Elderly Guest Pushed Over, “Trampled” as Disneyland Tensions Grow

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Mickey and Minnie at Toontown

Credit: Disney

Disneyland Resort, AKA The Happiest Place On Earth, has been entertaining Guests from all over the world ever since its grand opening in 1955. Now, over 60 years on, the Disney vacation destination has welcomed plenty of new additions like Marvel’s Avengers Campus and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The most recent development at the Disney Resort came in the form of the divisive Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and the launch of the Lightning Lane. This, along with other issues, is seemingly affecting some Guests’ experience at the Parks, with one report detailing how an elderly visitor was “trampled” by other parkgoers.

Disney Characters at Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California
Credit: Disney

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Disney Parks have always been a trailblazer for immersive, interactive, and magical experiences. When Walt Disney opened the Disneyland Resort, he made sure that it would be for everyone, catering to anyone who wished to visit. Made up of Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District, the Anaheim theme parks are filled with popular attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, fun character experiences such as Tinker Bell at Pixie Hollow, and delicious treats dotted throughout each Disney Park.

A hub of Disney magic in California, the most recent addition to the theme park was the launch of Disney Genie — Disney’s all-new interactive Park app, which includes tailor-made day-planning tools as well as the FASTPASS and MaxPass replacement, Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections.

Disney Genie in Disneyland Resort starts soon
Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Following October’s launch of Disney Genie at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland’s Genie was let out of the bottle on December 8, and let’s just say that all did not go to plan. The service, which is an additional cost on top of Park admission, was plagued by troubles during opening day, leaving Guests battling the service as they tried to book selections for rides like WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus or the Radiator Springs Racers attraction.

In addition to this unfortunate malfunction, it is clear that Disney Parks are experiencing a boom following the extended closures and ongoing effects of the pandemic, meaning huge crowds are being seen at Resorts like Disneyland. Disney CEO Bob Chapek is also under fire from Disney fans, facing accusations of ruining Walt’s vision and putting profit over experience — something former CEO, Bob Iger, warned him about. There is even an ever-growing petition to fire Chapek that is currently gaining steam.

Bob Chapek onstage
Credit: Disney

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It seems that all these factors came to a head for some Guests visiting Disneyland Resort recently. Reddit user succulentdaddy11, took to the Disneyland forum to share their experience of visiting the fan-favorite theme park, revealing an unfortunate incident with an elderly Guest being trampled by a stroller near the “it’s a small world” attraction.

I just wrapped up my trip and it was my first time back since pre-covid times. The sense of entitlement I was getting from guests was crazy. I get it, we all missed Disneyland. But seriously, get a grip. My husband and I got shoved so many times during fireworks, ran over by strollers, and cut in line. We got to Main Street an hour before fireworks only for a huge party to shove their way in front of us and block our entire view (we are both under 5’5).

Believe in holiday Magic fireworks
Credit: Disney

My husband and I also had to help pick up an elderly woman who was TRAMPLED by a stroller in front of small world. The woman who shoved her with the stroller DIDNT even stop to help, she just kept pushing her way through the crowd. I feel awful for CM’s as well, we saw so many of them getting screamed at when Genie was down. It’s not their fault the lines are long or there’s technical difficulties, and we made sure to be super polite to anyone working who was helping us. I don’t know what’s in the air – if it’s the holiday season or the long anticipated wait of going to the parks, but it’s insane.

The entitlement of guests is getting insane.
by u/succulentdaddy11 in Disneyland

We have seen issues surrounding Disney Genie before over at the Disney World Resort. When Guests had already purchased the a la carte Individual Lightning Lane Selections, and the attraction broke down, the conversation surrounding service refunds and alternatives surfaced with fervor.

Festival of Holidays
Credit: Disney

Currently, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are experiencing the festive season, with the latter presenting the Disney Festival of Holidays running from November 12 to January 9.

You can see the full attraction list for Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections at Disneyland Resort here.

What has your experience been like at Disney Parks recently? Let us know in the comments down below!

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