Some people have truly internalized the misguided idea that they are the main character and everyone else is a distraction. So some have to do the dirty work of humbling them online. TikToker and bodybuilder Joey Swoll made a video calling out influencers who would go to Disneyland and complain about regular people being in their pictures.
Not only did this "Disney Adult" attempt to shame folks at a crowded theme park, but she went as far as to call them “Karens” just for existing. Bored Panda has reached out to Joey Swoll via email and will update the article when he gets back to us.
More info: TikTok
More info: TikTok
Some “Disney Adult” influencers wanted to make fun of the regular people who end up in their photos
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
So one TikToker decided to shame them online for being so downright entitled
"So you titled the cover of this video, 'Disney Karens ruining your pictures.' Really? Imagine going to a busy theme park like Disneyland, standing in the middle of a busy street to take a photo and getting upset with people that look at you as they walk past you?"
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
"A photo, by the way, that you're going to post on social media for the entire world to see. The narcissism today is unbelievable. These influencers think that just because they have a phone and a camera they can do what they want. They can disrespect people just to get likes and views. "
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
"And these people that you're doing this to, they pay a lot of money to go to Disneyland and you think it's okay to treat them that way?"
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
"If I was in charge at Disneyland I would ban your a** so you can learn to respect people. You need to do better. Mind your own business."
Image credits: thejoeyswoll
You can watch the full video here
“Disney Adults” are a relatively modern phenomenon
Some of the influencers being shamed in the above video are so-called “Disney Adults.” If you haven’t encountered this term before, here is a crash course. Disney, from cartoons, animated films, and children's toys, makes media primarily for kids. This is perhaps less true now, but by and large, we tend to think of it as content for younger folks.
So “Disney Adults” are grown-ups who are not just Disney fans, but see it as a core part of their personality. This is not in of itself a bad thing in moderation. Any fandom is a community and a hobby for a person to pursue. Tying your personal identity to a product is perhaps questionable, but not the greatest evil in the universe.
However, as with many fandoms, this obsession comes with a misplaced elitism. After all, fans who know the ins and outs of their topic tend to look down on “casual” enjoyers. While this is toxic but somewhat inevitable, it tends to be invisible outside of niche internet forums. However, Disneyland is one of those rare places where superfans and people who just want to go on some rides might end up interacting.
Image credits:Craig Adderley (not the actual photo)
Feeling like everything exists for your benefit is textbook narcissism
Once you mix in some narcissism and “main character syndrome” you get the sort of situation described by Joey Swoll above. A person feels like this massive theme park that they neither own nor helped build is somehow their space and all these other paying guests are a nuisance. After all, the influencer seems to legitimately believe her audience, perhaps most of the other “Disney Adults” will sympathize with her “plight.”
It’s not hard to diagnose this sort of behavior, as it’s textbook entitlement. This person has a firm belief that other people are simply “in her way,” and she will go as far as to post their pictures and call them “Karen's” online. Perhaps the silver lining is that she isn’t in any real position of power.
The literal definition of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a person who has a "sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others, typically without commensurate qualities or accomplishments.”
Complaining about people in a crowded place being in your photos is hugely out of touch
Given that “having some Instagram followers” and “really liking Disney” isn’t a commensurate quality or accomplishment, it becomes pretty obvious that this person simply suffers from NPD. To play the devil's advocate, it is annoying to have your pictures photobombed, but believing that, somehow, the most popular theme park in the world will be magically empty is delusional thinking.
Even worse, this influencer decided to post these images highlighting the people in the background. While it’s a tad strange to carry this belief, it’s quite telling that she made a whole post about it. This suggests that she truly thinks most viewers are on her side and that her beliefs are massively out of touch.
Image credits: Manuel Joseph (not the actual photo)
Viewers shared their annoyance with these kinds of influencers
