A tense seating dispute at Steakhouse 71 inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort ended with a guest in handcuffs after she allegedly hurled multiple glasses of water at staff and put her hands on two managers, according to deputies.
What deputies say
According to an arrest report reviewed by WDW Active Crime, deputies were called to the popular steakhouse on May 19 after employees reported a disturbance. Investigators identified the guest as 57‑year‑old Leslie Helen Varley.
The report states that Varley became “irate” over a seating issue, then threw three cups filled with ice and water, which struck a Disney duty manager. She is also accused of tearing off his name tag. A second manager told deputies that Varley grabbed her during the confrontation and that four glasses shattered in the process, causing about $20 in damage.
Charges and trespass
Varley was arrested and booked on May 20 and faces two counts of battery, robbery by sudden snatching, and criminal mischief under $200, as reported by the New York Post. Walt Disney World issued a trespass warning that bans her from all resort property, and deputies told her she could be arrested for trespassing if she returns.
Staff privacy and injuries
Neither manager accepted medical treatment after the incident, and both invoked victims' rights protections under Marsy’s Law to keep their identities confidential, according to Inside the Magic. Records of the arrest and booking are public and can be found through Orange County’s inmate database, which maintains booking and first‑appearance lists for county arrests via Orange County Corrections.
Where it happened
Steakhouse 71 is the Contemporary Resort’s table‑service steakhouse, located just a short walk from the Magic Kingdom. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to resort and park guests. The restaurant’s official listing notes that it handles reservations and large‑party seating, which can make things hectic on busy days. Current menus and operating hours are posted on Walt Disney World.
What’s next
Case filings and any upcoming court dates will be public record and can be tracked through Orange County’s online systems as prosecutors decide whether to pursue formal charges. For more detail on the arrest report and booking information, see Disney Dining.
