Defending Disney's Adults
Jada Gomes writes that a trip into the world of Walt Disney feels familiar and pleasant, helping people reconnect with their childhood and revisit the times when they felt carefree.
Disney adults are so easy to make fun of. People think they are immature, embarrassing, embarrassed.
As such, jokes about people who enjoy annual (or even multiple) visits to Disney parks are rampant on social media. Shameful of being mentally stuck in elementary school and embarrassed to spend exorbitant amounts of money on their Disney fix, Disney Adults has become the front line for someone who needs to grow up and get a life.
Disney adults at their park of choice—whether it's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios—typically wear some sort of Disney-coded costume or outfit, matched with a longfly backpack and mouse ears.
Disney adults are criticized for constantly returning to the "most magical place on earth" and their detractors argue that this travel budget should be spent on "real" vacations. where Literally everywhere else. The most cruel criminals? A Disney adult enjoying the Disney bubble... no kids.
But in defense of Disney's oft-mocked adults, why put a price on other people's happiness, especially if you're not the one investing in it?
I admit it: I'm a Disney adult. You know what I'm proud of. I grew up during the Disney renaissance and still never miss a new release, I collect the merchandise (especially the ornaments) and this Halloween I'm dressing my dog as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. When I'm really bored, I check the wait times for rides miles away instead of the doomsday a thousand times while sitting on my couch. I make sure to enjoy whatever makes me happy and I choose to invest in my own happiness.
And yes, I am the horrible childless Disney adult. For one birthday in particular, I skipped the park on my way to see the Happily Ever After fireworks with Tinkerbell's wings lit up, accompanied only by a friend my age.
I agree with the sentiments of many of the Disney adults I've met about why they keep coming back. A trip to Walt Disney World feels familiar and welcoming, helping people connect with their childhood and relive a time when they felt carefree. And with new attractions and experiences constantly being added, Walt Disney World offers nostalgia with the chance to make new memories every time.
To me, Disney adults are no different than any other passionate fan base. I feel authorized to speak about this from the point of view of a kid who practically grew up in Yankee Stadium.
My father worked for the New York Yankees for 47 years. He began selling Cracker Jacks at stands as a pre-teen while growing up in the South Bronx. And when he later got into finance, he kept his part-time job at the stadium doing inventory and doing all the night and weekend games for as long as I can remember.
As a stadium kid (and lifelong Yankees fan), I've seen die-hard Yankees fans spend thousands on season tickets and World Series favorite seats in hopes of seeing the Bronx. The Bombers win at home. Fans pay real money for endless rounds of overpriced stadium beer to be in the building. And for this prejudice, people barely blinked an eye.
In my lifetime, I've seen these fans admired for their dedication to Yankee Blue and the affordability of season tickets. When fans display extensive baseball card collections or take selfies from expensive seats, they are admired, not mocked. But if a Disney adult shows off an extensive collection of limited-edition mouse ears, the collective eye roll is palpable. As someone who goes to Walt Disney World often (more than twice a year if time and budget agree), I'm used to the hilarious response of, "Again?", when I say I'm going to Disney.
Yes, again. Because it brings me joy and it's hard for a weird millennial here right now.
But unlike adult Disney, there is a harsh reality for the avid fan of a particular sports team: the constant possibility of a brutal loss. When buying expensive tickets to a sporting event, chances are your favorite team will lose, leaving the stadium devastated and with far less cash.
However, winning or losing is not on the line when investing in a Disney trip. If a traveler leans into tried-and-true activities that have historically been fun experiences for them, they're more likely to have a great experience. There is no guarantee of making expensive memories.
Just like there's no one way to become a sports fan, adult Disney isn't one-size-fits-all. Yes, some people shell out cash for annual passes, endless Lightning lines to skip long lines and enjoy dining with characters. But there are also many ways to experience Walt Disney World without even setting foot in the parks.
On my last trip to the Mouse House, I spent a lot of time on the BoardWalk, the ticket-free area that connects Disney's Yacht and Beach Club resorts. I watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach with my toes in the sand and away from the crowds. In another attempt to avoid the crowds, I enjoyed a coloring class at Coronado Springs Resort and got a souvenir that I could only make. On future trips, I hope to explore a dog-friendly resort where I can bring my pup Buzz Lightyear, and plan a visit designed for my mom, a senior who can't walk endlessly in the Orlando heat. We often talk about the first time he took me to Disney for my fourth birthday and all the changes that have happened since then. For him, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be a must.
Perhaps most importantly, I feel safe at Disney. Although I am alert to any danger, I am fairly confident that I can walk through parks without having to endure any noise or someone boiling my drink. Which brings me to another perk of going to Disney: I can enjoy a non-alcoholic drink and no one will judge me.
Do I like to travel to places other than Walt Disney World? yes I love exploring, especially the Caribbean, where I immerse myself in water activities and learn about cultures. When I travel to Europe, I take cathedral tours in every region I visit. Despite the stereotype, Disney adults can have multiple interests. However, that doesn't make me feel guilty about feeling giddy the moment I step onto the green carpet at Orlando International Airport, knowing that a shuttle is going to whisk me away to the serenity of the Disney bubble.
Everyone has their own idea of entertainment that provides a means of escape. As long as it's safe, why stigmatize anyone for it?
Disney adults may be "scared." We are an easy mark but I can guarantee that none of us would think twice about returning to the place we love.
Life is hard, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying the magic once in a while.