Boy’s Temper Tantrum on Disney Cruise Goes Viral. Now His Mom Is Telling the Real Story Behind His Meltdown

Brittney Mettke-Powers’ son wasn’t too happy when he realized their Disney cruise didn’t have Wi-Fi.

This past August, Mettke-Powers shared a video on her TikTok account of her son Luca during their family’s trip. In the clip, her husband is seen trying to calm Luca, who was upset about not having access to Wi-Fi and Roblox.

“POV: your hubby is offering support to your kiddo who is in full blown WiFi/Roblox detox because you are torturing them with a Disney Cruise,” Mettke-Powers wrote in the video. It showed Luca lying on a couch while her husband leaned over him.

“Enjoy this. Enjoy this time on the cruise, okay. You’ll get Wi-Fi, but it’s going to hurt not having it for a while,” Mettke-Powers’ husband said. “But it’ll get better, okay? Each day will get better and it will be easier and easier to live without Wi-Fi, okay?”

Mettke-Powers’ TikTok received many comments from people reacting to Luca’s strong response.

“This should be a pretty big wake up call,” one person wrote. “It’s literally a dopamine crash,” said another.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Mettke-Powers explained something viewers didn’t see that contributed to her son’s reaction.

“When our video of Luca’s Wi-Fi meltdown on the Disney Magic went viral, what people didn’t see was the heart behind the moment,” she said. “Luca is autistic, and routine is his anchor. His iPad and favorite games are more than entertainment — they’re a comfort and a way he stays calm when things feel overwhelming.”

“This wasn’t even his first cruise, but each time there’s an adjustment period. The sudden realization that he wouldn’t have Wi-Fi — something he relies on daily — triggered the tears you saw. It looked dramatic, but for him, it was real,” Mettke-Powers added.

The proud mom shared that the most rewarding part was how quickly Luca adapted once he had space and support.

“Within an hour, he was smiling on the water slide, enjoying endless soft-serve ice cream, and making new friends around the ship,” she said. “By the end of the trip, the question wasn’t about Wi-Fi anymore — it was, ‘When’s the next cruise?'”

“Moments like these are a reminder: what looks like a meltdown is often just a child adjusting to a world that feels different than expected,” Mettke-Powers said. “With patience and understanding, even the hardest moments can turn into the best memories.”

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