just want to add that it's worth it to stop and report your lost items, even if you never expect to get them back. We've done this three times now and all three, Disney has located the item and shipped it back to us free of charge!

The last trip we had, DD left her backpack in the pocket of Space Mountain and when we went to retrieve it, it was gone. We reported it missing and a few weeks later it was mailed back to us - everything in it (including a visa and ID!) with the exception of the cash (about $25). Disney said people usually take anything valuable and dump the rest of the item somewhere.

I also wonder if Disney does "sweeps" pretty frequently where they pick up left behind items so the park doesn't look trashy?

Moral of the story: LABEL YOUR ITEMS!

 

[emjester1]

I'm sorry to be one of the sole posters with these circumstances, but my family just got back from a trip to WDW. We were there April 5-10 and had our entire stroller and its contents stolen at Downtown Disney. It was parked right in front of Once Upon a Toy and was literally unattended for no more than 5 minutes. It was parked right outside the big glass front windows and someone took it. We know for certain that it was an intentional act, and I can't really get into more than that because it is an ongoing investigation, but this stuff does happen. It's easy to get caught up in the "safe" feeling while at Disney, but be careful. This was a less expensive Maclaren with stains on it....and we're not flashy looking people, but were targeted for whatever reason.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

I also want to say a dear friend of mine had his stroller (with his newborns bottles/milk/diapers still in the stroller stollen a few months back as well at Disneyland. While he was at lost and found letting them know it was stollen from the Stroller Parking area of a ride there was ANOTHER person reporting their stroller missing as well. This same thing also happened to a friend of his (that I do not know) recently on his trip as well. Apparently a CM told them both while they were reporting the thefts that it is happening more and more and that people are coming in to steal the stroller and are posting them for sale on Craigslist.org, they dont want anything other than the stroller and just not leaving anything of value in it doesnt make a difference anymore.

Very sad. He went last weekend and locked his stroller to a gate each time they left it in the stroller parking so as not to get another one stollen, I plan to borrow his lock for our upcoming trip as well.

I cant believe people do this...

 

[bumbershoot]

I also wonder if Disney does "sweeps" pretty frequently where they pick up left behind items so the park doesn't look trashy?

Yes.

Very sad. He went last weekend and locked his stroller to a gate each time they left it in the stroller parking so as not to get another one stollen, I plan to borrow his lock for our upcoming trip as well.

Don't do that. Your friend has been lucky that the CMs haven't needed to move the strollers, b/c if they encounter a stroller locked to something, they'll get the bolt cutters.

If you want a "legal" deterrent, put a chain lock around your back wheels, so that the CM can still move it by tipping it forwards and moving it on its front wheels, but a thief isn't going to draw attention to him/herself by rolling it away like that. Don't lock it TO anything, though.

 

[mechurchlady]

DLR and WDW can and will remove any locks on anything that is attacked to a permanent fixture such as gates, fences, railings, and light posts. If they feel they need to move something and the item ain't budging then they will cut the locks. I read about that over at a WDW board a while back and it was verified by WDW CM.

 

[Lakewood]

If they are being taken I am sure they are unintentionally taken. But a small lock would not be a bad idea, just pass it through a wheel to a beam in the stroller....

Yes they could carry it away, but if they want it that bad let em have it...

 

[RobertaMomof2]

GREAT idea Bumbershoot! Thanks I will for sure do that, I will pass it through both back tires. Fantastic idea.

I just cant imagine my trip without my double stroller, I would be lost without it.

Roberta

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad to pass along the idea, Roberta. It wasn't my own original idea, just one that passes from thread to thread around here!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wow that is sad last year we were worried about stuff getting took. now strollers whats this world coming to. I may take a small lock for the wheels if i do get the new one

 

[RobertaMomof2]

I would if I were you Jade. It is sad how only a few bad apples can spoil the whole thing, isnt it?

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

wow that is sad last year we were worried about stuff getting took. now strollers whats this world coming to. I may take a small lock for the wheels if i do get the new one