Officials in Orange County, Florida, along with tourism district partners, have put together a series of statements after a recent teen takeover event took place at ICON Park in Orlando. During the incident, which turned violent, a total of nine teenagers were arrested and several deputies were injured when the chaos erupted in April 2026.
Authorities said that over a thousand teens showed up at the park, and several brawls broke out around 7:30 p.m. Information released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that over 50 deputies were required to break up the fights and direct the unruly mob. “We are aware of a growing pattern of large, organized gatherings at entertainment destinations, and we are taking a proactive approach to ensure these environments remain welcoming for everyone,” Commissioner Mike Scott said.
“Orange County is working closely with our partners across the county and the tourism district—including ICON Park, the International Drive Chamber of Commerce, the International Drive Business Improvement District and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office—to align on communication, operations and expectations,” Scott continued. “Our priority is ensuring a positive experience for both visitors and residents, and we will continue working together to support that.”
According to a report from WESH, Executive Director of International Drive Business Improvement District Luann Brooks also weighed in on the mayhem, saying, “We are aware of the recent activity and are working closely with Orange County and our partners across International Drive to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach moving forward. As visitation continues to grow, alignment between our venues, businesses and public safety partners is critical to maintaining a well-coordinated and consistent experience across the district.”
ICON Park, where the teen takeover took place, released a statement about the incident, reiterating their chaperone policy. “ICON Park has long been a place where visitors and locals come together to spend time, explore, and enjoy the destination. Together with partners across the tourism district—including the International Drive Business Improvement District, the International Drive Chamber of Commerce, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office—we continue to take proactive steps to support family-friendly and guest-focused experiences for all visitors.”
Individuals who come to the park and are under 17 require accompaniment by a parent, guardian, or chaperone who is 21 or older. Each chaperone can have up to 6 guests who are 17 or under. Chaperones are also required to stay in the park for the duration of the visit and be reachable by phone at all times. The policy further adds that ICON Park doesn’t assume responsibility or liability for minors left unattended. Yet further, to ensure that wrongdoers are held accountable, the policy provides that parents, guardians, and chaperones can be held legally liable for the actions of the minors under their supervision.
In any case, video footage of the incident that sparked such a crackdown shows local police ordering teens in the park to vacate the area. Additional footage shows teenagers running through the streets as people watch from inside a restaurant. One person said, “They said they planned something on TikTok — a ‘TikTok Takeover.'”
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Office revealed that they were made “aware” the event was being planned at the park and assigned several deputies to the location in preparation for the teens’ arrival. The ICON Park takeover is the latest in a string of social media events that have taken place all across the country, resulting in numerous arrests.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video