ANAHEIM, CA – A woman was detained at Disney California Adventure Park on September 25 after allegedly trying to sneak her two young children into the park without tickets, leading to a traumatic scene for the children involved.

The incident occurred when the woman, whose name has not been released, was stopped by Disneyland staff as she attempted to enter the park with her daughters. Park officials reported that she misrepresented her children’s ages to bypass ticket requirements. Disneyland policy permits children under three years old to enter for free if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

The Anaheim Police Department was called to the scene and arrested the woman for obstructing a peace officer after she refused to provide her identification. Video footage of the arrest, which has since surfaced on social media, shows the woman being escorted out of the park while her children cried for help in Spanish.

Ticket prices for Disneyland start at $104 for adults and $98 for children aged three to nine. Authorities noted that this was not the first instance of the woman attempting to evade ticket fees. Previous similar incidents have fueled debate about the affordability of amusement park tickets.

The case has sparked renewed discussion online, reminiscent of a 2022 viral TikTok video where a different woman disguised her child as an infant to avoid paying for a ticket. Social media users are divided, with some criticizing the high costs of park entry, while others disapprove of fraudulent tactics used to dodge those fees.

Disneyland representatives have reiterated the importance of adhering to their ticket policies for the safety and enjoyment of all guests. As the debate continues, the incident highlights the broader issue of accessibility to popular entertainment venues and their associated costs.