Disney Keeps Arresting Guests for Behavior You Have to See to Believe
Walt Disney World is the kind of place where dreams are supposed to come true. You’re supposed to be spinning in teacups, watching fireworks burst over Cinderella Castle, and munching on Mickey pretzels—not ending up in handcuffs. But now and then, guests bring their own version of “magic” to the parks… and not the kind you’ll find on a Disney Genie lamp.
From bizarre outbursts to full-on criminal offenses, these real-life incidents between 2022 and 2025 prove that even in the most enchanting place on Earth, some people just can’t help but go off the rails.
2022 – Trouble at the Border
1. Threats From a Former Intern
In May 2022, Canadian citizen Matthew Carney was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border. His name had been flagged due to an outstanding Florida warrant—one that alleged he had threatened to bomb Cinderella Castle during his 2019 stint as a Disney College Program intern.
Although the threat reportedly happened off Disney property years earlier, it was serious enough to spark law enforcement action. It’s unclear what prompted the alleged threat, but if Carney wanted a dramatic exit from his internship, he achieved that.
2023 – Cameras, Conflicts & Chaos
2. Hollywood Studios Voyeurism Arrest
While working inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities at Galaxy’s Edge, 26-year-old Jorge Diaz Vega was caught filming under guests’ clothing—often minors. Investigators later found more than 500 videos on his phone. He was arrested for video voyeurism and immediately terminated.
There’s immersive theming, and then there’s crossing a legal and ethical line. Diaz Vega did both.
3. Brawl at the 100-Year Sign
At Magic Kingdom, two families wanted the same photo spot in front of the “100 Years of Wonder” celebration sign. What started as a verbal disagreement quickly turned physical. Punches were thrown, security stepped in, and ultimately, both families were booted and banned from Disney property.
All for a photo? Yep. Let that sink in.
4. Verbal Attack at EPCOT Gate
Outside EPCOT, two men allegedly mocked and harassed a woman in a wheelchair. When cast members stepped in to de-escalate the situation, the men also turned their aggression toward them. Deputies arrested both for disorderly conduct. Not only did they miss out on a day at the park—they earned criminal records instead.
2024 – Authority Misused and Manners Misplaced
5. Officer Goes Off the Rails
Detective Duane Danforth from Massachusetts made headlines in January 2024 after causing a scene at EPCOT. Denied access to a private event, Danforth reportedly shoved a Disney security guard and then escalated the situation by threatening an Orange County deputy.
He was arrested for battery and resisting an officer. His department placed him on administrative leave while conducting an internal investigation.
6. Drunk and Disrespectful
Later that same year, Orlando resident Domingo Pagan got into trouble at EPCOT after drinking too much and reportedly spitting through his face mask at a cast member. He was charged with battery and hauled off the property.
Disney cast members have enough on their plates—getting spit on shouldn’t be part of the job description.
2025 – Mayhem and Misconduct
7. EPCOT’s New Year’s Disaster
The clock had barely struck midnight on January 1, 2025, when a 24-year-old man from Port Orange ensured his visit would be unforgettable—for all the wrong reasons. After stripping down to his underwear near EPCOT, he urinated in a bush and proceeded to destroy a merchandise kiosk, reportedly causing over $1,000 in damage.
Police arrested him for felony criminal mischief and disorderly intoxication, which is not exactly how most people plan to start their year.
8. Digital Mayhem Behind the Scenes
Former Disney cast member Michael Scheuer went from running food service systems to running afoul of the law. In early 2025, he hacked into Disney’s internal restaurant software, changing allergy notifications, altering prices, and—most disturbingly—uploading Nazi symbols onto screens across multiple locations.
The FBI got involved. Damages were estimated at more than $150,000. Whatever message he thought he was sending, the legal consequences were loud and clear.
9. Assault During the Parade
During a parade at Magic Kingdom, 51-year-old tourist Martha Lucia Zapata‑Echeverri from Spain reportedly grabbed a teenager and shoved her out of the way to get a better view. The 17-year-old girl suffered visible bruises. Officers arrested Zapata‑Echeverri for child abuse and permanently banned her from Disney property.
There are easier ways to get closer to the parade—like arriving early or finding a different viewing spot. Assault shouldn’t be one of them.
10. Drugs at the Bus Loop
In March 2025, security stopped Dustin Lee Wallace of St. Augustine at the Magic Kingdom bus area. During a search, they found cocaine in his wallet. He was arrested for possession and received a permanent ban from Disney property.
Moral of the story? Disney is magical, but it’s not that kind of magical.
When the Fantasy Fades
Disney works hard to create an atmosphere full of joy and enchantment, but the truth is, real people still fill the parks—and real consequences follow their actions. These ten arrests prove that bad behavior doesn’t vanish just because castles and characters surround you.
So, if you’re heading to the parks: follow the rules, respect the people around you, and leave the criminal antics behind. There’s no Lightning Lane for jail.
