String of Drunken Incidents Continues at EPCOT, Police Summoned

Walt Disney World is often regarded as the ultimate escape, where families and guests of all ages can step into a world of magic, joy, and nostalgia. But recently, the “Most Magical Place on Earth” has been marred by unruly behavior that has raised questions about the resort’s security measures. EPCOT has repeatedly been the setting for bizarre and violent confrontations—none more so than a shocking incident last November.

A string of escalating disturbances has made it clear that not all Disney visitors are out for a family-friendly experience. Over the years, violence and drunken antics have occasionally spilled over into EPCOT, especially in connection with the park’s drinking culture. Known for its “Drinking Around the World” tradition, EPCOT has seen its fair share of guests who don’t quite know when to stop. One such incident last November involved two men, Matanel Adda and Dominic Ciero, whose behavior took things to a dangerous level.

Credit: Heather Maguire, Unsplash

Guests Lash Out at EPCOT

The chaos unfolded when a group of young adults began arguing with a female guest who used a wheelchair. Matanel Adda, feeling “disrespected,” attempted to engage the woman physically. The situation quickly spiraled out of control. As the confrontation shifted toward the Land Pavilion, Adda and his friends launched a verbal attack on the woman, hurling slurs and profanity in front of shocked onlookers.

The report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office highlights the severity of the situation: “The altercation continued all the way to the Land Pavilion where one of the white males in the young adult group approached the handicapped woman in a wheelchair and began a verbal tirade directed at her in front of hundreds of guests.” This wasn’t just a simple argument—security was called in, and Disney staff members were forced to intervene.

Credit: Disney

Escalating Hostility and Verbal Abuse

The woman was eventually escorted from the park by security, but it wasn’t over yet. As Disney staff tried to manage the situation, both Adda and Ciero continued their verbal assault, targeting not only the woman but also security personnel. Ciero, in particular, took things to a new level, getting up close to security manager Barbara Soamano and calling her a racial slur in Italian. “Barbara asked him to back up in which he refused and continued to scream in her face,” the report said. He even filmed the encounter, repeatedly shouting insults at the staff and creating an alarming scene for families and children around him.

The language was nothing short of vile. “He began to cuss and while stumbling over into their personal space screaming ‘F–k Off!’ Your [sic] pigs, w**es, c***s, and bi***es,'” the sheriff’s report revealed. As Ciero’s anger grew, he even invaded the personal space of Chelsea, another Disney employee, shouting profanities in front of small children. At this point, his behavior was so erratic that the nearby guests were “frightened by his aggressive and erratic behavior,” according to the report.

Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

Arrest and Charges

Things didn’t calm down as the group was escorted out of the park. Upon reaching the entrance, Ciero was handcuffed, but it wasn’t without resistance. Adda stepped in, attempting to obstruct the arrest. Despite several warnings, he refused to back off. “I’m not backing up, I don’t give a s–t! I’m giving you enough space!” Adda reportedly shouted at deputies. His actions led to two misdemeanor charges: resisting an officer without violence and disorderly intoxication.

As for Ciero, his violent outburst also resulted in charges of disorderly intoxication. Both men were banned from Walt Disney World Resort and have pleaded not guilty, with Ciero referred to pretrial diversion and Adda currently pending approval for a pretrial diversion. The incident stands as another example of how EPCOT’s drinking culture can, in some cases, spiral into violent and dangerous behavior.

A Growing Trend of Disturbances at EPCOT

This incident, while extreme, is part of a growing trend involving alcohol at EPCOT. In 2022, a guest was escorted out of the park after chugging beers and subsequently almost fell off the Disney Skyliner platform. Last year, another intoxicated guest wielded a metal pole at cast members during an aggressive confrontation outside Space 220.

Credit: Disney

EPCOT’s culture of alcohol, especially around the World Showcase, continues to be a subject of much discussion. While the “Drinking Around the World” tradition has long been a fan favorite, it also raises the question of whether EPCOT’s alcohol policies should be reevaluated. The park’s history of incidents suggests that it’s not just a matter of a few rowdy guests; it could be a larger issue of how alcohol impacts the experience for everyone.

Do you think more wild guest incidents occur at EPCOT?