In a recent incident that raised eyebrows, a Magic Key Pass Holder at Disneyland Resort underwent a cell phone search by security cast members after being falsely accused of wrongdoing. The guest was “harassed” in front of other Disney park guests, creating an uncomfortable scene that overshadowed what was meant to be a joyful visit. This invasion of privacy left the Magic Key Pass Holder feeling humiliated and bewildered, turning a magical day into a distressing experience.
Moments after Matt Desmond (@DisneyScoopGuy on X) shared photos of some free buttons he’d found left in Bayou Country at Disneyland Park, a security cast member accused him of being the one to leave the buttons there. He took a photo of Desmond’s Magic Key Pass. He demanded the guest open his social media apps to prove he didn’t operate the account that claimed responsibility for the anonymous gift:
Security just pulled me aside and accused me of having multiple bags of these in my pocket. I told him that I only found one and then he lied and said someone had been following me and had seen me with two. Which was total BS. He then took a photo of my Magic Key and started interrogating me about where I got these from. I explained to him I found them and then he started grilling me about some link. I told him I don’t know anything about a link but there is an @ on the back of the packaging. He then had me open Instagram and pull up the @ for him so he could scroll through the photos and make sure I wasn’t the one behind the account. I’ve never been harassed by security before and I just got accused of not having a permit and hiding stuff on Disney property. It ended with him confirming it wasn’t me but what a gross experience. I never complain about cast members but I’m pretty shaken up right now after he straight up lied and accused me of having multiple pin bags.
Security just pulled me aside and accused me of having multiple bags of these in my pocket. I told him that I only found one and then he lied and said someone had been following me and had seen me with two. Which was total BS. He then took a photo of my Magic Key and started… https://t.co/PBtiGhF4iy
— Matt Desmond (@DisneyScoopGuy) October 15, 2024
In a follow-up video, Desmond explained that he’d “never felt so uncomfortable at Disneyland.” He left the Southern California Disney park early after feeling targeted and violated by the overzealous security cast member.
I’m really not doing ok right now
I’m really not doing ok right now https://t.co/AtejpRaE6b pic.twitter.com/B6nNKx7Bf8
— Matt Desmond (@DisneyScoopGuy) October 15, 2024
Disney Guests’ Reactions and Personal Security Experiences
Desmond’s posts gained traction on X, where many Disney Parks fans expressed concern over the aggressive approach taken by security cast members, feeling it was inappropriate and overly intrusive. @wakefieldreport warned guests never to let “fake Disney police” search their phones:
Don’t EVER let the police, especially fake Disney police search your phone! They’ll lie, they’ll manipulate, they’ll try to intimidate you. DONT DO IT.
On another note, are y’all ready to have the conversation about the falling quality of customer service at Disney parks yet?
Don’t EVER let the police, especially fake Disney police search your phone! They’ll lie, they’ll manipulate, they’ll try to intimidate you. DONT DO IT.
On another note, are y’all ready to have the conversation about the falling quality of customer service at Disney parks yet? https://t.co/sLMObp7GL1
— Chris Wakefield (@wakefieldreport) October 15, 2024
Other Disney Parks fans shared their troubling experiences with Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort security. Many were followed for taking photos of active construction sites–even though they were visible from guest areas.
“Had security at EPCOT pressure me into searching my phone once, they didn’t like that I was taking photos (from guest areas!) of Guardians under construction,” @dreamfinderguy wrote. “Made me open my camera roll and all of my socials to delete everything. Still get burned up thinking about it to this day.”
Had security at EPCOT pressure me into searching my phone once, they didn't like that I was taking photos (from guest areas!) of Guardians under construction. Made me open my camera roll and all of my socials to delete everything. Still get burned up thinking about it to this day
— DreamfinderGuy (@DreamfinderGuy) October 15, 2024
@SlippinFalls had a similar experience but didn’t surrender his phone. Security cast members allegedly followed him out of the theme park:
i’ll never forget when security pressed me for taking photos of the bayou construction site, i was told i was a “security threat” and wasn’t allowed to take photos. told them to piss off bc i was in a guest area and anything in my view was fine
they followed me out of the park
i’ll never forget when security pressed me for taking photos of the bayou construction site, i was told i was a “security threat” and wasn’t allowed to take photos. told them to piss off bc i was in a guest area and anything in my view was fine
they followed me out of the park
— Mark Antonio (@SlippinFalls) October 16, 2024
@LiamFromOrlando said a security cast member at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park “screamed” at him for something he didn’t do:
Security guard at animal kingdom ran out screaming and stopped an entire crowd bc I was holding my phone out in front of me going through the metal detector freaking out about how pictures aren’t allowed (yknow of the area that you can google and find detailed WDWNT articles with pictures and the name and brand of the new security equipment) – I obviously wasn’t taking pictures anyways though dude was just losing it
Security guard at animal kingdom ran out screaming and stopped an entire crowd bc I was holding my phone out in front of me going through the metal detector freaking out about how pictures aren’t allowed (yknow of the area that you can google and find detailed WDWNT articles with…
— Liam (@LiamFromOrlando) October 16, 2024
Contact Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort Guest Services if you have an uncomfortable encounter with a Disney cast member.
Should Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort security cast members be allowed access to your personal cell phone? Share your thoughts with How to Disney in the comments.
Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on personal Disney Parks guest experiences. No two guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with How to Disney’s personal views on Disney Park operations.
