Claim:
A photo authentically shows Mickey Mouse dropkicking a toddler at Disneyland.
Rating:
Originated as Satire ( About this rating? )
Context:
A user generated the fake picture with an artificial-intelligence tool. Further, the story accompanying the image originated with a Facebook page describing its content as satire.
A Disney-themed rumor made the rounds online in September 2024 claiming that a picture showed a Disneyland cast member portraying Mickey Mouse who dropkicked a toddler, after the child called the famed character “annoying.”
For example, a Facebook user shared ( archived ) the image and story, which appeared to show the dropkick occurring at the Anaheim, California, theme park on its famed entryway known as Main Street, U.S.A.:
The Facebook page named Justice League of Hope and Busterfriends of The Ghostbusters also posted ( archived ) the picture and story:
The story began:
Mickey Mouse Drop-Kicks Toddler at Disneyland After Being Called ‘Annoying’
Disneyland, Anaheim – September 9, 2024 — What started as a typical magical day at Disneyland quickly turned into a bizarre spectacle when the iconic Mickey Mouse allegedly drop-kicked a toddler for repeatedly calling him “annoying.”
According to witnesses, the toddler, identified as 3-year-old Timmy Thompson from Bakersfield, was eagerly awaiting his chance to meet Mickey. However, after what one bystander described as “too much sugar and way too much excitement,” Timmy allegedly started taunting Mickey, saying, “You’re annoying, Mickey! You’re not even real!”
At first, Mickey seemed unfazed, maintaining his usual animated demeanor. But as the verbal assault escalated, witnesses say the world-famous mouse, standing in the middle of Main Street U.S.A., had had enough.
“I saw Mickey turn around, pause for a moment, and then—BAM! He drop-kicked that kid,” said Karen Fischer, a shocked onlooker who was waiting in line at a churro stand. “He was in full costume, too. It was wild. I didn’t know if I was watching a live show or if Mickey had finally snapped.”