Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office, Inside the MagicOn May 19, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a disturbance inside the Steakhouse 71 restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. A police report eventually revealed that a female guest was arrested after reportedly battering two Walt Disney World Resort cast members. Here’s everything we know about the incident.
Battery Incident at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The primary victim, identified in the police report as a Disney Duty Manager, told law enforcement officers that a 57-year-old woman named Leslie Helen Varley became “irate” over seating arrangements for her large party dining at Steakhouse 71. The Table-Service dining location is located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, closest to Magic Kingdom Park.
Varley reportedly threw three cups filled with ice and water at the Disney Duty Manager, all of which struck the front of his body. Then, she allegedly approached the Disney cast member, forcibly removed his name tag from his suit jacket, and walked away. He followed her toward the check-in desk, hoping to retrieve the name tag.
The second victim, another Disney Manager, said she initially attempted to assist other cast members in addressing Varley’s seating concerns. After she informed the group that they could not move tables to sit together, Varley allegedly grabbed the Disney Manager by both shoulders and forced her to move approximately six steps.
The second Disney Manager witnessed Varley throw glasses filled with water and ice at the Disney Duty Manager. Four glasses were broken during the incident at Steakhouse 71, resulting in about $20 in property damage.
Varley claimed that she overheard Disney cast members discussing her disabled daughter’s interactions with employees at Steakhouse 71. She admitted to throwing water at the Disney Duty Manager and grabbing his nametag, though she claimed that she needed it to identify him and file a complaint.
Both Disney cast members declined medical treatment at the scene, and neither had visible injuries. However, they both invoked Marsey’s Law protections against Varley, allowing them legal protections, privacy, and information about any court proceedings regarding the incident.
Leslie Helen Varley was arrested and charged with two counts of battery, robbery by sudden snatching, and criminal mischief under $200. She was also issued a trespass warning by Walt Disney World Resort, barring her from all property at the Central Florida vacation destination. If she returns, she could be arrested for trespassing.
VARLEY, LESLIE HELEN
Booking Number: 26017744
Race: WHITE
Gender: FEMALE
Age: 57
Last Known Location: FRAMINGHAM
Cell: BRCIA06
Date Booked: 05/20/2026Arresting Agency: ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
Charge/Court Case Number: ROBBERY (SUDDEN SNATCHING)/BATTERY/CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (<=$200)📷 Source: Orange County Corrections Dept.
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