Disney Employee Arrested Amid Allegations of Secret Filming at Park

Disney parks are built on control — crowd flow, safety systems, and carefully managed environments designed to feel predictable. Even so, the company’s global footprint means incidents still surface with unsettling regularity.

Over the years, arrests at Disney properties have ranged from disorderly conduct to serious criminal allegations. Most are local stories that fade quickly. Some, however, carry wider implications.

A new case in Hong Kong now falls into that second category.

Tokyo Disney Worker Arrested in Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities confirmed that a Tokyo Disneyland maintenance employee has been arrested following an alleged voyeurism incident at Hong Kong Disneyland. The accused was visiting the park as a guest at the time.

The 36-year-old Japanese national was identified by UTravel as Shibamata Satoshi. He appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on November 24 and required a Japanese interpreter during the hearing.

Shibamata told the court he works as a mechanical repairman at Tokyo Disneyland. His employment status immediately drew attention due to the international nature of the case.

Prosecutors allege that on November 22, 2025, outside Disney’s Storybook Theater, Shibamata used a panoramic camera to secretly photograph a woman’s “private parts” beneath her clothing.

The charge states the act would not have been possible without deliberate positioning. Authorities also allege the behavior was carried out “dishonestly and without regard” for whether the woman consented.

The court did not require Shibamata to enter a plea during his initial appearance. The matter was adjourned as prosecutors sought guidance from Hong Kong’s Department of Justice.

Shibamata was granted bail of HK$20,000. He is prohibited from leaving Hong Kong, must report to the police twice weekly, and is required to remain at his declared residence.

The case is scheduled to return to court on December 22.

Tokyo Disney Resort is operated by Oriental Land Company under license from Disney. Neither the company nor Disney has publicly commented on Shibamata’s employment status.

Similar Incidents at Other Disney Properties

The Hong Kong arrest follows multiple voyeurism-related cases across Disney properties in recent years.

Earlier this year, another man was charged with unlawfully photographing or observing “private parts” at Hong Kong Disneyland in an unrelated June 14 case.

In 2023, U.S. authorities arrested Justin Culmo following a decade-long international child exploitation investigation. Prosecutors said he used a GoPro at Walt Disney World to film guests.

Investigators alleged that he later fed those images into Stable Diffusion to generate illegal content involving minors. Culmo was sentenced to 75 years in federal prison in May 2025.

That same year, 22-year-old Clayton Snider was arrested at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – one of Disney World’s most expensive hotels – after allegedly filming inside a public restroom.

A guest accused Snider of leaning over a stall and recording a 19-year-old with their pants down. Snider denied the claim but refused to show his phone when confronted.

Also in 2023, Disney cast member Jorge Diaz Vega was arrested after investigators discovered he had been secretly recording guests at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Authorities said his collection included over 500 videos gathered across six years. Diaz Vega admitted to recording the footage.

Disney terminated him immediately. He was later arrested again on a new video voyeurism charge.

The Hong Kong case remains unresolved. Its December court hearing is expected to determine whether formal pleas will be entered.

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