A Disneyland Resort trip gone wrong has sparked outrage after a guest admitted to leaving her injured 74-year-old mother behind on Main Street, U.S.A., to continue enjoying the theme park’s attractions. The confession, shared on Reddit, has drawn harsh criticism from Disney Parks fans, with many calling the actions insensitive and selfish.
A Family Dispute at The Happiest Place on Earth
Disneyland Resort, known as The Happiest Place on Earth, can be a challenging destination for guests with health concerns. Navigating the parks requires stamina, patience, and, often, careful planning to accommodate different needs. Reddit user u/PrettyUsagi, 38, planned a trip to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park with her mother, a 74-year-old Disney fan who now struggles with sciatica, leg pain, myasthenia, and other health issues.
Despite her mother’s health struggles, the daughter believed her mother was ready for the trip, citing recent medical treatments and the use of a cane. However, tensions flared as the mother found it difficult to match the fast pace of their Disney Park vacation.
“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 daughter wrote. “My mom has some ongoing health issues but still has been working full time… However, I feel like she has taken [her frustrations] out on me during the trip, lashing out.”
The Breaking Point
The situation escalated when the mother tripped over a curb on Main Street, U.S.A., bruising herself in the fall. While her daughter helped her up and offered medical assistance, the mother declined, asking instead to look at souvenirs and return to the hotel.
Frustrated by what she described as a “bad Disney day,” the daughter proposed alternatives to staying together, such as her mother waiting at Starbucks while she rode attractions or taking the hotel shuttle back. Her mother, however, “angrily” stormed off.
“I assumed she was just a little sore after the fall since she refused to sit,” the guest explained. “I wanted to stay and ride a few rides since she seemed okay… She was irate at this suggestion saying angrily ‘I’ll find a place to sit and you can come find me.'”
The daughter proceeded to enjoy the rides while her mother sat on Main Street, U.S.A. When they reunited, tensions were high, and the mother voiced her displeasure with the trip’s pace and planning.
“My mom said cruel things like she hasn’t enjoyed the trip in years because of ‘how I make it,'” the daughter wrote. “Now I’ve been crying and feeling bad and I want to enjoy my vacation because I work hard and I paid for it. I don’t feel I deserve this.”
Backlash from Disney Parks Fans
Disney Parks fans slammed the guest’s actions as thoughtless and cruel.
“Your elderly mother fell and you were concerned about getting on more rides at Disneyland?” wrote u/toobigtorig2024. “Is this satire?”
“This is honestly cruel,” said 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 and making sure she’s comfortable.”
Others criticized the daughter for not prioritizing her mother’s needs and turning what should have been a shared experience into a conflict.
“This is supposed to be a mother-daughter experience,” wrote u/wotan823. “Part of that is doing what she is capable of… even if it means missing out on rides.”
Did this Disneyland Resort guest behave cruelly? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
