Guests have defaced another part of Disney World, adding to a troubling pattern of vandalism that continues to plague the resort.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many Disney World guests have claimed that overall behavior in the parks has taken a turn for the worse. Frequent visitors have reported an uptick in entitlement, impatience, and confrontations—ranging from line-cutting to aggressive outbursts over seating or mobile orders. On forums and social media, longtime fans say the atmosphere feels less respectful and more combative than in pre-pandemic visits.
Vandalism Strikes Walt Disney World Resort
Vandalism is just one part of this growing trend. The most recent incident recorded at Disney World saw guests deface the 54-year-old Tom Sawyer Island – just weeks before its permanent closure – by writing their own names on a sign typically inscribed with “Tom” and “Becky.”
Considering that the area will (controversially) close forever in July after nearly 54 years to make room for Magic Kingdom’s new Cars-themed area, the odds of Disney actually remedying the issue seem slim.
Paired with the area’s recent reported state of disrepair, however, it’s an unfortunate combo for Tom Sawyer Island’s final days.
Recent Cases of Vandalism at Disney Parks
This follows a string of similar incidents at the resort. Earlier this month, a tree at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was wrapped in protective netting to protect it from future damage after several guests carved their names into the bark.
Meanwhile, photos previously circulated social media that showed sections of the queue for Toy Story Midway Mania with peeling graphics, torn-up wall panels, and general damage that is likely the result of vandalism. As one fan put it, “Guests happened to the queues. Disney needs to do some repainting, but that’s way beyond normal wear and tear. Some of the damage straight up looks like people were picking away at a spot that was slightly broken.”
In 2024, guests shared examples of damage to the queue of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which replaced the space once occupied by The Great Movie Ride in 2020. Some of the walls in the queue were damaged, with tape over some holes in the structure.
Stretching further back, 2023 saw someone deface the side of the Hollywood Studios overpass at Victory Way with graffiti. The art, which was swiftly removed, was found right after the sign directing guests to ESPN Wide World of Sports.
These problems aren’t limited to Disney World, either. Disneyland Resort has also experienced its fair share of guest-inflicted damage. Earlier this year, it was reported that the freshly renovated Haunted Mansion queue wasn’t in the best state, despite only recently reopening.
Have you noticed a surge in guest-inflicted damage at Disney parks?
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