Strange interaction with cast member...

[Marssiful]

I had the strangest interaction with a cast member on Friday morning. We had 8am reservations for GE and we arrived just before 6am. I had never seen Main Street so empty and I stopped and took a quick picture. A lovely cm even offered to take a pic of my husband and I. Just before walking into Tomorrowland, I stopped to take a quick pic of the castle, it was the first time seeing the paint job up close... and this is where it got weird. A security guard(?) came out of nowhere and physically pushed my hand down and then stepped in front of my to block my view. I immediately apologized, I thought maybe we weren’t allowed to stop walking. But he wouldn’t let it drop. He yelled that I should know better than to take pictures of such a private event and he could have me kicked out. I was so confused!?!?! My husband told him that he thought there was some sort of miscommunication, and after a moment the guy told us to be on our way.

I literally am still so confused. Does anyone know if there was a private event in front of the castle on Friday morning? Neither of us saw anything. We are both so curious.

I just want to add that every other CM we dealt with on our trip was fantastic.

 

[Mike_M]

Was the person wearing the usual Disney Security uniform? What about a CM badge?

If not, I’d say it may have been private security for a VIP guest and not a Disney employee. Either way, I’d report it to City Hall as that is not appropriate behavior in the park.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Touching you is not appropriate. Neither is yelling at you. Please consider reporting this incident to Guest Services here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/help/email/

 

[WonkaKid]

This is bizarre and grossly inappropriate. What "event" was he talking about? Were you told in advance that photos wouldn't be allowed? The DL castle is one of the most photographed structures in the world. To attack someone for taking a quick pic of it is outrageous. I almost wonder if he even worked there. I strongly encourage you to report this and please keep us updated. I'm shocked by this. It's by far the worst CM interaction I've ever heard of. So weird.

 

[Marssiful]

He was wearing a black uniform, like a security guard but he did have a Disney badge on. I didn’t take note of his name, I really should have. But I was startled and I really felt like I had done something wrong, I just didn’t know what it was . Lifelong member of the good kids club... I can’t handle getting yelled at .

 

[Marssiful]

It was weird! We go multiple times a year and ive never had anything like this happen. I have no idea what the “event” was. We didn’t see anybody else except other people going to check in at Tomorrowland and other CMs. I am going to write an email about it. Originally I just posted mainly because we were so curious what the private event could be. But I realize now that I wouldn’t want that to happen to somebody else.

 

[disneylover102]

That’s very strange... I don’t know what that was but from my experience whenever someone does something they’re not supposed to and they don’t know the cast members are very nice in the way they correct them. They certainly never touch them like that.

 

[peachdragon]

I don’t post here much, but I believe that Disneyland security in the parks wears white shirts. I just happen to speak to a security person yesterday. Someone please correct me if some wear black.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Maybe a wedding or something? Most security guards wear white shirt with navy pants with the red stripe down the side at DL, but a quick Google search found this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/overbearing-security.3648280/
One guard with a dog looks to be wearing all navy.

Edit: The Anaheim police wears all black I believe.

 

[sjmac42]

Definitely report the incident. There is almost zero chance a Disney employee would put their hands on you and be so aggressive unless you were been physically aggressive yourself, which you clearly weren’t. The “I could have you kicked out” bit also makes me think they weren’t a Disney employee. Disney security can just escort you out if they feel it’s warranted.
I really hope it didn’t spoil your day. He wasn’t in the photo by any chance?
All the best.

 

[SusanMatt]

You’re right. Security wears white uniforms. We were also there at 6am for an 8a Galaxy’s Edge reservation the same day and didn’t see anyone in black.

The only event going on was cast member yoga in front of the castle earlier, but they had cleared out already when we arrived.

Cast members are specifically instructed in initial training to not touch guests. This could have been a TDA office cast member unaccustomed to guest contact — who still should know better.

 

[Marssiful]

It is possible he was wearing navy. And it definitely didn’t put a damper on the day. It was pretty perfect after that.

I just looked at the pic I did get and he’s not in it... no celebrities either that I can tell!

Edited to add, my husband said he was wearing all black. So maybe it really was somebodies private security or possibly a police officer. Maybe I could have had a paparazzi shot of something if I was a better photographer and not completely oblivious

 

[Tallis]

It is possible he was wearing navy. And it definitely didn’t put a damper on the day. It was pretty perfect after that.

I just looked at the pic I did get and he’s not in it... no celebrities either that I can tell!

Edited to add, my husband said he was wearing all black. So maybe it really was somebodies private security or possibly a police officer. Maybe I could have had a paparazzi shot of something if I was a better photographer and not completely oblivious

Since he came out of nowhere, maybe he was taking a leak in the bushes or something and thought you were trying to get a photo of that. He sounds like the type ...

 

[deedubb]

I would have said "I don't see a f**ing no pics allowed sign". Sorry, but crap like this makes me lose it. It's not like you were on a backstage tour or something.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Sounds totally crazy!

 

[Michele King]

In all the years of going to Disney parks, growing up with WDW and now with DL, I have had one negative experience with a cast member/security and it was this year. I was walking out from DCA towards downtown Disney and went through that area where you get caught in the lines for ticketing. I should have known better than to go through there, but I was talking with my kids and not really paying attention. Once I realized my mistake, we began to climb over the chains. Then we were approached by a CM/security person who said we couldn't climb over. I apologized and asked if he could undo the chains so we could escape without have to walk the many cutbacks and zigzags to get out. He instantly became really assertive with us and threatened to take our tickets away.
I was so floored and had never had a cast member treat me that way. I am such a respectful visitor. I was upset for many hours after that and so were my kids. I was taken aback by his aggressive behavior that I didn't get his name. I just wanted to get away from there. I am very non-confrontational, and I get easily upset with confrontation.
I did write to Disney to let them know, but not having names, I'm sure there wasn't a lot to be done. They did apologize for my bad experience.
So unfortunately it does happen.

 

[indyannamom]

OP, did you end up writing in about the incident?

 

[Marssiful]

I did. He spoke with such authority that both my husband and I thought he was a cast member. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his name but if they did have someone working that fits that description maybe he’ll receive a bit of direction on how to deal with people in the future.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Please report this to Disney -- use the "contact" link at the bottom of the DLR webpage. Be as specific as you can about all details, e.g. date, time, location, description of "CM," what happened, how it affected your experience, etc. It is possible that this person was a real CM and possible that this person was a fake CM. It's not hard to get a fake badge online, and DLR has had problems in the past with people, some of whom were mentally ill, impersonating CMs and harassing other guests. So, whether this guy was legit or not, the incident should be reported because it was inappropriate and management needs to know about it.