The science behind ‘Disney Adults’: Experts reveal why some people are obsessed with ‘the happiest place on Earth’
- Disney Adults are childless people who are obsessed with the brand and parks
- While they are criticized, experts have revealed reasons for this enthusiasm
- READ MORE: Ryan Gosling is ‘Disney-obsessed’
Crowds of childless individuals storm the gates of the Magic Kingdom each day, dressed as their favorite characters and ready to spend thousands of dollars.
These so-called Disney adults have become somewhat of an enigma, but there is a science behind this group’s obsession with the ‘happiest place on Earth.’
Psychologists investigating this fandom found it could stem from personal trauma, a way to revive core memories or a sense of belonging.
These so-called Disney adults have become somewhat of an enigma, but there is a science behind this group’s obsession with the ‘happiest place on Earth’
The concept for Disneyland began when Walt Disney watched his two daughters, Diane and Sharon, ride the carousel at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
At that moment, he envisioned a place where adults and their children could go and have fun together.
Some Disney Adults find a haven inside the walls of the Magic Kingdom.
Many see the travel destination as an experience of a childhood they never had, a way to allow their inner child to flourish in a safe environment.
A woman named Susan shared her story on a Disney discussion forum regarding how she suffered trauma but felt saved when she first visited the park.
She went to Disney World at age 19 and recalled watching the ‘Wishes’ show at the Magic Kingdom.
‘This was at a point where I was really suicidal and didn’t feel like there was anything left to hope for. I hadn’t even really wanted to go to Disney World,’ Susan shared.
‘Just being there, surrounded by all that magic and hope, and being surrounded by all these things that appeal to childhood and belief in your dreams, it made me feel like there was this child inside me who just wanted to be able to alive again.’
She continued to explain how now, as an adult, she ‘trips whenever money allows’ and misses the park when she is not able to.
‘No horrible relatives or abusers will bump into me there, and it’s okay there to want to be a kid again and to think of childhood in a happy light,’ Susan concluded.
The concept for Disneyland began when Walt Disney watched his two daughters, Diane and Sharon, ride the carousel at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. At that moment, he envisioned a place where adults and their children could go and have fun together
A Reddit user shared their reason for being a Disney Adult in a post that reads: ‘[I was a] poor kid who grew up and decided that they wanted to finally take their money to the place they could never go as a kid.’
READ MORE: We spent $3,758 in ONE DAY at Disney World – it was ‘daylight robbery’
Summer Reign Henning made a video breaking down the costs throughout the day and captioned it: ‘Robbery in broad daylight and we still have two more parks to go.’
Melissa Tierney, another so-called Disney adult, has turned her passion for its magic into a career as an influencer.
She told Bustle she owns more than 400 pairs of Mickey Mouse ears, and according to her Instagram, Mickey and Minnie were honored guests at her wedding, which was held at the Orlando location.
‘There are a lot of Disney adults I’m friends with who had really rough childhoods,’ Tierney told Bustle.
‘Disney is like an outlet for them to feel like they’re having the childhood they didn’t get to have.’
But Tierany’s obsession does not stem from a rough childhood but a magical one.
‘I grew up with Disney because my parents loved bringing us there. Those are my fondest vacation memories,’ she said.
A Reddit user had a similar upbringing that led to them falling in love with Disney.
‘I’m a Disney-Lifer. Grew up in Florida, went for almost every school holiday, my dad and his family worked there (my grandma was the opening/first manager for the Disney store in the Orlando airport and my dad still works there), my husband and I watched a Disney movie on our first date and went for our honeymoon, our guest room is Disney themed, and we used to go every year,’ users ‘MrsCaptainFail’ shared.
Psychologist Jaime Zuckerman told Bustle: ‘[Disney parks are] one of the few places you can go back to,’ she said. ‘You can actually recreate that nostalgic feeling within your control.’
Studies have shown rewards associated with nostalgia, such as optimism, more robust social bonds, reduced anxiety and improved mood.
And people return to see if they can obtain those feelings repeatedly.
Sometimes, Disney Adults do not take their obsession to the parks but to events to meet others with the same enthusiasm.
There are meet-ups across the US specifically for people who love the Magic Kingdom and even online groups, one called Fellowship of the Mouse, which lets people schedule going to the parks in a group.
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