Credit: DisneyA Philadelphia woman’s Disney World vacation came to an abrupt and dramatic end last month after an altercation at one of the resort’s hotels led to her arrest. According to public records, 55-year-old Latanya Wright was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer without violence, and trespassing after an incident at Disney’s Pop Century Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
A Vacation Gone Wrong
The incident occurred on September 7, when Wright, who was reportedly pre-drinking before her flight home, was asked to leave the resort due to her “level of intoxication.”
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report, staff at the Pop Century Resort had refused to serve her additional alcohol after determining she was too intoxicated. That decision, deputies say, led to an escalating confrontation between Wright, hotel employees, and law enforcement.
The report describes Wright as becoming “aggressive and defiant” after being cut off from alcohol. When staff asked her to leave the property, she allegedly responded with “profanity and offensive gestures.” In an effort to diffuse the situation, hotel management arranged for a taxi to take her to the airport early, but also requested that she be formally trespassed from the property.
Before the taxi arrived, things reportedly took a violent turn. “While waiting for the taxi to be ordered and arrive, Latanya kicked her luggage into my leg while being verbally aggressive,” a responding sheriff’s deputy wrote in the report. “She was warned that such an action could lead to her being arrested for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.”
The deputy went on to describe a second physical altercation: “A short time later, Latanya kicked my leg while I was standing near her a subsequent time.”
When asked to confirm whether she would comply and leave the property, Wright allegedly refused. “I’m not going b**** and I’m not listening to anything the f*** y’all have to say,” she said, according to the arrest report.
When the deputy attempted to place her in handcuffs, the report notes that Wright “braced, tensed, and ultimately attempted to defeat my efforts to secure her in the restraint device.” She was eventually detained and transported to Orange County Jail, where she has remained in custody since her arrest.
Still in Custody Weeks Later
Weeks after the incident, Wright is still behind bars at the Orange County Jail. Records indicate that her bond was set at $10,000, and her public defender, Melissa Vickers, has since filed motions requesting that Wright be released on her own recognizance or that the bond amount be lowered.
Speaking to the Orlando Sentinel, Vickers explained the unique challenges faced by tourists arrested while visiting Central Florida, particularly those with no local ties. “Many times the judiciary are hesitant to give lower bonds to people out of state because they need a guarantee that they’ll come back to court,” Vickers said. “That sometimes makes it difficult, especially for tourists to have a more reasonable or lower bond.”
Vickers acknowledged the personal and financial strain Wright has faced while being held out of state. She noted that Wright’s situation has been further complicated by delays in the filing of formal charges. Wright’s case took more than 33 days before the state filed charges against her — a delay that has prolonged her stay in custody.
Disney’s Response and Hotel Policy
Disney’s Pop Century Resort, a value-level property themed around mid-20th-century pop culture, is one of the company’s most family-oriented hotels at Walt Disney World. Like all Disney resorts, Pop Century enforces strict policies regarding guest behavior and alcohol consumption.
Cast members and management are trained to de-escalate situations involving intoxicated guests, but when those efforts fail, security and local law enforcement are called in to ensure safety.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office frequently responds to incidents on Disney property, though reports of physical altercations remain relatively rare. In this case, the deputy’s report indicates that Wright’s alleged behavior — including verbal aggression and physical contact — met the threshold for criminal charges.
According to Florida law, battery on a law enforcement officer is considered a third-degree felony, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years. The resisting arrest without violence and trespassing charges are classified as misdemeanors, which could add additional fines or penalties if she is convicted.
A Broader Issue for Out-of-State Visitors
While Wright’s situation may seem extreme, legal experts note that it highlights a recurring issue for visitors arrested while on vacation. Out-of-state tourists, particularly those visiting popular destinations like Walt Disney World, often face obstacles that local residents do not.
Because they lack established community ties, judges are generally reluctant to reduce bonds or grant early release, fearing the individual will fail to appear in court.
Vickers emphasized how this practice can prolong already difficult circumstances for non-local defendants. For someone like Wright, who lives hundreds of miles away in Philadelphia, remaining in custody while waiting for court proceedings is both costly and emotionally taxing.
“Being detained far from home, especially over an incident that began as a vacation, creates an enormous burden,” Vickers said. “It’s difficult for people in these situations to coordinate legal representation, contact family, or even manage employment while waiting for their case to move forward.”
Waiting for the Next Step
As of October 25, Wright was still being held at the Orange County Jail. Public records show that her case remains open, with her next court appearance yet to be scheduled. The court will determine whether to adjust her bond, dismiss charges, or proceed with prosecution.
The incident adds to the list of alcohol-related arrests at Central Florida resorts this year, underscoring the fine line between leisure and law enforcement intervention in tourist-heavy areas. While many visitors come to Disney World to unwind and celebrate, the resort’s close working relationship with local authorities ensures that disruptive behavior is dealt with quickly.
For Wright, what began as a final night of celebration before heading home has turned into a lengthy legal ordeal — one that has kept her in custody for nearly two months and may continue to unfold in the weeks ahead.
Whether the court agrees to reduce her bond or allow her release remains to be seen. For now, her case serves as a cautionary tale for travelers: even at “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” moments of poor judgment can have serious, lasting consequences.