Drama at Knott’s Berry Farm! A day that was supposed to be all thrills turned into a nightmare for one unlucky couple when their belongings were stolen right out of a ride cubby—and now guests are sounding off about just how unsafe they feel at the park.
The incident happened after a ride on Silver Bullet, the high-flying inverted coaster that loops right over the park’s main lake. But it wasn’t the loops that made this visit memorable—it was what happened after.
“When we got off, my girl’s tote bag—containing my wallet, car keys, and phone—was missing from the cubby. I triple-checked. Gone,” the guest wrote in a now-viral Reddit post.
Suddenly, the adrenaline wore off and panic set in.
The girlfriend, described as being overwhelmed and crying from stress, had no idea what to do. Their phone was gone. Their keys? Missing. And worst of all, they were separated from a younger sibling with no way to call, text, or even leave the park.
The Search Begins
Park security reportedly stepped in fast, allowing the guest to access iCloud on their personal device. Using Apple’s tracking tools, they pinged the missing phone nonstop and eventually traced the bag to the other side of the park—abandoned at a snack shack near Calico River Rapids.
What they found? A half-emptied bag. The phone and car keys were still there—most likely untouched thanks to quick locking and constant pinging. But the cash was gone. So were the credit and debit cards.
“I’m not mad about the $40—I’m mad because someone caused my girl to panic and cry… We were split from her little sister with no ability to make contact and 19 miles from home.”
The guest ended the post with a strong message to the person who did it:
“Hope the $20 bill, two $5s, and loose $1 bills were worth ruining our day.”
The Real Villain? The CUBBIES.
Let’s talk about it. These open-air cubbies—used at rides like Silver Bullet—are basically an open invitation for theft, according to dozens of theme park fans chiming in online.
“I hate the cubby system. It’s outdated and anyone could grab your stuff,” one commenter said.
Another said they skip rides altogether just to avoid leaving things behind:
“So sometimes I’ll literally opt out of rides just because of the cubby thing.”
And it’s not just Knott’s. Guests are blasting the use of open bins at any park that uses them. Without staff supervision, they’re an easy target for grab-and-go thieves.
Lockers? Zipper Pockets? Not Always Enough
Sure, Knott’s has lockers. But if you’re just hopping on a coaster or two, most guests don’t rent them. That leaves items vulnerable, unless you’ve come prepared with deep zippered pockets or a wear-anywhere belt bag.
And it’s not always easy to pack light. Theme park days often mean souvenirs, sunscreen, water bottles, and yes—wallets and phones. Not everyone wants to ride with their valuables strapped to their body at 60 mph.
What You Should Do
If you’re hitting up Knott’s (or any park with similar policies), here’s what seasoned parkgoers are now saying:
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Never leave valuables unattended. Period.
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Keep your phone, keys, and cards on you, preferably in secure pockets or pouches.
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Track your devices immediately if they’re lost or stolen.
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Have a backup plan in case you get separated from your group.
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Use lockers for anything you can’t afford to lose.
This isn’t the first time something’s gone missing at a theme park, and it certainly won’t be the last. But it’s a brutal reminder that the magic can vanish in seconds—especially if you let your guard down.
One thing’s for sure: the thrills at Knott’s aren’t always on the ride.
