Walt Disney World Resort is renowned for its magical atmosphere, offering families a chance to experience moments of joy and wonder together. From thrilling rides to beloved characters, Disney parks are synonymous with fun, excitement, and lasting memories.
However, an incident recently shook one guest’s perception of this magical space when they witnessed a shocking incident at the Magic Kingdom. The guest’s experience has sparked a discussion on how to handle such disturbing moments in public spaces, especially when they involve children.
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The incident, shared by the guest in a Reddit post, describes a shocking scene near the Belle meet-and-greet. According to the post, the guest was taken aback when they saw a father reportedly throw his 10-year-old child onto the concrete. The story quickly garnered attention, with many people urging others to take a stand in situations like these.
The Incident: What Happened at Magic Kingdom?
The original Reddit poster, u/mewuzhere, recounts the disturbing moment they witnessed at Magic Kingdom. The guest was standing near the Belle character meet-and-greet area when they saw a father throw his young child onto the pavement.
Shocked by the behavior, the guest immediately confronted the father, who allegedly responded defensively, stating, “people have to discipline their kids.”
Two days ago while in Magic Kingdom, I watched a father throw his 10 year old kid onto the concrete outside of Belle’s Meet and Greet. I called him out and he aggressively defended himself that you have to “discipline your kids”. I alerted guest experience to what I saw and pointed to the guy who did it, but I keep feeling like there is more I could have done. Has anyone else experienced something like this and have suggestions if I ever see something like that again?
Witnessed Child Abuse in Magic Kingdom, What Should I Have Done?
byu/mewuzhere inDisneyWorld
The guest was understandably upset by the event and took action immediately. They reported the incident to Disney’s Guest Experience team, hoping that appropriate measures would be taken to address the situation. But afterward, they couldn’t help but question if they could have done more.
Should they have escalated the matter further? Was there more they could have done to help the child involved?
The Community’s Response: Supporting the Guest’s Actions
After the Reddit post gained traction, many commenters expressed their support for the guest who intervened.
Several people praised the poster for confronting the father and immediately reporting the issue to Disney staff. Some users even noted that while they were unsure of the exact details, it was clear the guest’s actions were justified.
One commenter, a former Disney security guard, shared insights into how Disney typically handles situations involving potential abuse. According to this user, while Disney uses security cameras throughout the parks, they can only review footage if security or law enforcement is directly involved in an investigation.
In cases like this, where there was no clear indication of abusive behavior beyond the physical act of the throw, security’s hands might be tied.
The guard went on to explain that incidents involving suspected sexual abuse would prompt Disney to review security footage immediately.
However, because of the ambiguity around the father’s actions in this case, it was difficult for Disney staff to take direct action without further evidence or clarification.
I work for Disney Security. We encourage you to have the nearest CM contact Security and you wait to talk to the Security CM who responds. Describe what you saw and then provide a description of the person you saw involved. Security will monitor them for awhile, but if we don’t actually see them doing something like this, then just like law enforcement, we can’t really do anything about it.
If you’re able to record something like this, then we’d be happy to have one of the OCSO deputies come watch the video and determine if any laws were broken. I will say, however, that Florida law allows for a pretty wide latitude in what people do to discipline their children.
Related: The Mouse Is Always Watching: Disney’s Undercover Security Take Action Against Unruly Guests
The Complexity of Intervening in Public Spaces
Though the Reddit user’s actions were well-meaning, the situation raises questions about how the public should respond to potentially dangerous situations, especially in places like theme parks. Would it have been better for the guest to call the police, or was reporting it to Disney staff the correct course of action?
Many commenters empathized with the poster’s difficult decision and stressed the importance of speaking up in such situations. One user commented:
“Ugh, that is awful. Thank you for what you did. It was dangerous for you, but I’m sure it meant a lot to the kid to see an adult stand up for them.”
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In another reply, a user pointed out that contacting law enforcement could have made a difference, although they acknowledged the complexity of the situation. The comment highlighted the gray area surrounding parental discipline, particularly in a public space like Disney, where laws regarding child-rearing can vary.
While the Reddit poster did what they felt was right, the ultimate outcome of this incident is unknown. The post did not indicate whether Disney took further action or whether law enforcement got involved. Without clear evidence of harm, it’s often challenging for authorities to intervene effectively.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, it’s important to remember that there are steps you can take to ensure the safety of those around you, especially children. If you witness a possible instance of abuse or neglect, alert a cast member or park security immediately. Your actions can help make the difference in stopping harmful behavior.
As Disney fans, we all want the parks to remain a safe and magical place for children and families. It’s critical that we, as guests, do our part to speak up when we see something wrong and report it to the proper authorities. While it can be uncomfortable to intervene, sometimes taking action can prevent further harm.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation during a visit to Disney or another theme park? How did you handle it, and what advice would you give to other park guests in similar situations? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss how we can all contribute to making Disney a safer place for everyone.
