Disney Cast Member Hospitalized After Guest Assault at EPCOT

While visiting Walt Disney World Resort is an exciting time for families and friends, it is also a very exhausting experience. The days are long, the lines can be longer, and the temperatures can be high. Tempers can run a little short, and that definitely becomes even more true when a popular attraction breaks down. Especially a popular EPCOT attraction.

Unfortunately, Disney World rides and attractions experience a lot of wear and tear, so breakdowns aren’t all that uncommon. Disney Cast Members do what they can to get the rides up and running as quickly as possible, but sometimes the breakdowns last a while.

According to an arrest report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, on May 30, 39-year-old Seth Davis visited EPCOT with his family. They were in line for the hit attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, when it broke down and guests were told to leave the line.

An EPCOT Cast Member then told them that they would not be able to get back in line because the ride was shut down. That is when Davis reportedly became “verbally aggressive” and started yelling at a Cast Member. The Cast Member asked a manager for help.

Davis continued to shout at the manager and demanded that his family be given Lightning Lane passes to use. The Sheriff’s report goes on to say that the tablet the manager was using would not read the park passes that Davis had. The Cast Member had to get another tablet, which only made Davis angrier.

As the Cast Member held the tablet, Davis smacked it out of her hand. The tablet bent the Cast Member’s hand back and hit her rib cage before it fell to the ground.

The manager alerted other Cast Members that she had been hit. Disney Security and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were immediately called. The Cast Member was then transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for injuries to her left hand and her rib cage.

The police report states that Davis was read his Miranda rights and agreed to speak without an attorney present.

Davis told police that he became upset when the ride broke down and demanded that he be given a Lightning Lane pass, so he could ride when the attraction reopened. The police report reads, “Seth stated he became so upset during the argument with (the manager) that he reached out and slapped the tablet out of (the manager’s) hand in a lack of judgment.” Two independent witnesses also spoke to police, as they had witnessed what happened.

After speaking with police, Davis was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail on charges of battery. Davis is being represented by a public defender and has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.