A former Marine has been banned from Walt Disney World after bringing a “Trump 2020” sign along for a ride on the popular theme park attraction, Splash Mountain.
Donning a “Make America Great Again” hat, Dion Cini lifted the “Trump 2020” sign high over his head as the giant, hollowed log plunged to watery depths below, the culmination of a journey through rocky caves, vine-strewn swamps and sun-drenched meadows, an excursion highlighted by visits with old friends named Br’er Fox, Br’er Bear and Br’er Rabbit.
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah! Persons who do not meet the minimum height requirement of 40 inches may not be permitted to make America great again.
The incident was the second Disney World political stunt for Cini, who weeks ago unfurled a similar giant banner at Magic Kingdom. Cini also claimed responsibility for hanging a banner at Yankee Stadium in July and flashing it once more during a Broadway rendition of Disney’s film, “Frozen.”
Let it go.
After putting Cini’s annual pass on hold following the first Trump display, Disney decided this time around enough was enough, banning the New York City resident from its parks despite the aligning principles between making the country great again and Aladdin’s unquenchable desire for a whole new world.
Cini posted a Facebook photo of the note he received from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office informing him of the ban.
“Trespassed from all of Walt Disney World properties to include, but not limited to, Theme Parks, Water Parks Resorts and Disney Springs,” the note read. “Conduct not welcome on WDW Property.”
“Banned for life from Walt Disney World for the 2nd time in a month," Cini vented on Facebook in response. "They hate my signs, or the President? Maybe both?”
Disney park policies, meanwhile, list “Unauthorized events, demonstrations or speeches, or the usage of any flag, banner or sign for commercial purposes, or to incite a crowd” as prohibited activities.
What is life coming to when poor unfortunate souls aren’t permitted to blatantly express political affiliation — the simple bare necessities — amidst imaginative children, seven dwarfs, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear or Jiminy Cricket?
“I did not break the rules,” Cini told The Washington Post. “I was on a ride. I was not inciting a crowd. There was no crowd.”
Cini told the Post he intends to fight Disney’s Cruella de Vil-ish decision in court, but for everyone else, it doesn’t matter — it’s in the past.
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
