Jail Time Forthcoming: Disney Strikes Suspension Against Specific Ticketed Guests

While Walt Disney World is meant to be the most magical place on earth, there are some guests with bad intentions that come to the parks, targeting others.

Guest behavior at Walt Disney World Resort has become a large issue for the theme park company over the recent years, with many guests acting out, getting into fights, breaking the park’s rules and regulations, trespassing, and more. One of the biggest problems that the company has encountered is theft.

It feels as if every couple of weeks, a new report of theft at the theme parks is made, whether its someone stealing from Disney directly, or stealing from others in the park.

When guests book their Disney vacation, they are typically able to feel confident and comfortable that they are in a safe environment or bubble, as Disney has carefully crafted that style of ecosystem and reputation, so hearing stories of strollers, phones, and wallets being stolen as often as a frequent issue is not a good situation for the House of Mouse.

For example, one Disney guest recently contacted Inside the Magic to share their experience of being robbed at Disney World. 

“I am so traumatized. I need someone to hear this,” said Dani as she recounted her story. The guest stated that she and her friend visited two of the four Disney Parks in Orlando — EPCOT and Magic Kingdom — during their trip to Disney World and added that this incident occurred during their visit to EPCOT.

“We were at the park all day, and I carried a small backpack with me at all times. We never let it out of our sight,” the guest commented before mentioning that she carried rain ponchos and an umbrella, well aware of Florida’s changing weather, portable phone chargers, a small water bottle, her wallet, and a small pouch with sanitary pads, everyday use medication, and personal hygiene items in her bag.

“We rode the attractions, we did World Showcase, and when we got to the hotel and started unpacking, I realized my pouch was missing. How was this possible?” “Fortunately, my wallet was at the bottom of my bag, but I was so mad. Who would steal a pouch with sanitary pads?” said Dani.

“I never would’ve imagined this would happen. This should be one of the safest places on Earth, but apparently, Disney is not an exception,” the guest continued. “My boyfriend said he wasn’t surprised because Disney is where you inevitably feel safe and let your guard down. And it’s true, that’s what I did.”

Most recently, Elizabeth Carpenter pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property on Tuesday, according to court filings from the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida, as reported by FOX 35.

Carpenter, an accounting technician at Shades of Green—an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resort owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and located on Disney property—used her position to access guest accounts and refund a portion of guests’ room payments to her personal credit card accounts between July 2022 and March 2024, court documents revealed.

Investigators stated that she used a government-issued computer to perform these unauthorized transactions.

These are two examples of many that Inside the Magic has been actively covering over the recent months when it comes to thefts at Disney World.

Now, another report of theft at the theme parks has been released, obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by the Disney World fan site WDWNT.

It seems we have another classic case of stroller theft on our hands, which seems to be a recurring theme at the parks.

A 31-year-old Florida resident visiting Walt Disney World on March 14 reported the theft of a stroller and personal belongings. The stroller was left unattended in the designated parking area of New Fantasyland during the fireworks display. Upon returning to the area at approximately 11:00 p.m., the family discovered the stroller missing and reported the incident to Disney Security. The stroller was later located abandoned near Cinderella Castle.

Once found, the victim confirmed that a backpack was stolen from the stroller. A Disney staff member found the backpack open and emptied within a men’s restroom. The contents of the backpack were scattered on the floor, and the victim’s driver’s license was found in a toilet stall.

The victim reported the following items stolen from the backpack: four bank cards, a Social Security card, $25 cash, and a Disney gift card with a remaining balance of $35.

Further complicating the situation, the victim received alerts indicating unauthorized attempts to use the stolen bank cards. These attempts included:

• An attempted Uber Eats purchase for $43 at 12:04 a.m. (approximately one hour after the theft)
• Four declined Uber Eats orders
• Two attempted vending machine purchases within Magic Kingdom, including one for $5 at “Canteen Vending 840”

At the moment, no one has been arrested for this now months-old theft.

Strategically placed stroller parking areas throughout the parks allow families to park their strollers while enjoying attractions and dining experiences easily. This eliminates the burden of carrying strollers around, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

For added convenience, parents are encouraged to personalize their strollers with colorful decorations or name tags. This makes it easier to identify their stroller amongst others in the designated parking areas.

Security Tips for Stroller Use

While stroller parking is a valuable service, it’s important to prioritize security. Here are some tips:

• Valuables Stay With You: Never leave valuables like backpacks, phones, or wallets inside unattended strollers. Keep them with you at all times while the stroller is parked.
• Stand Out from the Crowd: Make your stroller easily identifiable by adding a brightly colored ribbon, a personalized sign, or a unique tag. This can deter potential theft.
• Tracking Technology (Optional): Consider using a discreet air tag or similar tracking device within the stroller compartment. This can help locate your stroller if it is misplaced or stolen.

If you suspect your stroller has been stolen, notify Guest Services immediately. They can assist you in searching for it and provide further guidance. Walt Disney World also maintains a Lost & Found department for recovered items.

By following these tips and remaining vigilant, families can maximize the convenience of stroller parking while ensuring the safety of their belongings.

It should be noted that stealing in any form will not only leave you in trouble with the police, but also, will have you banned from Walt Disney World Property with a lifetime suspension.

Have you ever had something stolen from you at Walt Disney World Resort?