It’s the last thing you’d expect to worry about at the Most Magical Place on Earth—but lately, some guests are discovering that even Disney World isn’t immune to real-world problems.
Across multiple parks, families are sharing frustrating stories: missing bubble wands, swiped popcorn buckets, and even entire strollers that seem to vanish into thin air. That’s right—while you’re riding Peter Pan’s Flight or catching a parade, someone might be eyeing your unattended belongings.
What’s Going On?
Disney World requires guests to leave strollers in specific parking zones before hopping on attractions. But those areas? They’ve become easy pickings for thieves looking to make a quick score.
One guest returned from Slinky Dog Dash to find their newly purchased Woody doll—still in its box—completely gone. Another shared that their collectible popcorn buckets were stolen. And some parents are experiencing even bigger losses, including a stolen UPPAbaby stroller worth over $500.
In most of these cases, the strollers weren’t just misplaced by Cast Members or parked in a different section—they were flat-out taken.
A Target-Rich Environment
It’s simple math: thousands of people + loose valuables + scattered stroller lots = opportunity. The parks are packed, and unfortunately, that kind of crowd makes it easier for bad actors to blend in and slip away unnoticed.
Disney does have security in place, of course. But as any theme park veteran will tell you, even the best systems can’t catch everything.
How You Can Stay a Step Ahead
No one wants to spend their vacation stressed out, but a few smart choices can help protect your stuff:
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Take valuables with you – Phones, wallets, even toys that your child might be upset to lose—carry them.
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Label your belongings – A name tag or phone number might discourage someone from walking off with it.
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Bring a backup stroller – That fancy $500 model? Maybe leave it at the hotel and bring a more basic one for park days.
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Don’t panic right away – Sometimes Cast Members do move strollers. Check nearby lots or ask for help before assuming the worst.
A Magical Reminder
Let’s be honest—this isn’t something anyone wants to deal with during a Disney vacation. But just like any crowded space, it’s important to stay aware. The magic is still alive and well at Walt Disney World, but a little caution can help make sure your family’s day doesn’t end with disappointment.
I don’t have need to use a stroller, but family members have been talking about purring “air tags” I think they are called… kind of like ‘chipping’ your stroller. If some one were to take it you could look on the app and locate your stroller! Something to think about.
This crap has never happened at the parks ever until the last few years now it is rampant and it’s disgusting sounds like IMMIGRANTS are in the parks also with thousands of strollers AND mobility vehicles a cast member attending each parking area would be justified and why not save your shopping until close to the end of your day to ensure it will make it out of the parks safely just another factor DESTROYING THE ONE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH
What a frickin bigot.
Remember the parent who posted about “finding an abandoned wheelchair” and taking it for her poor tired adolescent child? It was neither abandoned nor a rental, and she wasn’t “an immigrant.”
I guarantee you that the “immigrants” you seem to hate aren’t at WDW; it’s too expensive for poor people simply trying to keep a roof over their heads. And theft has happened since the parks opened; it has just become more common as more people bring SUV-sized strollers and carry all their worldly goods on them. The thefts are often because people are foolish enough to leave easily targeted purchases prominently displayed on said expensive strollers. Am I defending thieves? Heck no. But what on EARTH makes anyone think that just because they’re at a theme park that their purchases, wallets and phones are safe? I use a mobility scooter at DL (it’s mine, not rented) and I don’t leave anything when I get off to eat, ride or wander the shops.
Not too long ago, a number of thefts of strollers were reported at DL. I don’t know if it was a single person/group or just a time when lots of opportunists decided to snag pricey strollers. It was apparently easy enough to take one and walk out of the park. If questioned, the thief could just say their partner had the kid. Point being: maybe don’t bring your $1500 stroller to a crowded theme park. And get a locker if you’re going to shop. And DON’T BE A BIGOT.
It is not the parks you have to worry about but the bell men bringing you luggage to room after you secured it in the luggage area for a bit.
We had all our luggage gone through at our last visit to the Bay Lake Towers. I lost a high-end suit shirt and shoes along with some supplements (also high-end) that I needed for an athletic competition I had coming that I had coming up and had to take and could not be replaced. My wife also had her meds stolen that she used for pain, these could not be replaced so she was in pain the whole trip.
Total value about 3,500 dollars. Disney offered to comp a meal and if we could show receipts for the items then and there they would off a credit on our account for Disney meals and souvenirs.
We were lucky in that we came back to the 2 bedroom villa we were staying at.as we went to get ready for the formal event.
Housekeeping was there so we thought we would let her finish up.
She was leaving and then she saw we were there; she went back into the bedroom for a few seconds and then scurried out
My wife was getting ready for the night and when she went to put on her high 5 figure neckless it was gone from her safe spot.
We searched high and low and found it stashed behind the TV. We called and made a report. Disney security asked are you sur you packed it and was not doing anything until we called in the real police
It’s hard for me to understand that people who spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on going to Disneyworld would steep to the level of theft. When you go beyond those gates, it’s sacred territory for the privileged. It’s trailer park to steal stuff.