Stroller security

[1stWDW]

I work with someone who goes to WDW every year. When I told her I was taking my Maclaren Volo stroller she asked me how I was going to mark it so it doesn't get taken. She told me that sometimes strollers can disappear after you return from your ride. Have you ever heard of this? I should hope that if this does happen that it is just an accident due to an identical stroller.
Anyway, do you have an advice on how to "mark" your stroller so it doesn't get taken accidentally or otherwise.

 

[Mickey_Dust]

It does happen but very rarely, most likely if a stroller is missing from the place you left it when you get off a ride a CM has moved it to condense the stroller mess going on. There are so many types and brands of strollers at the park that everyone will see a "Better" stroller or a more expensive stroller than yours. So I would put a bandana on your stroller to be able to quickly pick it out of the crowd and just make sure you place it in the correct areas, (that is were the CM are most likely to be.)

We took a brand new Maclaren Rally Twin on our last trip and for the money I paid I was concerned too. But I didn't have any problems at all. I did put a black skull and crossbones bandana on one handle bar and a red one on the other. It helped Identify it quickly, but it was usually in the place I left it.

Don't stress over it, Enjoy your trip!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I've never had a problem before. I have tied scarfs around my strollers and also wrote my name with a Sharpie on the stroller not big, but if someone were to take it accidentally or otherwise, at least they would know for a fact it's not their stroller.

I have seen some pretty expensive strollers at Disney, so I wouldn't sweat it too much either!

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

That has actually happened to us, but with an el-cheapo umbrella stroller from Wal-Mart. We parked our 2 strollers outside Mickey's Philharmagic. When we exited, one of our new umbrellas had been replaced with a used one. We knew it was not ours because we had placed those round Mickey stickers that the park gives away on it. I don't actually believe the theft was intentional, as there were several strollers in the area with the same pattern. Also, if you sit outside and watch, CM's are always rearranging strollers. If you see one in the same area you left it in, you kind of assume it's yours.

With a MacLaren, you probably won't have any cases of mistaken identity. But, it would not hurt to mark it with your family name, or something similar.

 

[turkeymama]

We have taken our Maclaren Volo twice and haven't had a problem, yet. I put a cutesy little luggage tag near the handle and I wrote our name and cell phone numbers on it. There are lots of Volos at the park. It helps to individualize yours in some way.

 

[Aliceacc]

Last year I tied a bright Pink bandanna to our new Maclaren Volo.

But the better marker was the bright orange rain poncho it wore most days!

(And that poncho not only made it stand out, but covered the fact that it was a nice new stroller )

 

[clc053103]

I always left my bag on it- filled with such nonsense as spare underpants for teh little guy and rain ponchos, nothing of value. I think stolen strollers are more often mistaken identity, not theft. I have only heard of one stroller theft in my excessive board reading (and 1 stroller swap, the PP on this thread).

 

[allie1078]

We have a red Zooper Twist, which in itself is not very popular at disney. but I tied lime green and yellow ribbon that was about 1 1/2" wide to the handles and wrote our nname and phone number on the bottom in permanent marker. if taken I could identify with the name on the bottom. We would leave our ponchos and diaper bag in the basket. Never left valuables in it.

 

[2002Disneybride]

I agree with what PP have stated...I have colored ribbon I attach to the handle of my mac's...we have 2 that have made multiple trips to Disney and never have been taken...I am sure in those instances it has been an accident...I would always take something to mark the stroller as they are always moved by CM's who keep the stroller area tidy...we noticed that with the rentals bewildered people who couldn't find theirs and just took another but never someone's personal stroller! No worries! We even took our super expensice double jogger and nothing happened...I have read that people bring bike locks etc which is just absurd...especially when the CMs artfully rearrange them!

 

[theatermouse]

What I found to be very helpful was I tied a BRIGHT yellow bandana to the handle of my dark blue stroller. I bought the brightest I could find & it made the stroller stand out nicely. I also attached a luggage tag the AAA office gave me around the handle that had our info on it (as well as placed a couple address labels in discreet locations on the stroller (can never be too careful!) & to be a little creative, I used my son's license plate from his bike. It's a Dora license plate bought at Walmart & it has his name on it. I used zip-ties and centered it on the handle. When we were looking for the stroller from the side, the yellow bandana was our cue, or when we looked from the rear, we could see the license plate with his name. We're leaving the bandana on for our trips to the amusement park this summer. The plate is back on his bike.

I was worried out of my mind before we left, but everything was fine.

 

[princessesx2]

I put 3 things on my volo....1.a kippotomus sunshade,2. return addresss stickers w/ name and cell and resort on it and 3. curling ribbon (like the kind used for presents) I made a big curly cue and tied it to the handle. I could always spot it!

 

[trennr]

I only got scared once...but turned out a cast member had moved it....I believe it was for the Haunted Mansion...Stroller got moved from near the rest rooms between Peter Pan and the Columbia Harbor House...to near the entrance of the Liberty Square Steamboat. In Hind site I guess it was a bad place to park it...but there were 2-3 more there...so i assumed it was the place.

We have left coolers...bags...etc in our strollers and have never missed a thing.

 

[dawncf24]

We didnt mark our double Maclaren at all but I think tying a balloon to it might be the most helpful in helping to find it when the CMs move the stroller then you can look above the sea of strollers for the balloons and really not too many had them tied to them. I am sure that strollers have been stolen before but I don't think it is happening frequently. I decided the first day I couldn't worry over that cause you had to leave the thing so I just hoped for the best!

Dawn

 

[sau418]

We have a black city mini double which I am sure is a rather common stroller in WDW, so I bought a red plastic tag with our last name and cell phone numbers engraved on it. I am planning to use a zip tie to attach it and will also use a ribbon of some sort.

 

[1stWDW]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I love the idea of the luggage tag/zip tie. Now I just need to find a fun colored bandana and I'm all set for the trip!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I was thinking about the same thing when I went down...first, yes the strollers do "move" their is someone @ most of the spots for strollers that keep "organizing" them

So when I went down last time --I tied a BIG, BRIGHT ribbon on mine. Of course, just like you would do with your car- don't leave valuables in it-- I left our ponchos, water bottles (that had been drink from us) and snacks...so if they want to take it --whatever! But I didn't have any problem --the ribbon also made it SO much easier to find in the "sea of strollers"

 

[tlh0726]

After reading a few posts here on the boards, we decided better safe than sorry. We locked our stroller during our trip in March, rear wheel to rear wheel, so that the CM's could still move it if needed.

This is the lock we used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XTPNZK

 

[enchantingodin]

I always put a poncho over our stroller. One - it's super easy to spot. Two - in case of a quick shower the seats won't get wet.

 

[highsmith]

I have taken a brand new Silver Cross pink and black stroller and a Peg Perego and never had an issue! I use a luggage tag and wrote on Sharpie on the bottom (in case there was an issue). Not a one. Mine has been moved on many an occasion, but always by CM.

And my mom usuallly has a giant bag full of al lkinds of worthless (and heavy stuff, like six bottles of water!!), so if someone steals it will be one heck of a workout!

 

[Lexie]

Thanks for the tips on how to mark your stroller...I was about to create a post on this exact topic!