The good, the bad and the really ugly!

[cerilene]

We left from our very first trip to DL today and it's the first time ever that I didn't look back wistfully wishing we could stay. Honestly I felt like running away as fast as I could!

We had some great times during the 2.5 days we were there, but there were so many little things that just kept building up that we didn't have the trip we were hoping for. Then last night we went back to Small World right around 8:30. I had DD stop eating her dinner (she's 2 and had slept straight through dinner) so we could ride Small World and cross it off as the last thing on our list. We used our magical fastpass that a fantastic cast member had given us and walked straight onto the ride around 8:45pm. We got off, shopped for a minute or two and were ready to call it a trip and head back to our hotel. That's when we learned that someone had stolen our stroller, diaper bag and DH's bookbag! My DD's coat, mittens, hat and blanket were all in our stroller along with DH's glucose meter, my flip flops and several other things (remember DD's dinner that she didn't get to finish.) So here's the tired and hungry 2 year old, the 7 month preggo mommy and the low blood sugar daddy all wondering how someone could be so cruel as to steal from a child and praying that it was a simple case of mistaken identity. We spent our last night at Disney scouring the park, sitting in the security office and trying to explain and console DD as to why someone would steal her blankie and stroller.

Things could be much worse...it could have happened the day before when we had her homemade Tiana dress that my mom made her or a million other personally valuable things could have been with us. We're so thankful to the cast members who gave DD a new blanket that she loves (although hearing her talk about her stolen beloved Tinkerbell blankie is heartbreaking) and a hat/scarf combo.

Here's hoping that we can stop feeling so hurt so we can thoroughly enjoy the rest of our non-Disney vacation.

 

[cpster]

Ugh...so sorry to hear about what happenned! I can only hope that karma will get the evils that did it.

 

[skiingfast]

Ugh...so sorry to hear about what happenned! I can only hope that karma will get the evils that did it.

I agree.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

sounds like you need to plan a do-over trip later down the line. Karma will get the stroller thieves.

 

[Astylla]

I am so very sorry this happened to you and your family ! * HUGS* Something similar happened to me on our honeymoon in Reno - i put a bag of souvenirs we had gathered from the local bars and casinos , i turned around and it was gone..sigh. But to steal from a child , that is just so disgusting to me i am sorry you had to endure such a bad experience. I do hope the rest of your holiday goes better.

 

[rowan1813]

Wow I cannot believe people could be that horrible and cruel to steal like that. I know its naive to think, but I am hoping that it was a case of mistaken stroller identity and now they are trying to figure out whose items these are and how to get it back to them. Did you leave your info with security in case someone returns it? (I don't know how long ago you were at DLR and this happened). I try to think the best of people and can't believe someone would steal your things, especially your DD's blanket and coat ( :O, seriously) at the happiest place on earth. But if they did, I am in complete agreement with the PPs; karma will come back to bite them in the butt.

I'm sorry and I hope this never happens to you and your family again.

 

[cp11]

Oh, my gosh. First, let me tell you, it will get better.

Funny thing is (Not haha funny), this exact thing happened to us at Dl. Our daughter was two, I was eight months preggo. We had our favorite stroller of all times with us (first mistake). Bad thing was it was our first day at DL. We went in to have dinner at Plaza Inn. All day long we had kept things in the stroller but for some reason I went back and grabbed the bag that had our camera and other things in it. I left a brand new coat that my husband and just bought me for my birthday and some other things that I can't remember now.

The part that really burned me was when we went to report it and I kept using the word someone stole it, the CM kept correcting me and saying it was misplaced not stolen. It really left a sour taste in my mouth for Disney. And I was so angry at the way we were treated that it took a few years before I ever considered going back. My husband was so ticked that we almost packed up and went home. We ended up staying and it was worth watching our two year old's reaction to everything but needless to say we never saw any of our stuff again, so I'm going to figure it wasn't misplaced. I would hope they would have contacted us if someone turned it in. I had very clear description of the stroller and stuff in it.

So when I read all the time that that never happens at the Happiest Place on Earth, I have to chuckle.

But like I said, the feeling does go away and you get over it. It just isn't listed as one of our top trips there. Plus, I still talk about how much I loved that particular stroller. I never did find another one like it. Bummer.

 

[todzwife]

I'm curious what strollers you both had.

ETA: and I'm sorry that they were stolen. My camera was stolen on the LAST day of our trip, all of our pictures/videos from that trip were gone. I was hoping someone would at least turn the SD card in, but I wasn't that lucky. I understand the feeling

 

[robinjh7]

Awwwww. So sorry this happened to you! We're taking our almost 2-year-old twin grandbabies later this month. My daughter-in-law just got a lock for the stroller. I was a little concerned about using it because I've read on here how CMs don't like them, but we'll be locking those wheels after this story! I'll just make absolutely certain the stroller is in a legal place.

I would call every day. It breaks my heart about her blankie!

 

[AngelDisney]

Awwwww. So sorry this happened to you! We're taking our almost 2-year-old twin grandbabies later this month. My daughter-in-law just got a lock for the stroller. I was a little concerned about using it because I've read on here how CMs don't like them, but we'll be locking those wheels after this story! I'll just make absolutely certain the stroller is in a legal place.

I would call every day. It breaks my heart about her blankie!

I bought some cable locks and locked my backpack and stuff to some fixtures, so it would not be easy for anyone to remove my things when I was not around.

I feel sorry for the OP. How could anyone do such things to little kids?! Pixie dust for the rest of the trip!!

 

[cerilene]

Oh, my gosh. First, let me tell you, it will get better.

Funny thing is (Not haha funny), this exact thing happened to us at Dl. Our daughter was two, I was eight months preggo. We had our favorite stroller of all times with us (first mistake). Bad thing was it was our first day at DL. We went in to have dinner at Plaza Inn. All day long we had kept things in the stroller but for some reason I went back and grabbed the bag that had our camera and other things in it. I left a brand new coat that my husband and just bought me for my birthday and some other things that I can't remember now.

The part that really burned me was when we went to report it and I kept using the word someone stole it, the CM kept correcting me and saying it was misplaced not stolen. It really left a sour taste in my mouth for Disney. And I was so angry at the way we were treated that it took a few years before I ever considered going back. My husband was so ticked that we almost packed up and went home. We ended up staying and it was worth watching our two year old's reaction to everything but needless to say we never saw any of our stuff again, so I'm going to figure it wasn't misplaced. I would hope they would have contacted us if someone turned it in. I had very clear description of the stroller and stuff in it.

So when I read all the time that that never happens at the Happiest Place on Earth, I have to chuckle.

But like I said, the feeling does go away and you get over it. It just isn't listed as one of our top trips there. Plus, I still talk about how much I loved that particular stroller. I never did find another one like it. Bummer.

Yeah I've always thought that taking your stroller and leaving it was a safe idea since you rarely hear of strollers getting stolen, but I guess I'll be locking mine up from now on! Especially since we now only have our really nice stroller left! That stroller was a pain in my butt anyway, but my baby girl's stuff and the convenience that this person robbed us of is what really hurts!

We're planning a trip to WDW next year and honestly I don't know that it will hurt my feelings if we don't go.

We did save a lot of money by not being in the mood to shop on our way out that night and the fact that everything was freaking closed by the time we got done. We knocked on the door at the World of Disney and begged to be let inside so DD could pick out the souveniers we promised she could buy.

 

[cerilene]

I'm curious what strollers you both had.

ETA: and I'm sorry that they were stolen. My camera was stolen on the LAST day of our trip, all of our pictures/videos from that trip were gone. I was hoping someone would at least turn the SD card in, but I wasn't that lucky. I understand the feeling

Ours was a Peg Perego that was about 5 or 6 years old. What burns me up is there was a red stroller left that night and it was still there when I called lost and found the next day. I'm guessing the owner of the red stroller just wanted a new one!

 

[Rhonna]

I'm kind of surprised by this post since the whole "stealing strollers" or "things being stolen out of strollers" is pretty common on the WDW boards. CA must be a little better (if you can believe that) if this isn't brought up on a semi-regular basis on this board.

There are entire discussions on the WDW boards about suggestions such as leaving a diaper (soaked in juice or smeared so it looks dirty) in a see-through bag, hanging on the stroller handle so it will deter thieves. Sadly, you can't leave anything you really need or it may be taken.

People make the mistake of thinking: "But it's disney, no one would do something bad there." when in reality it is a microcosm of the real world, plus add in a few professional thieves who actually go to some parks regularly and target for items they can easily sell. And sometimes it's just a regular jerk, not a pro.

Sorry this happened to OP. Hope others can read this and be more prepared.

 

[ricko19]

Cerilene,

I am so sorry to hear about this happening to you.

A few years back i let my aunt and uncle borrow my brand new Sony handy cam and it was stolen at Disneyland. Fortunately they replaced it for me, but still, it was a real bummer.

Of topic, but your screen name, is that your name? It is the name of one of my favorite songs of all time by the greatest band ever, Sister Hazel.
If you haven't heard it, you should go to Itunes and check it out!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Okay, so, first off I want to say that I am sorry that this happened to you, cerilene. Sincerely. It would be awful to have anything stolen and it can really put a lousy twist to your vacation. I am sorry.

That said, every time I read about something like this I am just really surprised that people leave anything of any value at all in strollers at Disneyland (or anywhere else for that matter). Why leave anything that is important to you (the generic "you") unattended, where anyone can take it at any time? Whether it's monetarily valuable or simply sentimental valued, why leave it anywhere? I would never dream of leaving medication that I had to have, a camera, money, etc... in a bag and leave it sitting somewhere.

I just don't understand why people think it's safe to do so at Disneyland. If I had a purse filled with money, my camera, an inhaler, an epipen, and my favorite shirt, I would not leave it sitting in front of the grocery store while shopping. I'm not sure why anywhere at Disneyland, like in front of a store, is any different. Human nature (sadly) shows that people will take what they need if they think they can do so without consequences. A busy theme park is a perfect place.

I think it's amazingly wonderful that the CMs gave cerilene a hat/scarf and a new blankie!

- Dreams

 

[skiingfast]

That said, every time I read about something like this I am just really surprised that people leave anything of any value at all in strollers at Disneyland (or anywhere else for that matter). Why leave anything that is important to you (the generic "you") unattended, where anyone can take it at any time? Whether it's monetarily valuable or simply sentimental valued, why leave it anywhere? I would never dream of leaving medication that I had to have, a camera, money, etc... in a bag and leave it sitting somewhere.

I hate to further encourage this topic, though it's rather inevitable.

What I wonder is where do these used strollers go? Are they being pawned at a second hand stroller store in Anaheim with a sister location in Orlando? Should Ebay be more proactive about them being sold on thier site?

There is more talk about strollers being stolen in the parks, then wallets/purses, shopping bags or cameras combined. I wonder if wriste bands should be put on the parent and a matching band on the stroller to allow them to be taking back out of the park.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I hate to further encourage this topic, though it's rather inevitable.

What I wonder is where do these used strollers go? Are they being pawned at a second hand stroller store in Anaheim with a sister location in Orlando? Should Ebay be more proactive about them being sold on thier site?

There is more talk about strollers being stolen in the parks, then wallets/purses, shopping bags or cameras combined. I wonder if wriste bands should be put on the parent and a matching band on the stroller to allow them to be taking back out of the park.

I don't know if you remember a while back when this was discussed, but the lesser expensive strollers are often found later in the Park elsewhere, with nothing of value left in them. The more expensive strollers tend to disappear permanently. And yeah, ebay would be my guess there. However, it's more often for the stuff of value. It is much easier to wheel a stroller away quickly and rummage through it in a different location, than to rummage through it right there when the the owner is likely to return at any moment. Of course, if there's nothing in it to begin with, the temptation is gone completely. Just like cars.

- Dreams

 

[skiingfast]

I don't disagree.

I avoid encouraging people to use strollers so they can store stuff on it, for that very reason.

If you were to just use it to keep the child's stuff on it, would people take them for the diaper bag because a few huggies have great street value? Probably not until people think they should also put thier gift cards and cell phones in the diaper bag because it's safe there. It's a lot like the dirty diaper trick.

 

[perlster]

I'm betting that this stroller was not "misplaced":

 

[emacat]

So sorry to hear about this. It truly is sad.

I do agree with Dreams that, while it's easy to believe everyone at DL are honest people, it's just not true. My dd loves to tell me I'm Paranoid, but if I bring it or buy it, it doesn't leave my sight. I'm always amazed at all the strollers filled with things just sitting around. (of course, my 12 yr old is way past stroller age, so I have to admit, it's not something I run into.)

This is a reminder to all of us to lock or carry or store in a locker anything valuable.