Parents Caught Off Guard by "Strict" Safety Policy in Effect at Disney Entrance

If you’ve ever made your way to the entrance of a Disney World theme park with little ones in tow, you already know the security process is no joke.

Between the crowds, the strollers, the bags, and the excited (or overtired) kids, that first step into the park can feel a bit chaotic. And lately, more and more parents are sounding off online about one particular issue that’s throwing them off — the stroller check.

Here’s the thing: this security process isn’t actually new. But for a lot of families, especially first-timers or guests used to how other parks like Universal Orlando do it, Disney’s way of doing things feels a bit more involved — and honestly, a little surprising.

Not Just One Line, But Two

Right at the security checkpoint, guests are directed into two separate lines: one for regular guests, and another specifically for those with strollers or wheelchairs. Disney asks that only one adult accompany the stroller through this line while the rest of the family goes through the regular guest line. This is where things tend to break down.

A lot of parents — understandably — try to stay together as a unit. But doing that actually slows down the process. The stroller has to be thoroughly checked by security, and then the parent pushing it will walk through a metal detector, possibly with a child in their arms or at their side.

Sometimes, they’ll be asked to take the child out of the stroller and both will have to walk through separately. Any bags will be checked too — and if something suspicious is picked up by the scanner, expect your bag to be fully emptied for inspection.

A mom named Tasha from North Carolina shared her experience:

“It wasn’t my first time, but I forgot the part where only one parent should go through with the stroller. My husband and I both went and were told to split up. It just added to the confusion. If we’d known, we’d have saved five minutes.”

Don’t Be Caught Off Guard: Listen to Security

The key to moving through the line quickly? Listen to the security cast members. They’ll guide you every step of the way — they do this all day, every day. But when people don’t follow directions (either because they’re stressed, distracted, or just didn’t hear the instructions), it creates unnecessary backups.

And yes, it’s different from other parks. At Universal Orlando, families just push the stroller right through a metal detector with everyone else. The stroller gets checked, but you have to empty your pockets, which is something you don’t have to do at Disney. Disney’s approach is more segmented, and also demands a little more cooperation from guests.

Know What’s In Your Bag

This is a big one. Disney has a long list of prohibited items — and they will find them. If you’re carrying a diaper bag, and you’ve packed something that sets off the scanner (like an umbrella with a pointed tip, or even some metal snack containers), your bag may be completely emptied and checked.

“It took forever because I had a portable fan with a metal clip in the bottom of my diaper bag,” one dad wrote. “They had to empty everything, even the wipes. I totally get it, but I wish I’d packed better. It was intense.”

So if you want to avoid that hassle, double-check your park bag the night before. Stick to clear containers if possible, and leave anything questionable at the hotel or in the car. It’ll make your entrance way smoother.

“Yep, us too,” another wrote. “We literally had our entire diaper bag emptied for a metal band-aid container. I made sure not to pack that the next day.”

Final Thoughts

Disney’s security team is top-notch. They’re fast, respectful, and extremely good at what they do. But if you don’t know what to expect — especially with kids and strollers involved — the process can catch you off guard.

So here’s your cheat sheet: only one adult through the stroller line, listen carefully to directions, keep your bag simple, and leave restricted items behind. It’s not new — but for a lot of families, it feels new. And knowing what to expect will help you get through security and into the magic without unnecessary stress.