Guest Claims Disney Prioritized Adult Over Disabled Child in Character Line
A mother visiting Disneyland Resort with her disabled daughter has taken to social media to express frustration. She claims the Disney park prioritized an adult guest over her child during a character meet-and-greet. Liz, known on Instagram as @maddyatdisneyland, shared her account of the incident, which she says left her daughter, Maddy, unable to meet Carl, one of the beloved characters from Disney and Pixar’s Up (2009).
A Mother’s Frustration
Liz and Maddy, who has cystic fibrosis, were waiting at Disneyland Park to meet Dug and Carl. Liz says they were second in line, ready to meet the characters after the family ahead of them. But as they waited, cast members allegedly ushered an adult guest in front of them.
Liz recorded the experience, which she later shared online, calling the situation unfair and avoidable.
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“[I] was so disappointed in the cast members and the lady who cut us!!” Liz wrote in her post. “…They let her in front of us out of nowhere! Then the cast member tells Carl to go and not to stay to take a photo with Maddy!! So outrageous really!!!”
Carl Leaves the Scene
According to Liz, the latter character left the meet-and-greet area after the adult guests finished interacting with Dug and Carl. Maddy was left with only Dug to meet, despite Carl having “said” he would stay.
Liz said she stopped recording before confronting the character attendant over the incident, which she described as one of her worst Disneyland experiences to date.
“There is no excuse possible to have a reason to cut Maddy,” Liz continued in her caption. “Nothing I can hear would be a valid reason. I’m sure she maybe was [an] influencer? Don’t Care!!”
Possible Explanations
While Liz’s frustration is evident, some anonymous Disney Park guests reported that the adult guest may have been waiting elsewhere for their turn and was brought forward by cast members to complete their interaction with the characters.
It’s also possible Carl’s early exit was due to an issue beyond the Disney cast members’ control. Disney cast members address costume malfunctions, safety concerns, or medical matters discreetly to minimize disruption for guests.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Dining know in the comments.
