U.S. Government Targets Disney World Regulars, Multiple Arrests Made After Taking 30+ Vacations
It seems that people will do just about anything to score a free Walt Disney World vacation. Just be aware if you take this route to visit the most magical place on earth, you will end up in jail, just like these Disney lovers.
A Maryland woman has been sentenced for her involvement in a multi-year conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government of significant funds, per Yahoo.
Chantelle Boyd, 53, from Woodsboro, Maryland, received her sentence in a federal court in Boston for her role in a scheme that took place from 2014 to 2018.
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Boyd to six months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release.
The government had recommended a six-month prison term. Boyd will also be required to pay restitution, with the specific amount to be determined later.
Boyd had previously pleaded guilty in April 2023 to charges that included conspiracy, theft of government funds, and providing false declarations. She was initially arrested in July 2020, alongside her co-conspirator, Thomas Bouchard.
Bouchard, who held a prominent position as the Contracting Officer for the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, played a key role in orchestrating the scheme. The division is responsible for providing full-service contracting support to the Department of Defense. According to court documents, Bouchard used his authority to secure a “no-show” job for Boyd at Evolution Enterprise, Inc., a government contractor, under the guise that she was his assistant.
During her four-year stint at the company, from 2014 to 2018, Boyd’s salary cost the Department of Defense over $490,000, despite the fact that she performed little to no legitimate work.
The pair also exploited government resources to fund personal trips, disguising them as work-related. Boyd and Bouchard embarked on 31 trips to locations such as Orlando, Clearwater Beach, and Stafford, Virginia, often staying at the same hotel and spending time at pools and Disney parks during business hours.
While taking 31 Disney World vacations sounds like dream, doing it illegally is not the way we would typically suggest getting there.
To cover up the personal nature of these trips, Bouchard manipulated travel records, submitting false expense claims that reimbursed Boyd for various out-of-pocket costs. Boyd further compounded her involvement by making false statements to a grand jury in 2018 concerning the trips.
Bouchard had pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy in April 2023.
In August 2024, he was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $487,658.87. Boyd’s restitution order is still pending, but she will remain under supervision following her home confinement.
“Those of us who are privileged to work in public service owe a duty to the taxpayers to act with integrity at all times,” Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said of Bouchard in a news release.
“This defendant clearly failed in adhering to this solemn oath and abused his position of trust to line his own pockets, hire a friend into a phantom position and enjoy junkets all on the taxpayer’s dime. He will now pay the price for his inexcusable conduct.”
Rules at Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World is often referred to as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” and for many guests, it truly is. But with millions of visitors every year, maintaining that magic requires strict rules to keep everyone safe and ensure an enjoyable experience for all. While Disney aims to provide a fun, family-friendly environment, not everyone plays by the rules.
Some guests break Disney’s guidelines and face the consequences, including being removed from the parks. Let’s take a look at the rules Disney World expects guests to follow and what happens when they aren’t obeyed, with real-world examples of what happens when things go wrong.
Disney World’s Rules: Safety, Respect, and Enjoyment
Disney has a comprehensive set of rules designed to ensure guest safety, promote respect, and enhance the overall experience for everyone. Many of these guidelines may seem obvious, but the sheer volume of visitors makes them necessary.
Some key rules include:
- No running: With crowds and children everywhere, this rule ensures everyone’s safety. It’s easy to get excited or rush from one ride to another, but the “no running” policy is strictly enforced, especially in high-traffic areas.
- No line-cutting: Disney strictly prohibits “line-jumping” or holding places in line for others, as this can cause frustration for guests who have waited for long periods.
- No inappropriate attire: Disney has a family-friendly dress code. Clothing that is excessively torn, shows too much skin, or displays offensive language or images is not permitted.
- Prohibited items: Disney does not allow weapons of any kind, even toy guns, as part of its strict security measures. Alcohol, recreational drugs, and controlled substances are also prohibited, except alcohol served on-site.
- No disruptive behavior: Guests are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful to others. Physical altercations, foul language, and general rudeness can lead to ejection from the park.
- Selfie sticks: Once a popular item in the parks, selfie sticks are banned due to the safety risks they pose on rides and in crowds.
While these rules help create an enjoyable and safe environment, some guests still push the boundaries, sometimes with serious consequences.
Real Consequences for Breaking the Rules
While Disney World staff, or “Cast Members,” go out of their way to accommodate guests and maintain the magic, they don’t hesitate to take action against those who break the rules. When guests don’t follow Disney’s guidelines, they can be warned, removed from a ride, or even escorted out of the park.
1. Line-Cutting Chaos
Line-cutting is one of the most common infractions at Walt Disney World. While it may seem like a minor annoyance, it’s taken very seriously. In 2019, a family was escorted out of Magic Kingdom after a confrontation with another guest over line-cutting at Peter Pan’s Flight. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, which resulted in both parties being removed from the park by security. Disney has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, so both families were asked to leave.
2. Aggressive Behavior and Altercations
In August 2022, a large brawl broke out in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom after two families got into a heated dispute over space in line. Disney security responded quickly, and the involved guests were removed from the park. Similar incidents have happened on multiple occasions, often leading to permanent bans from Disney World property. Disney’s stance on aggressive behavior is clear: if you fight, you’re out. No exceptions.
3. Inappropriate Attire
Disney’s dress code isn’t just a suggestion—it’s enforced. Guests wearing clothing with inappropriate language, imagery, or excessively revealing outfits can be turned away at the gate. In one incident, a woman was asked to leave the park and return with more appropriate clothing after wearing a bikini top in Magic Kingdom. Disney reserves the right to deny entry or ask guests to change if their attire violates park guidelines.
In another case, guests participating in a trend called “Disney bounding”—dressing like Disney characters but in more subtle ways to bypass costume restrictions—were asked to modify their outfits. Disney has a strict no-costume rule for anyone over the age of 14, and even creative loopholes can lead to requests for adjustments if the attire is deemed too similar to an official costume.
It should be noted that Disney bounding is 100% allowed, but long gowns that hit the floor, for example, are not.
4. Bringing Prohibited Items into the Park
Disney’s bag-check process is thorough, and guests who bring prohibited items like weapons or illegal substances are immediately removed from the park. In one instance, a guest was caught with marijuana at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, resulting in ejection from the park and possible legal action. Disney security works closely with local law enforcement to handle such cases, ensuring that the parks remain a safe environment.
5. Vandalism
In 2021, a guest was banned from Disney World after carving their name into one of the park’s attractions. Vandalism of any kind is not tolerated at Disney parks, and the individual faced not only removal but also legal consequences. Disney invests heavily in maintaining the appearance and functionality of its parks, so damaging property results in strict punishment.
6. Unauthorized Stunts or Trespassing
Trespassing into restricted areas or attempting dangerous stunts is another way guests break the rules.
In 2020, a man snuck onto Discovery Island, a closed section of Walt Disney World, to camp for several days. After being caught, he was banned from Disney World property. In another instance, guests attempting to climb restricted areas or stage elaborate stunts for social media attention have been immediately removed from the park.
How Disney Enforces the Rules
Disney uses a mix of visible and undercover security to monitor behavior across its parks. Uniformed security officers, surveillance cameras, and even undercover plainclothes security Cast Members are constantly watching for rule-breaking. When a situation arises, security responds quickly to de-escalate, offer warnings, or, in more serious cases, escort the offending guests off the property.
In some situations, Disney will issue bans for egregious behavior. These bans can range from temporary suspensions to lifetime prohibitions, depending on the severity of the infraction. The parks also collaborate with local law enforcement when necessary, particularly in cases involving violence or illegal substances.
Protecting the Magic
Walt Disney World is more than just a theme park—it’s a place where guests from all over the world come to create lasting memories. To ensure that the experience remains positive for everyone, Disney upholds strict rules, and those who break them may find themselves facing serious consequences.
For most guests, following the rules is easy, and it ensures that the magic of Disney World remains alive for generations to come. But for those who choose to ignore the guidelines, Disney doesn’t hesitate to protect its parks, its guests, and the spirit of what makes it “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”