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Credit: DisneyA devastated Disneyland Resort guest recently shared their story after witnessing what they considered child abuse on the Soarin’ Around the World attraction.
Redditor u/DragonflyAlarming592 spoke out online after they were horrified by the mother’s behavior. They were on Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure Park when they heard a girl, around ten years old, crying to her mom. When they looked at the family, they were disgusted to see the mother “fully punch” the little girl on her upper arm and shoulder.
“It was super loud and sounded like it hurt,” the Disney Park guest said. “The kid had been crying and whining about something and that was mom’s response.”
“I was with two friends who had both grown up being hit by their parents for ‘discipline’ and they barely batted an eye, but it was super shocking to me to see her do that in full public in front of dozens of people,” they continued. “Made me wonder what happened in the privacy of their home.”
Disney Parks fans were shocked that a parent would publicly abuse their child. Some suggested that Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort guests should intervene to protect the kids.
“I would accidentally and clumsily walk into people being aggressive with their kids, hehehe ‘OMG I’m so sorry! I’m so clumsy! Silly me,'” u/cottonmouthnwhisky wrote.
Another Disney Park guest shared a similar incident they witnessed on Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park—a mother “full on slapped” her 11-to-12-year-old son after he beat her in a carnival game.
“It wasn’t just a fun slap, it was a pretty serious one,” u/Pink_CherryBlossoms explained. “No joke…Made a huge mark, almost fell to the ground and everything. Seemed like it was normalized in the family which I was shocked about. They then continued on happily with their prize. My face was in shock.”
Notify the nearest Disney cast member if you witness violent or inappropriate behavior at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, or Disney Springs. It’s always safer for trained security to intervene in tense situations than another guest.
Should Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort ban guests for hitting their children? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments.