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Disney Guest Accused of “Main Character Syndrome” After Stunt Gets Her Kicked Out of Park

When visiting the magic of Walt Disney World Resort, many guests come prepared with carefully planned outfits, eager to immerse themselves in the experience. For some, it’s about comfort, ensuring they’re ready to tackle a long day of adventures through the parks.

Others choose to DisneyBound, subtly mimicking their favorite characters through everyday attire. This phenomenon has become incredibly popular in recent years, adding a fun twist to the world of Disney fandom.

Three smiling adults pose outdoors in colorful Disney-inspired outfits, with a blurred castle and greenery in the background. While enjoying the fun, they follow Disney World Rules and Policies, standing close together and looking happy and cheerful.
Credit: Disney

Related: The Best Disney Walls to Match Your Disney Princess DisneyBound

However, while DisneyBounding is encouraged in the parks, it’s not without its rules and limitations. A viral incident has recently brought attention to these guidelines, highlighting the potential consequences of pushing those limits too far.

This incident involves a Disney adult, whose bold outfit choice led to her being kicked out of the park, sparking conversations about the boundaries of creativity and the responsibilities of park guests.

The woman in question, TikToker utterly_jewelz, shared a video showcasing her stunning transformation into Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog (2009). The dress she wore was meticulously crafted, earning her admiration from many.

A woman smiles warmly while standing in front of ornate wooden doors and a window with elegant curtains. She is wearing a green and white princess gown with gloves and a tiara, and poses with her hands on her hips. The background has a regal, castle-like setting.
Credit: Disney

Related: Dress Code Changes Shock Disney-Bounding Fans

Unfortunately, her costume was so detailed and lifelike that it caused her to be escorted from the park. As she walked through the Transportation & Ticket Center, it became clear to Disney cast members that her outfit resembled a character so closely that it raised concerns over safety and Disney policy violations.

One of the most striking moments in the video shows a family of park guests approaching the woman, eager to take a photo with her. The kids were excited to meet what they believed to be the beloved character. However, a cast member swiftly intervened, explaining that she could not interact with the guests or remain in the park.

This interaction was captured in the viral video, adding fuel to the growing conversation around DisneyBounding and its limitations.

@utterly_jewlz

This was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life😭 #fyp #disney #viral

♬ original sound – utterly_jewlz

Although comments were disabled on the video, former Disney cast member Tyson Blatter still weighed in after viewing it, offering insight into what may have happened.

Tyson explained that Disney cast members are held to a strict set of rules that do not apply to regular guests. He noted that, had he not worked for Disney himself, he might have assumed the woman in the video was actually portraying Princess Tiana—and that, he said, is exactly the issue. When a guest appears convincingly like a Disney character, it can create safety concerns for both visitors and cast members.

While he acknowledged that the woman in the video didn’t seem to have any harmful intentions, Tyson pointed out that others might. Guests impersonating characters could potentially take advantage of the situation—such as charging people for photos—posing risks that Disney’s guidelines are designed to prevent.

@t_blatt

She seems so sweet!! #disneyparks #disneyadult #themeparks #disneysecrets #dcp

♬ original sound – Tyson Blatter

Related: “Frozen 2” Inspired Disney Bounding at Home

This incident brings to light Disney’s strict policies regarding costumes and attire, which are designed to ensure safety and preserve the magic of the experience for all guests.

According to Disney’s official guidelines, adults over the age of 14 are not permitted to wear costumes or costume masks inside the parks. The rules are in place to prevent confusion and maintain safety protocols, especially for young children who might mistake an adult dressed as a character for the real thing.

Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests. Attire that is not appropriate for the parks—and which may result in refusal of admittance—includes but is not limited to:

  • Costumes and costume masks, which may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older.
Exceptions:
    • Specific Separately Ticketed Events [like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party]
  • mickey's not so scary halloween party 2023 sold out tickets family cinderella castle magic kingdom disney world halloween costumes
    Credit: Disney

While Tyson chose to give the woman the benefit of the doubt, many commenters on his post disagreed. Several accused her of having “Main character syndrome” and criticized her for knowingly disregarding the rules.

“She definitely knew what she was doing and why. Main character syndrome.”

Others, however, echoed Tyson’s concerns about the potential risks, especially when it comes to children mistaking guests for official Disney characters.

“How many little kids, upon seeing their favorite character, would willingly walk off with them, because they felt safe with them? Probably way more than we’d think, tbh.”
“Not everyone has good intentions with children. This could be such a huge problem, if they allowed it.”
“She looked beautiful, but time and place is not Disney during a regular day.”

Oogie Boogie Bash
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Bounding at Home: Embrace Your Inner Wizard with Ian & Barley from ‘Onward’

At the heart of the controversy is whether or not the woman intentionally violated Disney’s dress code for the sake of a viral moment. Her decision to turn off comments on her TikTok post suggests a level of awareness about the backlash, further fueling speculation about her intentions.

Some believe she sought to draw attention to her costume and the interaction with cast members, while others feel that Disney’s strict dress code policies are too rigid and could benefit from some reevaluation.

What do you think about this incident? Was the woman simply showcasing her creativity, or did she knowingly challenge Disney’s dress code for the sake of attention? Do you believe Disney’s costume policies are too restrictive, or do they serve an important purpose in maintaining safety? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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