NewsWalt Disney World

Families Say There’s a New Kind of Threat in Disney World Parks

Picture this: You’re at Disney World, soaking in the pixie dust, snapping castle photos, and watching your kid light up on their favorite ride. Life is good. But when you return to your stroller? Something’s… missing.

A young boy and young girl ride TRON Lightcycle/Run at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
Credit: Disney

Unfortunately, that scenario is becoming a bit too common for comfort.

The Sneaky Side of the Parks

While Disney World still feels like a dream come true, there’s a growing trend that has families raising eyebrows: stroller thefts. That’s right. People are reporting more and more cases of items disappearing from parked strollers—or worse, the whole stroller itself going AWOL.

Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney

Guests have taken to social media to share their experiences, like one parent whose child’s beloved bubble wand disappeared, or another who lost their entire set of collectible popcorn buckets. And for one particularly unlucky family? Their expensive UPPAbaby stroller was flat-out stolen from Fantasyland.

How Is This Even Happening?

It’s not that Disney isn’t trying to keep the magic secure. But with so many guests streaming in and out of attractions all day, it’s just not possible to watch every corner of every stroller lot.

Two stroller sitting at the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

The reality is that Disney’s popularity makes it a magnet—not just for vacationers, but for people looking for easy targets. A stroller filled with toys, snacks, and merch? That’s basically a gift bag waiting to be grabbed.

What Can You Do About It?

You don’t need to strap your stroller with booby traps. A little planning can go a long way:

  • Skip the valuables – If you wouldn’t leave it unattended at a park bench, don’t leave it in the stroller.

  • Make it personal – Add a bold label, a nameplate, even a silly ribbon. Anything to make your stuff stand out (and less appealing to grab-and-go thieves).

  • Consider renting – Save the pricey gear for your resort. A rental stroller may not have bells and whistles, but it won’t ruin your day if it disappears.

  • Ask around – Sometimes, it really is just a Cast Member moving things for space. Check nearby lots or Lost & Found first.

It’s Still the Happiest Place on Earth—Just Be Smart

We all want to believe nothing bad could happen at Disney. And for the most part? It doesn’t. But being aware and proactive is part of what keeps your trip magical. So enjoy the fireworks, the churros, and the once-in-a-lifetime moments—but maybe hold onto that Woody doll just a little tighter.

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles