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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

KERALA1 · 31/01/2016 08:56

Best thing about Disney for me was watching dh. It is everything he hates but went for the girls bless him. He muttered never again as we drove away but we are staying with friends in Los Angeles this summer who live 10 miles from the California one so - ha yes he will have to do it again!

londonrach · 31/01/2016 09:08

Abbie...your post reminds me of the friends episode where phobie runs like a child. Rachel asks why and phobie replies along the lines its fun and she enjoys it. Being a bit silly here with an example. Im not very good at using the written word to Describe things. Im sorry other mntters. If you saw snow would you build a snowman if you had time or this that too childish. I treat patients of all ages and i can tell you ive had patients in their 90s who build that snowman and then knock it over. Why not, life is to be enjoyed in whatever why you enjoy, as long as it doesnt hurt others. In your case a nice adult walk in the snow and a maybe a small warning drink in the pub (im join you there) but id also build that snowman and might have have a snowball fight alone the way.

Alconleigh · 31/01/2016 09:19

I don't get Disney at all either, probably because I was never interested as a child so don't have that 'magical' memory thing to draw on. I would find an adult queuing for an autograph very odd, but I find them being there odd anyway. Am I likely to be great mates with this person? No. Would they care about this great loss? Doubt it . To each their own. And having said that, I once found myself in EuroDisney against my will (corporate trip, hellish), and I have to say Aerosmiths rock and roller coaster almost made it worthwhile!

BuntyCollocks · 31/01/2016 09:24

YANBU as she asked.

I went to Disney as part of my honeymoon. Always wanted to go, but my folks never had the cash. I thought it would be good for a couple of days, and then we'd do universal ... We spent the whole time in Florida there. It was absolutely magical. But I had no inclination to queue for autographs.

We took the kids last year to eurodisney, and it was brilliant, too. We did the autographs for our then 2 and 4 year old, and they were enchanted.

Disney is fantastic. I want to be my usual, cynical self, but it really is special.

Cloudybutwarm · 31/01/2016 09:28

abbie I can assure you Disney is not 'just for children'. It is way more than just Mickey Mouse.

KERALA1 · 31/01/2016 09:32

It's abit mean to paint those that don't adore Disney as serious non playful types. You can enjoy building snow men and reading books with children without buying into the whole corporate Disney shtick.

limitedperiodonly · 31/01/2016 09:36

I read the title as meaning that adults shouldn't have to queue for Mickey's autograph - they should be allowed to push in.

Probably because some friends and I had VIP tickets for the Universal park in Los Angeles and were ushered to the front of every queue.

I could feel the angry eyes boring into the back of my head but I ignored them and the muttering.

I felt slightly ridiculous being the oldest person on the ET ride by about 30 years but I squashed the feeling because it was fun.

2016IsANewYearforMe · 31/01/2016 09:38

Definitely true that Disney is not just for children. They are very good at what they do; they run a slick operation with a high quality product. But, it is also true, that there are some attractions/features that are aimed at young children. The characters were meant to appeal to toddlers and preschoolers who are too young for many of the rides and might find some experiences too intense. Disney wants to cater to all ages and tastes. If it turns out that there are a fair number of adults who enjoy meeting characters too, they won't mind. They are there to make people happy.

Now, that said, you can't expect adults waiting in line with over-excited four year olds for 20+ minutes not to wonder about grown adults in the queue with them. I know I was only there to please my DDs and would have happily skipped away to go inside some place air-conditioned and have a cool drink instead!

BathshebaDarkstone · 31/01/2016 09:38

For those who say that going to Disney as an adult without DC is weird, DH did it in his 20s, long before he met me, I think it's weird!

mommy2ash · 31/01/2016 09:40

Apart from those who push children out of the way, my own dd has gotten an elbow to the fave by a man, I don't see the harm in it. People have all kinds of interests or hobbies and if someone pays that much money to go to disney they are just as entitled to a photo and autograph as my dd is

molyholy · 31/01/2016 09:40

Yanbu. We went to dlp with our 5yr old dd. It was a horrid experience. Queues for every fucking thing. Even half an hr for the fucking toilets. If you had have taken out all the wierd adults queuing up for mickey twatting mouses autograph/picture, you could have halved the waiting time. Pile of shite and also I do not get it. It is someone dressed up as a cartoon character. Very very strange. It's not magical. It fancy dress!!! There is probably some underpaid sweaty teenager in that costume thinking why the fuck has this adult queued up for 2 hours to get their picture taken with me.

Sparklingbrook · 31/01/2016 09:42

I went to Disneyland in my early 20s with a friend. We went on all the rides at least twice. I can't even remember seeing anyone dressed up as anything. Didn't take a camera. But I remember thinking Knott's Berry Farm was way better.

slightlyglitterbrained · 31/01/2016 09:44

There's a difference between refusing to grow up, and enjoying a brief opportunity to enjoy things you wanted in childhood but never got, that several posters have described.

I work in a company where my adult colleagues are perfectly capable of engaging with adult things. They're also perfectly capable of running around giggling hysterically shooting each other with Nerf darts, and we all clubbed together to buy some shared Lego. Perhaps this willingness to play is because we all work in an industry where you need to like learning new things. And play is one of the most effective ways ever to learn.

There's nothing wrong with having your tastes and interests change as you grow up. But sneering at any adult who does something you put in your "for children" box is unpleasant and narrow.

limitedperiodonly · 31/01/2016 09:44

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.

wanderings

FlowersAndShit · 31/01/2016 09:45

I'd love to go back to Disney World Florida but I have nobody to go with.

fruityb · 31/01/2016 09:50

Wow. Never ever thought of myself as someone who won't grow up... I'll happily take a childish label if that's the case. I loved every minute of my holiday to Orlando last year. Disney and Universal and I spent ages smiling at Diagon Alley and happily waved at Mickey Mouse. And it was only me and DP. How ridiculous we were going on our own eh!

I am currently pregnant with my first and will be taking them when they're older. Where I will still enjoy every single minute. While autographs would have been a bit much I think it's fun to have a bit of magic in your life. I'd always wanted to go and went when I could afford it as we couldn't have when I was young. We'd also been considering we may not be able to have children at all as it hadn't happened after a long time. I don't think it should be closed off to adults because you go without kids!

Think some of you are sourpusses!!

londonrach · 31/01/2016 09:53

Kerala1... Said i was very bad with examples

PurplePotatoes · 31/01/2016 09:56

I guess they've paid their money so why not but it's not something I'd do really.

I was in Florida recently and would say half of the character queues were adults only! In fact we saw one where there was a woman with her dog and a young boy with his dad, they were the only two in the queue - the woman took her dog for a photo with the character - apparently the dog loved him and then they said "that's it now" and turned the poor little boy away, thought that was pretty bad.

Sparklingbrook · 31/01/2016 09:57

They let dogs in? Was it an assistance dog?

Hulababy · 31/01/2016 10:22

Sparkling - only assistance dogs allowed. There are places just outside the gates near the car parks for other dogs to be left for the day

Sparklingbrook · 31/01/2016 10:23

The assistance dog was a big fan then. I thought it a bit odd that dogs would be allowed.

Helmetbymidnight · 31/01/2016 10:31

Which character did the dog like? Goofy?

Strangeoccurence · 31/01/2016 10:36

Some people are just disney mad, and it follows into adulthood. I know of two who are seriously disney obsessed and they have no dc.
It could be a love of disney she has thats bordering on obsession/hobby and so an autograph just adds to her collection.

Yanbu for your own personal view on it. I do think yabu to class her as weird and bizarre

PosieReturningParker · 31/01/2016 10:39

Loads and loads did It when I went last year, I find it weird but it's up to them.

The pin badge collecting is cult like too.

Lockheart · 31/01/2016 10:56

It's perfectly possible to enjoy cultural Paris as well as euro Disney - the two aren't mutually exclusive. I'm an ex-curator and a huge museum and gallery buff so Paris is heaven for me, but sometimes it's also nice to go nuts on space mountain and buy a Jack Sparrow hat love my hat.

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