Stroller safety

[MinnieVanMom]

We have a rather expensive stroller and wondered how safe it would be in Disneyland?

I also own a cheap one that I could bring and I thought that we could get free stroller rental with our Disney visa card. Is that true?

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

As for safety...we've used our strollers (Graco single and a cheapie umbrella) for 2 trips now and never had a single issue...we decorated them with all sorts of crazy colorful ribbons on the handles so that it would be easy to spot our and hard for someone else to mistake ours for theirs.
Also, I've heard of people putting fake poopie diapers in bags hanging off of the handles as a theft deterrant...just a thought.
We also let ours get "dirtied up" and did NOT clean it up on purpose, to make it look less attractive...to avoid theft as well.

And yes, from what I understand you get a 2 free stroller rentals per day PER Disney card.

HTH!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We have a Maclaren Triumph and it is bright green. I would be very upset if it were taken so I believe just using the free rental will be perfect.

Where do we go to get the strollers?

 

[jenjersnap]

We've taken two Maclaren Triumphs on many Disney trips with no issues (*knock wood*). It seems like everyone is pushing a Mac in the parks so I doubt ours (or yours) would be singled out for theft as long as I don't leave anything worth taking in it. Also, one advantage to our brightly colored Triumphs is that I can spot them quickly in stroller parking.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Yep, in the sea of dk blue strollers our lime green just screams out to us. I am really leaning towards the free rental with our visa card.

 

[specialks]

You get 2 free rentals with your visa card. You rent them at the right hand side of the entrance to the parks.

We took our own stroller last year but will get the free rentals with the visa card this year. I would plan on bringing some ribbons &/or other notifying items to put on the stroller. My understanding is that the park ones get "stolen" often but it is probably because people get confused which is theirs and they are in a hurry and just grab one. I have a hard time believing that people visiting Disneyland ("The Happiest Place on Earth") would really maliciously steal a stroller. So, make it obvious that it isn't theirs and they will likely move on.

 

[bumbershoot]

Strollers, and items in strollers (and on benches), are taking purposely by people.

However, it's not the norm.

I would take your own, make sure you don't leave anything in it. Park it "backwards", so if handles are facing you pushing it in, turn it around and park it so it's awkward to get to it. Be sure to use the brake.

Some suggest getting a small cable lock and locking the two BACK wheels together, so someone taking it away would have to carry it (awkward and obvious) or tip it forward to push it away (obvious and sillyloooking). You do not want to lock front and back wheels together, nor do you want to lock it TO something, because the CMs have to be able to move the stroller for their own traffic purposes. Locking the back wheels allows them to move it.

Remember, the main time that strollers become necessary is when you're on your way back to the hotel. If you're staying offsite, that 10 minute walk can become rather long when carrying a big kid or coaxing a bigger (but still small enough for a stroller to be an option) kid to walk. And that's just when you have to turn in the rentals (sad).

I have heard people say that you can get your rental and have them put your own stroller in the back somewhere, but I know nothing other than "I heard about it on the dis"...that would be the best of both worlds, since ou have the Disney visa.

 

[disheadz]

I am sure things are taken occasionally, but I don't worry about it and it has never happened to us. It probably doesn't make much sense to pay $75 to get in and then steal a stroller and leave. I gotta have the stroller for the walk back to the hotel.

 

[brergnat]

I've taken my two Maclarens to Disneyland more times than I can count. Never had an issue.

My neighbor bought an AP, and had her cheap-o umbrella stroller stolen on her FIRST visit as an AP holder...

It happens.

You can't lock together the back wheels of Maclarens...they have solid "spokes" so there is nowhere to put the cable lock, and besides, I think a REAL thief would probably carry a cable cutter...

I would go with the rental, if it will make you feel better. Or, just bring your Mac and take your chances. Like I said, I go practically once a week with my kids, every year for the past 4 years. Never had mine stolen...that's a pretty good track record. Just don't leave ANYTHING in it!!! Mark it in some way with your name/identifying info (I put our info on an index card, slipped inside a ziploc baggie, then used duct tape to secure it to the plastic back support behind the seat cushion. It's not easily removable. The part that "shows" says "This stroller belongs to the ----- Family".

 

[Heymy]

I struggled with this one until the last moment. We have a Phil & Ted Double Sport in Lime Green...I've never seen another one anywhere....except the 4 different ones in Disneyland LOL Definitely popular there. After we got out of the Golden Horseshoe I asked DH to get it. So I'm struggling putting DD in, asking who switched the straps....then 5 mins later it dawns on me...THIS IS NOT MY STROLLER! I was a mess...didn't know what to do, go to lost and found? Decided to stay where I left mine and 10 mins later a lady walks by and asked if that was my stroller...I said nope. She said her friend had mine and they had been walking through the park. Finally my stroller arrived (still don't know if DH took hers or what) and we were both grateful. She said she stopped 2 other people with Lime Green Phil & Teds but they weren't hers LOL. Whew.

Then our last day we rented 2 strollers with Disney Visa (folks left a day early with ours)...they were great until the end of the day. The plan was to leave them at the Monorail and ride back since we were staying at DLH. Well little did we know that they shut it down for the fireworks, 8:30 - 10:00...the exact time we had to leave..of course. We ended up having to walk through DTD with 2 very cranky little girls...wishing I had my stroller.

So next time...my stroller will be making the trip.

 

[keptwoman]

We took our expensive one and had no issue with anyone taking it.
It had a zipable compartment underneath which was great for keeping what was in there out of site (although we kept valuables on us) It was also nice to have one that wasn't the same as the disney ones... boy it was a sea of them! We will probably rent this time as we arent carting a stroller all around the US for the 4 days at Disney but I will take ribbons to mark it as ours.

 

[tripletlyblessed]

I take my triple stroller every time and have never had an issue. It cost over $1000. I do keep the irreplaceable stuff in a small bag and take that with us on rides and such but leave the big bag (water, potty seat, change of clothes) on the stroller.

 

[jenpace]

Remember, the main time that strollers become necessary is when you're on your way back to the hotel. If you're staying offsite, that 10 minute walk can become rather long when carrying a big kid or coaxing a bigger (but still small enough for a stroller to be an option) kid to walk. And that's just when you have to turn in the rentals (sad).

Okay, so that point is absolutely HUGE. I bring my $400.00 + Mountain Buggy Urban each time we go to DL and have never had any issue with it...ever.

I have seen people pushing their kids around in really uncomfortable looking strollers though and it just pains me to see tiny babies up to bigger kids crammed in unsupportive little seats. Remember, your child will spend a lot of time in the stroller as there is a ton of walking and you want them to be as comfortable as possible

 

[Hester]

Don't leave anything of value in your stroller - and don't bring a stroller that you're not willing to lose.

You're rolling the dice - period.

I haven't had a problem with my stroller, but my best friend has.

 

[mechurchlady]

I do not think a person would risk stealing an expensive stroller. IF you can resell it you might get a couple hundred dollars and it would be a pain to resell. I think the theft of strollers is minimal and that it is blown out of proportion.