A trip to Walt Disney World with little ones is supposed to be magical—but some families are finding the magic stalled at the gates.
A recent thread on Reddit has sparked intense conversation over new stroller checks at Disney parks. The change? Parents are now being asked to remove their babies from strollers and move around diaper bags, even during early morning security checks. While the policy might seem sudden to many guests, it turns out there’s a deeper (and more troubling) reason behind the increased scrutiny.
The original poster’s frustration was loud and clear:
“Not sure why all of a sudden I’m being asked to ‘move my baby’ around in the stroller this week, but it’s quite annoying… My issue is with the scumbags who caused this to be a necessity. Hiding weapons, drugs, or other banned items behind your baby to sneak in to a theme park is peak low life behavior.”
It didn’t take long for dozens of parkgoers to chime in with their own stories—and, unfortunately, they confirmed that this isn’t just paranoia. People have tried to sneak in everything from weapons to pets, and security is now on high alert because of it.
What Are People Actually Sneaking In?
Believe it or not, strollers and baby gear have been used to smuggle some pretty wild things into the parks.
One commenter, who previously worked guest screening shifts, recalled people attempting to sneak in small dogs:
“Security person told us once people try to smuggle in their small dogs as well.”
Another shared a particularly disturbing story:
“I once heard about someone tying their puppy to one of the plastic park strollers and leaving it in town square in full sunlight while they waited to meet Mickey. People can be awful.”
Even cast members who’ve worked the gates admit the job involves more than bag-checking. One former security team member said they used to make the process fun for kids by telling them they were “looking for alligators” sneaking into the park inside purses and bags.
But not all the stories are amusing. Many responses pointed to serious security issues—like drug smuggling, alcohol hidden in stroller linings, and other banned substances showing up in surprising places.
“Read a few articles recently about a lady trying to bring in meth… sorry, ‘headache powder’ as she claimed.”
“I saw them find nearly 20 miniature bottles of alcohol in the lining of a stroller… Who could drink that much and take care of a baby?”
So… What Exactly Can’t You Bring into Disney?
Disney is strict about what comes through those gates—and for good reason. Some of the biggest no-no’s include:
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Weapons or anything resembling a weapon
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Alcohol from outside the property
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Glass containers (except baby food jars)
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Oversized strollers or wagons
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Large coolers
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Recreational wheeled devices like scooters or skateboards
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Selfie sticks and folding chairs
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Wrapped gifts
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Drones or remote-controlled toys
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Balloons and plastic straws at Animal Kingdom
Even seemingly innocent items like oversized diaper bags or metal drink containers can slow you down at security.
Baby Out, Bag Open—What Parents Are Seeing Now
Parents have been reporting a noticeable increase in stroller checks in 2024 and 2025—especially when entering Magic Kingdom.
“We went at the beginning of 2024 with a 1.5-year-old and a 4-year-old, and they made us take both out of the stroller.”
“We had to take our son out of the stroller and carry him through the scanner 4/5 days of our August trip.”
One parent even mentioned how inconsistent the process felt during their visit:
“We were there for 10 days, not a single stop… Until the last two days at MK. I got stopped 5 times.”
In other words, enforcement varies depending on the park, the day, and even the cast member—but the trend is clear: stroller screenings are getting more detailed, and they’re not likely to loosen up anytime soon.
Why the Tight Security?
In short: people broke the rules. And now, families who follow them are feeling the squeeze.
Guests hiding illegal drugs, flasks, or weapons behind their infants have created an environment where security staff can’t afford to take anything at face value. They’re trained to detect anomalies and must treat every stroller, diaper bag, and snack container as a potential hiding place.
One parent asked a security staffer about the worst they’d seen:
“I was told drugs whenever I or my kids ask. I once asked if they ever found any notable quantities and was treated to quite the dissertation on amounts, varieties, hiding places…”
So while it might feel intrusive or even insulting to have your strapped-in toddler removed from a stroller, there’s a reason. The security process is about prevention—whether it’s keeping a blade out of the park or just making sure the guy behind you isn’t hiding a six-pack under his baby’s sippy cup.
What You Can Do to Make It Easier
Here’s how to avoid headaches during your Disney security experience:
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Use a Disney-approved stroller (check the size limits before you go)
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Keep diaper bags organized and accessible
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Be ready to take your child out of the stroller if asked
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Avoid bringing anything questionable—Disney does not play games
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Prepare little ones ahead of time so they’re not startled or stressed
If you’ve got snacks, water bottles, or even battery packs tucked under the seat—fine—but make sure it’s all easily seen and easily removed.
Don’t Blame Disney—Blame the Bad Apples
It’s frustrating when you’re the one doing everything right and still get flagged, but the alternative—no checks—would be far worse. The reality is, security is working hard to protect everyone in the parks, and if that means lifting your baby out of their stroller for ten seconds, it’s worth the peace of mind.
Let the cast members do their job, keep your gear simple, and take it all in stride. The faster you breeze through the gates, the sooner you’ll be in front of Cinderella Castle with a churro in hand and a day full of magic ahead.
