Stroller Wars

[princess momma]

Here's the deal. I've read in the Unofficial Guide that strollers are taken ALL THE TIME, and it's been confirmed by other DISers. We had planned on taking one stroller for DD2 (mainly just to get her through the airport) and renting one for DD3. But I really don't want my expensive stroller stolen, not to mention the personal items in it (diaper bags, shopping bags, etc.)

DH thinks we should stick to the plan. But to outwit the stroller thieves he wants to tie them together (with a bike lock) when we leave them.

Is this a good plan? Am I worrying about nothing?

Leaving on Tuesday!!! HOORAY!!!

 

[disneymama73]

We've been to WDW 10 times with the kids, and each time we have brought a stroller. We have brought everything from cheap umbrella strollers to our Peg Perego Pliko P3, and we've never had a problem. Now that doesn't mean that thefts don't occur, of course, but I bought the Pliko specifically for WDW. I wanted something lightweight and comfy for DD3. I don't keep anything of value in my diaper bag, and that way I feel safe leaving it in the stroller and don't have to lug it everywhere. DH carries the camera bag.

I have seen other DISers talk about locking their strollers somehow, I believe with a bike lock, so that they can't be folded up. I'm sure someone will have more info on that.

I wouldn't lock the two strollers together because CM's often have to move the strollers, and this would make it very difficult for them.

Good luck with your decision! And have fun!

PS - There have been lots of threads regarding this in the past. Check this out... http://www.disboards.com/search.php?searchid=1694294

Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We have been on 7 trips with stroller, all higher end ones. Never a problem. I have never personally know anyone with a problem (friends ect...) Moved sometimes by a CM, I have heard reports of theirs missing an one like it left behind. For that reason I make it clear it is MY stroller and personalize it. Just don't leave anything valuable in it.

Unless you are talking about bringing a bugabo, I wouldn't stress it (even then maybe not.

I don't think CM will look foundly on that, and might not premit it. I also think it would be a pain the rear and not worth it.

 

[soccerchick]

I have never had a problem. I also tie a bright bandana to my umbrella style stroller so it's easier to spot if a CM has to move it. I honestly don't think you'll have a problem. We were careful to park it out of the way or in a stroller park section. We NEVER left anything of real value in it, just bottles of water, kids' water bottler spayer things, etc. The stroller might get taken by someone else thinking it is theirs, but hopefully actual thefts are few and far between. You could also "write" your name on it in several spots to help deter an honest mistake of someone thinking it was theirs.

Another option which we did when DD was 3 and had already trashed her umbrella stroller. We were going to Paris so I bought an umbrella style stroller for the trip at a yard sale for $1. Best $1 I ever spent.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Are you talking about persoanal strollers being stollen, or rental ones. That is what the offical guides says not the personal ones that people bring from home.

Yes, rental ones are often mistaken and taken by other people. That is why they talk about personailizing them and making sure people can't mistake it from theirs. Even then some people are just dumb and don't look, so don't leave anything you would be at a loss with out in them (blackets, toys ect..) Also I am postive cm will not let you lock them together.

I don't think personal strollers are taken every often. (very rare actually.) If you don't want your stoller taken by accident you are much better off bringing your own then renting.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

We've been to Disney 8 times using a stroller and the only thing ever stolen was a ballon off the stroller.

 

[mckymama]

We've been there with our own personal strollers and then rented on other trips. The ONLY time we've had a stroller stolen is when we have rented. They all look the same, and people don't pay attention when they grab one. Or maybe someone took theirs, so they decide to take someone else's. And so on... and so on...

 

[eclectics]

I read a post once that made so much sense. It said "Don't leave anything unattended that you are not prepared to loose". Sadly, theft does occur, even at Disney. As for the lock, I believe that is against the rules. The CM's frequently have to move the strollers.

 

[pic22]

I was in Disney in July for a day, and there seem to be more attendants around moving and "watching" the strollers, and I thought ours was taken, but the attendants move them around alot, and even though I put it right in the middle of the rest of the strollers, it was moved and it is a Maclaren.
One idea I heard is take diaper and put it in a plastic bag and poor some root beer or coke into the diaper and tie the bag to the handle of your stoller, most people will leave your stroller alone.

 

[vossjemi]

I was in Disney in July for a day, and there seem to be more attendants around moving and "watching" the strollers, and I thought ours was taken, but the attendants move them around alot, and even though I put it right in the middle of the rest of the strollers, it was moved and it is a Maclaren.
One idea I heard is take diaper and put it in a plastic bag and poor some root beer or coke into the diaper and tie the bag to the handle of your stoller, most people will leave your stroller alone.

ROFLMAO!!!!

We were just at MK on 9/23. We had a rental stroller, and thought it was cool that the office put a huge name tag of sorts on it. It had our last name hanging from it right between the stroller handles, so I really don't see how someone could mistake it for their own when someone else's name was on it. Anyway we get off the carousel and we overhear this lady very upset as someone took her stroller. I didn't ask if it was rented or her personal one, but she was freaking out as it did have diaper bags, personal belongings, etc... in it. I felt so sorry for her. I mean that is a ride you wouldn't think someone would take as you go around and around and could almost catch them doing it.

 

[SammieG]

we have travelled 10 x (for two to three weeks at a time) to Disney over the last 6 years and always had a stroller. the last two trips we have rented strollers, but prior to that always brought our own.

We have left all sorts in the strollers and it has never been taken (We did a few times leave a backpack with a camcorder in it!) I would not leave anything however that you are prepared to lose (i had no idea that DH had left the backpack behind!)

This last trip we took, we did have our rental stroller taken. It was empty other than a water spray bottle. Another stroller with no name was left with a water stroller bottle.. so I dont know if that was ours or not and someone had taken the name out of it. We left the stroller just in case and went around to tinkerbells treasures where they were able to "magic" another one for us - no charge.

I would tie something to the handle just to differentiate it from others... a balloon would be cool as you can always find your stroller!
I am sure sometimes they get taken by mistake!

 

[beattyfamily]

I've been to Disney 8 times now and our stroller has never been stolen. I've heard of rentals being taken. I've also heard of mistaken identity where two people have the same stroller and they take the wrong one but eventually they get theirs back.

My advice, make yours easy to spot among the hundreds of strollers. Don't leave expensive things or things you don't want stolen in your stroller.

I thought once about doing the bike lock and then realized I'm on vacation and I just don't want to deal with it. I chose not to use the bike lock and not worry.

Oh and I've also heard that the most theft occurs at DTD where you do not have to pay to enter. It's easier to steal there.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Have taken our little boy (now 4 years old) to Disney 4 times -- everytime with our stroller (boy, has he had some nice 3 pm naps in that!).

Never had a problem.

We tend NOT to leave our cameras in the stroller, but occasionally, mistakenly have. Try not to leave valuable in plain sight. Never anything stolen.

People pay $hundred's to enter Disney theme parks -- there are less expensive and less secure places to steal strollers or even cameras.

I remember reading that section in the UnOfficial Guide and it was all about the generic rental strollers that follks confuse for their own. Very straightforward to get a replacement since they can't be taken outside the individual parks anyhow.

 

[MareSINY]

We always bring a stroller with us and we've never had one stolen <Knock on wood> On our last trip in September we purchased 2 of those Mickey balloons for the girls on our way into MK the first day. My sister tied them to the stroller which made identifying the stroller easy when we got off a ride. We kept them there the entire trip, so we never had trouble spotting our stroller in the crowd.

 

[MrsPete]

It's been years since we've needed a stroller (ah, the freedom), but we never had anyone take ours. Because we're close enough to drive, we always used a personal stroller.

 

[kizmac]

We just returned and had no problem with our P3 and our Maclaren. I too worried a little before we left because of the stories, but once there, there are soooooo many expensive strollers, that I just didn't worry about it.

If you make sure and mark your stroller and make it hard for someone to remove those things you should be fine. We used as a bright pink luggage tag fastened with a zip tie that someone would need a knife to cut off and had it in a very obvious spot.

We did have a rental one taken before. I do think some people may mistake them for theirs, but I also think there are people who are cheap and just look for one to take and use for the day. Our rental stroller was taken right outside of Exposition Hall while we had stopped for some character pics.

Have a great vacation!

 

[DisneyPhD]

People pay $hundred's to enter Disney theme parks -- there are less expensive and less secure places to steal strollers or even cameras.

I remember reading that section in the UnOfficial Guide and it was all about the generic rental strollers that follks confuse for their own. Very straightforward to get a replacement since they can't be taken outside the individual parks anyhow.

I totally agree with that. Disney isn't a place that serious stroller stealers go to. We even leve pal mickey, and haven't had a problem, but I have heard cases of him walking off on his own.

As far as the rootbeer in the diaper, why bother? I just tie a dirtyone one!

Oh the ballown works very well. My DD loved it. However we went to AK with it on the stroller the next day and they made us keep it at guest services. They don't allow ballons there, so keep that in mind and leave it a home that day.

I also agree with beattyfamily, I don't feel as comfortable leaving my strolle un atteneded at DTD (or even my local mall.)

 

[figmentfan1]

I'm with the concensus on this one. Always taken a nice personal stroller and never had it taken!!... moved by CMs, but never taken. I too have accidently left valuables, but they have never been bothered. I always take a small diaper bag and hang it over the handle and grab it when we go in somewhere... I carry my camera and wallet in my fanny pack so I don't chance leaving them by accident!

Too me... most people are so caught up in Disney they aren't going to take the time to steal a stroller.

Only one experience with a rental (rented a double for my oldest and my oldest neice to share on the last day- they were tired of walking) and we had no problems.

I agree with personlizing it. I do custom embroidery and I am thinking of embroidering our intial or last nap on the "canopy" of our new sit n stand we just got for easy id... although they are a pretty "rare" stroller!!

JoEllen

 

[lentesta]

I've never had a stroller taken, even a personal one, but I have had items taken from the stroller. Keep the valuables on your person, or with you.

Len

 

[henrylovespooh]

I think the rental strollers get taken more often than personal ones, and many times the strollers are probably misplaced or moved. When I leave a stroller, personal or rental, in stroller parking, I am sure to leave something in it to show it is in use, like a jacket or bag of snacks.

In our last four trips with strollers, we've never had a problem.