Distinction between "theme park enthusiast" and "Disney Adult"

[Tom Morrow]

Visiting Disney parks as an adult (not taking your kids) is certainly some form of escapism. The real world is full of tragedy. To be at Disney and be sad about a theme park ride closing is certainly better for mental health?

This isn't exclusive to Disney parks though. All theme parks and amusement parks are a form of escapism. That's why I feel its important to clarify that adults enjoying going to Disney's theme parks do not automatically have the "Disney Adult" mindset.

Also, not saying you're doing this, but something that irks me is when adults who clearly enjoy Disney parks themselves try to dismiss it as "we do it for our kids" when its clear they enjoy it more than their kids do. Just own up to it - theme parks are for everyone and they're fun, you don't have to pretend that you're only doing this for your kids.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

This isn't exclusive to Disney parks though. All theme parks and amusement parks are a form of escapism. That's why I feel its important to clarify that adults enjoying going to Disney's theme parks do not automatically have the "Disney Adult" mindset.

Also, not saying you're doing this, but something that irks me is when adults who clearly enjoy Disney parks themselves try to dismiss it as "we do it for our kids" when its clear they enjoy it more than their kids do. Just own up to it - theme parks are for everyone and they're fun, you don't have to pretend that you're only doing this for your kids.

Yep, I'm in my 70's and still going strong. No thoughts of quitting yet

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

This isn't exclusive to Disney parks though. All theme parks and amusement parks are a form of escapism. That's why I feel it’s important to clarify that adults enjoying going to Disney's theme parks do not automatically have the "Disney Adult" mindset.

I think it’s true of entertainment in general… theme parks, sports, movies, tv, video games… most of the things to we do with our free time is escapism to take our minds off the chaos of the world. I think that’s why people get so upset when those issues creep into sporting events, creep into movies, creep into our favorite theme parks.

I want my entertainment to entertain me, not constantly remind me of the things I turned on the TV or went on vacation to escape from.

 

[jloucks]

I think it’s true of entertainment in general… theme parks, sports, movies, tv, video games… most of the things to we do with our free time is escapism to take our minds off the chaos of the world. I think that’s why people get so upset when those issues creep into sporting events, creep into movies, creep into our favorite theme parks.

I want my entertainment to entertain me, not constantly remind me of the things I turned on the TV or went on vacation to escape from.

This! This right here. You said it perfectly, but I am compelled to repeat it..... If I am participating in ANY type of leisure pursuit, I adamantly don't want any annoyances (esp politics or agendas) brought to my attention.

I understand that I live in the real world, and we cannot all have reality bubbles, but I can dream.

I am getting so old and crotchety that I have come to dislike reality TV since watching people argue has just really started to stink.

 

[Chi84]

watching people argue has just really started to stink.

So you come here?

 

[jloucks]

We could get into an endless semantic debate about bullying with no ultimately correct answer, but either way, I think we can agree the entire point of these videos is to mock, belittle, and laugh at a group of people. Search “Disney Adults” on YouTube, it’s a slightly gross genre of video.

I was a Trekkie in the 80's-90's, WAY before it was cool. Coolish. Before comic cons. Before Bronies. Before all of the eccentric acceptance we have nowadays. Society viewed Trekkies as freaks. I never cared one bit. Call it thick skin, call it being Gen X. Whatever it was, I am sure almost anyone can adopt a DGAF attitude if they try a little.

I will admit the difference (like you said) is the internet and the ability to showcase well-written mockery.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Last night I sure kept thinking anyone in line for dinosaur has to be a Disney adult

By the way, broadway actor Andrew Barth Feldman has a hilarious one-man show called “Park Map” where he continually says “but I’m not a disney adult” until the end of the show where he admits that he is.

He’s the same guy that wrote “thank you muppet vision 3d” - easily found on YouTube

 

[DisneyHead123]

I was a Trekkie in the 80's-90's, WAY before it was cool. Coolish. Before comic cons. Before Bronies. Before all of the eccentric acceptance we have nowadays. Society viewed Trekkies as freaks. I never cared one bit. Call it thick skin, call it being Gen X. Whatever it was, I am sure almost anyone can adopt a DGAF attitude if they try a little.

I will admit the difference (like you said) is the internet and the ability to showcase well-written mockery.

I still disagree with you on the acceptability of posting hurtful, nasty videos on the intrawebs, but I understand what you’re saying. Sometimes adversity builds character and grit, sure, and that’s important. That said, I can’t condone posting those kinds of videos from either perspective. It’s bad for the people being mocked and it’s arguably worse for the people mocking them (In that acting like a jerk ultimately harms the person who is acting like a jerk. That’s a long philosophical discussion but I think it’s the truth.)

Again, I see the value in overcoming adversity. At the same time, I can’t endorse people going out and punching innocent people in the face to create an “adversity overcoming opportunity” for them. If adversity happens, yeah, do your best to grow from it - but still not a case to endorse crap behavior.

 

[jloucks]

I still disagree with you on the acceptability of posting hurtful, nasty videos on the intrawebs, but I understand what you’re saying. Sometimes adversity builds character and grit, sure, and that’s important. That said, I can’t condone posting those kinds of videos from either perspective. It’s bad for the people being mocked and it’s arguably worse for the people mocking them (In that acting like a jerk ultimately harms the person who is acting like a jerk. That’s a long philosophical discussion but I think it’s the truth.)

Again, I see the value in overcoming adversity. At the same time, I can’t endorse people going out and punching innocent people in the face to create an “adversity overcoming opportunity” for them. If adversity happens, yeah, do your best to grow from it - but still not a case to endorse crap behavior.

Well said, I think you're right. I don't think toxic behavior is acceptable.

I was more trying to communicate a way to deal with it that works tolerably for me. Buuuuttt.....

Earlier, I deleted a long diatribe about how it would have been for me as a teen if all my stupid behavior had been posted online. In a way, Gen X'ers had anonymous teen years. I am thankful for that. ...further supporting your point.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Well said, I think you're right. I don't think toxic behavior is acceptable.

I was more trying to communicate a way to deal with it that works tolerably for me. Buuuuttt.....

Earlier, I deleted a long diatribe about how it would have been for me as a teen if all my stupid behavior had been posted online. In a way, Gen X'ers had anonymous teen years. I am thankful for that. ...further supporting your point.

Pre-smartphone era was so different! I remember being a fan of various bands in my youth and in those days there wasn’t constant online information, you went to the bookstore and scoured the magazine section, hoping someone had maybe interviewed them. And if they had, then you carried that magazine around until it was in tatters, ha ha!

 

[CoastalElite64]

Good video on this and some people who criticize disney fans.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Disney has become so expensive, it's just easier if everyone in your party is income producing.

Sorry kids, maybe next time.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Sorry kids, maybe next time in 20 years or so when you make enough to afford a WDW vacation,,

FIFY

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

I always tell people IRL, who frequently assume "frequent theme park goer = Disney adult" that I'm a theme park fan, not a Disney fan necessarily. However I think Disney makes the best theme parks in the industry.

 

[HMF]

I am not sure if I qualify as a "Disney Adult" or not seeing as how while there was a time it was my favorite place on earth. What they have done to it actually causes me intense anger and psychological distress and I don't see myself going again unless something drastically positive happens, so I am certainly not a "Disney Adult" in that sense.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I am not sure if I qualify as a "Disney Adult" or not seeing as how while there was a time it was my favorite place on earth. What they have done to it actually causes me intense anger and psychological distress and I don't see myself going again unless something drastically positive happens, so I am certainly not a "Disney Adult" in that sense.

I could have written this. Sadly we haven't been back since 2020, and I miss what it was. We have had many years of wonderful memories at WDW with the family. I get nostalgic a lot and would love to give it a try again. Even if you are upset with things, Disney has a way of pulling you back in

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I could have written this. Sadly we haven't been back since 2020, and I miss what it was. We have had many years of wonderful memories at WDW with the family. I get nostalgic a lot and would love to give it a try again. Even if you are upset with things, Disney has a way of pulling you back in

We’re in this category also, we had a 13 year stretch where probably 90% of our vacations involved Disney in some way, whether a Disney only parks trip, DCL, something as simple as visiting the DisneyStore in London, or spending a day or 2 of a Europe trip at DLP, Disney was our happy place so we snuck it into nearly everything… in 2025 we had one 3 day weekend at DL and 1 short DCL cruise to Mexico, we don’t have any Disney planned in 2026. We still love Disney, we just don’t find much value in the brand anymore.

 

[HMF]

I could have written this. Sadly we haven't been back since 2020, and I miss what it was. We have had many years of wonderful memories at WDW with the family. I get nostalgic a lot and would love to give it a try again. Even if you are upset with things, Disney has a way of pulling you back in

Frankly, Its difficult to fully divorce myself from it completely. If I could I likely wouldn't be writing this right now.

 

[HMF]

Pre-smartphone era was so different! I remember being a fan of various bands in my youth and in those days there wasn’t constant online information, you went to the bookstore and scoured the magazine section, hoping someone had maybe interviewed them. And if they had, then you carried that magazine around until it was in tatters, ha ha!

Frankly, we know too much unnecessary personal information about famous people these days.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Frankly, Its difficult to fully divorce myself from it completely. If I could I likely wouldn't be writing this right now.

It’s not as bad as you’re acting, though I totally understand your POVs and much of your criticism on this forum is valid, but you’re being a little disingenuous, and the parks are still terrifically enjoyable if you’re not like in 10/10 crowds on an 88 degree and sunny day.

Not much has changed honestly in terms of the guest experience outside of prices in the last 10 years, big picture.

Unless you were particularly focused on Pleasure Island or something like that. On the net though is EPCOT without Ratatouille worse or better off?

HWS is really the only park that feels wildly different, EPCOT was already an IP dumping ground, even if we excuse COVID for EPCOT’s botched redo, it’s a definite net-positive outside across Future World, even with Fountain of Nations gone and stupid like tearing down all of Innovations when you have massive expansion pads in the park.

Park hours are probably the biggest downgrade if I’m being honest.

It’s also not like rides like Cosmic Rewind aren’t world class too.

Price increases I get, but you’ll also find an issue with concert/theater pricing and other live entertainment options too. Disney isn’t alone in this. Even Chipotle has gotten too greedy and is lowering prices.