Hey everyone, it’s AJ from Disney Food Blog, and it’s time to address a pretty divisive topic that you may have heard of — and even have a strong opinion about: Disney Adults.

According to the internet, they’re self-absorbed, indulgent grown-ups who are obsessive about Disney and refuse to face reality, choosing instead to keep throwing their money at a corporate entity that caters to children. I wrote a book about all of this, and you can buy it right now! In the meantime, here’s a little preview for you…who are Disney adults, why does everyone hate us, and — one of my favorite parts of this whole thing — does Disney even know we’re here?

What IS A Disney Adult? 

I’ve been doing a lot of press for the book for the last few months, and this is always the first question from every interviewer. If you Google this, you’ll get some hilariously offensive Urban Dictionary definitions and some super visceral article headlines. But nobody’s really defined the subculture.

While everyone seems to have an opinion about this subculture, it’s actually much more diverse than the viral Reddit threads would lead you to believe. While some Disney Adults are more outspoken — crying for the camera when they see Cinderella Castle, wearing Disney-inspired tees on the daily, and decorating their house solely with Mickey Mouse Jim Shore figurines and 50 pairs of Mickey Ears tacked to the wall — others may be a little more closeted. There are a lot of us, and we’re not all social media influencers.

But in my research, I settled on this broad definition for Disney Adults:

These are people who are “intentional about interfacing with Disney products and experiences.” They willingly “choose Disney” regularly.

See? Easy. Disney adults don’t have to be millennials. They don’t have to be childless. They don’t even have to like Disney movies or theme parks. There are Disney Adults who align toward merchandise, those who love the music, and those who focus more on Disney history. And yes, there are Disney Adults like me who are obsessed with the theme parks. But we’re all different, and we all fit that definition.

How To Spot A Disney Adult

Next — if we’re all different, how do you know if you’re looking at a Disney Adult? So many of us won’t cop to the moniker after all. Some Disney adults show their true colors outwardly. They’ve decorated their cube at work with their Disney parks calendar and a bunch of photopass photos from their recent rides on Tower of Terror. They have their “Disney tree” at Christmas. They so badly want you to ask them about the obscure quote on their t-shirt so they can talk to you about that part in Emperor’s New Groove that was re-animated directly from Snow White or whatever.

But, like I mentioned before, Disney Adults can be cloaked, afraid to be marked as someone who’s “obsessed.” OR maybe they’re fine with the “obsessed” title. They just don’t want it to be their ONLY defining personality trait when they’re at work, or dropping the kids off at school, or going out with friends on a Friday night.

“As with any fandom or hobby or passion, [the Disney fandom’s] job is to add extra color and brightness — maybe definition, motivation, or inspiration if you’re lucky — to the complex and evolving masterpiece that is your life.”

My favorite chapter of the book is Chapter 3, where I tell the true stories of a bunch of Disney Adults who are so utterly different from one another. Epically so.

Lady Chapelle is a tattoo artist who solely specializes in Disney designs. Julia tragically lost her leg in a freak car accident, but fitted herself with a blade and ran a runDisney race anyway. Jared and Lindsay had made it to the pinnacle of performing on Broadway in New York City, but moved to Orlando and got jobs at Disney World, and don’t regret it for a second.

I was able to collect a LOT of unique Disney Adult stories while writing this chapter — and I know a lot of you sent me your stories as well — I read every single one and used them as inspiration and guiding research as I wrote the book. And you know what I figured out? Disney Adults look a lot like other humans, believe it or not. NO really, we do. We’re seeking something that makes us feel safe and secure and accomplished and happy. Just like everyone else.

Why Are Disney Adults So Hated?

So why does everyone hate Disney Adults? OK, so Disney Adults have been around since Walt Disney created the first Mickey Mouse watch in the 1930s (which was marketed to men, women, girls, and boys), but it was during the 2020 COVID pandemic that things really ramped up for this group.

When everyone was stuck at home and angry at the world, people went online, and the internet became a receptacle for all of that anger. The Disney Adult community — just beginning to emerge en masse via TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram — was an easy target. But why?

It can’t just be because we’re “cringe,” right? I mean, sure, we’ll wait for over 6 hours for the latest limited edition Figment popcorn bucket, cry (and, weirdly, film it) while watching a fireworks show we’ve literally seen 20 times, and complain about there being too many strollers at Disneyland. OK, OK, I see your point.

But there are other hobbies out there that have annoying and indulgent extremes, too. People wait for hours in online waiting rooms to buy tour tickets for their favorite band (which, to be fair, cost a lot more than that popcorn bucket did). They spend thousands of dollars on season tickets for their favorite sports team. They get tattoos of their pets. They buff their sports cars with diapers (or maybe that was just something I saw in an 80’s movie and doesn’t really happen — but the tattoos of pets thing that is for real). That’s kind of cringe, isn’t it? So why is that all socially acceptable, but being a Disney Adult isn’t? Good question.

I cover a LOT of reasons in the book, but here are just a couple of the answers to why other hobbies are OK, but this one — for so many critics — isn’t.

One: Disney’s for kids. And if you like Disney… as an adult… then what’s wrong with you? There is absolutely an element of Disney Adulthood that is glorifying child-like wonder — but can that nostalgia end up bordering on childishness? For many who haven’t had positive experiences in Disney theme parks or watching Disney movies, obsessing over a theme park with rides for babies is just plain weird.

There’s so much to unpack here… because yeah, man! It sounds super weird! But what’s always been true about what Walt Disney created — from Steamboat Willie to Snow White to Disneyland — is that, in Walt Disney’s own words, “you’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up anyway.” He was a shrewd businessman. He knew who held the wallets, and it wasn’t the kids.

Vacationing at a theme park isn’t weird — nobody bats an eye if I go to Universal Studios or Six Flags — so the problem is perception here. Disney’s stereotype, which is easily disputed with facts about thrill rides, adults-only restaurants and lounges, and drinking around the world. Disney literally owns American Horror Story.

But my book isn’t a defense of Disney Adults. So we approach this whole thing a little differently in Chapter 4, and I can’t wait for you to read it.

Disney and Disney Adults are connected to other hot-button issues. Prejudices you wouldn’t even associate with Disney consciously are absolutely affecting your perception of Disney Adults. Because Disney’s goal is to reflect their audience through their storylines, they end up tapping into a lot of topics that you don’t wanna bring up with Uncle Phil and Aunt Susan during Thanksgiving dinner.

From politics to race relations, from socioeconomics to gender roles, etc, the stereotypes around Disney Adults tend to open doors for more serious bouts of online discourse. And while it’s highly unlikely that someone’s Disney obsession originated from one of these more divisive standpoints, for some, the fandom goes hand in hand with where the company stands on other matters beyond faith, trust, and pixie dust. So, a Disney Adult for some might be more of a political symbol rather than just another human being trying to find their happy place. 

Does Disney Even Know We’re Here?

I’m not here to change your mind about Disney Adults. But there’s something that — no matter where you land on the subject — you’ve got to agree with: The Disney Adult Community is HUGE. And getting…huger.

This group has created its own subculture, complete with social taboos and mores. They run clothing companies catering to their fellow Disney fans, hold fundraisers for causes dear to the hearts of the community, and run SO. MANY. TIKTOK. CHANNELS. They’ve even created niche communities and events like Dapper Days, Gay Days, and Drinking Around the World at EPCOT.

As I was saying — the Disney adult community is mighty. It is impressive. And thanks to social media — as well as a cadre of surveys — Disney listens to its fans.

Let me say that again: Disney listens to its FANS. They listen to the Disney Adults who are constantly rooting for them and giving that oh-so-important constructive criticism. And you know why? Because THESE are the people giving them money. And if you want proof that Disney listens and changes course accordingly, well, there are plenty of examples in the book.

We’re loud and diverse and passionate. And, as someone who runs my own brand, that sounds amazing. To have a dedicated fandom as invested as Disney Adults are in the Walt Disney Company seems like a DREAM. And I hope Disney thinks so, too.

So, yes, I am a Disney Adult. I’ve made memories with my family across multiple Disney vacations. I’ve got a closet full of Disney souvenirs. I know Disney menus like the back of my hand. And, yeah, I’ve also had to battle my own Disney demons to pull myself out of some obsessive phases in my life that bordered on addiction (again — it’s all in the book).

GET A SIGNED COPY OF DISNEY ADULTS HERE

And I can say with dozens of years of experience behind me as part of this community — the stereotypes are there for a reason, but there’s so much more below the surface that you’ve never, ever thought about. I hope that you — whether you’re a Disney Adult, or just someone who’s fascinated with the train wreck that is Disney Adults — love this book as much as I loved writing it, and take away the most important thing — we’re more alike than we are different. You can pick up a SIGNED COPY by clicking HERE!

And a quick thank you to this incredible DFB audience, because this book wouldn’t have been possible without all my fellow Disney Adults who’ve encouraged me, supported me, sent amazing and encouraging emails, and eaten copious amounts of plastic cheese with me! Our journey doesn’t end here, though — continue to follow us right here at DFB for all the latest Disney coverage!

HONEST REVIEW: The Joy — and Pain — of Being a Disney Adult

How do YOU feel about Disney Adults? Share your thoughts in the comments below!