I was dress-coded at Disney World & forced to cough up £33 to stay – I was just wearing what I'd put on for the gym

The Irish Sun

26-06-2025

A HOLIDAY-GOER has sparked a fierce debate after claiming she was dress-coded at Disney World.
Nicole Arena was visiting Epcot at Disney World in Florida earlier this month with her hubby when she claims she was told to put a shirt on over her white sports bra.
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Nicole Arena was visiting Epcot at Disney World in Florida earlier this month
Credit: Getty
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Nicole realised she was "improperly dressed" and was forced to buy a $45 (£33) T-shirt to enjoy the rest of the rides
Credit: tiktok/@arenalifts
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The fitness lover had paired the top with figure-hugging leggings
Credit: tiktok/@arenalifts
The gym enthusiast who had paired the top with
''Was so happy to be here that I didn't realize I was "improperly dressed" and would be forced to buy a $45 (£33)
''There were many people at Disney wearing much less clothing than I was,'' Nicole said.
''I had nothing showing other than my
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''Anyone who goes to the gym knows it's totally fine to walk around with a sports bra and leggings on,'' Nicole fumed.
''I just went to Disney, how I would go to the gym.''
While the Disney fan was let into the park by security, she claimed cast members refused her entry to an attraction, which led to her having to buy a T-shirt in order to stay and use the rides.
But Nicole's video proved to spark a fierce debate - with some viewers agreeing with the park that the outfit was inappropriate.
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''I mean it's a bra. Of course you can't wear it to a family park. Be so for real. I am so happy they are finally cracking down,'' wrote one TikToker.
Someone else chimed in: ''I don't know why you thought it would be the exact same as the gym. Disneyworld is not the gym.''
This summer dress is a steal' cries Dunnes Stores shopper and it comes in three colours
Another commented, telling Nicole: ''When did wearing bras in public become the norm? Oh wait, it isn't.''
But there were also plenty of those who came to her defence, saying they don't see anything wrong with her outfit.
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''Geez! I wouldn't have even thought twice about what you had on. Plus it's so hot,'' a person said.
''As a Disney regular it really depends on who catches you. Some are super strict on the rules some art,'' one regular visitor wrote.
The official rules as per the website state visitors must wear: ''Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times.''
Can you be dress coded for wearing crop tops in public?
The concept of being "dress coded" typically applies to specific environments such as schools, workplaces, or certain establishments where dress codes are enforced to maintain a particular standard or atmosphere.
In public spaces, however, the situation is generally more relaxed and governed by societal norms rather than strict rules.
That said, whether or not you can be dress coded for wearing a crop top in public largely depends on the context and location:
Public Spaces:
In most public spaces, like parks, streets, and beaches, wearing a crop top is generally acceptable and unlikely to result in any formal repercussions. People have the freedom to dress as they choose, provided they adhere to basic standards of decency and local laws.
Establishments and Venues:
Some restaurants, shops, or clubs may have their own dress codes. It's possible that a crop top might not meet the dress requirements for more formal venues. In such cases, staff may politely request that you adhere to their dress code or deny entry.
Schools and Workplaces:
Educational institutions and workplaces often have dress codes in place. Crop tops may be considered inappropriate in these settings, and you could be asked to change into more suitable attire.
Cultural and Regional Considerations:
In certain cultures or regions, norms and expectations around acceptable clothing can vary widely. It's always a good idea to be aware of and respect local customs and dress codes when travelling.
Looking like a 'stripper'
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Last year, a British woman working at Disney World was
Jessie Lee, 21, had been working across the Disney World Resorts in Florida over the summer as part of their cultural exchange program.
Shocked at the response, the brunette beauty took to social media to respond to haters.
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Posting online, the content creator shared a clip whereby she stood in front of the iconic Disney castle, wearing a cropped red t-shirt and a pair of red and white gingham short shorts.
She paired the outfit with red Adidas Sambas and a pair of Minnie Mouse ears.
Later in the short clip, the Brit then posed alongside a telephone box, showing off her outfit from the side.
But alongside the clip, Jessie drew attention to a comment from a troll which read 'Inappropriate for Disney.'
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In response to the rude remark, Jessie responded and wrote: 'This outfit??? Inappropriate for Disney??
'It's actually one of my faves!! Let's stop judging girlies' outfits!!'
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @
But social media users were left totally divided by Jessie's outfit - whilst some thought it was 'perfect' and didn't see a problem, others hailed it as 'breaking the dress code'.
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One fashion fan beamed: 'Literally nothing wrong with this outfit, it's cute. I'm a cast member and I've seen way more revealing than this.'
A second chimed in: 'Literally the PERFECT outfit for Disney.'
Someone else explained: 'I don't get the issue. They are just legs, not like you are walking around naked. All essentials covered.'
Meanwhile, another penned: 'What are these comments, I'm obsessed.'
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But at the same time, one person asked: 'Is that a diaper?'
Another added: 'That was inappropriate, you went to a family park with children and acted like a stripper in that video.'
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Whilst trolls criticised Jessie May's short shorts and crop tops, the young woman wasn't afraid to clap back
Credit: tiktok/@jessie.may