In June 2025, New York City-based TikTok fitness influencer Nicole Arena took to social media to call out Disney after a trip to one of the conglomerate’s theme parks went south.
Disney World staff allegedly flagged her for violating the dress code and “forced” her to buy new clothes, which did not sit well with her.
Although she has since deleted the post from all her social media platforms, the controversy recently went viral again, sparking a fresh debate over her outfit.
“This is a park aimed at a young audience. It’s not rocket science to dress appropriately,” one disappointed user commented.
Nicole Arena claimed Disney wouldn’t allow her on a ride because of her gym clothes
Thomas Evraert/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Sometime before June 24, 2025, Nicole visited Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park in Bay Lake, Florida, with her husband, John Whitespot.
Nicole and John, also a fitness influencer and personal trainer, tied the knot two months before that.
After their trip, Nicole ripped into Disney in a fiery TikTok post, saying, “I was so happy to be here that I didn’t realize I was ‘improperly dressed’ and would be forced to buy a $45 T-shirt or else I could not get on the ride I waited an hour for.”
In the selfie with John she shared, Nicole wore a white Nike sports brassiere, while her husband was in a black tank top and a cap worn backward. She did not mention Disney raising any flags about John’s clothes.
“I really didn’t think anything of this [to be honest],” Nicole defended herself in another video, showing more of the outfit.
After several users criticized her for the choice, she retorted in a third video, “I had nothing showing other than my stomach and my arms, but you guys are acting like I went out n**ed.”
John also defended his wife, saying, “I couldn’t care less if someone thinks your outfit was inappropriate because we both know that neither one of us would feel comfortable or ok with anything that would expose you in any way.”
“I know that people are always going to have something to say even when there’s nothing wrong and when there are others who are actually improperly dressed,” he went on. “I’ll stand by the fact that we know you were singled out, and it’s not ok.”
Netizens got into a heated debate over whether Nicole’s clothes were “improper” for a family park
Héctor Vásquez/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The incident resurfaced on social media in October 2026 after a group of guests was kicked out of Epcot for allegedly engaging in unauthorized aquatic activities in the water park.
The debacle divided the internet, with some defending Nicole and others blasting her.
“Sports b*a, crop tops, bikini tops… all things I have seen in Disney since people are park hopping between the water parks and theme parks, etc. No one batted an eye… and it is hot as hell in Florida, so I don’t really see the issue,” one netizen commented.
Another said, “Why would you wear a sports b*a anywhere outside of a gym?” A third wrote, “People shouldn’t be sporting undergarments as actual clothes in public.”
A fourth wrote, “It’s like pajamas are not allowed on airplanes. These companies have dress codes. I miss the days when people actually got dressed to go out.”
Some pointed to a “double standard,” arguing that John’s clothing was also somewhat revealing, but he wasn’t asked to cover up.
“So he gets to wear a wife-beater, and that’s not a problem, but her wearing a sports b*a is? It’s nothing more than a bikini top, big deal,” one said.
Another wrote, “Well, given the woke culture at Disney, it is hypocritical. The man can wear a tank top, but she cannot wear a sports b*a?”
Disney has a strict dress code in place for theme parks, requiring visitors to cover up at all times
Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
While several users empathized with her, citing Florida’s high summer temperatures, a majority still called Nicole out for not knowing Disney theme park dress codes.
“Why would you go somewhere and not check the dress code? That doesn’t make sense,” one rebuked her.
According to the official website, Disney has strict attire policies for all their theme parks and resorts, some of which are for safety purposes on risky adventure rides.
John (Giannis) Tekeridis/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Their rules say that “proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times.”
The guidelines also prohibit clothing that drags on the ground, visible tattoos with objectionable language or designs, and costumes or face masks for anyone aged 14 or above.
“We reserve the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other guests,” it says.
David Guerrero/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Previously, several other influencers have also slammed Disney after park employees stopped them for “excessively revealing” outfits.
In 2022, TikToker Tori Cannella was flagged at Disney World in Orlando for wearing a crop top, but received a free T-shirt to cover up. The same year, Nicole DeLosReyes’ Mother’s Day family trip to the theme park saw her getting flagged for wearing a white front-tied crop top.
“They both could’ve dressed a little better,” one user said
Follow Us
