Disney Worker Taken Into Custody After Alleged Upskirt Filming at Theme Park
Theme parks sell fantasy as a form of escape. History shows that reality still slips through the gates with alarming regularity.
From petty theft to violent confrontations, Disney parks have long navigated the uneasy space where large crowds and heightened emotion collide. This time, however, the story carried an unexpected twist.
Man Arrested After Hong Kong Disneyland Incident
Authorities in Hong Kong confirmed that a Tokyo Disneyland maintenance worker has been arrested after an alleged voyeurism incident at Hong Kong Disneyland. The accused was visiting the park as a guest when the incident occurred.
The 36-year-old Japanese national, identified as Shibamata Satoshi by UTravel, appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on November 24. He told the court he worked as a mechanical repairman at Tokyo Disneyland and required a Japanese interpreter.
Prosecutors allege that, on November 22, 2025, outside Disney’s Storybook Theater – home to Mickey and the Wondrous Book – Shibamata used a panoramic camera to secretly photograph a woman’s “private parts” beneath her clothing.
The charge further states that the act could only have occurred through deliberate positioning. Authorities allege the behavior was conducted “dishonestly and without regard” for whether the woman consented.
The court did not require Shibamata to enter a plea during the initial appearance. Instead, the matter was formally adjourned as prosecutors sought further legal guidance from Hong Kong’s Department of Justice.
Bail was granted at HK$20,000 under strict conditions. Shibamata is prohibited from leaving Hong Kong, must report to police twice weekly, and is required to remain at his declared residence.
The international nature of the case has intensified public scrutiny. Employment at a globally recognized theme park has added another layer of reputational stakes to an already sensitive legal proceeding.
The case is scheduled to return to court on December 22.
A Pattern Across Disney Properties
This arrest follows a string of voyeurism-related cases across multiple Disney locations in recent years. Each incident has raised urgent questions about guest safety and the limits of park security.
Earlier this year, a separate man was charged with unlawfully photographing or observing “private parts” at Hong Kong Disneyland in an unrelated June 14 case. That investigation remains ongoing.
In 2023, federal investigators arrested Justin Culmo following a decade-long international child exploitation probe. Authorities said he used a GoPro at Walt Disney World to film guests.
Investigators alleged that the footage was later processed through the AI system Stable Diffusion to generate illegal content involving minors. Culmo was sentenced to 75 years in federal prison in May 2025.
Another 2023 case unfolded at the deluxe resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Twenty-two-year-old Clayton Snider was arrested after allegedly filming inside a public restroom.
A guest accused Snider of leaning over a stall and recording a 19-year-old with their pants down. Snider denied the allegation but refused to show his phone when confronted.
Security and law enforcement intervened shortly afterward. The case fueled renewed concerns around privacy breaches within resort environments.
That same year, Disney Cast Member Jorge Diaz Vega was arrested after investigators discovered he had secretly recorded guests at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Authorities said the collection included upskirt footage and exceeded 500 videos amassed across six years. Diaz Vega admitted to recording the material during the investigation.
Disney terminated his employment immediately. The legal story did not end there.
After his initial release, Diaz Vega was arrested again on a new video voyeurism charge.
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