Gliding through a willow forest at Disney’s Frozen Ever After ride, a baby decided to latch onto her mom for a snack and wouldn’t “Let it Go” as the boat they were seated on plunged down the waterfalls.
After the incident was captured by the amusement park’s camera, the mother is now facing judgement for breastfeeding her child on the ride, which the online community charges as “tacky” and “dangerous.”
Meredith Barnyak was visiting Epcot Center with her husband Jeremy, her mom and stepdad, along with children Graham, three, and Poppy, one.
Holding Poppy in her arms, the Pittsburgh mother boarded Frozen Ever After (a ride inspired by the hit animated film Frozen) that dips down waterfalls and swirls through an icy wonderland.
As the log-like flume they were riding started its descent down a small waterfall, the on-ride camera snapped a shot.
The flash was illuminating.
When Barnyak saw the dark space lighten up, she knew others on the ride would see what she was doing.
“As soon as I saw the flash, I was like, ‘Oh no, I think all these people have a picture of (me) breastfeeding my baby on this ride,’” Barnyak told Today.
The woman can be seen in the back row, wearing a blue sleeveless top and black baseball cap, holding Poppy, who is latched onto her mother’s breast.
And though the untimely snapshot caught her off guard, Barnyak – a supporter of breastfeeding when a baby wants – admits she didn’t see a problem with feeding Poppy on the ride.
“I am a pretty big proponent of any way you can feed your baby you should be able to do it, in any place,” she explained. “She would just pull on my shirt and I thought, ‘OK, it’s dark out. We’re all humans. We’re all honestly going to enjoy the ride a lot better and you’ll be happier being fed.’”
But things went awry after she sent the photo to members of her family. Her cousin, Jo Goddard, was amused by the shot and asked if she could share the picture with her Instagram audience.
After she got permission, Goddard posted the picture along with the caption, “My cousin being an absolute MOM on this Disney ride.”
The photo started circulating the internet and soon Barnyak became the subject of a heated online debate, the majority of users attacking the mother for feeding the baby in a risky environment.
One netizen writes, “Not to be a stick in the mud but this seems…kinda dangerous?? Am I overestimating the thrill level on this ride? The rest of the adults seem to be clinging on pretty tight.”
A second shares, “This [is] dangerous someone just needed attention and by someone I mean you.”
Other users challenged the caption, “Being an absolute mom? You want attention and credit for this? As if it’s some kind of superhero moment?…The cries for attention are getting worse…” Another writes, “Not what a hero looks like. Endangering your [baby’s] life on a ride? SHAME ON YOU!!! AGREE with others who couldn’t buy their picture. Selfish, shamelessly wanting this attention.”
Many cyber fans are irked by Barnyak ruining the special photo moment for others on the ride.
“I wouldn’t want to buy a pic of someone flashing their breasts even if it is breastfeeding. It is plain tacky and inconsiderate. I too am a mom and did not go this far,” shares one. A second writes, “Beyond attention seeking…and honestly rude, so the other people on the ride are stuck with this photo of you with your boob out? Nice.”
Commiserating with others on the ride, another says, “I just feel if I wanted to purchase the photo, like you always have the option to, why would I want someone I don’t know breastfeeding. Just saying it ruined the photo for others to buy for a memory who may not have another chance to go to Disney.”
Others defended Barnyak, saying “a mothers gotta do what a mothers gotta do.”
“YESSS MAMA!!! feed that baby anywhere anytime!” says one while another writes, “Love it. Taking care of that baby in every circumstance.”
A third shares, “Is this the frozen ride? It looks like it. If so, everyone just needs to Let it Go!”
What would you do if you were on the ride with this woman and wanted to purchase the memory picture afterwards?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!