A live show at Shanghai Disneyland was briefly halted this week after a guest left the audience and climbed onstage, leading to a rare two-year ban from the resort.
The August 10 disruption took place during The Adventure of Rhythm, a daily performance that highlights different musical styles and features appearances from Disney characters. It was the latest in a series of guest-related incidents at the park this summer.
Disruption During The Adventure of Rhythm
According to Chinese outlet Sohu, the male guest approached Mei Mei, the red panda from Pixar’s Turning Red, during the performance and attempted to dance with the character.
Video from the incident showed him making physical contact before cast members intervened.
Shanghai Disneyland later confirmed the actions interrupted the show for nearly 1,000 visitors and violated park policy, which states: “Please respect the performers and other Cast Members (including Disney friends). Whether onsite or online, use civilized language, do not engage in any dangerous, illegal, harassing, or aggressive behavior.”
The man was escorted out and barred from returning for two years.
A Park of Unique Attractions
Opened in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland blends signature Disney experiences with attractions designed specifically for the Chinese market.
The park’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean, Battle for the Sunken Treasure, uses large-scale projections to immerse guests in a cinematic-style adventure. TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a high-speed roller coaster where riders straddle futuristic bikes, proved so popular that it was later replicated at Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Other park-exclusive experiences include Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, a boat ride through scenes inspired by classic Disney films, and Jet Packs, a spinning aerial attraction overlooking Tomorrowland. The park also features long-running entertainment offerings like Mickey’s Storybook Express, a parade that winds through the park with themed floats and live performers.
In December 2023, Shanghai Disneyland debuted the world’s first Zootopia Land, anchored by Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless ride that takes guests through the city alongside Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. A Spider-Man–themed area is now in development, expected to include a new thrill ride inspired by the Marvel character.
This week’s onstage incident adds to a run of challenges for the park in recent months.
In late May, a fight between guests near a retail shop was caught on video and circulated on Weibo. Earlier this summer, a character performer dressed as Tigger collapsed during the Mickey’s Storybook Express parade amid extreme summer heat, sparking controversy about the decision not to remove his costume for the sake of not ruining the magic.
Guests also braved 100 degrees to wait for 14 hours outside Shanghai Disneyland to secure a new Duffy and Friends merchandise drop in July, sparking controversy among those frustrated by the impact of reseller culture.
For Shanghai Disneyland, the message remains consistent: breaking park rules can bring lasting consequences — and even the most magical setting isn’t immune to disruption.
What’s the worst case of rule-breaking you’ve ever witnessed at a Disney park?
