Disneyland is known as "The Happiest Place On Earth," and park guests paying top dollar expect their magical day to be filled with sunshine, smiles and dreams coming true.
Unfortunately, tourists at the California park witnessed a nightmare when a violent altercation broke out in Toontown in front of Goofy's Playhouse this past Saturday.
Mickey's cartoon neighborhood became the site of a wild scuffle after a verbal confrontation erupted into a physical attack in which a man repeatedly punched women in the face.
Several witnesses filmed the melee on their cellphones in which terrified children can be heard screaming and crying.
Watch: Families' wild brawl at Disneyland goes viral https://t.co/tsq5iolT7V https://t.co/zVpNYJpAa4— New York Post (@New York Post) 1562615968.0
One of several videos posted on social media revealed that the man wearing a red shirt took the first swing after a woman pushing two children in a stroller spat in his face.
Another woman in a motorized scooter who was a part of the group tried to stop the fight but was knocked to the ground.
@ChrisWiltz When the old woman got knocked down!! https://t.co/2wR2fon9FW— J. Pigeon (@J. Pigeon) 1562632983.0
The man on the war path can be heard yelling:
"I'm ready to go to jail tonight. I don't give a f–k!"
A minute later, he punched another woman he thought hit his mother and knocked her to the ground and pulled her by the hair and dragged her across the pavement as horrified bystanders ushered their children past the scene.
Saw Disneyland trending and ummm yea...definitely not what I was expecting to see https://t.co/ay7Jkgizp8— ImHonestTho (@ImHonestTho) 1562615437.0
@JPigeonwriter All the other black people at the park were probably looking at each other like: https://t.co/kCNe2E4U6X— Chris Wiltz (@Chris Wiltz) 1562632358.0
The voice of reason.
Let’s keep the racism out of the talks of what happened in toontown thanks . we can talk about victims of domestic… https://t.co/Q6xj9Ebpzz— Jeff (@Jeff) 1562610086.0
Just a reminder domestic violence and abuse can occur from any race , any wealth background ,sadly those who have p… https://t.co/GAgrrt3MZ6— Jeff (@Jeff) 1562634894.0
WARNING: the video of the smack-down below is graphic.
ORIGINAL PUBLISHER: Fight At Disneyland ToonTown 7/6/19. WARNING: GRAPHICwww.youtube.com
Jason Blair, a high school coach from of El Paso, Texas was at the scene and told KFOX14 that he tried to intervene.
"I didn't understand why people were recording and not helping."
@NBCLA The saddest part was the kids crying and the amount of money spent by this family to have it be a traumatic… https://t.co/okJcPWhNJK— Mary L (@Mary L) 1562642657.0
Blair and three other men managed to restrain the attacker by pinning him to the ground.
@ImHonestTho https://t.co/kONOomuuja— Trevor Elia (@Trevor Elia) 1562642826.0
Blair said:
"When the man regained consciousness, he kept asking, 'Who choked me out?'"
The violent park guest was intent on fighting Blair for making him pass out.
Though Blair and his family were shook after the incident, he expressed no regrets.
"Without a doubt I would do it again. When something is not right you have to jump in."
What do you when you witness a violent fight? Is it best to walk away, or risk getting hurt for the safety of others?
Twitter questioned Disneyland security protocols.
Disneyland security was like.. #disneylandfight #toontownfight #Anaheim #Disneylandsecurity https://t.co/02xZdltGxW— DJCaso (@DJCaso) 1562616212.0
@AzcasoMe How are you supposed to be an authority figure dressed like this? https://t.co/DKFmog3dtn— The El Three Podcast 2.0 (@The El Three Podcast 2.0) 1562638640.0
@_Steph_88 @ashbymcd @AnaheimPD @Disneyland Disney security are essentially finger waggers (see gif). They are not… https://t.co/qmbPWk0u3I— Harden TF Up 🇺🇸 (@Harden TF Up 🇺🇸) 1562635445.0
Disneyland security while that horrible fight is happening https://t.co/hCxeUv52zh— Jeffrey Walizer Jr (@Jeffrey Walizer Jr) 1562615594.0
By the time Anaheim Police arrived, the fight was over and they made no arrests of the "uncooperative" group, according to Sgt. Daron Wyatt.
Park security escorted all members involved from the property.
But now thanks to the viral video, police have evidence that could be used for investigating.
Wyatt told the LA Times:
"Now that we have the video, detectives will be following up to see if any criminal charges can be filed."
APD is aware of a video going viral of a fight inside @Disneyland on Saturday. We responded to investigate. All par… https://t.co/qqwkR14Sj0— Anaheim PD (@Anaheim PD) 1562603194.0
Welcome to Disneyland the happiest place on earth. Me in Toon Town an hour later: https://t.co/4vpmKXuz4M— Jeffrey Walizer Jr (@Jeffrey Walizer Jr) 1562621617.0
Liz Jaeger, a spokeswoman for the Disneyland Resort, said:
"Any type of violence is inexcusable and will not be tolerated."
If you're planning a trip to Disneyland, the Birnbaum's 2020 guide can be preordered here.