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Thief Caught Redhanded in Animal Kingdom, Uninvited Guest Goes Viral

A family of five, including two adults and three children, stands at a wooden fence in the animal kingdom, observing a large elephant in a lush, green outdoor enclosure. The scene includes trees and plants, and the light suggests a sunny day. The adults smile, engaging with the children.
Credit: Disney

Disney World is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” but unfortunately, it’s not immune to crime. Even while enjoying a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, guests are not entirely safe from thievery…

Stepping into Walt Disney World Resort is like entering a realm where dreams come true. From the enchanting Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom to the World Showcase of EPCOT, the meticulously crafted lands transport guests to learn about new cultures. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can watch Fantasmic! with fan-favorite characters. Disney’s Animal Kingdom explores the circle of life.

animal kingdom entrance

Credit: Disney

In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in incidents of stroller thefts within the parks. Families visiting the parks often bring strollers to transport young children, and these strollers can become targets for thieves looking to make a quick profit.

Stroller thefts typically occur when families are distracted, such as when they’re waiting in line for attractions or enjoying a show. Thieves seize these opportunities to snatch unattended strollers, which may contain valuable items such as wallets, phones, cameras, personal belongings, and souvenirs.

cast member animal kingdom

Credit: Disney

Some Disney World guests never even notice when items run off from the stroller. When guests park their strollers and leave valuables on them, anyone or anything can swipe them.

In a social media post, one Walt Disney World guest caught a stroller thief red-handed. This cute and cuddle thief was none other than a squirrel. The comments about this squirrel talk about how he was seen taking a napkin over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Naughty squirrel stealing from a stroller in Animal Kingdom
byu/Sims3graphxlookgr8 inWaltDisneyWorld

Other comments talk about how other guests have seen this happen, but if their stroller was swiped from, it is not funny.

Disney World guests are looking to take proactive steps to safeguard their strollers and belongings while visiting Walt Disney World. This includes using stroller locks or securing valuables in lockable compartments, keeping strollers within sight whenever possible, and never leaving them unattended for extended periods.

Even with cute, cuddly stroller thieves running around the parks, Disney Work has dealt with car break-ins around EPCOT and credit cards being swiped, so always be on the lookout and practice safe precautions when making your way around the theme parks.

A group of meerkats standing alert on a rock, with a blurred zebra in the background, set against a backdrop of lush greenery.

Credit: Disney

In addition, it’s important to note your stroller can be moved around while in stroller parking. Disney cast members will move strollers to keep walkways clear and to maintain order in the stroller parking area. When you come back from an attraction, you can always find your nearest cast member to help locate your stroller if you’re having trouble finding it.

Have you ever experienced a theft at Walt Disney World? Tell us about it in the comments below for a chance to be featured in a Disney Dining article!

About Brittni Ward

Brittni is a Disney and Universal fan; one of her favorite things at both parks is collecting popcorn buckets. While at Disney World Resort, Brittni meets the princesses and rides Kilimanjaro Safaris. At Universal, Brittni enjoys the Minions and watching Animal Actors on Location! When not at Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando, Brittni spends time with her family and pets.