What can I leave with the stroller?

[disbyrd]

We are leaving for Disney World in a few days and I am wondering how much of a problem people stealing things from parked strollers is. DH and I are taking 4 small children in 2 double strollers. We are planning on packing diapers, extra outfits, snacks, etc in backpacks that will go over the handles of the strollers. Our camera, money, phones and other "valuables" will be in the baby carrier with the baby. My question is, can I just leave the backpacks on the strollers when we go on rides, or are we just setting ourselves up to get something stolen? They won't contain anything of real value so it wouldn't be a disaster if they were taken, but still a big hassle. But taking a baby, a backpack, and a preschooler (for each of us) is a hassle, too. WWYD? We really can't do without taking a lot of stuff with us with so many small kids, but I really don't want to have to tote it everywhere I go unless I have to.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Anything you don't want stolen do not put in the stroller. Unfortunately people steal and having it ruin a vacation is not worth it. What about a locker rental at start of day and then get all your "stuff" perhaps at lunch or break or dinner time???


Have a great trip!!

 

[MommyBryn]

We never leave anything but maybe a blanket in our stroller. We just try to jam as much into 2 backpacks as we can (diapers changes of clothes, cameras, etc) and that way we just wear them both in.

 

[philadelphiadad]

We are leaving for Disney World in a few days and I am wondering how much of a problem people stealing things from parked strollers is. DH and I are taking 4 small children in 2 double strollers. We are planning on packing diapers, extra outfits, snacks, etc in backpacks that will go over the handles of the strollers. Our camera, money, phones and other "valuables" will be in the baby carrier with the baby. My question is, can I just leave the backpacks on the strollers when we go on rides, or are we just setting ourselves up to get something stolen? They won't contain anything of real value so it wouldn't be a disaster if they were taken, but still a big hassle. But taking a baby, a backpack, and a preschooler (for each of us) is a hassle, too. WWYD? We really can't do without taking a lot of stuff with us with so many small kids, but I really don't want to have to tote it everywhere I go unless I have to.

We don't keep anything of value on our stroller bag either. To keep both the stroller and/or the bag from 'walking' away, we run a bike cable ($10) through the rear wheels AND the D rings of the bag.

12/6/2009-12/13/2009 CBR!!!

 

[estherhead]

You'll get all kinds of answers to this, but here is mine: Leave anything that you will be mildly inconvenienced if it is taken. Don't leave anything that will ruin your trip if it is taken.

I have had a stroller stolen at WDW. But I still say it's because I had nothing in it & it was just a $15.00 Wal-Mart one. And it was a mild inconvenience.

Last year our group had 2 big double strollers & 2 umbrella strollers. We had refillable mugs, Hidden Mickey books, diapers, sunblock, 2 coolers with sippie cups & waters in them, blankets for fireworks (it was COLD at night), coats, sweatshirts...

Here is what they looked like empty of kids:

We didn't many problems. The only time we had a problem was on the first day there was some mayhem at Splash Mt. (long story) and my sister accidently left her video camera in a stroller. Of course, it was the time that a CM decided to organize all the strollers and moved it FOREVER away. 20 minutes of sheer panic later, they found it.

So carry park tickets, cameras, and anything that would ruin your trip to lose. But I still stand by my opinion that people are way less likely to steal strollers that have your personality stamped all over them. A "blank" stroller is much more up for grabs. Plus I also like to say that I am not a pack mule.

I only carry a teeny tiny purse & a small single shoulder backpack. In it I have one bottle of water & sippie cup (for emergency drink needs), video camera, regular camera, 1 diaper, baggie of wipes, our autograph book, and any pin lanyards that the kids aren't wearing. Those are the only things that would make someone cry if it was lost.

Here's what my backpack looks like:

Even that small backpack can get heavy by the end of a park day.

Stolen strollers is a much smaller problem than these boards make it seem. Don't stress, just keep your valuables with you and there is a HUGE chance no one will take your stroller.

 

[estherhead]

Double post

 

[disbyrd]

We don't keep anything of value on our stroller bag either. To keep both the stroller and/or the bag from 'walking' away, we run a bike cable ($10) through the rear wheels AND the D rings of the bag.

12/6/2009-12/13/2009 CBR!!!

I hadn't thought of locking the backpack to the stroller, but that is a good idea. I'm not concerned about someone stealing my stroller, and there really isn't much that I can do about that, but if it is not easy to just grab the bag and take off with it that would make me feel better.

 

[woodkins]

In our over 15 trips in the past 6 years I have left at least one bag in our stroller at all times. My dd has forgotten her stuffed animals, pressed penny collection and dolls on the stroller seat, and I always leave souvenier bags etc and not once has anything been taken. We have used pretty pricey Maclaren and Baby Jogger strollers and don't lock them or take off the wheels either.

 

[mom2meiko]

you can leave anything that you can easily replace and won't miss. don't leave anything valuable or precious to you or your kids. we've never had anything stolen but other people have - including their entire stroller!

 

[dsneygirl]

In our over 15 trips in the past 6 years I have left at least one bag in our stroller at all times. My dd has forgotten her stuffed animals, pressed penny collection and dolls on the stroller seat, and I always leave souvenier bags etc and not once has anything been taken. We have used pretty pricey Maclaren and Baby Jogger strollers and don't lock them or take off the wheels either.

We also have a Mac and routinely leave our refillable mug, water bottles, sippy cups, change of clothes, sweatshirt etc. Never had an issue. If anything was stolen it would be a mild annoyance not a disaster for our vacation.

 

[tinkerfan1]

It's the luck of the draw and bad people are everywhere, even in Disney World. It's a shame, but it is true. Funny story: you think of Disney World as being so perfect. At least we do. Well, on our honeymoon, my DH and I went there. We saw a man put his turkey leg on the garbage can with nothing under it, do something else, and then pick it back up and start eating it. Gag. We laughed. Ok. Disney is clean, relatively speaking. They sweep the road as soon as something is dropped, but the garbage cans are not clean enough to eat off of, especially without a plate! I know that had nothing to do with a stroller... One would not expect anybody to steal anything in Disney World, but they do. It's been posted on these boards different times. Sad to say. I hope you have a fabulous time!!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We like to use the lockers at the parks for sweatshirts, extra clothes or other things we may or may not need. I would recommend packing a small bag with things you know you'll definitely need - a few diapers, wipes, etc. Then pack a larger bag to leave in a locker with extra clothes, extra diapers, etc. It's not difficult to get to the lockers at any of the parks and you can easily go back in the middle of the day (or send a runner) if you suddenly need something. That way you won't have to carry everything with you but it will be available if you need it.

 

[SalandJeff]

We have had a stroller with us for the past 3 years. We have left a small soft cooler with juice/water/snacks and a backpack with extra clothes, rain ponchos and things for my dd. No one has ever taken anything. I would agree with others that you should take anything of real value with you. But I would chance leaving the other stuff.

Funny story...years ago I was at MK with my sister-in-law. We were supposed to meet a friend of hers at the end of Main Street (castle end) at 9 am. We said we would rent a stroller for the friend when we got one for my niece.

It was hot. So we waited with the 2 strollers at the end of Main Street for about 40 minutes and finally decide they weren't coming. We left the extra stroller along the railing on the sidewalk, figuring a cast member would round it up (we were too hot and aggravated to walk back with it).

We spent the entire day at MK and at the end of the day when we were leaving, we found the extra stroller in the exact spot where we left it. Unbelieveable!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can leave anything on that stroller that you wouldn't miss if it got taken. Not everyone at WDW is a nice person.

 

[Mrs D]

We like to use the lockers at the parks for sweatshirts, extra clothes or other things we may or may not need. I would recommend packing a small bag with things you know you'll definitely need - a few diapers, wipes, etc. Then pack a larger bag to leave in a locker with extra clothes, extra diapers, etc. It's not difficult to get to the lockers at any of the parks and you can easily go back in the middle of the day (or send a runner) if you suddenly need something. That way you won't have to carry everything with you but it will be available if you need it.

I second this answer. The lockers are perfect for leaving your "just in case" items. The change of clothes - that's JIC, the extra layers for evening - you don't need to cart them all day.

Last Sept. I kept our diaper bag with the diapers, wipes, cups, ponchos, clothes and sunscreen in the stroller at all times. We left the Rayshade attached as well.
At O'hana the stroller was parked across from the check in desk. Hurricane Ika poured buckets of rain as we ate dinner - miraculously it cleared before we left the restaurant. There was a touch of drizzle so I went to pull the brand new rain cover out only to find it missing. SOmeone took it from the seatback pocket in our stroller right in front of an employee (not that he knew it wasn't their stroller) and walked away with it. I was shocked! However the $12 we spent on the rain cover was the best insurance as we didn't get rained on once!

Anyhow, if you can't replace an item easily - don't leave it.

 

[2binak]

We kept a mesh bag attached to our stroller that had diapers, wipes, an extra outfit, a blanket, sippy & snacks in it - but we also carried extra diapers, wipes, an outfit & sippy in our backpack so if someone did walk off with our bag, we still had the items we needed to at least get us back to the room. This way, we weren't loaded down with a heavy backpack while in lines or on rides but we had back-up items with us if needed.

 

[SalandJeff]

One other thought...if someone did take your diapers & wipes, you can always go to the baby care center in the park.

 

[tinkmom2]

I have never had anything stolen but sometimes when you go on a ride they move your stroller on you. So I have had a heart attack once or twice. I used to take a diaper bag with me and my purchases but since my dd is potty trained now I am taking a tote bag I found at one of the resorts and will be carrying my purchases or you can have them sent to your resort so you don't have to worry about them.

 

[Gi19]

Guess I've been lucky never had a problem with anything being taken. I just leave the diaper bag in the strolller but nothing valuable in it.

 

[ginnymack]

We left our "non-valuebles" backpack and a cooler in the stoller. (which included ponchos, diapers, wipes, bubbles, time waster games & toys, lollipops, etc) and never had a problem. I only put things in there that were not essential to our trip (think bummed but not devastated if stolen). I would attach a luggage tag with your name, cell phone and resort info on your stroller as well as a bow or ribbon to help you quickly identify your stroller from the hundreds that look just like it.

Also, a friend told me they used a faux "dirty diaper" to lay on top of their stuff or up near the handlebar as a keep away sign. They sacrificed a clean diaper and filled it with a little water. THey loosely folded it so it appeared well used, and left it sitting on their backpack! Now that is an affordable security system!