It’s becoming a growing problem at Walt Disney World: Guests ignoring basic ride safety rules, putting themselves and others at risk—all while frustrating Cast Members and disrupting the flow of attractions. And unfortunately, even the calmest, slowest-moving rides aren’t immune.
This week at EPCOT, several guests aboard Living with the Land repeatedly stood up and attempted to exit their boat during the attraction—despite clear rules and audible warnings from Cast Members. The peaceful boat tour, which typically floats through greenhouses and sustainable farming exhibits, had its music and narration cut four separate times to allow a Cast Member to address the issue over the loudspeaker.
The Ride Didn’t Stop—But the Magic Did
To be clear, the boats did not come to a halt. However, Cast Members were forced to mute the onboard audio every time they had to jump in with a live announcement. “For your safety, please remain seated with your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the boat,” they repeated, echoing the standard Disney safety spiels—but this time, with more urgency and far less patience.
Guests ignoring these messages disrupted the ride for everyone aboard. While Living with the Land may not feature the thrill or speed of a roller coaster, its open-air boats mean a guest could easily stand or even hop out of the vehicle if they chose to ignore the rules—which some apparently did.
Flashback to 2021: The Infamous Cucumber Heist
This isn’t the first time Living with the Land has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Back in 2021, the attraction went viral when a video surfaced showing a guest literally jumping out of their boat to grab a cucumber from the greenhouse. The moment was posted on TikTok and later reposted on Instagram by @alex64gaming, showing a woman leaving her seat, snatching the cucumber, and then slipping while attempting to get back into the boat.
The stunt not only violated park safety guidelines, it also opened up a discussion about the growing trend of inappropriate guest behavior. Disney prohibits “unsafe acts” and anything that might “impede the operation” of the resort—both of which happened during the cucumber incident.
Consequences for this type of behavior can range from removal from the park for the day to permanent bans from Walt Disney World property.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Unlike rides with lap bars or seat belts, Living with the Land gives guests a little more physical freedom—perhaps too much. That lack of restraint doesn’t mean the rules are optional, though. Disney rides are equipped with surveillance systems, and Cast Members are trained to spot rule-breakers and intervene quickly.
What many guests don’t realize is that even if a ride doesn’t stop, Cast Members may have to pause show elements, cut narration, and issue live audio interruptions to prevent dangerous situations. That’s what happened during this recent incident—four times in the span of a single boat ride.
Bad Behavior = Bans (And Rightfully So)
While some guests may find it amusing or harmless to stand or shift positions on slow-moving rides, the reality is that any movement outside the ride vehicle is a risk. It can throw off timing between boats, lead to falls, or require emergency responses. And yes—Disney has the right to eject and ban guests who endanger themselves or others.
In an environment that prioritizes guest safety and magical storytelling, one person’s selfish decision to break the rules can derail the experience for everyone else. That includes the families who are just trying to enjoy the greenhouse tour without interruption and the Cast Members trying to keep the magic alive without turning into a security team.
