A controversial Disneyland Resort trip has sparked outrage among Disney Parks fans after a guest admitted to leaving her injured 74-year-old mother on Main Street, U.S.A., to continue riding attractions. The incident has ignited fierce backlash online.
The Happiest Place on Earth?
Disneyland Resort, often celebrated as The Happiest Place on Earth, can be a challenging environment for guests with disabilities or health issues. Navigating large crowds, enduring long walks, and tackling busy schedules can make a trip overwhelming, especially for older guests.
Reddit user u/PrettyUsagi, 38, planned a trip to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park with her 74-year-old mother, a longtime Disney Parks fan. As her mother ages, she struggles with sciatica, leg pain, myasthenia, and other health issues. The daughter insisted her mother was prepared for the trip after receiving medical treatment and relying on a cane.
However, tensions arose as the mother struggled to keep up with the trip’s pace. The daughter expressed frustration that her mother wouldn’t rope drop or stay late at the Disney parks, arguing that she should be able to handle the schedule because she works full-time at home.
“I am a huge disneyland enthusiast and wind up booking most of the trip including ordering the tickets, hotels etc and she just pays her half,” the guest wrote. “I ask her opinion and she tells me if she doesn’t want to do something but rarely contributes other ideas with the exception of i want to ride the riverboat ride… My mom has some ongoing health issues but still has been working full time and it seems like she is nice to her students and colleagues. However, I feel like she has taken them out on me during the trip, lashing out.”
A Disneyland Trip Turned Sour
The situation worsened when the mother tripped over a curb and fell on Main Street, U.S.A., bruising herself. Although the daughter helped her up and asked if she needed medical assistance, the mother refused, instead wanting to browse souvenirs and return to the hotel.
After what the daughter described as a “bad Disney day,” tensions came to a head.
“I wanted to stay and ride a few rides since she seemed okay,” the guest explained. I even went to get her a cookie and she was irate after I called my [boyfriend] and he suggested give her options: she could head back on hotel shuttle and I could meet her back at the hotel in a couple hours, she could stay while I ride rides and sit in the starbucks on Main Street or go with me. She was irate at this suggestion saying angrily i’ll find a place to sit and you can come find me and went storming off.”
The guest left her mother on Main Street, U.S.A., and continued riding attractions. When the pair reunited, the mother was described as “hostile.”
Online Backlash
The story quickly amassed attention, with Disney Parks fans slamming the guest’s actions as insensitive and cruel.
“Your elderly mother fell and you were concerned about getting on more rides at Disneyland?” asked Reddit user u/toobigtorig2024. “Is this satire?”
“This is honestly cruel,” wrote u/PieAmbitious1546. “My mother who is younger and has health issues I would never drag her along with me. I’d be going at her pace… She is not walking 30,000 steps for 12 hours that is not fun at 60+ that is a nightmare.”
Others argued that the Disneyland Resort trip should have been a shared experience centered around the mother’s capabilities and preferences.
“This is supposed to be a mother-daughter experience,” said u/wotan823. “Part of that is doing what she is capable of and sitting back with her when she is not capable, even if it means missing out on rides and whatever else.”
Was this Disneyland Resort guest in the wrong? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments.
That daughter was horrible. You invited your mother and then abandoned her. Did you know you can rent a scooter or wheelchair at Disneyland? That way mom would have been fine. Daughter was 100% selfish!