Tourist demands thousands from Disney over 'pain and suffering' from alleged bed bug infestation

Published: 01:38, 21 April 2026 | Updated: 01:38, 21 April 2026 A tourist who visited a Disney resort in Florida is suing the company after an alleged bed bug infestation caused him 'pain and suffering'. David Besse filed a lawsuit on March 31 in Florida's Orange County Circuit Court, accusing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of two counts of negligence, according to a complaint cited by People. The suit follows Besse's visit to Disney's All-Star Sports Resort in Lake Buena Vista, just outside Orlando, on May 15, 2022. He is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 after he 'was bitten numerous times by cimicidae ('bed bugs'),' according to the lawsuits. The filing also alleged that Disney failed to properly train staff on room inspections to prevent bed bugs. 'As a direct and proximate result of Defendant's negligence, Plaintiff, David Besse, suffered scarring, bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, financial loss, and property damage,' reads the lawsuit cited by WDWNT. 'The losses are either permanent or continuing, and Plaintiff will suffer the losses in the future.' Besse also accused the resort of failing to use preventive measures such as insecticide dust and mattress encasements. David Besse filed a lawsuit on March 31 in Florida's Orange County Circuit Court, accusing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of two counts of negligence, following his stay at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort on May 15, 2022 Besse was allegedly bit by bed bugs and 'suffered scarring, bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, financial loss, and property damage,' reads the lawsuit cited by WDWNT Additionally, the complaint requests a trial by jury and any other further proceedings the court deems necessary. The Daily Mail has reached out to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for comment. Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Melbourne were ranked the 30th-worst cities for bed bugs across the US, according to a February report by Terminix. Terminix, one of the largest pest control companies in the world, suggests that travelers inspect mattresses and nearby furniture for small, rust-colored stains, shed skins, and living bed bugs. The pests are about the size of an apple seed. Although bed bugs cannot carry disease, they can cause itchy, red, allergic reactions from bites, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, the bugs can cause insomnia and anxiety, as well as secondary skin infections from itching. Besse is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 and also alleged that Disney failed to properly train staff on room inspections A woman was left with more than 30 red and itchy bites on her body in 2025 after staying in a hotel room infested with bed bugs. Sharon Aggarwal shut herself in the bathroom for two hours after she woke up in the middle of the night 'scratching' at a three-star hotel in Henley-on-Thames, England. The IT worker, who frequently travels for work, said she pulled back the sheet and could see several bugs 'crawling on the bed'. Aggarwal said she squashed a large one on the pillow and was horrified to see blood spurt out of it. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.