Strollers, what to do with them when on a ride

[mamom]

Going to Disney in June, 3 grandkids, 12, 9 and 5...in an earlier post someone stated since we were taking a 5 year old we would need a stroller...I was already thinking of bringing one with us, but what do you do with it when on a ride....don't you normally get on the ride on one side then depart the ride on the other side....thanks

 

[jeancbpugh]

We have travelled with a very nice stroller. We'd park the stroller in the ride's stroller parking area, remove valuables from the stroller, lock a skis lock around the wheels, and go on the ride.

Frequently while you are riding a ride, a CM is rearranging the stroller parking area, to make it more efficiently packed. You come off a ride and your stroller is in a slightly different spot.

The ski lock is a thin cable that retracts into a small box. It kept the stroller wheels from rolling, but the CM could still pick up the stroller and move it as needed. It made our stroller less attractive for casual appropriation.

 

[jeancbpugh]

By the way, I never saw anyone else lock a stroller, so it was probably overkill. We'll never know.

 

[robinb]

Just leave the stroller in the stroller parking. We would usually stroll from one attraction to another except in Fantasyland. There, we just parked it and walked from attraction to attraction. I also brought an expensive stroller ($250+) and I never locked it . While not unheard of, stroller thefts are very, very rare.

 

[cmonroe]

Be sure to put something "customized" on the stroller handle like a ribbon or unique cupholder. There are a million strollers down there and many of the same models. After a CM moves the stroller this is helpful to identify yours. I would actually say that this is an important thing to do. Last year we were down there and twice at animal kingdom we heard people complaining that their stroller was taken.

Just a little advice!

 

[Del]

pack a brightly colored scarf or hankercheif on your stroller. We always bring a bright blue and a bright pink one. It goes on right away and the last thing i take off when i hand back in to the stroller rental people. It saves me so much time when we get off a ride . I do a quick visual search of around 40 strollers and mine just pops right out to me. It is the best tip that i can pass along to you. Good luck!

 

[exnortherner]

We go to WDW every year with the whole family including 4 grandchildren (all toddlers). We no longer bring our our strollers. For a small rental fee we use Disney strollers. They come in single and double sizes with plenty of extra storage space for packages (we always rent doubles even if only one child is riding). The kids enjoy the extra room and nobody worries about the stroller being stollen. Since all look alike, Disney provides a very visible name tag for each stroller.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm for bringing a stroller--but as compact as your family can tolerate. I don't like getting the strollers for the same reason I don't like changing my kids on changing tables...GERMS. If you are just looking for something for you kids to rest in--an umbrella stoller is perfect and doesn't take up to much traveling space.

Strollers are pretty safe at WDW--I have left diaperbags, blankets, etc. in them. The only thing I do not leave in them is Disney-ish items...so if I have the kids pooh bear blanket, a toy, or whatever, those go with us. We sometimes take the diaperbag with us and sometimes not...the kicker is if both kids are awake--or if one is sleeping. Hard to carry a kid and a bag.

Personalizing the stroller is best--it was a tip in the Disney with Kids unofficial guidebook. If someone realizes they are stealing something that belongs to someone...it is less tempting to steal. I would think the big clue is the stroller itself doesn't belong.

Alas, we have never had a problem with our stroller.

My only tip is if you have anyone has an infant seat--take it with you on the ride--if by chance it did get stolen, you lose your only car seat. Also if it rains, you wouldn't want baby to have a wet seat. Just my two cents.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by Lisa loves Pooh
My only tip is if you have anyone has an infant seat--take it with you on the ride--if by chance it did get stolen, you lose your only car seat. Also if it rains, you wouldn't want baby to have a wet seat. Just my two cents.

It would not be possible to take a car seat into most of the rides with you. The ride cars don't have room for it and it would be hard to carry it in line with you. So that might not be the best type of thing to bring into the parks.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Originally posted by cmonroe
Be sure to put something "customized" on the stroller handle like a ribbon or unique cupholder. There are a million strollers down there and many of the same models. After a CM moves the stroller this is helpful to identify yours. I would actually say that this is an important thing to do. Last year we were down there and twice at animal kingdom we heard people complaining that their stroller was taken.

Just a little advice!

I second this advice to customize... We were there over Spring Break in March and had our umbrella stroller taken while we were in Mickey's Philharmagic. We had customized it ourselves by tying lime green curly ribbon to each handle, but maybe we should have done something more/bigger/brighter...?

Anyway, I'm sure someone just thought it was theirs and took it by mistake, but maybe if we had done something more to make it stand out that wouldn't have happened.

Lucky for us, it was just an umbrella stroller (inexpensive!), and it actually helped encourage our son to walk more... (Not such a bad thing!)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It would not be possible to take a car seat into most of the rides with you. The ride cars don't have room for it and it would be hard to carry it in line with you. So that might not be the best type of thing to bring into the parks.

I disagree--most rides that I could get onto with a 4 month old--I was able to squeeze it in with me...you may just have to put the carrying arm down. A stroller I could live without if taken--a car seat, no. It take up no more room than someone's tushy. However, I went with DH, baby and DD...DH and DD would ride together and the infant seat sat next to me.

Worse case scenario--I am sure they will hold the infant seat for you just like they sometimes hold packages that don't fit.

I did not mean to imply I went on rides with the infant in the infant seat.

 

[HillPete]

My favorite way to personalize our stroller when in WDW? -- Hang a clear plastic bag on the handle. Put a "dirty" diaper in it. We used a clean diaper and spilled a little Coca-Cola on it. Just enough to deter any potential thieves. It was only moved by a CM once. They must have been grossed out, too! We left it there for a whole week! Even if your children are too old for diapers, there must be someone you can borrow from. If not, they sell them in vending machines in some of the bathrooms for a dollar. Well worth it! Have fun!

Oh yeah, we also tied a bright purple bandana to the handle. It was very easy to spot in a crowd.