Riders aboard Disneyland’s It’s a Small World ride Sunday afternoon got more than they bargained for after a man removed his clothes at the Anaheim, California amusement park. The 26-year-old suspect was arrested for indecent exposure and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The incident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. local time and quickly made its way to social media through videos captured by guests.
In the video footage, the unidentified man can be seen climbing over the animatronic figures and sitting in a representation of the Taj Mahal while a staff member desperately pleads for him to stop. Shocked guests on the ride expressed concern over potential damage, with one remarking, Oh God, he’s going to break all the stuff, while another suggested they should stop the music. The situation escalated as the man proceeded to wade through the water completely naked before eventually making his way out of the attraction. He was later observed walking around the park without any clothes.
Amid the chaos, Disneyland Resort representatives acted swiftly. The ride was immediately halted and park operators ensured the safety of all guests, while the man was swiftly apprehended by Anaheim Police. The suspect, whose identity has not been released to the public, was arrested for indecent exposure and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. As a precautionary measure, he was taken to a local hospital.
Eyewitnesses at the scene shared their accounts of the incident. Maegan Carmona described the moment when they first noticed the man, stating, He started climbing onto the different parts of the ride, and we noticed that he was undressed. Carmona added, He just looked out of it. He just didn’t look like he knew where he was. He looked worried. Carmona then explained how a cast member attempted to calm the man down, but his actions continued to be erratic. Once he got to a different part of the ride, he ended up walking into the water and started drinking the water, and ran off toward the entrance of the ride, she said.
The incident caused temporary closure of the It’s a Small World ride as authorities investigated the situation and ensured that no guests were physically harmed. The ride was reopened to the public at approximately 3 p.m. Guests commended the efforts of the cast members in handling the situation professionally and with utmost care.
The ramifications of the incident highlight the need for heightened security measures at amusement parks to prevent such events from occurring in the future. Disneyland officials have not yet released a statement regarding any potential changes or enhancements to their security protocols.
In conclusion, the tranquility of Disneyland was momentarily disrupted on Sunday when a 26-year-old man stripped down and caused chaos on the iconic It’s a Small World ride. The suspect’s arrest for indecent exposure and being under the influence of a controlled substance serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and safety at popular attractions.
