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Credit: DisneyA night that began inside one of Walt Disney World’s most recognizable resort areas ended far from the music, lights, and late-night atmosphere guests typically associate with Disney’s BoardWalk.
In the early morning hours of January 5, 2026, a woman was removed from a popular nightlife venue at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for disorderly behavior. Hours later, she was in custody at the Orange County Booking and Receiving Center, facing felony and misdemeanor charges after an incident at a nearby hotel.
The events unfolded gradually, moving from Disney property to an adjacent resort, and ultimately escalating into an arrest that law enforcement say could have been avoided had the situation de-escalated earlier.
Removal From Disney’s BoardWalk
According to the arrest report, the incident began at the Atlantic Dance Hall inside Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort. The venue, which operates as a late-night dance club, is one of the few nightlife locations on Disney property that remains open into the early morning hours.
Disney staff reported that the woman was heavily intoxicated and behaving in a disorderly manner inside the venue. As a result, Cast Members requested that she leave the dance hall. At that point, the situation was still being handled internally, consistent with Disney’s standard procedures for intoxicated or disruptive guests.
After being escorted out of the venue, the woman waited outside for transportation arranged through Walt Disney World. However, staff indicated that her behavior continued to escalate while she remained on the BoardWalk area.
Because of the continued disruption, deputies were requested with the intent of issuing a formal trespass warning from Disney property. Before law enforcement arrived, however, the arranged taxi reached the location and transported her away from the resort. As a result, no Disney-issued trespass was completed at that time.
What appeared to be the end of the incident was, in reality, only a pause.
Situation Escalates Off Disney Property
The taxi transported the woman to the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. While the area sits immediately adjacent to Disney Springs, it is not owned or operated by Walt Disney World.
Shortly after arriving at the hotel, staff reported that the woman became belligerent in the lobby. Hotel security instructed her to return to her room, but she repeatedly came back into public areas despite those directions.
After multiple disturbances, hotel management contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and requested assistance. Their goal was to evict her from the property and issue a trespass warning, effectively removing her from the hotel entirely.
Deputies responded to the hotel and proceeded to her room to complete the trespass process. At that stage, the situation remained administrative rather than criminal.
That changed suddenly.
Deputy Battery During Trespass Process
According to the report, a uniformed Orange County deputy was in the process of completing the trespass warning and was holding the woman’s driver’s license as part of that procedure.
While the deputy was filling out the paperwork, the woman reportedly approached and attempted to grab the license from the deputy’s hand. In doing so, she struck the deputy’s hand, making unwanted physical contact.
Although no injury was reported, the deputy determined that the contact met the legal standard for battery. Because the deputy was clearly identifiable and actively performing lawful duties, the charge was elevated to battery on a law enforcement officer, which is classified as a felony under Florida law.
What had previously been a removal and eviction situation immediately became a criminal matter.
Resistance During Arrest
After being informed that she was under arrest, the woman did not comply with deputies’ instructions. According to the report, she pulled her arms away and physically resisted efforts to place her in handcuffs.
Additional deputies were called to assist with the arrest. The report notes that she refused to stand and had to be physically escorted from the room. She eventually complied while in the hallway outside the room.
Hotel management formally trespassed her from the Hilton property following the arrest. Deputies then transported her to the Orange County Booking and Receiving Center for processing.
Charges Filed
The following charges were filed:
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Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony)
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Resisting an Officer Without Violence (Misdemeanor)
No injuries were reported by deputies as a result of the incident.
A Common Pattern With Serious Consequences
While the circumstances of this case are unique, law enforcement officials frequently note a broader pattern in incidents involving intoxicated guests near Walt Disney World.
Issues that begin on Disney property are often resolved without arrest through internal security measures. However, when disruptive behavior continues off property—particularly at non-Disney hotels or public areas—law enforcement involvement becomes far more likely.
In this case, the transition from Disney-controlled property to an independently operated hotel played a key role in how events unfolded. Disney’s security protocols differ significantly from those of local law enforcement, and once guests leave Disney property, those protections and procedures no longer apply.
What began as a removal from a nightlife venue ultimately escalated due to continued disorderly behavior, refusal to comply with instructions, and physical contact with a deputy during an official process.
Why the Incident Stands Out
The case highlights how quickly situations involving intoxication can escalate when boundaries are crossed—both behaviorally and geographically. Had the woman remained compliant during the initial removal or at the hotel, the night may have ended without criminal charges.
Instead, a series of decisions and actions compounded into felony charges that carry long-term legal implications.
For guests visiting Walt Disney World and the surrounding resort areas, the incident serves as a reminder that while Disney may appear insulated from the outside world, the rules and consequences change immediately once guests step beyond Disney-operated spaces.
All details in this report are based on the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrest documentation.
While the incident is now a matter of record, it underscores a broader reality: near Disney property, the difference between a quiet removal and a serious arrest can be just a few decisions—and a few moments—apart.