Nice NPR article on “Disney Adults”

[k5xs]

NPR.org is carrying a nice article on people like many of us:

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/11/1104056661/disney-adults

 

[middlechild]

Sometime in Spring 1979, eighteen years old. Stationed at 29 Palms. Rode the base Special Services bus to Disneyland. The firefly lights in trees in front of the castle. Pirates. That day stands out. Perhaps due to feeling like an adult, perhaps so far from my New England family, perhaps physically fit, don't remember any friends going along, but probably not by myself, so probably others there. Have a bookmark for the loop of the Pirates queue and play it over and over. Watched the Wonderful World of Color growing up, perhaps just the idea of being in that mystical place.

What makes each of us a Disney Adult?

Not that it needs saying, but will anyway. Only positive vibes allowed!

 

[Dcgc28]

Sometime in Spring 1979, eighteen years old. Stationed at 29 Palms. Rode the base Special Services bus to Disneyland. The firefly lights in trees in front of the castle. Pirates. That day stands out. Perhaps due to feeling like an adult, perhaps so far from my New England family, perhaps physically fit, don't remember any friends going along, but probably not by myself, so probably others there. Have a bookmark for the loop of the Pirates queue and play it over and over. Watched the Wonderful World of Color growing up, perhaps just the idea of being in that mystical place.

What makes each of us a Disney Adult?

Not that it needs saying, but will anyway. Only positive vibes allowed!

Good discussion piece and a great article.

For me Disney World is like home. When I go I’m completely comfortable, I’m remarkably content. I don’t think about the outside world at all. There’s not many places where you can go and actually not think about the rest of the world. I’m sure everyone has those types of places, but mine is Disney World. Luckily I have 3 daughters so I can go without much question. But I would go anyway.

 

[gerilyne]

My parents took us many times to both Disney World and Disneyland. I always loved our trips and I love hearing the stories. Escaping reality, spending time together, immersing ourselves in the magic that surrounded us. When I finally got to go back as an adult in 2012, I spent that entire trip grinning from ear to ear and watching everything around me unfold in a way that was both new and familiar. It was like coming home again. And I want to stay in touch with that part of myself that believes in magic, and a way to always stay connected to my childhood.

 

[CarolynFH]

For me Disney World is like home. When I go I’m completely comfortable, I’m remarkably content. I don’t think about the outside world at all. There’s not many places where you can go and actually not think about the rest of the world. I’m sure everyone has those types of places, but mine is Disney World.

That's exactly how I feel!

 

[kanerf]

I agree. Very content while I am at WDW. I don't watch the news or anything for a week or so and just immerse myself in Disney.

 

[OppR2nist]

The only point I'll make is that I'm not totally comfortable when people compare Disney fandom to religion. That's what holds the door open for people to question our sanity.

 

[Prissyms]

For me Disney World is like home. When I go I’m completely comfortable, I’m remarkably content. I don’t think about the outside world at all. There’s not many places where you can go and actually not think about the rest of the world. I’m sure everyone has those types of places, but mine is Disney World.

Absolutely!!! It's our happy place. I love hearing "Welcome Home" when we check in! My entire attitude changes the minute I see exit 267 Apopka /Tampa when driving and/or get off the plane. It feels like the weights you were carrying before you left, are gone for that specific time. I tell my family, I'm going to get lost on purpose Great article!

 

[Her Dotness]

Four-year-old trapped in a retiree body, that's me.

DH is the dignified one of us two. Acts his actual age and looks like a Dapper Dan if he's Disney-dressed much.

You can observe my typical park-going attire in my avatar. That's a flashing red-blue-green Christmas necklace with a similarly flashing Mickey Santa head pendant. Looks ever so festive with my Stitch paws added to the ensemble.

Disney is where that level of silliness is celebrated.

 

[OppR2nist]

Four-year-old trapped in a retiree body, that's me.

DH is the dignified one of us two. Acts his actual age and looks like a Dapper Dan if he's Disney-dressed much.

You can observe my typical park-going attire in my avatar. That's a flashing red-blue-green Christmas necklace with a similarly flashing Mickey Santa head pendant. Looks ever so festive with my Stitch paws added to the ensemble.

Disney is where that level of silliness is celebrated.

You're never too old to be immature!

 

[middlechild]

Four-year-old trapped in a retiree body, that's me.

DH is the dignified one of us two. Acts his actual age and looks like a Dapper Dan if he's Disney-dressed much.

You can observe my typical park-going attire in my avatar. That's a flashing red-blue-green Christmas necklace with a similarly flashing Mickey Santa head pendant. Looks ever so festive with my Stitch paws added to the ensemble.

Disney is where that level of silliness is celebrated.

The world needs more child-like faith. Meaning that those around us have the best intentions, that the world is helping us to be the best we are willing to be, that others believe as we do, we are not alone. Somewhere in our core is someone positive struggling to resurface. To be able to go somewhere and release the tension and skip down the road. For some the beach, for some the woods, for some Time Square, others a Disney park. If maturity means that you can never ever do that again, then we have failed as a society. Because all of us, in my opinion, can use a rest on a bench in the sun from time to time to hear laughter, squeals of delight, a set of parents smiling to remind us how blessed we are to live in these times.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I scratch my head at the Disney Adult scorn. It must be that critics don't realize all that the parks and entertainment have to offer. I can go with my husband and have a totally different experience than I do when we have the kids, and in addition to that, have each trip with the kids be different than the one before. I know people who go to Vegas or the beach in much the same manner, same amount of planning and excitement, etc. No one ever says "AGAIN?!?" to them.

Admittedly, I haven't read more of this research about comparing it to faith and religion, but it seemed like there was a lot of generalizing placed on certain behaviors that people regularly display in other areas without comment, like celebrating milestone occasions at the parks vs. a favorite restaurant or a family cabin. Perhaps, people are just predictable and that's why there are similiarities.

 

[Her Dotness]

You're never too old to be immature!

Oh, I'm perfectly mature at Disney--for a 4-year-old.

 

[Auntrosie]

NPR.org is carrying a nice article on people like many of us:

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/11/1104056661/disney-adults

It’s beautiful, it’s fun, it’s clean, it’s safe and it’s smells wonderful. Who would ‘not‘ want to be there?

 

[MinnieMSue]

I love going to Disney because I feel taken care of. I don’t have to drive or deal with any stress (other than paying for it I guess). They transport me everywhere. They have any food, snack or entertainment I could want at any time. Many cool things to see. Happy people. Parades. Balloons. I can ride almost every ride. I am like a kid. The real world is outside the boarders.

 

[Jrb1979]

I am in my mid 40's. While I don't relate to the Disney love that most of you do, I can relate to people not understanding it. I love amusement parks and it's what most of my vacations revolve around. Since May I have visited 3 different parks already. By the beginning of July I will have 3 more added to that.

 

[Moliphino]

I love going to Disney because I feel taken care of. I don’t have to drive or deal with any stress (other than paying for it I guess). They transport me everywhere. They have any food, snack or entertainment I could want at any time. Many cool things to see. Happy people. Parades. Balloons. I can ride almost every ride. I am like a kid. The real world is outside the boarders.

One of the best things about a WDW vacation is that there are (free, generally clean) bathrooms EVERYWHERE. It's what I miss the most when I vacation elsewhere.
If you ever go to St. Emilion make sure you have .50 Euro coins on you or you may not be able to pee.

 

[Dcgc28]

I am in my mid 40's. While I don't relate to the Disney love that most of you do, I can relate to people not understanding it. I love amusement parks and it's what most of my vacations revolve around. Since May I have visited 3 different parks already. By the beginning of July I will have 3 more added to that.

You’ve been posting here for almost 4 years and over 3000 posts. I think by association you’re in with us lol

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

I don’t really get it, but Disney is enjoyable enough. I do it primarily for my kids. Now that character experiences are returning maybe I’ll enjoy it more again. Really what made our first trip so great was seeing the interactions with our kids and the characters. The rides are fun even though they aren’t usually thrilling. But that’s not what made us want to come back. It’s all about the Disney characters.

 

[Dcgc28]

I don’t really get it, but Disney is enjoyable enough. I do it primarily for my kids. Now that character experiences are returning maybe I’ll enjoy it more again. Really what made our first trip so great was seeing the interactions with our kids and the characters. The rides are fun even though they aren’t usually thrilling. But that’s not what made us want to come back. It’s all about the Disney characters.

I get that. My wife and I are just wired differently. We could go to the hub in MK and just sit there all day and take in the sights sounds and smells.

I think another big thing for me is it’s kind of what my family always did. So my grandmother used to bring us there often. I met my wife there and we’ve been a few times. Now I take my kids. I’ve been to other places, theme parks and not theme parks. But Disney is just different, I couldn’t really explain it if I wanted to.