Stroller Theft- Really does it happen alot?

[joy13]

Just make sure you do something to make your stroller different. A big tag with your name, a balloon on it - some dirty laundry on it maybe Like someone else said, I bet most of the time it's confusion rather than outright stealing.

 

[Sammie]

With the economy in the tank, more of everything is being stolen. As expensive as these nice strollers are a thief could make serious money at a yard sale.

 

[newmommy_2010]

We have a nice stroller we use at home but DS will be 2 at the time of our trip and we just caught a umbrella stroller with cup holders and under carriage holder on sale for 30.00 at Wal-mart and bought it to bring to Disney! We didn't want to take the chance!

 

[Wadecool]

With the economy in the tank, more of everything is being stolen. As expensive as these nice strollers are a thief could make serious money at a yard sale.

But the thieves would have to spend how much $$$ to get into the parks in the first place? I'm sure any criminal worth his or her salt would agree thats not a very good cost pyramid.

 

[livndisney]

But the thieves would have to spend how much $$$ to get into the parks in the first place? I'm sure any criminal worth his or her salt would agree thats not a very good cost pyramid.

How do you think us "locals" afford AP's

(Yes, I am kidding-just making light of the "stroller theft rings" often mentioned here. Several posters were/are convinced we make a tidly little sum on craigslist selling stolen strollers.)

 

[A Mickeyfan]

But the thieves would have to spend how much $$$ to get into the parks in the first place? I'm sure any criminal worth his or her salt would agree thats not a very good cost pyramid.

think again... you have many who are locals and have an annual pass.. so no, they aren't spending big bucks.. a few strollers and they could have paid for their pass.. heck a few strollers with a diaper bag with cameras in them, and they paid for their family's passes as well..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

How do you think us "locals" afford AP's

(Yes, I am kidding-just making light of the "stroller theft rings" often mentioned here. Several posters were/are convinced we make a tidly little sum on craigslist selling stolen strollers.)

I know you are joking.. but it is true.. locals can do it very easy.. not to mention the family who arrives from out of town, that doesn't want to spend the extra money on a stroller while there, so they snatch someone else's!

 

[livndisney]

I know you are joking.. but it is true.. locals can do it very easy.. not to mention the family who arrives from out of town, that doesn't want to spend the extra money on a stroller while there, so they snatch someone else's!

My money is on the "out of towners". I paid for both of my strollers (which reminds me I need to get them out and have a sale), all my local friends paid for their strollers. I have heard "guests" at theme parks discussing "borrowing" strollers. I actually had someone "borrow" my stroller at a local theme park. They were rather surprised when I walked up and asked for it back. (My stroller had a very unusual stroller bag designed and made by me.) To be fair they said they did plan on returning my stroller when they were "done" with it

I also would not put it past the CM's. I have always suspected CM "revenge". I know if I was a CM and someone was nasty to me I would TOTALLY "relocate" their stroller.

 

[moonpie85]

OP here....thanks for the suggestions. We have a cheapy $50 Jeep umbrella from Wally World and I bought it so I could use on the trip and not worry if it was stolen or not. But unfortunally as a tall couple it hurts our back as most all umbrella strollers do

So looks like we'll take our chances and take the nice new one. I think I will get a lock though. CMs will still be able to move it.

 

[livndisney]

OP here....thanks for the suggestions. We have a cheapy $50 Jeep umbrella from Wally World and I bought it so I could use on the trip and not worry if it was stolen or not. But unfortunally as a tall couple it hurts our back as most all umbrella strollers do

So looks like we'll take our chances and take the nice new one. I think I will get a lock though. CMs will still be able to move it.

Have you considered stroller extenders? You can usually find them at Babies R us and they extend the stroller handles for tall people.

 

[moonpie85]

Have you considered stroller extenders? You can usually find them at Babies R us and they extend the stroller handles for tall people.

I have but have only heard bad reviews. Have you tried one?

 

[tony609]

I am just curious how people can say with all assurance that stroller theft isn't common? Unless you work at disney in the department where people would file a claim for a stolen/lost stroller??? How do you know??????

I would think accidental theft moreso than just theft, BUT people are who they are regardles of the location.

 

[livndisney]

I have but have only heard bad reviews. Have you tried one?

As a short person no LOL. But a couple of friends of mine have used them successfully. One went to Babies R us and they let her test a couple different brands. She used the extenders through a couple of kids.

 

[moonpie85]

As a short person no LOL. But a couple of friends of mine have used them successfully. One went to Babies R us and they let her test a couple different brands. She used the extenders through a couple of kids.

Oh that would be great! Thanks, I'll see if they'll let me try one.

 

[squirrel]

For anyone wanting an umbella stroller that's not too expensive check out the Britax Blink at www.albeebaby.com - $70 and it reclines. It lookes very similar to the Maclaren strollers.

I just checked the photo and it appears to have spokes so you can run a lock through the wheels.

 

[eangel12]

I purchased a buggy guard for our trip in September. I don't want my $450.00 stroller to disappear!! I figured it can happen...so why ruin my trip. The buggy guard is only $20.00!!

 

[stargazertechie]

I purchased a buggy guard for our trip in September. I don't want my $450.00 stroller to disappear!! I figured it can happen...so why ruin my trip. The buggy guard is only $20.00!!

Just be sure to only lock your stroller to itself. If you use the buggy guard to tether the stroller to a bench/fence/trash bin/etc CMs will most likely cut the lock to move it.

 

[Wadecool]

OP here....thanks for the suggestions. We have a cheapy $50 Jeep umbrella from Wally World and I bought it so I could use on the trip and not worry if it was stolen or not. But unfortunally as a tall couple it hurts our back as most all umbrella strollers do

So looks like we'll take our chances and take the nice new one. I think I will get a lock though. CMs will still be able to move it.

I'm tall also and we bought the Maclaren Techno XLR and love it! It has extendable handles and I (6'7") can push it all day long without any back problems.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

I'm a big believer in Karma too. However, if someone takes your stroller, karma is not going to help you deal with your 5 kids. A lock for your stroller is inexpensive, and will give you great peace of mind.

 

[Wadecool]

My money is on the "out of towners". I paid for both of my strollers (which reminds me I need to get them out and have a sale), all my local friends paid for their strollers. I have heard "guests" at theme parks discussing "borrowing" strollers. I actually had someone "borrow" my stroller at a local theme park. They were rather surprised when I walked up and asked for it back. (My stroller had a very unusual stroller bag designed and made by me.) To be fair they said they did plan on returning my stroller when they were "done" with it

I also would not put it past the CM's. I have always suspected CM "revenge". I know if I was a CM and someone was nasty to me I would TOTALLY "relocate" their stroller.

My money is also on the out of towners. However, regardless of where the thief is from, if they take our stroller they had better high tail it out of there because between the initials engraved on it, the balloons tied to it, bandanas, etc, our stroller it easy to spot from a great distance. I would hate to be the guy/gal who had to deal with DW over our stolen stroller.