A Disney shopping trip ended with a guest facing nine criminal charges.
Disney theme parks sell an enormous range of exclusive merchandise, from character plush toys and Minnie Mouse headbands to collectible pins, handbags, and keychains. Many items are available only inside Disney resorts, helping make park merchandise a major part of the guest experience.
Recent cases at Disney resorts have involved everything from individual shoplifting allegations to organized groups accused of stealing limited-edition merchandise for resale.
Now, another case has resulted in a former teacher appearing in court after authorities said he moved through multiple Disney stores and stole dozens of products in a single day.
Guest Admits to Theft Across Nine Disney Stores
The incident unfolded on August 31, when a 43-year-old guest stole merchandise from nine separate stores at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Authorities said the man took 75 items altogether. The stolen Disney merchandise included plush toys, headbands, handbags, card holders, and keychains.
The combined value of the haul was HK$12,905, equivalent to roughly $1,645 USD. All 75 items were subsequently recovered.
The defendant, Zhou Chao, appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on September 1, one day after the thefts occurred.
Zhou, who was visiting from mainland China, pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft.
According to Headline Daily, the 43-year-old told the court that he had previously worked as a teacher for approximately 10 years. He had been unemployed for two months before the Disney park incident.
His defense attributed his actions to “momentary greed.”
The court ultimately fined Zhou HK$10,000, or approximately $1,275 USD. The penalty was therefore lower than the total value of the Disney merchandise taken during the nine-store theft spree.
The case follows another allegation involving a teacher at the same Disney resort.
In June, a 46-year-old primary school teacher pleaded not guilty to accusations that she stole HK$3,553, approximately $453 USD, worth of merchandise from a Main Street store at Hong Kong Disneyland.
That alleged theft occurred in March 2025. The merchandise reportedly included keychains, hats, a hoodie, bags, and a card holder.
Disney Resorts Face Other Recent Merchandise Theft Cases
Elsewhere in Asia, authorities recently investigated a considerably larger operation involving Disney merchandise.
In March 2026, police arrested 28 Shanghai Disneyland Annual Passholders after reviewing CCTV footage and identifying what authorities described as three alleged theft rings.
Police said the groups targeted limited-edition plush toys and later resold the merchandise near Shanghai Disneyland.
Authorities ultimately linked the alleged operation to more than 100,000 yuan, approximately $14,879 USD, in illegal proceeds.
Disney properties in the United States have also faced recent theft allegations, including multiple cases involving World of Disney at Disney Springs in Central Florida.
In April, a 52-year-old Disney World guest was accused of allowing her juvenile daughter to steal dozens of Disney pins.
Deputies said the pair possessed more than $2,000 worth of merchandise. Perez pleaded not guilty to grand theft and contributing to a minor's delinquency.
Another case emerged two months later involving a former Disney's Animal Kingdom cast member.
Authorities alleged that the former employee took 100 items from World of Disney worth a combined $2,193.
Investigators said she left the Disney Springs store before changing her shirt and hairstyle. Employees later identified her, according to authorities.
She pleaded not guilty to grand theft and robbery charges.
Guests have also complained of pickpocketing at some parks, including Disneyland Paris.
Have you ever witnessed a theft at Disney?
