Full Breakdown
Misunderstanding Leads to Family's Removal from Universal Orlando's Epic Universe
1/12/2026, 11:30:13 PM
Incident Overview: Accusations of Shoplifting
On December 27, 2026, a Florida family visiting Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe to celebrate their autistic daughter’s seventh birthday was removed from the park after being accused of shoplifting. Nikki Daou, her husband, and their nonverbal daughter had registered for the park's disability access program prior to their visit. The incident occurred in a Mario-themed gift shop, where the daughter became overwhelmed by the crowd. Daou removed her daughter from the store while her husband remained inside to pay for a $16 Mario keychain, which he had already taken the tag off to facilitate the transaction. Shortly after exiting, Daou was approached by Universal security and accused of theft.
Key Figures Involved
- Nikki Daou: Mother of the autistic child and paralegal at Morgan & Morgan.
- Eric Block: Attorney representing the Daou family, who has criticized Universal for their handling of the situation.
- Universal Orlando Resort: The amusement park involved in the incident, which has not publicly commented on the specifics of the case.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the incident, Daou expressed feelings of fear and confusion, stating, "I felt very scared. I immediately started crying." Despite her attempts to explain the situation, she was taken to a security office for questioning. Universal later issued a one-year ban from the park and indicated that a fine would be sent to the family. Block, Daou's attorney, stated, “They didn’t apologize or acknowledge that this was a misunderstanding,” highlighting the family's disappointment with Universal's response.
Criticism & Opposition
The Daou family has criticized Universal for failing to consider their daughter's special needs during the incident. Block has sent a demand letter to Universal, accusing them of negligence and overreacting to the situation. Daou emphasized that the family is not seeking financial compensation but rather hopes for improved training for staff regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies. “It’s important people understand we’re not asking for money,” Daou stated, underscoring their desire for accountability and change.
What's Next: Advocacy for Change
The Daou family aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by families with disabilities in public spaces. They hope that sharing their experience will lead to better training for Universal employees on ADA compliance, preventing similar misunderstandings in the future. Daou remarked, “I do want people held accountable for not complying with their own Universal guidelines and procedures when it comes to ADA and disabilities.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Daou family maintains that the incident was a misunderstanding, Universal has not provided a detailed response to the allegations. The lack of communication from the park raises questions about their internal policies regarding disability accommodations and staff training.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I felt very scared,” — Nikki Daou, Mother
- “They didn’t apologize or acknowledge that this was a misunderstanding,” — Eric Block, Attorney
- “We really just want change,” — Nikki Daou, Mother
- “Did they give her an apology?” — Eric Block, Attorney
