Since its inception, Disneyland was conceived as a place where folks could leave the world of today to enter a world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy. However, a little present day managed to make its way into the park when Pro-Palestine protestors disrupted a peaceful October afternoon with a large banner citing the death toll in the ongoing war between Palestine and Israel.
Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2019 after refurbishment. Photo Credit: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In a TikTok video uploaded by a user named Natalie Curling, we can see the two protestors in front of the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle in the main hub holding the sign on either side as security personnel approach.
The sign reads: The Amount Of People Visiting Disneyland Today Matches The Death Toll In Gaza. Honor the 40,000 Palestinians Who Could Not Live Their Happily Ever After.
@nataliecurling Protest at disneyland today #protest #disneyland #security #california #fyp #protestforpalestine
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This isn’t the first time pro-Palestine protests have impacted operations at Disneyland. Back in December, a protest outside the gates of Disneyland caused the entryway to shut down temporarily.
“With today’s demonstration, our focus was on the safety and well-being of our guests, our cast members and employees, and the protestors,” a Disneyland spokesperson said back in December. “We coordinated closely with public safety officials and community leaders to help maintain order.”
Disneyland really covered their sign because they didn’t want their name associated with a Palestine protest. How it looked yesterday vs how it usually is. Shame 🤮 pic.twitter.com/Tfr1Dw3Wsa
— alex (@meowingculer) December 10, 2023
Additionally, Queers for Palestine protestors shut down the I-4 highway which feeds into Walt Disney World in Orlando back in May of this year.
NEW: The “Queers For Palestine” protesters who blocked the highway exit to Disney World in Orlando, FL, have been arrested by Florida Highway Patrol. I’m told they were arrested within 11 minutes.
Florida continues w/ zero tolerance for blocking traffic.Photo credit: @FLHSMV pic.twitter.com/F6sif5EP6Z
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 12, 2024
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Disney has strict rules that prohibit this kind of display in its theme parks. However, it seems as thought these recent banner-toting protestors rolled up their signage and departed without further incident. As of press time, That Park Place has reached out to Disneyland’s media relations team for additional information and an official statement on the protest, but we have not heard back yet.
We will update this story if and when more information becomes available.
Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Credit: Mortimer Productions)
It is not clear from the footage whether Disney kicked the pair out of the park for the day or trespassed them. However, the company does have a history of doing so.
In 2018, a former US Marine named Dion Cini was kicked out of the Magic Kingdom and trespassed from all Walt Disney World properties when he held up political signage supporting then-US President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election bid. He was barred from the four Walt Disney World theme parks, two water parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs for life.
I don’t like Disney, and they don’t like me haha pic.twitter.com/kF23tsKqND
— Dion Cini (@dioncini) April 5, 2024
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There were two incidents involving Mr. Cini on Walt Disney World property. The first involved him displaying a 20 foot Trump sign over the railing at the Main Street USA Train Station in the Magic Kingdom. Mr. Cini’s annual pass was reinstated after the incident. However, the final straw occurred when he help up a Trump 2020 sign while rocketing down Chick-A-Pin Hill on Splash Mountain.
“Walt Disney World welcomes all Guests to enjoy our parks; however, demonstrations and the display of signs and banners is not permitted on the premises,” a Disney spokesperson said following the second incident in November 2018.
Cini would then do the same at Disneyland, hanging a giant banner off the side of the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Disneyland’s official rules lists “unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration” under its list of prohibited actions. These rules are the same in Orlando’s Walt Disney World.
If you’re going to quit Disney, Go out in style! pic.twitter.com/nNW65TBg18
— Dion Cini (@dioncini) April 1, 2024
Marvin The Movie Monster Montanaro is a YouTube commentator and personality specializing in movies, TV, video games, and professional wrestling. He can be found on his channels Tooney Town TV and Tooney Town Wrestling with daily content and weekly livestreams. He can also be found on That Game Place, the That Park Place video game channel.
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