Disney adults

[stardii]

In the last year I've met three separate couples that are so into Disney.

I know we all like different things, but isn't Disney for children?

And you think calling me a moron for responding to someone who is actually actively saying that people should only have "age appropriate" activities, without backing up what they think those are or why others are not, is not nasty?

I'm not a Disney adult. I enjoy watching the films with my daughter and I've been to the parks and enjoyed them. But my interests lie elsewhere. I could never see Disney again and not care.

What I dislike is people saying that other people's interests are pathetic. Or they need their hard drive examining. Or that they would laugh at their interests. Because you can dress it up however you like, that's just bullying. And I can't abide bullies.

I am probably the biggest 'Disney Adult' that I personally know (even my username is Disney related!) and I can see where the OP is coming from.. but looking at it logically, what are we talking about:

Films and TV shows - these are for all ages, always have been. And does it really matter if you enjoy a film as an adult whose target market is kids?

Theme parks - Walt Disney's entire premise for building Disneyland was to have somewhere for adults to enjoy too - he was fed up of sitting on a bench watching his daughters have fun at the local amusement park. No-one can tell me that EPCOT is designed with only kids in mind. And that includes 1980s/1990s EPCOT, before it became the world's most expensive pub crawl. We don't seem to get the same mockery if someone spends a few weekends a year going to Alton Towers.

Merchandise - yes, I agree, women in their 40s getting excited about which pair of Minnie ears they are going to buy next is a bit weird. But so what? No worse than walking around with your football team or your favourite band's shirt on.

Ironically the one thing I have grown out of is the films and TV - I barely watch these anymore (I keep my Disney+ subscription so I can keep watching The Imagineering Story).. but spending time in Disney theme parks is genuinely my number one favourite activity (I actually miss going to them on my own now I have DD, as she slows me down!).

The one thing I DO find weird... people agonising over what treats and gifts to 'pixie dust' the cast members with when they visit the parks. That's just plain odd.

No, that's not why I called you a moron.

It is because you keep arguing with what you say I mean, rather than with what I say I mean.

You may be mistaking me for another poster, because all I've done is say I don't think it's nice to laugh at people, and quote your own words to you. Which were (potentially not word for word as I'm remembering) "I'd laugh at them, either to their face or behind their back, depending on the relationship". I read them properly. I still thought they sounded nasty.

I've been responding to a different point since then. Mostly to a different poster.

I find most Disney very simplistic on a story/character/moral level. I don't simply mean "childish", I mean unsophisticated even compared to other children's media. Occasionally they slightly shake up a formula they've been following for 70 years and get applauded for it as if they were absolute geniuses.

It's fine for adults to watch children's movies; I do it a fair amount. But I think any adult obsessing over media to the point of making it half their public personality probably just needs to grow up. Especially when the media in question is primarily targeted at five-year-olds.

The songs are good though.

I read them properly. I still thought they sounded nasty.

This is an example of your dogged illogicality. Do with it what you will.

Let them get on with it. I personally still really enjoy the films but would never do the whole go to Disneyland in colour coordinating outfits kind of thing.

life is hard! Let them enjoy something cute

OK, clearly you believe it's fine to say you'd laugh at someone's interests and then call people who say that's not nice illogical. You do you.

The fact you called me a moron when I said it sounded nasty and then moved on because you can't believe I am not responding to your point anymore says huge amounts about you.

Elemental is an incredible film and I’ll fight anyone on that 😂

You're still doing it. You keep missing bits out of what you say my view is to suit your bizarrely fixed agenda. If you read closely, you'll see we agree with each other. Jeez.

I'm another one who'd love to know what classes as "age appropriate."
What are your interests?
Is there some kind of pre approved list?
Is it one that just exists in your head to make you feel better for your narrow mindedness and judging?!
I love "colouring in." Always have done.
If I was supposed to have grown out of it by now and taken up crochet or something, you wouldn't think there'd be a whole adult colouring range everywhere you go.
Just realise we all like different things and mind less about others and what they think and you'll be a lot more happier and content.

I loved universal. I loved euro Disney. I'm 53. They were great holidays. In my world, if someone talks about something all the time it's a "special interest" and they may be autistic.

Pretty sure people can like Disney without your approval

So, I agree with the OP
This is aibu; all opinions can be given
Just because an opinion isn't the same as some others, or because one has dared not to just say "No, you are not unreasonable, OP", but to also proffer their thoughts on similar examples as OP, this is somehow a reason to pick a fight

Actually, I and several other people simply asked you to explain why you agree or hold that stance. And the same if others who do. And why other interests are deemed age appropriate.

Neither you or the other PPs answered us. And @Benvolio attacked me for asking her why she felt it was ok to say she'd laugh at people.

We weren't the ones picking the fight. No name calling or meanness. We were just trying to ascertain why people thought like you.

There's just something about proper Disney Adults that I find nauseating. I've met a few of them, and the one I currently work with drives the entire department insane with it.

She's 37, morbidly obese because she likes to (and I quote) "eat cute Disney girl food!" (Processed crap), in her child's Disney lunchbox(es). She wears Minny Mouse ears and headbands to work. She dresses her two handbag dogs up in Disney outfits for babies. Her entire desk flickers because of the lights. She's single and still lives with her parents, her entire room is a Disney museum. It is ALL she talks about and I've seen her break down and cry when she couldn't buy the Disney merchandise she wanted.

That's a Disney Adult.

People watching the movies doesn't bother me. I still get a nostalgic lump in my throat when I watch Beauty and the Beast, but that's the extent of it. I find Disney a bit sickly, it isn't just childish it's saccharine sweet and (as another poster said) unsophisticated in its execution. The animation isn't actually that good in comparison to actual adult animation. The songs make me cringe.

Happy for my kids to watch, and I'll buy them the odd Disney toy here and there, but quite frankly even for children there are better stories and movies out there.

I'm not a big Harry Potter fan now, but I can see why people still like it. The adults now still into the fandom usually read fanfic which centres around the characters as adults (and lots is better written than the poor drivel churned out by JK.) . I've no problem with them dressing up, cosplay is cool. Halloween parties are great.

Disney, on the other hand, centres around child-like qualities. I understand escapism but it just makes me cringe for the most part.

Have you done holidays to Disney?

What sort of cute food does she eat? 😂

No, I'd not be spending that kind of cash on a theme park. Not my kind of holiday at all.

The food she eats is branded processed crap. She uses cookie cutters to make faces in sandwiches. She proudly can't cook, because her whole personality is "I'm a cute girl!" - she isn't. She's a grown woman who's whole life and personality revolves around Disney. Personally I think it's quite sad.

Actually @GiddyRobin that is pretty outing the way you describe your colleague..

She doesn't have kids so I doubt she'll be on Mumsnet. There are also plenty of Disney Adults like this out there. It's not that rare.

Not sure there are plenty of 37-year old women with two dressed up dogs, going to work with Mickey Mouse ears and eating food with faces on them from a kids Disney lunch box..? 😅😅 Or is there?

You'd be surprised! 🤣 Have a look on Instagram. There's a whole world of Disney shrines and chihuahuas in sparkly costumes!

I find it a bit odd if I'm honest but live and let live. My colleague loves Disney, goes twice yearly to DLP wearing Mickey ears and having photos with princesses and characters. It makes her happy even if I don't really understand the appeal. I've been to Disney in Florida and the rides were amazing. I didn't queue to meet the characters though - that's just a strange thing for an adult to do.

I like Harry Potter 🤷🏻‍♀️