A woman was arrested at Disneyland’s Resort in California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California, after allegedly refusing to provide identification to peace officers. The arrest, which occurred amidst shocked visitors, has drawn significant attention both at the park and online.
According to the Anaheim Police Department, the woman was detained and cited for obstructing an officer after failing to present ID. Disneyland representatives later confirmed to KTLA that the woman had allegedly tried to sneak her children into the park without valid tickets, leading to her ejection from the park.
Alleged ticket evasion and uncooperative behaviour
Authorities claim the woman became uncooperative with park staff, resulting in the involvement of law enforcement. The woman is also suspected of having previously attempted to bypass Disneyland’s ticketing regulations, which permit free entry for children under the age of three when accompanied by a paying adult with a valid ticket and reservation.
Viral video captures arrest
A video of the woman being escorted out of the park with her two young children, visibly distressed and in tears, quickly went viral on social media. The footage ignited widespread criticism of the park’s security measures, with some viewers expressing concern for the emotional impact on the children.
One social media user commented, “The fact that no one’s helping the girls and people just staring and recording—these police don’t care about children.” Another added, “Breaks my heart… they just went to have fun.”
However, not all reactions were sympathetic to the woman, with some users defending Disneyland’s actions. “Everyone saying Disney is wrong for this… uhhh sorry but play stupid games, win stupid prizes. That’s on HER,” one commenter stated. “It’s not her first time trying this… MOM DO BETTER.”
Disneyland’s firm stance on ticket fraud
This incident comes as Disneyland has strengthened its enforcement of park entry policies. Last year, Disney announced a crackdown on guests attempting to bypass ticket-buying rules, including misuse of the Disability Access Services (DAS) program. The DAS initiative offers individuals with disabilities a return time for attractions, helping them avoid long waits in conventional queues.
In a statement released earlier, Disney warned that anyone found to have falsely claimed eligibility for DAS would face a permanent ban from both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. “If it is determined that any of the statements a Guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the Guest will be permanently barred,” the statement reads. The company added that previously purchased passes, tickets, or other park-related products from guests found misusing the system would be forfeited without a refund.
A call for equal access
While Disney’s policies ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities, recent changes require those currently using DAS to reapply under updated guidelines. These efforts are part of Disney’s broader commitment to making its parks inclusive, while also preventing abuse of the system. The incident at California Adventure Park has further highlighted Disney’s ongoing battle with ticket fraud, with the resort making it clear that attempts to bypass regulations will not be tolerated.