We all know Disney World as The Most Magical Place on Earth, where dreams come true, Mickey ice cream bars melt in your hand, and families create lifelong memories. But here’s the not-so-magical reality: not everything inside the parks is pixie dust and smiles.
Lately, a string of thefts inside Walt Disney World has left some guests frustrated—and rightfully so.
More and more reports are surfacing about belongings being stolen from strollers while families are off enjoying rides or shows. And before you assume these are just forgotten items, guests are making it clear: these things are being taken.
Stroller Thefts Are on the Rise
Disney World requires guests to leave their strollers in designated parking areas while visiting attractions. And that’s where the trouble begins. In just the last week, dozens of families have shared that items—from small toys to entire strollers—have vanished while they were away for just a few minutes.
One frustrated guest posted about their child’s beloved bubble wand going missing. Another said their collection of popcorn buckets—yes, the collectible ones that people wait in long lines for—was swiped clean off their stroller. But it gets worse. A family who had just bought a brand-new Woody doll from Toy Story Land came back from riding Slinky Dog Dash to find the box gone, ripped right off the stroller.
And it’s not just the little things. Some guests have had their entire strollers taken. One parent shared that their UPPAbaby stroller—retailing at over $500—was stolen from a parking area in Fantasyland. Not misplaced. Not accidentally moved or moved by a Cast Member to a different designated area, which tends to happen from time to time. No, these are totally gone.
It’s a Harsh Reminder: Thieves Go Where the Crowds Are
The truth is, Disney World is crowded. Thousands of guests, families, and tourists from around the world flood the parks every single day. That makes it a prime target for opportunistic thieves who are looking for easy grabs. And unfortunately, strollers packed with personal items are easy pickings.
It’s the last thing you expect in a place designed to be all about family fun. But while Disney security does an amazing job at keeping guests safe overall, they can’t be everywhere at once, and unfortunately, many of these criminals are able to get away with it.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Belongings
While it’s impossible to control what other people do, you can take some extra steps to make sure your things stay where you left them:
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Don’t leave valuables behind. It may be tempting to leave a bag or extra toys in the stroller, but if it’s something you’d be upset to lose—take it with you.
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Label everything. Use a permanent marker or luggage tags with your name and number. Sometimes, just having your name visible is enough to deter a would-be criminal.
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Bring a cheap stroller. If you have a very expensive stroller, it may be worth renting or bringing a less valuable one into the parks. That way, if the worst happens, it’s not a major loss.
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Be mindful of stroller relocation. Cast Members often move strollers to keep things organized, so make sure you check nearby areas before assuming something was stolen. You can also check with a Cast Member at these areas, who may be able to help direct you to certain places to check.
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Check lost and found. Occasionally, items do get picked up by mistake and end up in Lost & Found. Disney actually has a pretty robust system for reuniting people with lost items—you can even file a report online.
Stay Magical—But Stay Aware
No one wants to think about theft while at Disney World, but it’s becoming more common than people realize. Being aware doesn’t mean being paranoid—it just means being smart. Take a few extra precautions, keep your eyes open, and don’t let the careless acts of a few ruin your family’s magical day.
After all, the magic may be real—but unfortunately, so are the thieves.
The post Criminals Are Targeting Families With Children at Disney World appeared first on Inside the Magic.
