Theme parks have long walked a fine line when it comes to alcohol. On one hand, drinks are a lucrative business, fueling sales across dining locations and nightlife venues. On the other, excess consumption can quickly derail the family-friendly atmosphere companies like Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort try to protect.
Orlando’s parks are hardly alone in grappling with these issues. Across the country, amusement destinations sell beer, cocktails, and specialty drinks. Yet they must balance guest expectations against the very real risk of disorderly behavior. In recent years, a string of headline-grabbing incidents has made that balance all the more visible.
Confrontation at Islands of Adventure
One such incident unfolded at Islands of Adventure in May 2024. The park, famous for attractions like VelociCoaster and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, became the setting for a confrontation between police and a school chaperone who had reportedly been drinking.
The Orlando Police Department later released body camera footage, which surfaced online via Cop Action on Cam. An officer in the video described the woman as being “very touchy.” She was trespassed from Universal property for one year before the situation escalated further.
In the video, the woman attempted to arrange an Uber ride from Orlando to Miami. She grew frustrated when told her son would stay with the student group. Her complaints soon shifted to her inability to experience the park’s rides.
“I ain't doing that s**t,” she snapped when advised to book a Mears shuttle. “Are you out of your mind?”
Officials declined to release her son, saying they were not comfortable with the idea. Police then warned that she would face arrest if she refused to leave. She did not comply, leading to her removal from the park.
Another individual in her group alleged that she had already been disruptive earlier, vaping on the bus and in front of children. The woman was eventually arrested, pleaded no contest in court, and was found guilty of trespass after warning. She received credit for her jail time but was also ordered to pay a fine.
A Broader Pattern of Misconduct
Universal Orlando has faced similar episodes. In 2022, a woman was escorted from Hard Rock Live Orlando and exposed herself in the resort’s parking garage. She was arrested for trespassing.
Nearby, Disney has been forced to handle its own share of alcohol-fueled misconduct. On New Year’s Day, a man stripped to his “undergarments,” damaged a sales kiosk, and was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges.
Disney Springs has seen multiple disturbances as well. In 2024, one woman fell into a planter, begged officers to arrest her, and was charged with disorderly intoxication. That same year, a male guest spat on officers at House of Blues Orlando and was placed in a spit mask before being charged.
Both resorts enforce strict rules against drunken disorderly conduct, yet the incidents continue. Each case has fueled viral discussion online, often overshadowing the very attractions meant to define the guest experience.
What's the worst guest behavior you've ever witnessed at Universal Orlando Resort?
