Disneyland visitors were left stunned Thursday after a shirtless employee suddenly jumped into the park’s Rivers of America and began swimming as crowds watched from behind a nearby fence.
The bizarre moment unfolded at the Anaheim, California, theme park and was captured in a TikTok video posted by the account @pixiedustarchive, which describes itself as a “Disney insider.”
The footage shows the man, dressed only in long white pants, swimming through the water for less than a minute as confused guests looked on.
A woman could be heard reacting in disbelief while the employee made his way back toward shore, pulled himself out of the water and climbed over a fence separating the river from park visitors.
According to the caption posted with the video, the employee allegedly tossed his keys and walkie-talkie into the water shortly before jumping in.
“Threw in his keys and walkie right before he hopped in,” the caption read, adding, “hopefully they’re alright.”
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Disneyland officials confirmed that the individual was a cast member and said he briefly entered the water before quickly leaving the public area.
The park is now investigating the incident.
No injuries were reported, and the employee has not been publicly identified.
The unusual swim is the latest strange incident involving someone entering the water at Disneyland.
Last month, a 13-year-old boy climbed out of a ride vehicle while riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as it approached the top of the attraction’s waterfall.
The teenager fell down the water track and landed near the bottom of the ride. He survived but was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Thursday’s incident also comes as Disney employees face another round of layoffs.
The company announced several hundred job cuts Tuesday, marking its third wave of layoffs this year. The reductions reportedly affected Disney Entertainment Television, ESPN, corporate departments and Disney Studios.
“These changes are part of our continual evaluation of how we manage resources and reinvest across the company as our industry continues to evolve,” a Disney spokesperson said.
The layoffs came despite the strong theatrical debut of “Toy Story 5,” which opened in theaters on June 19.
For visitors at Disneyland, however, Thursday’s most unexpected spectacle was not a ride or parade, but a shirtless cast member taking an unplanned swim in one of the park’s most recognizable waterways.