Diego Rodriguez was arrested at Walt Disney World's EPCOT on April 21 after grabbing and shaking a cast member's arm during a Mirabel meet-and-greet from Encanto. The incident stemmed from his family attempting to cut the line for photos with the character. Rodriguez now faces a lifetime ban from the resort.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a battery report near CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT around 3:14 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. A Disney Character Attendant was managing the line for Mirabel when Rodriguez's family approached, trying to bypass others. The attendant repeatedly instructed them to wait, intervening as their child attempted to run forward, and noted that Mirabel was posing only for photos, not autographs at that time. The child's mother grew confrontational, thrusting an autograph book toward the attendant's face. Moments later, Rodriguez grabbed the attendant's right arm, shook her, and yelled, according to the police report. He continued verbally assaulting her and tried to lunge before others intervened. Witnesses, including other guests, cast members, and the performer inside the Mirabel costume, corroborated the account. One witness recalled Rodriguez shouting, “Why everyone can take a picture but us?” Walt Disney World security quickly escorted Rodriguez and his family to an office at EPCOT, where deputies arrested him for battery. He was taken to Orange County Jail for processing and received a lifetime trespass notice, barring him permanently from the property.
