Another Disney World Attraction Defaced as Guest Incidents Rise

There was a time when a trip to Walt Disney World meant stepping into a carefully preserved fantasy, where even the trash bins seemed pristine. That illusion is becoming harder to maintain. Increasingly, some guests aren’t just breaking the rules—they’re defacing the kingdom itself.

It’s not a new concern, but longtime visitors say the shift has accelerated. On social media and in fan forums, users have begun sharing stories of chipped walls, damaged props, and queue lines that look more worn than whimsical. What’s alarming isn’t just the wear and tear—but the fact that much of it appears intentional.

Credit: Paul Beattie, Flickr

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, guests and cast members alike have noted a decline in guest behavior across Disney parks. Complaints have ranged from line-cutting and aggressive arguments to a general lack of patience and civility. Some longtime parkgoers describe the environment now as “less magical, more combative.”

Guests Vandalize Disney World Attraction Ahead of Closure

One of the latest incidents took place at Magic Kingdom’s Tom Sawyer Island, a quiet, often-overlooked corner of the park set to permanently close in July. Once a slice of Americana, the 54-year-old attraction has now become the site of guest defacement.

Rather than leaving behind fond memories, some visitors chose to leave behind their names—literally. The iconic “Tom” and “Becky” sign, traditionally inscribed with the names of the story’s fictional characters, was reportedly overwritten by guests who scrawled their own signatures into the display. It’s not clear whether Disney plans to restore the sign before the area is shuttered for good to make way for a new Cars-themed land.

Credit: Disney

The vandalism is especially disheartening considering Tom Sawyer Island’s fading condition. Photos and videos from recent weeks show the area in not-so-optimal condition. With the attraction’s closure already controversial among fans, its final weeks are marked not by nostalgia—but by damage.

From Graffiti to Broken Props

The issue doesn’t end with Tom Sawyer Island. In just the last few months, reports of guest-inflicted damage have surfaced from across Walt Disney World Resort. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one tree had to be wrapped in netting after guests carved into its bark. Nearby, Toy Story Midway Mania’s queue shows peeled graphics, broken wall panels, and evidence of guests picking away at worn-out décor.

“The damage straight up looks like people were picking away at a spot that was slightly broken,” one parkgoer wrote. “This isn’t normal wear and tear.”

Credit: mckenzie-sobieski, Unsplash

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which only opened in 2020, has also been affected. In 2024, guests noticed holes in the queue walls—some of them hastily patched with tape. Even signage outside the parks hasn’t been spared. In 2023, someone spray-painted graffiti on the side of the Hollywood Studios overpass along Victory Way. The markings, quickly removed by Disney, were found near the ESPN Wide World of Sports entrance.

Across the country, Disneyland Resort hasn’t been immune. The recently revamped Haunted Mansion queue—barely months into its reopening—has already shown signs of damage reportedly caused by guests.

Credit: Disney

The incidents have fueled debate about what’s behind the trend. Some blame post-pandemic entitlement or stress, others suggest Disney’s reduced staffing and maintenance budgets have created the perfect storm. Either way, the problem appears to be escalating.

As one fan bluntly put it online: “Guests happened to the queues.”

Whether the company can—or will—reverse the tide remains to be seen. But for now, the parks’ once-immaculate facades are starting to show more than a few cracks.

Have you noticed more vandalism at Disney parks?