Walt Disney World controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Disney World faces criticism for remaining open
Public backlash
In March 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak, Disney World faced intense online backlash over its decision to keep the theme park open until late Sunday. The criticism centered on the park's continued operation amid the pandemic, as reported by Variety. The event was recorded on March 16, 2020, and the source material describes the online reaction as intense. No further details about the park's closure, guest counts, or official responses are included in the provided information.
Source excerpt
Disney World, which was shut down Monday due to the coronavirus outbreak, faced intense backlash online over its decision to keep the theme park until late Sunday
Disney World did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.
Disney World currently requires face masks for everyone aged two and older. The only carveouts are for when someone is "actively eating or drinking," and there is nothing in the policy about people with disabilities.
2020
Lawsuit filed against Disney World over 2019 arrest
Lawsuit filed
Hester Burkhalter filed a lawsuit against Disney, the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, alleging assault and battery, false arrest and imprisonment, defamation, and emotional distress related to her 2019 arrest at Disney World.
Source excerpt
According to TMZ, civil rights attorney Ben Crump just filed a lawsuit against Disney, the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on behalf of Burkhalter.
In the suit, Burkhalter is alleging assault and battery, false arrest and imprisonment, defamation and emotional distress among many others, according to Crump’s law firm.
The Walt Disney Company and the Orange County Sheriff are facing a civil lawsuit after a 69-year-old grandmother says she was "was wrongfully arrested and taken into custody" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 2019 after cannabidiol was found in her purse.
2020
Court rules in Disney World’s favor in disability-access lawsuit
Ruling
A federal judge ruled in favor of Disney World in a lawsuit seeking immediate access to FastPass lines for an adult autistic guest. The judge found that requiring the requested access would be unreasonable; the plaintiff had alleged that the parks failed to accommodate her son's disability.
Company response
Clarification — Disney Parks
“Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all our guests. We are pleased with the court’s decision,” Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said in a statement.
Source excerpt
In a decision reached June 22, U.S. District Judge Anne Conway sided with Disney, ruling it was “unreasonable” for Disney to give such access to Lorman’s son.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Disney World after an Orlando disability advocate sued the company on behalf of her adult autistic son to get him immediate access to the FastPass lines at the theme parks.
Otherwise, her son had to get an advance reservation to come back later. The extra waiting was hard for her son who didn’t understand the concept of time, his mother said, accusing the parks of not accommodating his disability.