Tips for defeating the squirrels?

[Valpo]

So my wife has seen a bunch of stuff about the squirrels at Disney World indicating that they know to get on parked strollers, open up zippers and find and eat even sealed food that they find.

Any good tips on protecting our food from the squirrels?

 

[carlyle688]

Definitely don’t leave food unattended in your stroller.

 

[Valpo]

Definitely don’t leave food unattended in your stroller.

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Is there any way that it could be left like inside a cooler sealed up that would stop them from getting it? We certainly have no intention of leaving it out in the open.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So my wife has seen a bunch of stuff about the squirrels at Disney World indicating that they know to get on parked strollers, open up zippers and find and eat even sealed food that they find.

Any good tips on protecting our food from the squirrels?

small hard side cooler that fits in basket under stroller. but best bet to avoid squirrels is to not leave food or smell of food like a bag that has had food at another time in stroller. yes they know where food is kept. also did not mention but do not leave stroller outside at resort. it has been years but yes saw a snake in basket under a stroller that had been left outside a room overnight at Riverside

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Is there any way that it could be left like inside a cooler sealed up that would stop them from getting it? We certainly have no intention of leaving it out in the open.

softside ones have been chewed threw even sealed

 

[gottalovepluto]

Put the food in a backpack and never leave it unattended.

 

[Valpo]

Put the food in a backpack and never leave it unattended.

How hard is it to take backpacks on rides etc?

 

[gottalovepluto]

How hard is it to take backpacks on rides etc?

As long as it isn’t massive I find it easy enough to tuck down by my feet and secure for rides. It does get squashed regularly so I wouldn’t be putting zip locked sandwiches in it.

 

[bloomcruisers]

Put the food in a backpack and never leave it unattended.

This. We do it all the time. You can leave water bottles or unopened juice boxes with no issue. But we carry all our food with us when we leave the stroller. You can pack it so it hangs on the stroller or fits in the basket while walking around, but take it with you into attractions. We use the time in line to satisfy the hunger pangs with the snacks we are carrying.

 

[chris1212]

Is this a new problem at Disney? Prior to Covid we were there quite a few times with a stroller and left a bag full of snacks in it with never an issue.

 

[Genie+]

Fill surrounding strollers with popcorn in every crevice?

 

[Anna131517]

We have never had an issue with squirrels. Then again we don’t leave unsecured food in our stroller. They have never opened or chewed through a backpack to get to our snacks. Just use common sense and you’ll be fine.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I have seen squirrels methodically going stroller to stroller and they even closed boxes. They opened plastic containers. It was insane. We were amazed because we knew the people would have no idea their food was even touched. The group of squirrels even divided and conquered with some going on top of strollers and some under in the baskets. I can pretty much guarantee if you were at Disney with a stroller unattended for any amount of time over a few days squirrels were in it at some point. They were on the trays (parent and kid’s) and seats and baskets.

 

[Kingoglow]

I have to wonder how much you are packing and bringing into the parks. Enough to camp overnight? Several days?

You really don't need to bring emergency rations with you into the park. If a bag of chips gets stolen by an animal, it doesn't sound like much of an issue; more like a story to laugh about later.

If you really need to bring in last night's lasagna, then you can already rent a locker at the front of the park.

 

[goofyernmost]

Bring along a Hauk. Squirrels will never bother you again!

 

[mom2diskids]

I have to wonder how much you are packing and bringing into the parks. Enough to camp overnight? Several days?

You really don't need to bring emergency rations with you into the park. If a bag of chips gets stolen by an animal, it doesn't sound like much of an issue; more like a story to laugh about later.

If you really need to bring in last night's lasagna, then you can already rent a locker at the front of the park.

I don't think what they bring and why is something you should be commenting on in this way. Many families choose to bring in their meals for the day, for many reasons, such as sensory issues, monetary, religious or they just don't care to eat meals prepared on property. OP, enjoy last nights lasagna if that's what you choose to do!

 

[HopperFan]

Is this a new problem at Disney? Prior to Covid we were there quite a few times with a stroller and left a bag full of snacks in it with never an issue.

No, the squirrels have been famous for MANY years for their smash and grab. The Epcot ones seem to be the most sophisticated. We have often just sat and watched them ~ and they don't care who is watching ~ got some great photographs.

Perhaps the strollers around you have just had snacks they wanted more.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I have definitely seen my fair share of aggressive squirrels at WDW but I wouldn't give this too much thought, I would just either carry your bag with you or if it's a lot in a cooler that's very large, just make sure you have it all closed up as best you can. Plan to not leave crumbs and easy access things in the basket or inside the stroller seat itself.

 

[HopperFan]

I can pretty much guarantee if you were at Disney with a stroller unattended for any amount of time over a few days squirrels were in it at some point. They were on the trays (parent and kid’s) and seats and baskets.

YUP, so if you have a stroller tray, I would always wipe it down with sanitizer each time I returned. You don't know who's been hanging out, perhaps licking the stroller crumbs.

 

[cgattis]

YUP, so if you have a stroller tray, I would always wipe it down with sanitizer each time I returned. You don't know who's been hanging out, perhaps licking the stroller crumbs.

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And please if a bag is open when you get back, just throw it away! I’ve watched numerous squirrels eat popcorn right out of bags and then just move along to the next stroller or scooter LOL I actually did throw away a family’s full size bag of Doritos by the pool once after a squirrel unrolled it and climbed all the way in…..waited for them to come back so I could tell them, but finally I had to leave so I just tossed it! Hopefully they would’ve appreciated the thought.