Will My Stroller Be Safe?

[Saved by Grace]

When I need to park my stroller to get on rides, during attractions, etc --
Will it be safe?

What can I do to make it less likely to be stolen - but still easily transportable? (Tie a balloon to it, anything like that might help???)

Do you leave it behind for EVERY ride / attraction / show??
Just wondering - we've never brought a stroller before, ever.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I have never had problems with anything, but it can happen. We never left anything of value in our stroller and I didn't take a very expensive one either. In fact, I normally just brought an umbrella stroller that would lay back for naps. They are much easier to deal with on the bus too.

 

[Saved by Grace]

I have never had problems with anything, but it can happen. We never left anything of value in our stroller and I didn't take a very expensive one either. In fact, I normally just brought an umbrella stroller that would lay back for naps. They are much easier to deal with on the bus too.

YEP I agree an umbrella stroller is ideal, and with that in mind I was looking for the *perfect* stroller - an umbrella that would recline, be light, handle well, etc... and ended up with at $200 Maclaren Quest.

So if it gets stolen it will stink, but I wouldn't let it ruin our vacation! I won't keep my wallet / camera in it. But I'm wondering what I could do to lessen my chances of the stroller ending up missing.

 

[susykt4]

I think it was the Unofficial Guide that recommended dumping Coke (or something dark) into a diaper and tying it to the handle of your stroller in a transparent bag. No one will want to touch it

 

[Saved by Grace]

I think it was the Unofficial Guide that recommended dumping Coke (or something dark) into a diaper and tying it to the handle of your stroller in a transparent bag. No one will want to touch it

THAT. Is hilarious!

 

[aidtrismommy]

There have been many posts on here regarding stroller safe-keeping. Strollers get stolen, no just by accident. Mine have never although it is always in the back of mind. I brought a single Maclaren once and my double maclaren twice(both expensive strollers) Nothing ever happened. I tried to get a bike lock to thread between the back wheels and it worked on my single but not the double (spokes not wide enough) Do not bike lock it to anything besides itseld because CM's sometimes need to move them. My advice is bring an umbrella type stroller that reclines all the way with a good sunshade, I recommend something like Maclaren because they drive really well and that is a must for me at Disney. It gets pricey but I found that it is well worth it for my child to be comfortable, and me too because I have to push it around all day. I would park the stroller closest to the attraction. Sometimes the strollers are lined up many in rows starting with closest to the ride then outward toward the crowd. I guess it wouldn't deter a persistent stealer but in my opinion, someone who is going to steal a stroller would want to do it quickly without moving around other strollers to get to the one they want. Don't leave anything valuable in it, especially souveniers. Get them sent to your hotel so you don't have to worry about them. And take autograph books with you on the ride. And make sure your stroller is marked with something so you know it is yours and not anybody elses. It won't deter a their, but will prevent another family accidentally taking it thinking it is theirs. Hope this helps.

 

[MaryAnne220]

saved by grace.....LOL....my "umbrella stroller" hunter with a MacLaren today too.......

I love the poopy didie pant idea!


Mary Anne

 

[maxiesmom]

The best thing to do is lock your back wheels together. That way a CM can move it if need be, but it would be useless for anyone looking for a free stroller. You do have to leave your stroller behind for most, if not all, rides or attractions. And Disney does not have anyone watching the strollers so please do not leave anything you value in your stroller.

 

[theatermouse]

I am so freaked by the thought of our stroller getting taken that I am going to take a few precautions. I bought a BRIGHT yellow bandana to tie on the handle & I am also going to put a couple address labels on the stroller in a couple "hidden" places that if taken, I can prove it's mine. I've never had any trouble at our local amusement park, but Disney is a much bigger place. I hope I'm worrying over nothing, but I'm planning on being cautious.

 

[deva]

We've never encountered problems with theft (although I'm sure it happens

IMO you need to be more aware that CM's are CONSTANTLY moving strollers around - sometimes quite a bit, so you shouldn't panic when you don't see it. Additionally, there are A LOT of similar strollers out there. People recommend taking a cheap umbrella stroller to WDW, so we (along with another 25% of park goers) bought the Pooh umbrella stroller from Walmart.
The yellow tie on the handle is a great idea.

I also read about the dirty diaper plan. Never tried it, but who would want to take THAT?

 

[bidnow5]

I never had a problem with our personal strollers but had lots of Disney strollers stolen. I would never leave valuables in it. We were outside Spaceship earth once when a couple had a camcorder and digital camera stolen from their stroller

 

[allie1078]

I am so freaked by the thought of our stroller getting taken that I am going to take a few precautions. I bought a BRIGHT yellow bandana to tie on the handle & I am also going to put a couple address labels on the stroller in a couple "hidden" places that if taken, I can prove it's mine. I've never had any trouble at our local amusement park, but Disney is a much bigger place. I hope I'm worrying over nothing, but I'm planning on being cautious.

this is what I did for our stroller. I put a luggage type tag on the bottom and wrote name and number in permanent marker on the stroller itself where neither could be seen unless looking. I also got contrasting colored ribbon(red stroller-yellow and green ribbon) to tie to handles. We never had any issues. I never left valuables in stroller but did leave diaper bag and ponchos in the basket.

 

[Mickey country]

I bought a cheap orange umbrella stroller from Target and used a sharpie on it. I drew hearts and wrote our last name on it. You would not believe how many of the exact stroller we saw while we were there! No one had decorated theirs, so we knew which was ours.

 

[msmama]

Just FYI - there are a Zillion Maclaren strollers at Disney, lol. I was actually really happy that I didn't have one of those!

Personally, more than worrying about a stroller being stolen I'd be worried about it being taken by accident (though I'm sure thefts happen). Like everyone else said, don't leave anything valuable in it.

 

[hudsoncs]

I had someone suggest putting a simple lock on one wheel...easier than running a chain through 2 wheels to lock it. This way the stroller could still be moved by a CM but no one would want to "give it a stroll" around the park. I have a Bob Duallie Revolution and am worried about the same thing. I also heard that most "stolen" strollers are actually "borrowed" for the day and dumped near the tram or parking area...that makes me feel a LITTLE better.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I always bring a bike lock and just put it through one wheel. That way noone can realistically use it properly but it can still be moved.

Remember not to leave anything valuable in the basket and all the ideas for making it obvious that it is yours is great. We try to tie something round the handles so it can be seen. And like has been said the stroller is always never where you left it!!!

 

[Saved by Grace]

this is what I did for our stroller. I put a luggage type tag on the bottom and wrote name and number in permanent marker on the stroller itself where neither could be seen unless looking. I also got contrasting colored ribbon(red stroller-yellow and green ribbon) to tie to handles. We never had any issues. I never left valuables in stroller but did leave diaper bag and ponchos in the basket.

A luggage tag... I like that idea. Both a hidden AND a visible one may be a good idea.

 

[Saved by Grace]

Just FYI - there are a Zillion Maclaren strollers at Disney, lol. I was actually really happy that I didn't have one of those!

Personally, more than worrying about a stroller being stolen I'd be worried about it being taken by accident (though I'm sure thefts happen). Like everyone else said, don't leave anything valuable in it.

It makes sense that there are a zillion I guess... but that also makes me feel better!! I don't want someone to take mine because "it's the good one" lol.

I'll have to figure out how to personalize it, as others have suggested. Tie something bright to it, etc...

I had someone suggest putting a simple lock on one wheel...easier than running a chain through 2 wheels to lock it. This way the stroller could still be moved by a CM but no one would want to "give it a stroll" around the park. I have a Bob Duallie Revolution and am worried about the same thing. I also heard that most "stolen" strollers are actually "borrowed" for the day and dumped near the tram or parking area...that makes me feel a LITTLE better.

This is a good idea. I would think if there's a lock even on one wheel, that would make it too hard to mess with - but easier for me than trying to lock two wheels together.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think it was the Unofficial Guide that recommended dumping Coke (or something dark) into a diaper and tying it to the handle of your stroller in a transparent bag. No one will want to touch it

Respectfully, that's useless for a couple of reasons:
First, the Unofficial Guide has been suggesting it for years (I've got the 1993 edition around here somewhere, although I don't think they've been recommending it that long), and it's been repeated here, and I'd think on other forums, many, many times - so it's not like it's a secret or that it's going to fool anyone;
Second, and more reasonably: Does anyone really think that any person bent on acquiring a stroller owned by someone else is going to believe the original owner has been walking around all day - sometimes in 90+ degree weather - with a dirty diaper tied to the stroller handle?

But, sure, it's a funny suggestion. It just seems pointless in practice.