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Credit: Inside the MagicA Disney influencer who previously garnered backlash for getting “dress-coded” at Disneyland Resort is again under fire for making lighthearted videos about Hurricane Milton from Walt Disney World Resort. The storm is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday and move inland with the potential for 110 mph winds at the Disney parks and Disney Resort hotels.
Related: Dollywood Issues Warning to All Guests After Hurricane Helene
In 2022, Ashley Aiello (@gardenofarden on TikTok) went viral after security asked her to change out of a ball gown at Disneyland Park. She wore the dress for a photo shoot with her daughter, but it violated the Disney park’s dress code because it dragged on the ground. Aiello drew ire for claiming security “targeted” her because she’d worn similar dresses to Walt Disney World Resort without issue.
@gardenofarden Replying to @katsdesgins Do you think I should have been dress coded??😅😬 #disneyland #dresscoded #ItsGreatOutdoors #AmazonMusicProudHeroes #PrimeDayDreamDeals #momsontiktok #xyzbca #CheetosReaperReactions #badmamatiktok
Two years later, she said the backlash she received was overblown:
“The internet literally made me into the biggest monster. I quite literally had death threats–death threats for wearing a dress to Disneyland. This person is saying that I should read the fine print basically anywhere I go. Do you do that? Because I’m pretty sure you don’t.”
Now, Aiello is under fire for comments made ahead of Hurricane Milton at Walt Disney World Resort. Aiello was visiting the Central Florida Disney park with her family when the tropical storm intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
Last week, the Disney Park guest shared a video of her family riding The Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Magic Kingdom Park. She shared that Disney cast members rode with them because the theme park was empty.
@gardenofarden It was actually adorable 🥰#disneyparks #magickingdom #magiccarpetride #momlife #badmamatiktok #momsoftiktok #momsontiktok #momsbelike #zyxcba #momsover30 #momsontiktok #distok #wdw #disneycreator #disneytok #disneyworld #xyzbca #vlogger #mommyvlogger #fyp #travel #travelblogger #travelvlogger #traveltiktok #travellife #travelbucketlist #traveltokok #travelvlogger #dayinmylife
Days later, Aiello posted the video that drew backlash. The clip showed her children riding the baggage belt at Orlando International Airport (MCO) with the caption, “When your kids Disney trip was ruined by a hurricane and this is the only ride they get.”
@gardenofarden 🥲🥲🥲 #hurricane #disney #disneytrip #momlife #badmamatiktok #momsoftiktok #momsontiktok #momsbelike #zyxcba #momsover30 #momsontiktok #distok #wdw #disneycreator #disneytok #disneyworld #xyzbca #vlogger #mommyvlogger #fyp #travel #travelblogger #travelvlogger #traveltiktok #travellife #travelbucketlist #traveltokok #travelvlogger #dayinmylife
Commenters found the video insensitive on the eve of a Category 5 hurricane with a life-threatening storm surge–especially because she previously shared videos of her kids on rides, enjoying their trip, confirming that her caption was exaggerated.
“At least you get to go home,” @mgf0685 wrote. “Some people will be losing theirs.”
“My best friend is trying to get out of Florida before her house gets leveled,” said @hayleykelleyy. “But yea poor you.”
Still, others defended Aiello’s right to express her feelings.
“As someone who is evacuating, I find it funny,” @lymiiss commented. “Hopefully you guys can come back when it’s better. Stay safe!”
“As someone who lives in Florida, its okay to be upset that your vacation was ruined!” @ms.macaroon agreed.
Aiello isn’t the first influencer to amass criticism for visiting Walt Disney World Resort during a Hurricane Watch. Earlier this week, another social media content creator went viral for discussing Hurricane Milton’s impact on her Disney Parks vacation.
On Tuesday, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the Disney parks and Disney Springs would close early Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the storm. Thursday’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was canceled.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will remain closed on Thursday. Disney Springs may reopen later in the day with limited options. Track the progress of Hurricane Milton at the National Hurricane Center.
Was this influencer in the wrong? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments.