Disney was forced to suspend the launch of its exclusive Lorcana Curator’s Collection: Heroines Edition after disorder outside its flagship Oxford Street store in London prompted authorities to intervene.
The highly anticipated release attracted hundreds of collectors, many of whom had camped outside the store for more than 15 hours in hopes of securing one of the limited-edition card sets.
The situation deteriorated before sales could begin, resulting in the release being postponed and the store closing indefinitely for safety reasons.
Police Respond as Crowd Control Breaks Down
According to eyewitnesses, police were called after tensions escalated outside the store, where collectors alleged that groups of suspected scalpers bypassed the queue and attempted to force their way inside.
Fans described scenes of confusion as the orderly line gave way to large crowds, with some claiming aggressive individuals threatened to storm the entrance.
Security personnel, assisted by police, eventually dispersed those gathered outside, ending the event before any products were sold.
Collectors Blame Scalpers and Event Management
Many fans expressed frustration after spending the night outside the store only to leave empty-handed.
Several accused scalpers—individuals seeking to buy limited products for resale at higher prices—of disrupting the event and taking advantage of poor crowd management.
Collectors said they had repeatedly urged Disney staff to distribute numbered tickets during the night to preserve the queue, arguing that such a system could have prevented disorder.
Some claimed those requests were ignored, leaving genuine fans vulnerable when crowds surged.
Long Journeys and Overnight Waits Prove Fruitless
The cancelled launch left many attendees disappointed after investing significant time and travel.
Some said they had waited between 12 and 15 hours, while others travelled from distant parts of the United Kingdom specifically for the release.
One collector said the experience meant sacrificing work shifts and an overnight wait without receiving any product.
Another described the day as heartbreaking, saying the queue had been overtaken before authorities intervened.
Disabled Visitors Describe Frightening Experience
Among those affected were disabled collectors and their carers.
One attendee who had travelled from Edinburgh with two wheelchair users said the situation became unsafe as people attempted to leave through crowds they described as hostile.
The attendee criticised the handling of the event, saying dispersing the crowd amid growing tension created a frightening experience for vulnerable visitors.
Exclusive Collection Generated Global Demand
The Lorcana Curator’s Collection: Heroines Edition includes six rare trading cards featuring some of Disney’s most recognisable female characters.
Retailing for approximately £100, the limited-edition release generated significant international demand.
London was one of only five locations worldwide selected to sell the collection, alongside Disney Springs in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris, and the Disney Store on Grafton Street in Dublin.
Disney Postpones Release Without Offering an Apology
Following the disruption, Disney announced via social media that the Oxford Street release had been postponed and that the flagship store would remain closed until further notice.
While thanking customers for their patience and understanding, the company did not apologise directly for the events surrounding the launch.
It stated that additional information regarding how customers would be able to purchase the exclusive Lorcana collection would be provided at a later date.
What’s Next?
Disney has yet to announce a revised release plan for the Lorcana Curator’s Collection: Heroines Edition at its London flagship store.
Collectors are now awaiting details on whether the company will introduce alternative purchasing methods—such as ticketing, online reservations, or revised queue management—to prevent similar disruptions during any future launch.
