We are heading to DLR tomorrow. My DH thought/thinks we should put some sort of lock on the stroller. He is afraid it will get stolen or accidentally taken while we are on the rides. Do you think this is necessary? We haven't been to DLR in over 10 years, and never with a child/stroller, so I just don't know.

Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks!
Robyn

I just had a friend who had thier very nice, new stroller stolen from Seaworld in San Diego Friday, while attending a show. That is so low in my book. But before that I never really heard of someone taking someone elses baby stroller.

Do you think this is necessary? We haven't been to DLR in over 10 years, and never with a child/stroller, so I just don't know.

I don't think it's necessary. I've never used one and I've been taking strollers to Disneyland for nine years with regularity. And these are not cheap strollers, LOL - I have two Peg Peregos and a Maclaren.

Many strollers are stolen for contents, not for the stroller. The thieves steal the stroller, take everything out of the basket, and then leave the stroller somewhere else.

Rental strollers are more likely to be taken than personal strollers.

Sometimes CMs move strollers and so people think their strollers are missing - they move them because people leave them blocking walkways or they need to be moved for an upcoming parade or show. Or they move them to 'clean up' a parking area to make it more efficient.

If you take a lock, do NOT lock your stroller TO anything. You may find your lock cut when you come back or a group of security guards not too happy with you. It's a security risk and, worse, if you don't know the area, it can be a safety risk if you're blocking something - a walkway, etc.

Finally, I have some tips for parking 'defensively' - Of COURSE, do NOT leave anything of value on your stroller. Our diaper bag is a backpack. Everything of value is in the backpack so we just grab it when we get in line or leave the stroller behind. But make it hard to take -

Lock your stroller when you park it. This will make it harder to grab and take.

Park as far "interior" is you can. If you're parking in an area with other strollers, park it in the thick of things! That would make it harder to get out.

Yes, strollers do get taken. I know of one family who regularly posts on this board who had a personal stroller taken. I know of other members who've had rental strollers taken. But. For as often as I would have to lock and unloack my stroller, the cost isn't worth the benefit for me.

Adrienne

we have gone to DL and Sea world the last 4 years and have never had a problem with our stroller being taken. Be aware that sometimes employees may move them a few feet or so if they start getting into the walkways. We have even left our diaper bag with the stroller and still no problems. of course use common sense and dont leave camera bags or purses. Also you may want to tie a colored string to the handle to help distinguish yours from others.. sometimes they all start looking alike. Hope this helps.

Thank you for all of your advice. We are taking our backpack diaper bag to hold the camera and such, so that will go with us on the rides. I think I'll tie a ribbon to the stroller, lock the wheels and just hope for the best.

Thanks again!
Robyn

I've been to the parks over a dozen times this year, never had a problem yet with my stroller! We've left the diaper bag/backpack, cameras, purses, all kinds of stuff in the strollers, nothing stolen! I know someone who was on the team that redesinged the securtiy camera systems in the parks a few years ago and am quite comfortable with his account that all open areas are covered by security cameras. If someone takes something out of my stroller, you can bet I'm insisting that security find exactly where that person is now!

Elizabeth :cool:

I know someone who was on the team that redesinged the securtiy camera systems in the parks a few years ago and am quite comfortable with his account that all open areas are covered by security cameras. If someone takes something out of my stroller, you can bet I'm insisting that security find exactly where that person is now!

I'm very comfortable taking my stroller to DLR. I hate the rental strollers and locks are just too much work. But.

You couldn't pay me to leave a purse or my camera on it.

A few months ago, there was a series (over multiple days,) of thefts from stroller baskets at DLR. The individual(s) involved took the strollers, emptied the baskets and left them all in the same place. They kept finding multiple strollers in the same spot, all with empty baskets.

I've met some very nice security folks but cameras aren't enough to protect purses and cameras.

Adrienne

If someone takes something out of my stroller, you can bet I'm insisting that security find exactly where that person is now!

Elizabeth :cool:Not as easy as it sounds. Would be nice though.

I've been to the parks over a dozen times this year, never had a problem yet with my stroller! We've left the diaper bag/backpack, cameras, purses, all kinds of stuff in the strollers, nothing stolen! I know someone who was on the team that redesinged the securtiy camera systems in the parks a few years ago and am quite comfortable with his account that all open areas are covered by security cameras. If someone takes something out of my stroller, you can bet I'm insisting that security find exactly where that person is now!

Elizabeth :cool:

I think that mostly people who steal strollers walk up and act like the stroller is theirs. Casual and not drawing attention to themselves. Walk someplace else, casually take the contents, and walk away.

To expect the security staff to be able to pick that up, and track your stuff (which you should NOT have left unattended in the first place) is unreasonable.

I am not the security freak in my house (hubby is much moreso than me), but even I know that leaving any valuables in your stroller is a bad move. Don't leave anything you aren't willing to lose. That includes the stroller in my estimation, but I am not a Mom so I can't say how important my own stroller versus a rented one would be. But I would say the best course of action is get a rented one, and keep your valuables in some place where you can easily pluck them out to take them with you. Leave the diapers, but take the camera. That sort of thing.

On our last trip to WDW in 2005, I was frankly quite surprised at how many strollers I saw in stroller parking that had things like video cameras in the storage baskets, sitting in plain view. There were purses, a few had cellphones sitting in the drink holders, etc. I was nervous about leaving the stroller itself! We do the same as most people have said, we use a backpack-type bag for the valuables and it comes with us. And for our video, we just bought a Small Wonder video camera (it fits in a pocket!) so we won't have to worry about lugging the big camera along anymore.

Just because it's Disney doesn't automatically make it safe. It holds not only for belongings, but also for your kids (as evidenced by the recent child-molester arrest).

I have heard that if a stroller is locked and CM's are unable to move the stroller, the lock will be removed...not sure if this is true or not.

I have heard that if a stroller is locked and CM's are unable to move the stroller, the lock will be removed...not sure if this is true or not.

I believe that is correct, which is why Adrienne posted
If you take a lock, do NOT lock your stroller TO anything. You may find your lock cut when you come back or a group of security guards not too happy with you. It's a security risk and, worse, if you don't know the area, it can be a safety risk if you're blocking something - a walkway, etc.

CMs can move your stroller if the wheels are locked, but someone stealing a stroller could not easily without drawing a lot of attention to themselves.