Disney families resort to stroller smuggling as ticket prices skyrocket.

As ticket prices at Disney theme parks surge to unprecedented levels, families are resorting to increasingly creative—and sometimes ethically dubious—methods to save money on their vacations. A recent viral video circulating on TikTok last week captured a father at Disneyland in California attempting to sneak an older child into the park by hiding them in the back of a stroller. In the footage, the child is seen squeezed tightly against the mesh of the stroller, barely visible, while the father waits in line to pay the entry fee. The video's caption bluntly stated, "Disney [is] so expensive they['re] smuggling kids in."

The clip was recorded by a blogger who shared it on his account. According to the blogger, a younger girl sat in front of the stroller, while the older child remained hidden in the rear, munching on crackers. When Fox News Digital contacted both Disneyland and Disney World for comment regarding the incident, the company was unable to confirm the specific event. However, the online reaction was swift and polarized. Many commenters on social media expressed support for the tactic, with one user writing, "Disney doesn't realize how much money they could make by lowering prices," and another adding, "Sad. Disney [should] do better and lower the prices so kids can enjoy the park!"

This incident is not isolated; over the past few years, several viral reports have surfaced of families attempting similar stroller-based smuggling tactics. One high-profile case gained significant attention in 2022 when a video showed a child being wheeled in a car seat. Once inside the park gates, the child was lifted out and walked independently, according to numerous outlets. Some observers suggest these incidents are direct attempts to bypass rising ticket costs. Despite the media attention, experts note that these incidents appear to be rare in practice, yet they continue to ignite strong reactions online.

The controversy intensified on platforms like Reddit, where fans strongly disagreed with the online praise for such hacks. Following a different incident, one Reddit user wrote, "I understand that prices for gas, parking, hotels are crazy, but if you don't have the money, don't go. The entitlement is astounding!" Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, "Agree. If you can't afford it, then you don't belong."

The backdrop for this frustration is the dramatic increase in ticket prices. In October 2025, Disney raised prices at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. For the first time, single-day tickets during peak times crossed the $200 threshold. At Disneyland, the peak price topped out at $224 for a one-day, one-park ticket. At Walt Disney World, the same ticket now runs as high as $209 during peak demand in the 2026 season.

Beyond admission costs, additional expenses have also shifted from free to paid. The once-popular FastPass system, which allowed visitors to skip lines at no cost, has been replaced by paid Lightning Lane passes. Disney now offers three tiers of these passes, with the priciest option climbing to $449 per person per day, according to the company's website. The financial strain is palpable; one Reddit user who attempted to plan a trip on three occasions remarked, "I truly can't understand how families afford it without going into massive [credit card] debt." Another traveler countered that most people they know decide to go and then spend over a year saving toward the trip.