Let’s be honest: most of us come to Disney to escape the real world. We crave the joy, the nostalgia, and the shared experiences that make the parks so special. But lately, there’s been an uptick in stories that remind us the outside world sometimes finds its way in—and not in a good way.
The latest example comes from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, where, according to reports first shared by WDWNT, a man physically assaulted another guest in a misunderstanding over a bus line. The attacker, identified as Leonardo Oliveira Cappe, reportedly believed a fellow guest had skipped the line to board a Disney Springs bus. In reality, that guest and his family had simply gotten off the bus at the wrong stop and were told to reboard by the driver.
Witnesses say Cappe didn’t take kindly to the situation. The arrest report says he yelled, threw a closed fist, and grabbed the victim by the back of the neck, pulling him backward. The man who was attacked later said he felt embarrassed and shaken by the experience.
Cappe, who speaks only Portuguese, was questioned with the help of a translator. He admitted to grabbing the guest’s jacket but denied grabbing his neck. Still, the evidence pointed otherwise, and he was charged with misdemeanor battery. He later pleaded no contest and received two days in jail (which he had already served) and a $474 fine.
Now, we all know Disney World is massive—roughly the size of San Francisco—and with that many people flowing through every day, situations are bound to happen. But this feels like part of a more significant trend. People are losing their cool more quickly, and incidents like this are becoming way too frequent.
It’s a tough situation for Disney. They can’t predict every guest’s behavior, but with rising reports like these, many fans in the community are wondering what can be done. Could more cast members be placed near resort transportation hubs? Should security have a stronger presence in guest-facing areas? These are fair questions.
This isn’t meant to scare anyone off. The vast majority of Disney visits are safe, joyful, and incident-free. But stories like this are a reminder that keeping the parks magical takes all of us—guests included—choosing kindness, patience, and a little extra grace when the lines get long or plans get disrupted.
