What was supposed to be a spontaneous, magical day at Disney World turned uncomfortable fast for Nicole Arena — all because of what she was wearing.
Nicole and her husband decided to head to Epcot on Sunday, June 1 for a last-minute adventure. It was his first time ever at Disney, and Nicole’s first since she was a kid. They were both excited and ready to soak in the experience, rushing through the park to hop on as many rides as possible.
“We were let in without any issues,” Nicole told Inside Edition. “Everyone was friendly, and we were having a great time.”
That changed when they got in line for the Frozen Ever After ride. At first, they accidentally waited on the wrong line — a meet-and-greet — but they quickly corrected the mix-up and got in the proper queue, ready to wait it out for the popular attraction.
As they moved through the line, passing several Disney staff members, everything seemed totally normal.
“Along the way, we passed several employees who smiled and welcomed us without issue,” Nicole recalled. “Everything was going smoothly — until we finally reached the front of the line.”
That’s when things took a turn.
According to Nicole, a ride attendant suddenly stopped her and said she was “improperly dressed.” She was wearing black leggings and a white padded sports bra, something she describes as similar to a crop top — and nothing she thought would be a problem.
“I was genuinely shocked,” she said, especially because she’d seen other guests wearing outfits just as revealing, if not more so. Her husband immediately jumped in to defend her.
Still, Nicole was told she wouldn’t be allowed to board the ride unless she bought a shirt to cover up. Feeling caught off guard and embarrassed, she left the line and went to the nearest merchandise store.
“I didn’t have many options,” she said. She ended up spending $45 on a plain sleeveless tank top just to comply and get back in line.
When they returned, they asked to speak to a manager — who, Nicole says, was sympathetic and agreed the situation wasn’t handled properly.
“He told us we never should’ve been stopped at the front of the line,” she explained. “Any issue with my outfit should’ve been addressed at security or when we first approached the ride.”
But even though the manager acknowledged the mistake, Nicole said they weren’t compensated in any way — not for the delay, the discomfort, or the unexpected cost.
“The original employee seemed visibly upset after we complained and disappeared. We never saw her again,” Nicole said.
Reflecting on the experience, Nicole said it felt unfair and personal, not like the result of a clear, consistent policy.
“It disrupted our day, cost us extra time and money, and just left a sour taste after what had started as a fun and spontaneous visit.”
She also pointed out that there were no signs or warnings about a dress code issue when entering the park.
“If I had known there was a problem, I would’ve just grabbed something from my car,” she said. “But by the time we found out, that wasn’t even an option.”
According to Disney World’s website, the park does reserve the right to deny admission or remove anyone whose clothing is deemed inappropriate or disruptive. Specifically, the guidelines note that attire exposing “excessive portions of skin” may be considered unsuitable for a family environment.
But Nicole’s takeaway?
“The whole situation felt like I was being singled out based on someone’s personal judgment,” she said. “Not because I actually broke a clear rule.”
