Large Family Sneaks In Without Tickets, Accused Mother Claims She Didn’t Bring Her Children to the Universal Orlando Theme Parks

Tom Corless

Universal Studios Florida entrance globe and archway

Large Family Sneaks In Without Tickets, Accused Mother Claims She Didn’t Bring Her Children to the Universal Orlando Theme Parks

Just before Christmas, a mother pushing a stroller was accused of stealing theme park admission at the Universal gate, according to court documents.

Mary Anderson, 40, who lives in London, was charged with grand theft, a third-degree felony, after she was accused of not paying for nearly $1,000 worth of theme park tickets for herself and several children when she went through the turnstile last month.

Orlando Police Det. Patrick Cavanaugh, who was working an extra duty assignment at the theme park on December 18, said Universal security alerted him “that earlier in the day, a group of adults and juveniles had run through the entrance turnstiles without purchasing tickets. The security manager stated that Universal Studios wished to prosecute the adults in the group and trespass them, but that they only wanted to trespass the juveniles,” according to the Orlando Police arrest affidavit.

Three minors were caught at the entrance of Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the new thrill ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

The police detective watched surveillance video that “showed each of the three subjects proceed through the turnstiles without having their tickets scanned by employees. They appear to be accompanied by a woman pushing a stroller, another woman wearing a red dress, a man, and a small girl wearing teal shorts, all of whom security advised did not purchase tickets,” the arrest affidavit said.

“Security officers were able to find the video footage of a female pushing stroller with a woman in a red dress. These individuals are seen pushing through the turnstiles without having their tickets scanned. They are seen being stopped by an employee briefly, and then proceeding through the park,” the affidavit went on to say.

Universal security took a screenshot of the woman pushing the stroller and questioned the three children, showing them the image. The minors identified that woman as their mother, Mary Anderson.

Anderson arrived at the theme park security office, and Orlando police read her Miranda rights. 

“Ms. Anderson stated her children came to Universal Studios on today’s date with another person, and she had been at a party all day,” the arrest affidavit said. Police didn’t believe her.

“It is reasonable to believe that the children seen were under the direction of their mother,” the arrest affidavit said.

Orange Circuit Court records do not list Anderson’s attorney. She could not be reached for comment.

29 thoughts on “Large Family Sneaks In Without Tickets, Accused Mother Claims She Didn’t Bring Her Children to the Universal Orlando Theme Parks”

  1. The way Universal is apparently overcharging — more than $1,000 for a group that size? — I’m not sure which party is really guilty of theft here.

  2. Felony charge…. Unless they come back to fight it in court (doubt it), they’ll have a FTA warrant next time they try and come to the USA through immigration.

  3. You can track a large family throughout a crowded theme Park but can’t stop mass smash and grab robbers from stealing millions of dollars from a Business in broad daylight. I see where your priorities are.

  4. Ah, the old “wasn’t me” defense.

    I guess good thing Universal clarified they weren’t going to pursue pressing charges against children.

  5. Kudos to the Universal Orlando Security Team,for being on top of things! Things could have escalated very quickly, children learn from their parents,the security team taught these children and adults a very important lesson,as a theme park goer occasionally,I’d have been appalled by this but would also know that the issue was handled properly.

  6. I think The ticket prices are outrageous.Me a mother of 4 and my oldest being 18 dream of going but cant afford the prices.I think they should lower there prices.At least her kids enjoyed it for a little while.

    • When I was growing up if you couldn’t afford something you did without. Exorbitant prices don’t justify criminal behavior.

  7. Really that’s pathetic You couldn’t let these people in for free all the money you make there Orlando studios are a bunch of assholes. Pressing charges on the lady for trying to bring her kids somewhere cuz she doesn’t have money

    • Wait… so you think since they didn’t have money the parks should just “let them in for free”?!?! I’m tired of paying my mortgage and property taxes…. I should just get my house and land for free…..

      Oh wait, I’m hungry but don’t feel like paying these restaurants should just let me eat for free.

      Your mindset is the pathetic part of this. Not a business holding An ADULT accountable for their actions. You don’t just get to take what you want because you can’t afford it.

  8. I mean, $1000 is nothing to Universal. I dont think it warranted an arrest in my opinion, they could’ve just banned them. Just think its an excessive punishment for not hurting anyone.

  9. If universal thinks for a second any of us feel bad for them they’re out of their minds 🤷🏽‍♀️ 100 or more to stand in lines all day and spend tons more in the park is outrageous so I don’t feel bad someone wanted to take their family to a nearly impossible place to take a family larger then 2 for most of this country and apparently some others.

    • Theme Parks charge way to much. Families with more than one child can’t afford such outrageously ridiculous prices. Maybe the lady just needed to do something nice for her children at Christmas. I really don’t know her situation.

    • By that logic anyone who is poor should be able to steal from anyone who has more money than them. If you think the entrance fee is too much then don’t pay it and don’t go. These people clearly knew what they were doing was wrong and did it anyway. Hard to believe anyone would take their side.

    • You are the reason this country is screwed. Free loaders who think they should just be handed everything instead of working an honest day for honest pay. Did you even consider all that goes into running a conglomerate such as Universal. They employ thousands of people and all those people need to get paid. Higher minimum wage higher entrance fee. If you had half a brain you would understand this.

    • Wow that’s just unfair. The parks are amusement not a right and somehow I managed to save and go with my family of ten and I only make 13 dollars an hour. Is it right that all the other families who save and wait should pay while these people steal. Pray donate your money to those whom need it and keep your thoughts silent till you consider all involved. The park workers for instance whom need their living. This family did not steal from just a name.

    • Stealing and using your kid’s to lie! Prosecute ! If you can’t afford it go somewhere else! If you want to play you have to pay! Wake up! Go to the beach!

  10. Mom sounds like fun , hey kids , remember that time we snuck into universal theme park thinking we’re from another country and they would never find us , yeah that was crazy… lmao

  11. It doesn’t matter how much the tickets are. They still broke the law. People need to take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. Stealing is stealing. What is this woman teaching her kids?

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