Warning: Do Not Leave Things in Your Stroller

[scanne]

Although our belongings were well concealed in our stroller's basket, someone went through everything and stole our video camera and our regular camera. Luckily we had our digital camera with us.

I know Disney tells you not to leave valuables in your stroller, but ours was well concealed before we even got to the park. So it wasn't like someone watched us hide everything, you know? And we had never had problems in the past, but this time our stroller wasn't even in the same place as we left it. So we think someone took the stroller, rummaged through it, took what they wanted, then just left it. A cast member put it back with all the other strollers - no where near the place we originally parked it.

By the way, this happened at Animal Kingdom on Wednesday 10/20 outside of the Festival of the Lion King show.

So please heed this advice and take all of your things with you!!! We learned the hard way that there are really uncaring people out there (yes, even at Disney!) who will steal your memories!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm so sorry!

It makes me so angry!

Thank you for the reminder.

We have been guilty of hiding and leaving things in the stroller especially towards the end of our trip...

I sure hope you don't lectures on how silly it is to leave valuables in your stroller. Nothing like kicking you when your down. Again I'm so sorry!

 

[Piglet]

I am sure this can happen, but has never happened to us, though we never left anything valuable in the stroller. I know the CM's usually move strollers around (sometimes to the exit) to make room for more. Very rarely we have come out of an attraction and found ours in the exact place we parked it.

Melinda

 

[Pats Dragon]

Sorry. Someone stole my son's baseball cap when he was a baby while we were in a store. It is really not right but a sign of the times.

 

[GEM]

We never leave anything valuable like money or a camera, but we always leave our diaper bag. The things we have in there - diapers, wipes, a few snacks, an extra outfit, rain ponchos, etc. - are all easily replaced. We'd rather replace erything if it gets stolen than deal with the hassle of dragging it in with us every place we go. I would agree, though, that you should never leave anything of value! Sorry about your stuff!!

 

[WDSearcher]

At most shows and attractions, CMs will move strollers -- or, at the very least, rearrange them -- to make room for more or to make it easier for guests to locate their strollers on the way out. So not having it in the same place when you get out of a ride, show or attraction is not unusual.

The mistake, of course, was leaving valuables in your stroller. I think people let their guard down at WDW because they feel that they're in a safer place than they would be in the mall or at any other amusement park or family attraction. But, truly ... if you wouldn't leave your cameras -- even well concealed -- in a stroller at the mall or fair back home, you shouldn't leave them in your stroller simply because you're at WDW. Someone looking to steal things can look at a stroller and know whether it's empty or if there's stuff in the seat or storage area, and a quick rummage through is all it takes to determine if they've got something worth taking. The thief could have even been watching you conceal your belongings, just waiting for you to go into the show before he/she struck.

Be sure to check lost and found, though. WDW thieves have been known to be hit with a touch of remorse. Either or both of the cameras could have been turned in before the taker left the parks.

 

[missypie]

Also, unless it's a rental, be sure and put your name on your stroller or have some odd way to ID it. One year at Six Flags, some other couple was totally convinced that we'd stolen their double stroller. Security followed us around for half the day. I can only guess that the couple was sincere because our stroller was a very used (ratty) double stroller that DH had even had to repair. When the security guard finally talked to us and we showed him DH's rather crude repair, the security guarad was convinced but the couple still acted unconvinced.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I'm so sorry.

I'm paranoid...I don't even leave things in my pockets. It's sad you have to be so cautious nowadays, but it's the truth.

 

[fun & fancy free]

The older my dd's get the less we take w/us to the parks. We are not fanny pack kind of people but this works in the world. Also with the compact cameras that are out now it is worth the investment just for their size. We also always make sure we wear clothing with deep pocket. I agree it is sad that people don't consider the memories they steal. Wouldn't it be considerate if they atleast left the film (rewound) and tape behind.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Interesting - the only time I've ever had something stolen out of our stroller was also outside of Festival of the Lion King at AK Hmmmm, maybe we're onto something here...

 

[Got Quattro?]

hello Captain Obvious

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Got Quattro?
hello Captain Obvious

Not very nice, don't ya think? Like I said, no need to kick someone when they're down.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I absolutely have no tolerance for thieves. I am so sorry to hear about the OP's loss . I guess I have always been a little on the overly cautious side. I don't even carry my wallet in my hip pocket at WDW (or other crowded touristy places), figuring its much dafer in my front pocket. This upcoming trip will be our first w/o strollers . When we did use strollers we would only leave junk of little value in it. Backpacks come in handy for storing cameras, etc.

I read somewhere once about how people would leave your stroller alone if there was a dirty diaper in/on it. . DW and I tried it just for fun one time. We didn't use an actual dirty diaper, but took a clean one and made good use of the residue from a and some Coke. (Honestly, sometimes I think we need help ). FWIW, nobody messed with our stroller.

 

[dolphindan1]

we are guilty of leaving stuff in our stollers but never had anything stolen....BUT...2 years ago while on our Disney trip we stopped at several of those tourist trap shops on 192 towards Kissimmee....It was me my wife, Mother in law and sis in law and 2 boys....The women had put all 3 of there purses in the trunck of my car...we shopped for oh about hour or 2 and then stopped for Lunch when they went to get there purse suprise all 3 were gone....not my CD changer or my subwoofers or my camera or the shopping bags just the 3 purses that were actully under some coats.....So we had to been watched....the bad thing was our universal and pleasure island tickets were in my wifes purse....luckily not our Disney hopper passes....we only were out about 100 dollars cash.....I just couldnt believe someone would go in our truck in broad daylight....we still dont know how they got in as there is no damage to the truck at all not even a scratch.....I know how the OP feels and I feel for them

 

[don8life]

I'm sorry that happened to you. Thanks for the reminder. We are leaving in a couple of days and I think I'll just take the digital.

 

[zurgswife]

We always have been very guilty about leaving items inthe stroller....guess we will try to be a little more deligent next time...

 

[dawgsgirl]

Sorry about your loss. I took a solo trip last month and noticed things I usually don't notice. One of the things that amazed me was the stuff people left in strollers. Your warning is a good one!

 

[Chicago526]

I'm so sorry this happend to you, but it does serve as a cautionary tale for the rest of us.

Just like the old American Express comercials. They'd always show some poor lady in a bathing suit, sun hat, flip flops and sun glasses at a payphone across from a beach, all upset that her purse with all her vacation money was stolen. The guy in the trench coat would come on and say...

"Don't let this happen to you!"

Was it at least covered under your homeowner's insurance? It might be worth making a claim if your deductable is low enough.

I always carry everything in my small leather Pooh backpack. Large enough to fit a decent amount of stuff but small enough not to weigh me down. I can take the bag on 90% of the rides at WDW, the rest of the time a non-rider can keep it or I just get a locker. The locker costs a few $$$ but its cheaper than replacing everything!

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for the heads-up and the reminder. So often we leave too much in the stroller. I'll be more cautious next time!

 

[MartDM]

Unfortunately, this has been the case in the world we live in for some time now. I never leave anything lying about, hidden or not, whether I'm traveling or at home, because you just have to assume someone is looking to take your belongings if you allow them the opportunity to do so.

When traveling, I lock the most valuable items (cameras, travelers checks, credit cards) items into the hotel room safe and anything that won't fit in there goes into my locked suitcases. I never leave anything in the car as tourist areas are notorious for people who case out parking lots for victims.

It's probably a pessimistic view I know, but I figure better safe than sorry. At least securing the items to the best of my ability affords my belongings some level of protection. Your story is very unfortunate and a good reminder for others to exercise good judgement when securing belongings, no matter where you are.