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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you're an adult in Disney World... You really don't need to queue for autographs?

135 replies

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 30/01/2016 21:38

I had a conversation with a friend earlier about her upcoming holiday to Disney world. I've been a few times (with my young children and without) and she asked if she (a 30 year old!) should buy an autograph book... I laughed as I thought she was joking and said that there's so much more to do, and that it would be a waste of her time. I also said that although I would never dream of saying anything, when I've got in the queue for Mickey Mouse with my four year old, I always think it's a bit bizarre that there are at least ten childless adults in front of her.

My friend got offended... Which was not my intention!

AIBU?

OP posts:
londonrach · 31/01/2016 07:31

Yabu. If she wants a autograph why not. My parents would never have taken us to anything like this growning up. Ive been to disney three times (twice paris, once florida) all as an adult and no children. Didnt go for the autographs but found the whole experience very magically. Doesn't matter what age you are if you believe in the magic of disney you enjoy it. I bet if you seen my face on seeing the castle the first time you understand why adults would go. I know people thinks its naff but i dont do scary movies. My fav bit was the buzz lightyear shooting gallery. I remember feeling i was in a dream world the whole time and expecting someone to wake me up any moment. Seeing micky etc just walking around.....

Birdsgottafly · 31/01/2016 07:36

I've never been to Disney, me and my DH were planning to, with our DD, then there was unemployment and two more children. Then Cancer and he passed away.

I want to take my DGD, I might find I love the place and want to go back, as a lone adult.

I had a neglectful and abusive childhood. Books and listening to audio tapes, with headphones on (to drown out the verbal abuse, were my escape. I had all of the Disney stories on tape (70's), mainly narrated by Sid James.

I love Christmas decorations etc, I never had them as a child. I go through grottos, as a lone adult. I like it when I get a wave off Father Christmas (I was never allowed to believe in him, or any type of magic).

Disney would be a costly holiday, for me and you can't ever say that you will go back, health issues etc might prevent that, so if I went, I would get photos with the characters.

I like that people enjoy harmless stuff, we don't have to fully understand why they enjoy what they enjoy, or judge them on it.

I judge Adults who feel the need to laugh at others, you really should work on your issues.

Birdsgottafly · 31/01/2016 07:39

""DD, 7, no longer wants autographs from characters""
From the OP, "I've been a few times".

That's the difference, for some it may be a once in a lifetime trip and some people like to keep memory boxes (or scan everything and keep a file).

KERALA1 · 31/01/2016 07:41

Yanbu. But then I also don't get why an adult would voluntarily go to Disney without a child, learning difficulties aside. We were baffled to find eurodisney full of child free adults. Wouldn't of occurred to us to go before having children - the whole of Paris is there why hang around a plastic corporate children's theme park?!

Cloudybutwarm · 31/01/2016 07:46

It's perfectly normal to see older children in pushchairs at Disney parks with or without additional needs, because there is just so much walking and the days are long and hot! And even the most active and uncomplaining 7//8 year old will end up tired and grotty. A friend of ours took a pedometer with him last time he went and clicked up over 100 miles in 2 weeks just walking round the parks.

As for autographs, I've been a fair few times as an adult with no dc and didn't bother. But I was so happy the first time we went with dc and I had an excuse to meet the characters and get autographs! Of course I know they're not real, but there is still something special about them. And they do a fab job as well, when we were waiting to meet tinkerbell the girl who was with her was in a wheelchair and obviously severely disabled and couldn't talk, and tinkerbell was just wonderful with her, telling her how much she liked her carriage and how lovely she looked. Bought a tear to my eye!

Adults who like Disney will always get people who look down on them and think it's stupid, but I don't care, I love it, I love meeting the characters and I love my ds' autograph books!

Savagebeauty · 31/01/2016 07:50

I hate the whole Disney shit thing. Never took the kids .
DD 19 went last year and had the best time of her life Shock. But even she wouldn't queue for an autograph from a woman dressed as Ariel.

Cloudybutwarm · 31/01/2016 07:50

Oh and I would happily have queued to meet some of the characters without dc but Dh wouldn't - spoilsport!

wanderings · 31/01/2016 07:51

We need Elsa patrolling the queue for autographs, in the mood when she's being a grumpy hermit in her frozen palace. She would be walking alongside, saying to childless adults "you don't belong here, I really think you should go." I'm sure there are other joyless Disney characters who could do this too.

Never been to Disneyland, wants to go to get Shrek's autograph! No wait...

Birdsgottafly · 31/01/2016 07:53

""the whole of Paris ""

I liked experiencing the Catacombs and the Art Galleries, but I don't like it as a city. Wouldn't go again.

Birdsgottafly · 31/01/2016 07:53

To the City, I'll be going to EuroDisney.

Shakey15000 · 31/01/2016 07:56

YANBU because she asked for your opinion. It's not like you proffered it unsolicited.

FireCrotch · 31/01/2016 08:14

I've seen a perfectly normal woman (I say normal, she is an in law) become more and more obsessed by Frozen. Her dd is now 11 and so not interested anymore. She even resorted to taking my 6 yo dd to a dress up sing along when her own dd put her foot down and said no to Frozen. She's just going to have to admit she's there. She's involved now. There's no way back. She's a Disney Diva.

BibaDiba · 31/01/2016 08:16

I really, really can't be doing with adults obsessing over Disney anyway. "Omg hun I've got my Disney Pandora charms and Disney Christmas tree decs and we're going to Disneyland so I can meet ACTUAL Cinderella!"
It makes me twitchy.

Geekmama · 31/01/2016 08:18

I love Disney and have been twice Before DS and A lot more post DS. We only would line up to meet characters with DS, I don't think We would bother without him. We did once accidentally go to a character breakfast In the US And I had my picture taken with Mickey Mouse and he was wearing a pith helmet it was awesome And was one of the highlights of the holiday. Also yes! I'm a annoying parent Who has her 5-year-old in a buggy. we went for a week last summer to Disneyland Paris and I averaged About 30,000 steps a day, that's a lot for a little one Disability or not.

FireCrotch · 31/01/2016 08:19

"We need Elsa patrolling the queue for autographs, in the mood when she's being a grumpy hermit in her frozen palace. She would be walking alongside, saying to childless adults "you don't belong here, I really think you should go." I'm sure there are other joyless Disney characters who could do this too."

I imagine the wicked mum/child stealer from Tangled to be perfect for this.

FireCrotch · 31/01/2016 08:21

I should have known. She also has a fetish for Winnie. Wears the fleece and everything.

londonrach · 31/01/2016 08:29

There are some really nasty posts here with people not understanding why adults enjoy disneyland without dc. Everyone likes different things. Wouldnt life be boring if we liked the same things. Thats one of the reasins i enjoy aibu due to the differences between people. I dont get the whole east enders and other soaps or understand understand why anyone watch x factor, the voice etc and any movie over a 15 but i certainly understand that other people enjoy that. Personally if i had a choice of a pet id go for a dog (parsons jack russell) but others like snakes and spiders. Each to their own. If someone wants to go to disneyland as an adult without children, why not. Some people enjoy a beach holiday whilst others want an action holiday....neither is wrong. Its personal taste and as i said before going to disney as an adult alone theres nothing wrong with that. (Digs out her enid blyton books st clares which im re reading as an adult on my daily train journary at the moment!!!!)

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 31/01/2016 08:42

It's not about going to Disney as an adult, it's about the autographs. I wouldn't judge someone for going. I just thought it would be a waste of time to queue up knowing that is just a bored employee in a suit... I might as well scribble the names in a book for her!

OP posts:
notonyurjellybellynelly · 31/01/2016 08:44

Wouldn't of occurred to us to go before having children - the whole of Paris is there why hang around a plastic corporate children's theme park

It may not have occurred to you to go to Disney pre children but there's plenty of fun in it for others. And it's perfectly possible to also take in Paris during the same trip, even with your children. Its not just a city for adults. The banks of the Seine, around the area of Notre Dame, are turned into a beach during August, they even have beach volleyball games going on as well as street theatre. And the square around the Pompidou Centre in Paris is also a fab place to be, it also has street theatre and a whole lot more. Then there are the wonderful Parisian Parks. We love Paris as a family even though it took my granddaughter 6 months to go to the bathroom on her own after she saw her first Mummy in the Louvre.

Hulababy · 31/01/2016 08:46

I'd go as an adult, but not for characters and autographs. I love rides so a theme park for me is about that.

Off back to Disneyworld and Universal in 6 days time - going to be fun.

KERALA1 · 31/01/2016 08:48

Don't forget the doll museum - funny slightly creepy place but my two girls loved it, still talk about it two years later and play daily with the China dolls we bought there. Way better than Disney.

notonyurjellybellynelly · 31/01/2016 08:49

(Digs out her enid blyton books st clares which im re reading as an adult on my daily train journary at the moment!!!!)

Me and my grown up daughters are re-reading The Chalet School series along with my 10 year old granddaughter who's reading them first time round.

SparklesandBangs · 31/01/2016 08:50

I've been to Disney to many times for it to be healthy, all as an adult, mostly with DC. We only did autographs once when DC were about 4&6 as I found them a pain. However we have queued many times for photos with characters.

Went last year just my adult DD and me, it wasn't busy and she did 3 photo ops, she was in the queue on her own does that make her odd/SN/pervert?

abbieanders · 31/01/2016 08:54

There are some really nasty posts here with people not understanding why adults enjoy disneyland without dc

Yeah, I suppose there's some confusion about adults who won't grow up and engage with adult things. Disney is for children. Harry Potter is for children. You may find it nasty - and maybe it is - but I'm really concerned about a society where people refuse to grow up.

londonrach · 31/01/2016 08:56

Notyou. Never got into the chalet school series but i might have to. Is it better to start at the beginning or do you have favouites to recommend. Ive found the easy pick up and read of st clares to be lovely and very relaxing before and after a days work. Im also rereading my judy and bunty annuals at the moment. Takes you right back to the 80s. Im moving and found all these treasures whilst packing. Sorry op this has gone off topic!