A recent incident at Disney California Adventure Park has ignited widespread outrage after a guest was caught in a dangerous stunt, once again highlighting a troubling trend at Disney parks.
Guest misconduct is nothing new at theme parks, Disney or not. For decades, there have been reports of guests acting out on theme park property, whether that’s jumping out of ride vehicles, trying to sneak into parks without paying or trying to fight characters. (Yes, really).
In recent years, however, many have noticed a surge in these incidents, with social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube being blamed for fueling attention-seeking stunts. While unruly behavior isn’t new to Disney, the constant presence of smartphones and the ease of sharing videos online have led to more frequent—and more visible—cases of misconduct. This shift has made it seem like guests are increasingly brazen, acting out for the sole purpose of going viral.
Although social media may not be the sole cause (as countless bad behaviors have been reported over the decades), there’s no doubt that these platforms have provided a stage for disruptive acts that might have once gone unnoticed.
The most recent example involved a guest scaling the San Fransokyo Bridge, a structure introduced in 2023 near Pixar Pier. The bridge, inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge and the aesthetic of Big Hero 6 (2014), became the site of dangerous antics when a woman decided to climb it in broad daylight, in full view of other parkgoers.
A video, uploaded to Reddit by user marinebiostu, shows the woman hanging upside down briefly before descending safely. “She just jumps down right after though and walks away,” the user noted, adding that they didn’t see any security approaching her at the time.
The video sparked immediate outrage among Disney fans, with many expressing frustration over the guest’s reckless behavior. One user predicted that despite the apparent lack of immediate intervention, the woman would likely be removed from the park and face a ban. “Disneyland doesn’t tolerate that kind of behavior,” they wrote, echoing the park’s strict policies on guest safety and rule enforcement.
Sadly, this is far from an isolated case. Instances of guest misconduct have been on the rise, and many point to social media as a driving force behind these incidents. One Reddit user recounted their own experience with social media-driven antics at the park, describing a mother who coached her child to perform for a video, much to the inconvenience of others nearby.
“The last time I was there, I noticed more people than usual who were filming video that looked like it was for social media,” they shared. “Like, I was just trying to buy some churros, and this mom who had been next to me in line bought some for her family, and then handed one to her son, and was coaching him through a video before letting him eat it. ‘Okay, now swing it like a sword! Pretend it’s a light saber!’ Everyone had to take a step back because this kid was swinging a churro around, because his mom told him to.”
Disney is known for taking swift action against those who violate park rules, and while it’s unclear if the woman on the San Fransokyo Bridge faced any immediate consequences, there are plenty of examples of Disney security clamping down on similar incidents in the past.
Just last year, a guest who jumped into EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon on a dare was quickly stopped by security after attempting to climb out of the water. There have also been cases of guests trying to scale EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion, sneaking into the parks overnight, wielding metal poles at fellow visitors, and even attacking cast members. Such behavior has left many Disney fans dismayed, as these stunts not only disrupt the park experience but also pose serious safety risks.
As these cases become more frequent, the question on many minds is whether social media and the desire for viral content are exacerbating bad behavior.
What do you think—is guest misconduct really on the rise at Disney parks?