Disney Jail – Is it Real? What is it Like?

Let me tell you about the one time I went to Disney jail.

Actually, the only Disney jail I went to was the one in Toon Town. However, Disney jail does exist. If you don’t believe me, just ask Blake Lively. Still don’t believe me? Ask former president Barack Obama.

Let’s clear the air though. A quick search of “Disney jail” reveals all sorts of stories, many of which are a stretch of the imagination. Some claim there’s an actual jail cell hidden on Main Street. Some claim there’s a backstage jail cell. Some even claim that guests who are put in Disney jail are forced to write an apology letter to Mickey. But what exactly is “Disney jail” and how does a guest wind up there?

Here’s everything you need to know about Disney jail, what it’s like, and what may put you in there.

Disney Jail is Not Well-Known, But For a Good Reason

There are consequences to breaking the rules, and at the Disney parks, being placed in Disney jail can be one of them.

Thanks to a recent Tik Tok post post by @mail3robertson (Maile Robertson) that went viral, more and more guests are learning about what might get you to serve time at the Happiest or Most Magical Place on Earth. With more and more blog articles being written, it’s important to clear any lingering thoughts and clarify exactly what Disney jail is.

@mail3robertson

disney jail was not it…. #disney #gradnight #disneyjail

♬ Disney-style fanfare-style BGM – harryfaoki

However, despite its traction on social media, Disney jail isn’t a very hot topic at the Disney parks.

Of course, there’s a good reason why Disney isn’t keen on telling guests about Disney jail.

In order to avoid creating a public spectacle, Disney prefers to address guests violating the rules in private, behind closed doors. As much as possible, Disney is committed to keeping the Disney magic within the parks. This also means concealing any negative incidents whenever possible.

After all, if Disney posted exactly what Disney jail is, imagine how many guests would intentionally violate the rules just to get into Disney jail!

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Disney Jail Has No Prison Bars

I hate to break it to you, but going to Disney jail doesn’t mean getting thrown into a jail cell with the pirates from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

It’s also not an area where Goofy walks around in his police uniform keeping an eye on his prisoners.

Disney jail is simply a security office where Disney Parks Security Guards keep guests who have violated park rules, engaged in outrageous behavior, or committed a crime. Think of it more as a holding area where guests will be questioned or in some cases be held until the local authorities arrive to arrest them. Each Disney park has its own security office, so if a guest were to violate park rules, the location they go to will depend on where they violated the rules.

Guests usually don’t stay here long – just long enough for the Disney Parks Security Guards to call the authorities (if larger charges are being pressed), call parents (if the offender is a minor), or process paperwork (if the guest is being removed from the park).

Long List of Prohibited Items and Actions at the Disney Parks

What potentially lands you in Disney jail?

There’s a long list of reasons, but the following (taken from the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort website) tend to be the most popular or most interesting to know:

• Shoplifting
• Excessive drunkenness
• Sneaking backstage
• Smoking illegal substances, including marijuana
• Bringing in any prohibited items into the theme parks, including weapons and alcoholic beverages
• Selling of goods or services without prior written approval
• Distribution of printed or recorded materials without prior written approval
• Engaging with other guests or impeding operations while posing as any costume’d character
• Engaging in any unsafe act that may impede operations
• Unauthorized access or entry into backstage areas or areas designated only for Cast Members
• Wearing attire that Cast Members consider inappropriate
• Exposing tattoos that could be considered inappropriate
• Using profanity
• Engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive or offensive behavior, jumping lines or saving places in lines for others
• Running (unless it’s at a runDisney event)
• Feeding, petting, touching, harassing or harming any wildlife
• Bringing non-service animals into the Disney parks

Many Examples of Guests Going to Disney Jail on Social Media

In my experience, there are specific examples of guests violating Disney Parks rules and landing themselves in Disney jail. Here are a few of the most interesting ones:

• Jumping into World Showcase Lagoon
• Getting out of a Disney attraction vehicle while it’s in motion
• Attempting to unzip a character’s costume
• Placing a child older than 3 years into a stroller in attempts to get their child into the Disney parks for free
• Attempting to assault a character
• Children and teens have tried a Tik Tok trend of spinning a character’s head

In Maile’s Tik Tok video, other users revealed other reasons for going to Disney jail:

• “I went to Disney jail once for trying to touch Mickeys feet”
• “I had to go to Disney jail in the 80s with a friend who got busted shoplifting”
• “My mom jumped on the sonny eclipse stage as it was descending, when she was a teen and got a year ban”

Remember, Walt Disney would have wanted everyone to have a magical experience and to be treated with respect. Keep this in mind and you’ll most likely be a-ok!

Range of Consequences You May Face at Disney Jail

The consequence guests face largely depends on the violation they commit.

Minor infractions may just result in the removal from the theme parks for the day. More severe infractions could result in your Magic Key or Annual Pass being revoked. Even more severe infractions could result in a lifetime ban from the Disney parks.

And if charges are pressed by another party, an infraction could result in arrest by the local authorities.

Remember though, the severity of a guest’s violation can largely be determined by the Disney Parks Security Guard in charge.

Walt Disney World, according to their website, reserves “the right to deny admission, prevent entry or require a person already admitted to leave the Walt Disney World Resort or any part thereof, without refund, liability or compensation, for failure to comply with any of these rules, for unsafe, illegal or offensive behavior, to ensure safety, security, or order, or if we consider that the circumstances otherwise so require, in our sole and absolute discretion.”

Remember, Disney put their park rules and regulations in place for a reason: to create a more magical and safe experience for all guests!

All The Celebrities That Have Gone to Disney Jail!

If a former United States president went to Disney jail, you’d think nobody’s exempt from getting in trouble by The Mouse.

Cast Members at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort strictly enforce the rules and regulations at each of the Disney theme parks. With so many people visiting the parks (58 million per year at Walt Disney World alone), it makes sense why: Disney wants each and every guest to have a safe, magical time during their stay. However, that doesn’t mean that there are guests who have violated the rules – celebrities included.

Let’s go over a few of the celebrities who got in trouble while visiting the Disney Parks and landed them in Disney jail.

Blake Lively’s Brother Took Advantage of the Disneyland Stamp System

In an interview with David Letterman in 2009, American actress Blake Lively revealed that when she was only 6 years old, she was banned from Disneyland for 1 year!

What was her offense? Actually, as Lively said in her interview, “This was all my brother’s fault.”

In a time where guests leaving the park would get stamped on their hand, guests had the ability to go back to the park before the end of the day using the stamp as their ticket. Lively’s brother learned that “if you spray hairspray on it you can transfer it onto someone else’s hand.” And of course, her brother tried it out with a random guest in the parking lot.

The result: her and her 12-year-old brother were banned from Disneyland for 1 year.

Former President Barack Obama Smoked on the Disneyland Skyway

As Obama recalled during a 2018 campaign rally, “These were cigarettes people,” referring to specifically what he smoked.

This was back in college, when Obama attended Occidental College. The rules surrounding smoking have changed a lot since the late 1970’s, but smoking on a Disney attraction was still prohibited back then, not to mention unsafe. As a result of his actions, Obama and his friends were escorted out of Disneyland and not allowed to return for that day.

Can you imagine being the Cast Member hearing Obama’s story, only to recall that they were the lucky one to have escorted the former president out of Disneyland?

Alex Morgan Partied Too Hard at EPCOT

As much as EPCOT is known for “drinking around the world,” too much alcohol can lead to trouble.

In 2017, USA soccer Star Alex Morgan and a group of 5 friends were having a good time at the Rose and Crown British Pub. Giles Barnes, former soccer player who was hanging out with Morgan, reportedly cut in front of another guest, which started a verbal altercation. This eventually led to EPCOT managers calling the local deputies and Morgan, Barnes, and their 3 friends being escorted out of Disney property.

Remember, the beverages can be very tasty at Walt Disney World, but don’t have too many at the expense of your vacation – or other guests’ safety!

Rebel Wilson Took a Selfie “In a Secret Bathroom Inside Disneyland”

While the Australian actress never revealed exactly where, our best guess is that she took her selfie inside Club 33.

This ultra-exclusive, members-only club is rumored to boast a wait list of up to 10 years to join, with a membership initiation fee as high as $50,000. Because it’s so exclusive and because of its dining status, Disney strictly prohibits the following inside Club 33:

• Videotaping throughout the entire club
• Photography inside the restrooms
• Photography of celebrity guests

Lesson learned: Follow the lay of the (Disney)land!

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