Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Two domestic violence incidents at Walt Disney World Resort within days of each other have drawn renewed attention to the reality that serious situations can and do arise at one of the world’s most visited family vacation destinations.
Arrest at Magic Kingdom Park on May 15
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
The first incident unfolded at Magic Kingdom Park on May 15, when deputies responded to reports of a disturbance involving a couple who had been in a relationship for approximately six years. According to law enforcement documents, the female victim became upset after the male suspect was “looking at other women inside the park.”
When she confronted him, the suspect reportedly threatened to leave her at Magic Kingdom Park before pushing her in the chest with both hands. Video footage provided to police by the victim showed the suspect slapping her hands and knocking a pair of sunglasses to the ground. The suspect told officers he “may have” pushed the glasses out of her hand, but denied pushing her in the chest. Based on the available evidence, he was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.
Aggravated Battery Charge After Disney’s Hollywood Studios Visit on May 18
Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic
The second incident began at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 18 and continued onto the Disney Skyliner. A couple traveling with a young child got into an argument while waiting in a ride queue at the park. The dispute carried over as the family boarded a Disney Skyliner gondola.
Inside the gondola, the victim attempted to call a family member in an effort to de-escalate the situation, which reportedly angered the suspect further. The victim, who was approximately 16 weeks pregnant, told authorities the suspect grabbed her and repeatedly punched her in the face, legs, and arms, and that he was aware of her pregnancy with his child.
Credit: Disney
After the gondola arrived at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the suspect fled the scene in an Uber. Walt Disney World Resort security transported the victim to a “quiet room.” Authorities photographed her injuries, which included a visible bruise near her eye. The suspect was later located at a hotel near Disney Springs and arrested on a charge of aggravated battery on a pregnant woman.
The victim declined to press charges and would not provide a written statement. Under Florida law, however, authorities may arrest suspects in domestic violence cases on probable cause alone, without the victim’s consent.
Walt Disney World Resort did not issue a statement regarding either incident, consistent with how the resort typically handles law enforcement matters on its property. Both cases were first reported publicly by WDW Active Crime on Tuesday.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available around the clock. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by phone at 1-800-799-7233 or by texting “START” to 88788. Trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and offer services in English, Spanish, and over 200 additional languages.
