Disney Store Remains Closed Following Violent Scalper Incident During Lorcana Release: ‘Community Safety Is Our Main Concern’

Scalpers have once again shown their true colors, and it’s not pretty. The recent launch of Lorcana, the Disney-themed trading card game, was marred by chaos when a Disney store had to shut its doors due to a massive, unruly crowd of collectors and scalpers. This was all in anticipation of the limited release of the Disney Lorcana Curator’s Collection: Heroines Edition, featuring new cards for beloved Disney princesses.

The Oxford Disney Store was one of the few locations set to sell this exclusive collection, and reports indicated that between 100 and 150 people formed a line stretching over four blocks, with some waiting for more than 12 hours. The atmosphere quickly turned chaotic, with one collector expressing confusion about where the line even began, while others described aggressive behavior from scalpers and groups trying to push their way to the front.

In light of the situation, the store decided to cancel the drop, informing those in line that it would not open until later in the day. As the only Disney store in the UK slated to sell these limited cards, it attracted both genuine collectors and opportunistic scalpers, leading to the overwhelming scene that unfolded.

The store later confirmed via social media that it would open later but would not be selling the new Lorcana cards that day. It remains uncertain whether the release will be rescheduled or if an online drop will be implemented to prevent similar issues in the future.

While some stores managed to stay open, reports from other locations indicated that long lines and disorganization were common. One collector at Disneyland Paris described the experience as chaotic, with people camping overnight, cutting in line, and a significant presence of scalpers looking to profit.

It’s surprising that Disney would attempt such a limited release given the rampant scalper culture surrounding trading card games. Creating artificial scarcity often fuels the reseller market, and limiting sales to select locations seems like a recipe for disaster. Here’s hoping that genuine collectors can eventually get their hands on the cards while scalpers retreat to the shadows.