> At a Glance
> – A Florida family says they were expelled from Universal’s Epic Universe after a barcode sticker was removed from a $16 Mario keychain
> – Mom handed the sticker to her husband inside the store so he could pay while she took their autistic daughter outside to avoid crowds
> – Universal later sent a $200 civil demand letter accusing them of “intentionally” shoplifting
> – Why it matters: The incident raises questions about how theme parks handle disability accommodations under pressure
A 7-year-old girl’s favorite Mario keychain triggered a shoplifting accusation that ended with her family escorted out of Universal Orlando’s newest park and slapped with a one-year ban.
The Gift-Shop Moment
Nikki Daou says her daughter, who has autism, became overwhelmed when crowds poured into the 1 Up Factory gift shop on December 27. The girl was clutching a $16 keychain.
To speed up the purchase and get her child away from the sensory overload, Daou peeled off the barcode sticker and handed it to her husband, who stayed inside to pay. She and the girl stepped outside with the merchandise still in hand.
Accusation and Removal
Within minutes, an employee confronted them, the family claims. Daou says she pointed to her husband still in line with the sticker, but security allegedly refused to listen.
Attorney Eric Block states:
> “They were interrogated, served a one-year no-trespass notice, and told to leave the park immediately.”
The family, staying at an on-site hotel, feared being “thrown out in the middle of the night,” Block adds.
Aftermath and Legal Letters
Back home in Jacksonville, the family received a $200 civil demand letter accusing them of intentionally depriving Universal of merchandise. Through counsel, they counter-claimed negligence, abuse of process, libel and false imprisonment.
Daou insists:
> “Whether it was a dollar, $20 or $500, we wouldn’t have stolen it.”
Any money recovered, she says, will be donated to an autism-focused charity.
| Event | Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Park visit | Dec. 27 | – |
| Civil demand mailed | days later | $200 |
| Family’s counter-claim filed | Jan. | $0 sought |
Universal declined to comment to News Of Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- Family had pre-arranged disability accommodations, including a card noting the child’s issues with crowds and lights
- They say removing the barcode was meant to speed checkout, not steal
- The incident ended with a one-year ban and a $200 demand
- Legal fight now centers on ADA compliance, not money
Daou wants accountability, not cash: “I do want people held accountable for not complying with their own Universal guidelines and procedures when it comes to ADA and disabilities.”
