Walt Disney World Resort is famously known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” while Disneyland Resort is affectionately called “The Happiest Place on Earth.” These names conjure feelings of joy, nostalgia, and cherished memories, bringing smiles to millions of people worldwide. It’s almost unimaginable that anything unpleasant could occur in such enchanting settings.
However, some individuals manage to disrupt the magic, impacting not only their own experience but also that of those around them or those unlucky enough to cross their path.
Disney maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against violence or any dangerous or threatening behavior from guests. Cast Members are quick to involve Disney security or law enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone. As a result, some guests may find themselves leaving the parks in handcuffs instead of heading back to their Disney hotel for the evening.
As we reflect on 2024, here are the wildest arrests that made headlines this year.
Shirtless Chaos at EPCOT’s Space 220
Drinking around the world can be fun, but some guests take it too far. Over the summer, a video surfaced showing two shirtless men wandering outside Space 220 at EPCOT. One of them had ripped a stanchion pole out of the ground and began swinging it at other guests. When a cast member intervened to de-escalate the situation, the man punched her and attempted to threaten additional staff.
@alexis.ringel Replying to @alexis.ringel #disneyepcot
Related: How to Drink Around the World at EPCOT (Without Ending up in the Headlines)
Reports later confirmed he was under the influence while operating an ECV scooter. Both men were arrested on assault and battery charges, putting an end to their chaotic rampage.
Drunk Officer Arrested at EPCOT
In late January, Duane Danforth, a police detective from Brookline, Massachusetts, attempted to enter a private event at EPCOT. Disney security informed him that the area was off-limits and directed him to take an alternate route. Ignoring their instructions, Danforth reportedly tried to remove the barrier ropes.
Related: Disney Guests Voice Concerns Over Intoxicated Adults At EPCOT
When security reiterated that he could not access the area, Danforth allegedly escalated the situation by threatening to kill the security guard and forcing his way into the event. Later, when confronted by a police officer, he reportedly pushed the officer in an attempt to resist.
Following his arrest, Danforth was suspended from his position with the Brookline Police Department.
A Disney Springs Stunt for Revenge
Disney Springs often seems to be the site of unusual arrests, and this incident is no exception.
In August, Orange County Deputy Christopher Morelli was sitting in his marked patrol car at Disney Springs when, out of nowhere, Nicole Handboy struck his vehicle with her purse. When the deputy asked why she had done it, Ms. Handboy ignored him and attempted to flee the scene.
Related: The Most Underrated Disney Springs Restaurant
Deputy Morelli quickly apprehended Ms. Handboy, who was reportedly intoxicated. Once in custody, she explained the reason for her actions.
Ms. Handboy admitted she had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend, who had left Disney Springs without her. In retaliation, she decided to get arrested, hoping her boyfriend would have to bail her out of jail as payback.
Unfortunately for Ms. Handboy, court records don’t indicate that her boyfriend came to her rescue. Instead, she pleaded no contest to the charges and paid a fine herself.
A Mother’s Arrest Sparks Viral Backlash
A heart-wrenching video captured a mother, Jessenia Diaz, being escorted out of Disney California Adventure in handcuffs, with her two young daughters clinging to her and crying for help.
@william_martinez4 This aint right 😤😓#disney
Related: The Upstairs Dining Locations at Disney No One Talks About
While the clip garnered outrage, public sentiment shifted when the full story emerged. Diaz had repeatedly entered the park without paying for her children, exploiting Disney’s free entry policy for kids under 3. After multiple warnings and incidents, Disney security and local police took action, leading to her arrest.
Guest Begs for Jail at Disney Springs
You might be wondering, “Who actually asks to be arrested, especially while on a Disney vacation?” Believe it or not, that’s exactly what happened at Disney Springs in September.
According to the police report, multiple guests reported a heavily intoxicated woman causing a disturbance, even falling into a planter because she was too drunk to stand. When officers arrived, they observed that the woman smelled strongly of alcohol, had glassy eyes, was unsteady on her feet, and slurred her speech.
But the most surprising part of the encounter was still to come.
The woman, identified as Marta Kaiser, had sustained a cut at some point and became combative with police and paramedics when they tried to help her. The situation escalated to the point where she yelled, “F** you, take me to jail. I want to go to jail.”* The officers obliged, and Ms. Kaiser ended her Disney evening in police custody.
Disney’s parks may be magical, but they’re not immune to the occasional chaos caused by unruly guests. Each of these incidents is a reminder of Disney’s commitment to maintaining safety and order for all visitors. Here’s hoping 2025 brings more pixie dust and fewer arrests.
Have you witnessed any shocking incidents during a visit to Disney Parks? Share your stories in the comments below!
