Should I Say Things?

[Quasialamodo]

Hello my people!

I'm not sure if this is the right place at all for this, if there is any such place , but I need to say this because I've had to correct this twice today at least two places on the DIS.

Okay, I say "had", I could have probably said nothing and moved on with my day but...

Everyone that has a problem with Frozen says that it's only for girls between 4 and 12 when both my partner and I (and at least our best attendant at our upcoming wedding) saw it as a beautiful coming out tale.

I don't know what my place is in the conversation, but should I not say anything and just let it roll off my back? I know when I go to meet Elsa (yes, I know, FP + may end up being the death of me) I'll probably get the "why are you taking up a kids' space?" looks, but Elsa means a great deal to me. I haven't connected with a princess since Belle...

I don't know. What are you thoughts? Is it an unnecessary battle and am I just being a big buttinski?

 

[PJBeans]

Hello my people!

I'm not sure if this is the right place at all for this, if there is any such place , but I need to say this because I've had to correct this twice today at least two places on the DIS.

Okay, I say "had", I could have probably said nothing and moved on with my day but...

Everyone that has a problem with Frozen says that it's only for girls between 4 and 12 when both my partner and I (and at least our best attendant at our upcoming wedding) saw it as a beautiful coming out tale.

I don't know what my place is in the conversation, but should I not say anything and just let it roll off my back? I know when I go to meet Elsa (yes, I know, FP + may end up being the death of me) I'll probably get the "why are you taking up a kids' space?" looks, but Elsa means a great deal to me. I haven't connected with a princess since Belle...

I don't know. What are you thoughts? Is it an unnecessary battle and am I just being a big buttinski?

I don't think you're being a buttinski!!!! Those people who give you "that look" should remember that WDW is a place for everyone to enjoy.
In fact IMHO WDW is not for kids its for adults to be kids for a short time. The little ones don't appreciate the wonderful details that are to be found wherever you look in and around "the world".

 

[Felie]

Hello my people!

I'm not sure if this is the right place at all for this, if there is any such place , but I need to say this because I've had to correct this twice today at least two places on the DIS.

Okay, I say "had", I could have probably said nothing and moved on with my day but...

Everyone that has a problem with Frozen says that it's only for girls between 4 and 12 when both my partner and I (and at least our best attendant at our upcoming wedding) saw it as a beautiful coming out tale.

I don't know what my place is in the conversation, but should I not say anything and just let it roll off my back? I know when I go to meet Elsa (yes, I know, FP + may end up being the death of me) I'll probably get the "why are you taking up a kids' space?" looks, but Elsa means a great deal to me. I haven't connected with a princess since Belle...

I don't know. What are you thoughts? Is it an unnecessary battle and am I just being a big buttinski?

Firs off; congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Second; I love Elsa too, and although I didn't read too much into it myself I have been swayed quite a bit by those pointing out the parallels between her story and that of the generic LGBT teen.

I see nothing wrong with going to see her in WDW, nor do I think it's anyone's place to 'look down on you' for it. In fact I think I would judge THEM for being so closed-minded in WDW (of all places!).

The very fact that you're out and open (and getting married!) means that you have been 'doing you' for a while now, and from what I gather the Disney parks are some of the only places where you are accepted and welcomed no matter what, so don't stop 'doing you' for the sake of a few shallow-minded people who you will probably never see again anyway

 

[wilkeliza]

Hello my people!

I'm not sure if this is the right place at all for this, if there is any such place , but I need to say this because I've had to correct this twice today at least two places on the DIS.

Okay, I say "had", I could have probably said nothing and moved on with my day but...

Everyone that has a problem with Frozen says that it's only for girls between 4 and 12 when both my partner and I (and at least our best attendant at our upcoming wedding) saw it as a beautiful coming out tale.

I don't know what my place is in the conversation, but should I not say anything and just let it roll off my back? I know when I go to meet Elsa (yes, I know, FP + may end up being the death of me) I'll probably get the "why are you taking up a kids' space?" looks, but Elsa means a great deal to me. I haven't connected with a princess since Belle...

I don't know. What are you thoughts? Is it an unnecessary battle and am I just being a big buttinski?

The beauty of this movie (any movie really) is going to take out of it what they interpret. You surely can say that as a grown adult who grew up living with their own secret you really responded to Elsa and enjoyed the movie. I am a grown adult and my boy friend and I have waited in line to meet Elsa and Anna and both of us really enjoyed the movie. We still sing the songs and have a Kristoph animator doll and are looking to buy a piece of art that is based on Frozen.

Although I did not get the LGBT parallel I can see how one can. I myself saw a lot of my brother in Elsa. He battled with anxiety and depression much of our middle school to high school years. I am only a year younger and we are very very close. The way Elsa is treated and told to hide really made me think of all the advice my brother was given. It wasn't until he gave the world a big f-you and started living comfortably in his own life that he got better. He still has issues but he tells people accept him as he is or get out of his life (not quite like that but you get the idea).

Also congrats on your wedding! What an exciting time in life.

 

[mikelan6]

My friends and I are all adults and have no problems meeting the characters. That's the magic of Disney - it's for everyone.

Paraphrazing the words of Elsa - What others think "never bothered me anyway."

 

[karen1987]

We also interpreted Frozen as a coming out story, and I wouldn't feel embarrassed or awkward about meeting the characters, I don't think anybody would really take any notice!

 

[MarknStitch]

As a gay married man I can totally see where you are coming from. The DH and I visit WDW or DLP whenever we can and we also get that 'look' occasionally when trying to see characters, or waiting for parades etc.

I find the best way to deal with people like that is say to yourself "it says a lot more about them then it does me". It really does! They are small minded, naive and deluded.

However, if you feel you need to say something then you should, otherwise it can fester. All I would say is to be calm, polite and measured. There is no need for you to end up looking worse off.

What's more, you should never feel that are taking up a 'kids space'. There is no such thing. The Disney parks are for everyone to enjoy and you are just as entitled to be there.

Finally, we wish you all the best for your wedding. I hope you have a truly magical day.

 

[smidgy]

gay or straight, any adult paying the price of a ticket at WDW has every right to meet the characters!!! my husband and I pay the price for tickets to see the movies, even without our grandkids with! we buy the movies to watch at home

that being said, I personally have never waited in line for a character. but you and your husband should. esp. if the character means a lot to you.

 

[kylmac]

I was just on a Disney cruise in Europe and peeked around a corner to see what characters were in the main lobby before dinner. I was by myself and the cast member asked if I wanted to get in line to see the character. I think they are very used to adults getting pictures and hugs as well as kids. I declined but I did have Stitch come and sit down right beside me when I was on Deck 4 reading my book that my daughter gave me and my husband had just left (his loss). Stitch, his handler, and I discussed that he likes "The Ugly Duckling" to read with Lilo and how I was reading "The Fault in our Stars". The characters are definately not just for kids-they are for everybody!

Elizabeth

 

[MommaPeel]

You are in the parks for yourself, not for anyone else. You paid for your place in whatever line you choose. Kids or not, you paid the same price for your tickets, well, your ticket is worth the same as their ticket is. (Gotta get a discount if you can )

Just because we are adults when we are not on vacation doesn't mean we have to be full fledged adults when on vacation at DisneyWorld!

I'm an adult, taking my adult DBF on his first trip and you had better be certain we are going to see Characters, and yes we will use fast pass + to see them because we are not silly enough to wait in a line for 4 hours with 1000 little kids (that most of the parents are not watching) to meet them and get a picture!

Enjoy your trip! I plan to, my inner child comes out at WDW and my BF is the same (he grew up with DL), together we will be a couple of unattended 5-6 year olds but with money!!

 

[Airship Ariadne]

If a character or story speaks to you in a deep and personal way, anyone that would have issues with you wanting to have a fan experience and geek out a bit is too jaded to enjoy Disney anyway.

Perhaps it is because my family does a lot of comicons as well as being Disney freaks, but we see this a lot when fans meet some of the stars that were a huge influence. And for GLBT fans and their allies, seeing a teenager meeting "Captain Jack Harkness" with tears in his or her eyes because he made them feel good about being who they are is a heartmelting moment...if Elsa is your touchstone then take your moment.

 

[Dug720]

Go for it!!

I've also seen the parallels with LGBTQ coming out stories (as well as my own to a degree though *I* was the one shutting myself up rather than anyone else telling me to) and Frozen and see nothing wrong with going to meet them. I haven't yet because I haven't been able to get those magical passes or wait 3+ hours.

However, last year I did stand in line to meet Merida (another one where a case could be made for LGBTQ undertones) the day after the marathon, and it was truly one of the best character encounters I've EVER had. Not an eye was batted by her or her line handlers that a solo adult would want to meet her, and honestly I don't remember any comments of looks from the parents. (Granted, she didn't have the huge lines, but still...) She took time to talk with me and we laughed about how she tried to get one of the medals but they told her that riding the course on Angus didn't count.

Honestly, most of my best encounters with the characters have been as an adult - be it at WDW, on DCL (don't even get me started on how fantastic Captain Jack Sparrow was on the Dream last July...hey, even though I "play for the other side" I can still appreciate), and at DL (5 adults waiting for Dug? No one batted an eye, and the waiting photographer was even chatting with us and giving us tips on interaction plus-ups). Yes, I get the occasional look or even question, but I try to just smile and be polite - "Yes, I'm really excited to meet [insert character here]! S/he is one of my favorites! How about you?" or something. (The marathon weekend usually helps as they often will ask about the medal - especially if they didn't run.)

Go for it and enjoy!!

 

[glenpreece]

I meet all the Princesses among others each trip. I don't care what people think if I'm solo or with family/friends. I paid to get in i love the characters and find they enjoy talking to adults too. Go for it!!!!!

 

[Wild4Walt]

You purchase your tickets just like everyone else in that line.

The World is for everyone to enjoy.

Have fun with it and congrats!