Stroller Theft- Really does it happen alot?

[moonpie85]

I really want to take ours but it's new and I just spent 300 on it and I'm scared someone will snatch it. Does this really happen alot? Or is it one of those situations we only hear about the bad?

Also do any of you use wheel locks for that reason? If so which do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I hope someone can shed some light... we plan on taking our Baby Jogger City Select double stroller and I paid about $700 for it... I'd DIE without it.

 

[zuzu310]

Also interested to hear. I plan on bringing a cheapo umbrella stroller when we take junior for the first time. I am also going to make a big name card for it to prevent someone from grabbing it by mistake because it looks like theirs.

 

[mom2rtk]

No, it's not common. But yes it does happen. My friend had her double stroller taken in the Magic Kingdom. She was told there had been a rash of such thefts in the MK that day. She was lost without it the rest of the trip. Disney gave her free rentals for the remainder of the trip, but those aren't well-suited to babies.

There is only a tiny chance yours would be taken. But it does happen so don't go into the park thinking that everything is safe because it's Disney.

I can see wanting your most comfy wheels with you in the park. But I probably wouldn't take a chance on a $700 stroller. But then what do I know. I'd never buy a $700 stroller.

 

[stargazertechie]

It's not super common, and I would not suggest wheel locks- cast members have to be able to move your stroller.


If you don't plan on reselling your strollers, could you perhaps paint the handles or embroider your family's name somewhere on the stroller, to make it less valuable to resellers?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I would not take a $700 stroller to the theme parks. Theft is not common, but it does happen. All it takes is it to happen once to you and they have taken your $700 stroller. Get yourself a cheap stroller and buy a nice foammy padding for it...
I did take a $250 Aprica baby carriage (price back in 1988) and I did lock the wheels! Back then, the CM's didn't move them..

 

[jsesp]

We've never had a problem, but we didn't take the good stroller ($200+...don't remember exactly) with us. We bought a $30 model that we ran around with for the week and then gave to someone on the way out. It was cheaper than a rental, it was ours so we knew where it had been and if someone walked off with it, oh well. We also liked the idea of passing on some magic on the way out. Our daughter was just as happy with el cheapo as she was with the nice one.

 

[bluelobster]

Never take anything into the parks unless you're willing to accept the very, very, very low risk that it may go missing.

Don't leave valuable objects in the stroller. This includes cameras, cell phones, valuable toys, etc.

Make sure you VISIBLY mark your ownership of the stroller...I've seen more than one family get their stroller either confused or otherwise "confused" with another's.

If you're in the immediate vicinity of a show (Lion King, Nemo, et al) ask a nearby cast member immediately. Often shows will have at least one cast member *dedicated* to stroller service, and they may be able to help you find it or otherwise notify park management of an MIA stroller.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At many of the shows there is a CM assigned to stroller straightening. This position involves keeping the stroller parking areas neat and orderly.

To this, often the CM will move strollers. There is no problem with locking a stroller to itself, so the CM can relocate it but a person who wants to move it a long distance will have a problem.

If you lock a stroller to something that is fixed, such as a post or tree, more than likely either the lock or the cable will be cut and the stroller moved.

And if you park a stroller in an area not designated for stroller parking, it will be moved to a parking area somewhere in the vicinity; how far depends on how the CM feels at the time.

 

[bluelobster]

If you lock a stroller to something that is fixed, such as a post or tree, more than likely either the lock or the cable will be cut and the stroller moved.

And if you park a stroller in an area not designated for stroller parking, it will be moved to a parking area somewhere in the vicinity; how far depends on how the CM feels at the time.

Very, very true. Also:

If you block the trash cans, it's possible your stroller may be moved.

At many shows, there are certain entrance and exit paths that must be kept clear for emergency vehicles to traverse the parks. If you park in any of those zones, a CM will usually try to warn you, but it WILL get moved.

When I got put on stroller detail, I was about as nice as I could be about it - I always moved the stroller to the first open position on the same side/area, and made sure to make myself available front-and-center to help you find it again later. Other CM's *have* been known to be slightly more vindictive, usually at the same level as the, um, stroller parking "transgression".

 

[pipe36]

A 700.00 stroller?

Look, you don't get robbed every time you walk thru a bad part of town, but the odds will go up if you're displaying gold chains and diamonds.

Might wanna consider "roughing it" with a mundane model.

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

Even though I'm not the OP- thanks for the information everyone! My stroller is used daily and is like an appendage to me having 5 kids. It's the only way I am able to be out with all of them alone safely and comfortably... plus- it is a jogger.

Not many tandem, double joggers on the market that would fit an infant seat with a regular seat and then convert into 2 regular seats... it was and has been my most extravagant purchase to date but I have used it so much that it has paid for itself and then some. :

I have considered just renting the stroller in the park but to be honest- I'm not sure I could be without it on the way to and from the parks... me and DH with 5 kids on foot? I'd be a nervous wreck... not to mention on the way back to FW with kids plus souveniers and junk we bring...

Tough decision but I may have to just take my chances and bring my stroller. If it gets stolen... well- there's always karma so the thief will get theirs and then some.

 

[stargazertechie]

I have considered just renting the stroller in the park but to be honest- I'm not sure I could be without it on the way to and from the parks... me and DH with 5 kids on foot? I'd be a nervous wreck... not to mention on the way back to FW with kids plus souveniers and junk we bring...

I'm not familiar with camping at Disney, but I know at the rest of the resorts you can have your purchases shipped to the gift shop. I'm assuming you could have your purchases shipped to The Settlement Trading Post

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

For reasons that I still don't fully understand, it was apparently necessary to purchase a stroller called a Bugaboo Cameleon for our second child. It cost something like $900 (I think I blacked out the price to prevent my brain from exploding), and I said that at that price we sure as heck were going to use it for one of the most stroller-intensive vacations we'll ever take. It was perfectly fine and has been back a few times since with no issues.

Theft can happen, but I think it's so rare that it's not worth worrying about. I suspect that many stroller "thefts" are actually strollers that were taken due to confusion or are misplaced and never found before the guest gives up. I'm not saying it cannot happen, but for such a stroller-intensive trip, it seems to me that you'll want your good stroller with you!

 

[twinboysmom]

OP, I have a very expensive double stroller (retails close to $700) and we took ours in May. I really didn't feel as if it was unsafe but sometimes I did lock it. I ran a bike lock through the 2 back wheels. The CM's were able (and did) move it by lifting it up and pushing it by the front wheel. I realize it could still be stolen but would think this might make it a little harder. They make a product called a buggy guard and basically it is a lock with a cute character designed for this (for sale at amazon and babies r us type stores) but I just used a regular bike lock. I would recommend locking the stroller to itself for some piece of mind if you are worried.

 

[Oglet]

I love playing hide the stroller... It's always so much fun to watch people walk around and wonder why their stroller is not sitting out in the middle of the parade route where they left it.

Yeah, I know its bad.. but come on, we are human and do have a little evil humor

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

aracter designed for this (for sale at amazon and babies r us type stores) but I just used a regular bike lock. I would recommend locking the stroller to itself for some piece of mind if you are worried.

Great advice to OP and for those of us needing this information as well. As far as the cost of our strollers... we make $, we can spend it as we all wish, right? The main focus is that no matter if we spend $10 or $1000, that we still don't want our personal property that we have paid for to go missing so anything to hedge our risks is good information to have. The opinions on the cost is irrelevant.

The only time I think our stroller will be unattended will be when we eat and I can use the bike lock for that. Other times, DH or I will be staying with the little ones while the bigger ones and available parent rides.

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I'm not familiar with camping at Disney, but I know at the rest of the resorts you can have your purchases shipped to the gift shop. I'm assuming you could have your purchases shipped to The Settlement Trading Post

Great idea! We're staying in a cabin. This would be ideal if I could ship diaper bags and sippy cups back to the room as well!

 

[Alinasan]

Depending on what stroller type you have, maybe you could remove a wheel. A stroller thief is probably less likely to take one that doesn't roll smoothly than one that does, but a CM could still move it enough to make room. We'd bought a new one before our last trip and were worried about it, so that was what we did.

Of course, that doesn't work for every stroller type, plus even if you can easily remove a small wheel, you waste time sticking the wheel back in. Then you have to carry that dirty wheel in a bag with you (and on some rides/attractions that's not a good idea or possible). By the end of our trip, we decided we'd rather risk the stroller getting stolen than have to bother with the wheel. At the beginning though, it was good for our peace of mind and nerves, and let us relax more. But a few days in, the stroller looked quite lived in, so we were less worried someone would want it.

Good luck!

 

[bluelobster]

I love playing hide the stroller... It's always so much fun to watch people walk around and wonder why their stroller is not sitting out in the middle of the parade route where they left it.

And I quote:
"What do you MEAN my stroller had to be moved so that the medical team could get through?!? What kind of reason is THAt for STEALING my stuff. I don't care if it's right over there. So what if someone had been having a heart attack, my KIDS had to walk in THE HEAT"