We've had this conversation before but I'd like to just post a little reminder thread about strollers:

Recently it would seem that someone is targeting stroller baskets at Disneyland at abnormal levels. The strollers themselves are not the targets of the thefts, but the goodies inside the strollers. You can prevent your stroller from becoming a target of this particular situation by not leaving your valuables on your stroller. The strollers are being found and reunited with their owners, so the strollers themselves are not being stolen.

I'm probably singing to the choir on this board, but just a heads up. I'm planning a trip to the park in the next week and I'll still take my good stroller but I'll be extra careful about not leaving my bags on it.

Adrienne

We were just in the park and were amazed at teh things people left in there stroller. We saw camera cases, camcorder cases and purses. Not to mention bags and bags of souvenirs. In fact the only reason I felt safe leaving our UV protector on the stroller was... There were much more tempting items in plain view.

Much more trusting guests than I.

We are going again on the 10th. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the head's up Adrienne. Last year was the first time we had something taken out of the stroller. :( Now I am much more cautious about what I leave in the basket.

We've always taken the diaper bag and any valuables with us when parking the stroller at the park. It still amazes me that people would be willing to steal stuff out of strollers like that.

Do people steal strollers as well, or do they just move them somewhere else to remove things from the baskets?

Do people steal strollers as well, or do they just move them somewhere else to remove things from the baskets?

What 'usually' happens is they just move the stroller, remove the contents and abandon the stroller, so make sure to have some sort of luggage tag on your stroller to Identify it should you come back and find your stroller not where you originally parked it. Keep in mind to not panic if you come off an attraction and the stroller has been moved, CM's often have to move/rearrange strollers in the area so it might just have been moved to make room...another reason for having an easy to identify marker (much like the luggage thread)...you can spot your stroller easier.

It has happened that strollers themselves get stolen. In collected anecdotal information from CMs and guests, I've observed a few patterns regarding strollers:

1- Rental strollers get 'stolen' more often than privately owned strollers. People take the wrong stroller or they take someone else's already rented stroller rather than pay for one themselves.

2- When private strollers are "stolen," it's more commonly for the items on the stroller than the strollers themselves. Strollers being taken, the baskets emptied and the strollers 'dumped' elsewhere in the park is not a new thing to happen, but recently it happened in unusually high numbers suggesting an organized effort by a specfic group.

Personally, the cost-benefit analysis for me always comes out in favor of bringing my own stroller. I'd rather have the option to have it with me after I leave the park than only be able to use it in the park.

Yesterday we took our Maclaren to DCA and had no problems. We did take all our bags with us whenever we left it. Another tip, if you "park" it for a long time in Fantasyland to hit all the rides in the area, check on it every so often. I try to make my stroller undesirable - lock the brakes, park it in a place where other strollers are in front of it so that it's harder to get access to it, etc.

Adrienne

Great tips. I always take anything of value, but tend to leave the diaper bag in the stroller, it just has snacks etc. in it. Need to remember not to do that.

I keep seeing references to people using bike locks for strollers. Is this a decent option if you're worried about the stroller being taken? Where are people locking their strollers?

I've never taken a child to DLR before (DS is 10.5 months and we're taking him for the first time in a week and half!!!), but have always noticed people leaving bags and purchases on their strollers. I never thought that looked like a good idea.

We're trying to decide between buying a new compact stroller for the trip or just carrying DS around in the sling. I really don't want to spend the $150 for the stroller I really want if taking it is going to be a big theft issue.

I keep seeing references to people using bike locks for strollers. Is this a decent option if you're worried about the stroller being taken? Where are people locking their strollers?

You can only use a bike lock on a stroller at DLR or WDW (or probably any other theme park) to lock the wheels to the frame. If you lock the stroller to a stationary object (light poll, trashcan, etc.), security will be called to cut the lock and remove the stroller from the area.

Castmembers have to be able to move the stroller if necessary.

-Jeff

We're trying to decide between buying a new compact stroller for the trip or just carrying DS around in the sling. I really don't want to spend the $150 for the stroller I really want if taking it is going to be a big theft issue.

I have no statistics on stroller theft. None. I only have anecdotal stories, including my own.

For what it's worth, I have been taking expensive strollers to Disneyland since 1998 - Two Peg Peregos worth $300 - $400 and most recently my $130 Maclaren. We have had AP's throughout our children's lives so far and visit several times a year.

When my children were 10 months old, I always took at least my $300 Peg. I have never used a bike lock to lock my strollers' wheels. So far, I haven't had a stroller stolen yet nor anything stolen off of my stroller. My experience is that stroller theft happens but it is not at all common.

In my opinion, especially with a baby, I think taking your own stroller is invaluable and I would not hesitate to do so.

Adrienne

We have taken our daughter twice... 3 months and 6 months... and again tomorrow...

First time we took our snap n go and carseat... No problems...

Second time our Ingelsina stroller ($350) with the spf cover... No problems. We use the bjorn on and off... But wow it sure can get heavy and Ava is only 14.9 lbs. We will be taking the stroller again tomorrow and we are only going for lunch.

I was very nervous... But so far... knock wood... no problems.

And we don't leave anything in the stroller.

TIP: we use 2 diaper bags... a small one with a couple diapers, wipes and change of clothes. Larger one goes in a locker. Makes getting on and off rides MUCH easier.

If you do use a front carrier... don't forget to take it off... DH was holding DD...but I still had bjorn on... I got trapped in the car of Alice in Wonderland. Embarrassing!

You must be so excited... I'm sure you will have a great time!!!!

Bike locks are a cheap security measure. CMs would still be able to move the stroller, but a thief would have to carry it, since the wheels would not roll properly. I have never been worried about it, but I think we will use this option when we go as a family in December.

Bike locks are a cheap security measure. CMs would still be able to move the stroller, but a thief would have to carry it, since the wheels would not roll properly. I have never been worried about it, but I think we will use this option when we go as a family in December.
Good idea.

A really nice option to use is a thin cable lock. If you're locking a single stroller, something like a ski lock (a 3-4 ft. long cable) like these would work:

http://www.rei.com/product/47973057.htm
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1029925#1


If you're using a double stroller (we have a SBS), we use a 7-8 ft. long, thin cable we had for an old car cover we used to use similar to these:

http://superiorcarcare.net/car-cover-lock.html
http://www.autoanything.com/car-covers/69A1934A0A0.aspx

Both cables are thin enough (about 3/8 of an inch wide) to thread through wheel spokes or whatever areas you want to thread through to make it difficult for thieves.

It takes only a minute to lock it up, but it'll give you peace of mind. It does for us.

Disclaimer: I hope this makes you laugh.... I hope this makes you laugh... I don't mean it mean, I mean it funny and giving you a hard time about ugly and smelly footwear that supposedly doesn't smell, not mean and snarky, I swear it.

It takes only a minute to lock it up, but it'll give you peace of mind. It does for us.

You know, you could always hang a pair of your husband's crocs from the handle and I'll bet you'd never have to worry about your stroller again.

Adrienne

Ba-da-bum.

You know, you could always hang a pair of your husband's crocs from the handle and I'll bet you'd never have to worry about your stroller again.
If that's what it takes, then his Crocs, my Crocs and my children's Crocs will hang proudly from the handles! LOL!

Or better yet...how about these babies:

http://www.asos.com/Sienna-Miller/Buckle-Detail-Sienna-Sandal/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=99175&cid=2625
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/6629468/c/41672.html

Yikes!

Okay...back to original topic...

You know, you could always hang a pair of your husband's crocs from the handle and I'll bet you'd never have to worry about your stroller again.

Adrienne

Ba-da-bum.

Husband here. May I point out that we've had one stroller stolen so far, and if I recall correctly, not a single stroller thief has touched any of your strollers. Seems that your husband's shoes are significantly more effective than my Crocs at warding off thieves.

Badumshhhh!

Disclaimer: I'm only joking around of course. No offense at all to people who've never met me making assumptions about the way my feet smell. It's all in good fun, no need to ban me!

I just found out that a friend of a friend had her double stroller stolen at Disneyland outside Small World. It was later recovered, and she found out that the only thing stolen out of the stroller were the diapers. That is just so strange!

Disclaimer: I'm only joking around of course. No offense at all to people who've never met me making assumptions about the way my feet smell. It's all in good fun, no need to ban me!

If you're good, I'm good. I just don't want you to think I'm belittling the fact that your stroller DID get stolen. Because I still think the risk is worth it but I royally think it sucks rotten eggs that your stroller was stolen and don't want you to think the croc thing mocked that.

How about that Maclaren Triumph, huh?

Adrienne

If you're good, I'm good. I just don't want you to think I'm belittling the fact that your stroller DID get stolen. Because I still think the risk is worth it but I royally think it sucks rotten eggs that your stroller was stolen and don't want you to think the croc thing mocked that.

How about that Maclaren Triumph, huh?

Adrienne

We're all good here. :) Yep, getting your favorite double stroller (along with essentials like my DD's Epi-Pens) stolen sucked big time. We now do everything we can to prevent that from happening again. (I would use my Crocs as thief repellent except for the fact that they really don't stink.)

I just found out that a friend of a friend had her double stroller stolen at Disneyland outside Small World. It was later recovered, and she found out that the only thing stolen out of the stroller were the diapers. That is just so strange!

Well shoot! I always leave that stuff in my stroller (diapers / wipes...nothing of 'value.') Guess I need to start taking *everything* out.

I will still leave the baby items in the stroller, snacks, diapers (I pray we are done with them by December) etc. If someone is that desperate they need to steal diapers, then so be it. But would never leave my cameras or things I could not easily, and cheaply replace, in the stroller. To me, the fee for a locker is cheap, to protect jackets etc. I think a simple, cheap bike lock would work fine, just to put through the 2 front wheels, will keep a thief from stealing it, and still allow the CMs to move it pretty easily. A thief could take it, but may be somewhat obvious trying to push a stroller with the front wheels chained together.

Time to get a bike lock, I guess. I could care less if someone stole the items I leave in the stroller (which is why I do leave them in there) but I don't want someone to steal my stroller just for the diapers.

We're trying to decide whether to bring our own collapsible (umbrella-type) stroller, or to rent one of the park's strollers. I think the park's strollers look more comfortable, but my Mom needs to be able to take my daughter back to the hotel for nap time. The umbrella stroller is quite flimsy, but she's used to it. If we lose the stroller itself, it's no big deal -- only cost $20 to begin with. We wouldn't leave anything more than a couple of diapers & wipes in the basket. I would never dream of leaving souvenirs or cameras laying around in a stroller...

Are there in & out privileges with the park's strollers? Can you take them from DL to DCA & back again?

Thank you for the idea of using a locker for the big diaper bag & taking just a few items throughout the park. I think that will make things much easier.

Sha, you can park hop but you can't take them beyond the security check points into DTD...as a rule if you can bring your own stroller it's always a better idea.