Disney Adults are so easy to tease. People think they’re immature, embarrassing, cringe.
As such, jokes about people who enjoy visiting Disney parks annually (or even multiple times a year) run rampant on social media. Satirized as being mentally stuck in elementary school and shamed for spending exorbitant amounts of money on their Disney fix, “Disney Adult " has become the punchline de jour for someone who needs to grow up and get a life.
In their park of choice—whether it’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios—Disney Adults typically wear some sort of Disney-coded costume or outfit meticulously coordinated with an on-theme Loungefly backpack and mouse ears.
Disney Adults are blasted for constantly returning to “the most magical place on Earth,” and their slanderers believe those travel funds should be spent on “real” vacations. Where? Literally anywhere else. The most outrageous of culprits? A Disney Adult who enjoys the Disney bubble… without any children.
But in defense of the oft-ridiculed Disney Adult, why put a price on someone else’s joy, especially if you’re not the one bankrolling it?
I’ll admit it: I am a Disney Adult. You know what, I’m proud of it. I grew up during the Disney Renaissance era and still never miss a new release, collect merch (especially ornaments), and will dress my dog as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story this Halloween. When I’m super bored, I check the wait times for rides while I’m on my couch thousands of miles away instead of doomscrolling. I’m confident in enjoying whatever makes me happy, and I choose to invest in my joy.
And yes, I am the dreaded Disney Adult without children. For one birthday in particular, I skipped through the park on my way to see the “Happily Ever After” fireworks wearing light-up Tinkerbell wings, accompanied only by my friend of the same age.
And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I agree with the sentiment of many Disney Adults I’ve encountered about why they keep returning. A trip to Walt Disney World feels familiar and welcoming, and it helps people reconnect with their childhood and revisit a time when they felt carefree. And with new attractions and experiences constantly being added, Walt Disney World offers nostalgia with a chance to make new memories every time.
In my opinion, Disney Adults are no different than the passionate members of any other fandom. I feel authorized to speak on this from the vantage point of a kid who practically grew up at Yankee Stadium.
My dad worked at the home of the New York Yankees for 47 years. He started as a pre-teen selling Cracker Jacks in the stands while growing up in the South Bronx. And when he later worked in finance, he kept his part-time job at the stadium doing inventory, making all of the night and weekend games for as long as I can remember.
As a stadium kid (and lifelong Yankees fan), I’ve seen the most diehard Yankees fans spend thousands on season tickets and coveted World Series seats with hopes of seeing the Bronx Bombers win at home. Fans drop real money for endless rounds of pricey stadium beer just to be “in the building.” And for this fanaticism, people barely bat an eye.
Throughout my life, I’ve seen these fans praised for their dedication to Yankee Blue and for having the means to own season tickets. When fans show off extensive baseball card collections or take selfies from expensive seats, they get praise, not ridicule. But if a Disney Adult displays a vast collection of limited-edition mouse ears, the collective eye roll feels palpable. As someone who goes to Walt Disney World often (more than twice a year if timing and budget align), I’m used to snarky responses when I say I’m going to Disney: “Again?”
Yes, again. Because it brings me joy, and it’s currently hard out here for a whimsical millennial.
But unlike being a Disney Adult, there’s a harsh reality to being an avid fan of a specific sports team: the constant possibility of a brutal loss. When purchasing pricey tickets for a sporting event, there’s a chance that your beloved team will lose, that you’ll leave the stadium devastated, and with a lot less cash.
When investing in a Disney trip, however, winning or losing isn’t on the line. There’s a high likelihood of having a great experience if a traveler leans into the tried-and-true activities that have historically been fun experiences for them. The guarantee of making happy memories is priceless.
Just as there’s no one way to be a sports fan, Disney Adults are not a one-size-fits-all monolith. Yes, some people spend cash on annual passes, endless Lightning Lanes to skip long lines, and enjoy character dining. But there are also so many ways to experience Walt Disney World without even setting foot in the parks.
On my last trip to the House of Mouse, I spent a lot of time at the BoardWalk, an area that connects Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club resorts that doesn’t require a ticket. I watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach with my toes nestled in the sand and far away from crowds. In another effort to avoid large crowds, I enjoyed a paint-and-sip class at Coronado Springs Resort and got a souvenir only I could make. On future trips, I’m hoping to explore a dog-friendly resort where I can bring my Buzz Lightyear pup, and plan a visit tailored for my mother, a senior who wouldn’t be able to walk endlessly in the Orlando heat. We often talk about when she took me to Disney for the first time for my fourth birthday, and all of the changes since then. For her, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be a must.
Perhaps most importantly, I feel safe at Disney. Although I am alert to any dangers, I feel relatively confident that I can walk through the parks without enduring any catcalling or anyone spiking my drink. Which brings me to another plus for going to Disney so much: I can have a blast with a non-alcoholic drink, and no one’s going to judge me.
Do I like to travel to places other than Walt Disney World? Yes. I love exploring the Caribbean in particular, where I immerse myself in water activities and learn about the cultures. When I travel to Europe, I tend to take cathedral tours in whatever area I’m traveling in. Despite the stereotype, Disney Adults can have multiple interests. Still, that doesn’t make me feel guilty for the giddiness I feel the moment I step onto the green carpet at Orlando International Airport, knowing that a shuttle is about to transport me into the peace of the Disney bubble.
Everyone has their idea of fun that offers a means of escape. As long as it’s safe, why stigmatize someone for it?
Disney Adults may be “cringe.” We’re an easy mark. But I can guarantee that not one of us will think twice about returning to a place we love.
Life’s tough, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some magic every now and then.