Key Takeaways
- Police arrested a woman at Disneyland while her children cried beside her.
- She allegedly tried to enter the park without buying tickets.
- The footage shows Funwell yelling as officers escort her out.
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, a shocking moment unfolded at Disneyland Resort as police took a woman into custody while her two children wept and clung to her.
Social media reports identified the arrested woman as 32-year-old Linda Funwell.
The emotional scene unfolded at California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Orange County, as stunned park-goers watched her being escorted away by police.
The Anaheim Police Department stated that Funwell was detained and cited for impeding a peace officer after refusing to show her ID.
According to Disneyland representatives, she allegedly attempted to bring her children into the park without purchasing tickets.
Police reported that Funwell’s lack of cooperation with Disneyland staff led to their intervention.
Authorities also suspect this may not have been her first attempt to exploit Disneyland’s entry policies, as she had allegedly tried similar tactics.
They are currently investigating if she previously tried to bypass ticket and age requirements.
Disneyland’s policy is that children under the age of three can enter for free as long as someone with a valid ticket and reservation accompanies them.
@sobella_19 #disney #momarrestedatdisney #disneyarrest #disneyland ♬ original sound – Nun_ya
In the TikTok video, the mother, wearing shiny silver Mickey ears, repeatedly yelled, “You’re hurting me, you’re f***ing hurting me.”
Another view captured her children holding onto her, sobbing, and asking others for help.
The incident quickly went viral on TikTok, with video footage showing Funwell yelling obscenities as police and park staff escorted her out.
A viral video of the woman’s arrest, showing her children crying as she was led from the park, sparked widespread reaction on social media. One user wrote:
This broke my heart these little kids don’t know they don’t have money they need to leave .. kids help them in spanish SHAME ON DISNEY LAND THEY HAVE SO MUCH MONEY I KNOW MOTHER WAS WRONG DOING THIS
Via TikTok
Another wrote:
This is so disgusting arresting a mom with two kids at a place. We’re supposed to be the most happiness placed. This should be a disgusting.
Via TikTok
The third one wrote:
I’m sorry there’s people committing actual crimes out on these streets! And this is who they go after? What if the girls love Disneyland and they can’t afford it. Disneylands not gonna go broke over two little ones that can’t even get on most rides being snuck in 🙄
Via TikTok
The event has prompted concerns about how theme parks should handle incidents involving children with more excellent care and sensitivity.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Linda reportedly claimed that her daughters were under three years old for free entry, but the video shows that they are older.
- In 2023, Disney implemented stricter ticketing policies, including tighter regulations to prevent fraudulent use of Disability Access Services (DAS).
