I’m a Disney Adult. These Are the 9 Things I Always Do at the Parks That People May Judge.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding “Disney adults”—adults, with or without kids, who passionately love all things Disney. Disney adults are often the target of criticism, as many fail to understand or simply choose to look judgmentally at their lifestyle.

As a self-proclaimed Disney adult, I will say that some specific behaviors Disney adults engage in can admittedly come across as kind of peculiar (to those who don’t identify with this group). These are the 10 things I always do at the Disney theme parks that some may judge. At Mickey Visit, we bring you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including looks at the newest rides and milestones on construction.

READ MORE – 20 Secret Disneyland Quiet Spots Many Regulars Don’t Even Know

I Cry During the Shows

Starting off strong, yes, I cry during the parades and nighttime spectaculars. And honestly, it makes sense why!

Disney was designed for guests of all ages to have a magical experience, and the entertainment is supposed to pull at your heartstrings. There is something to be said for witnessing something so beautiful that it takes your breath away, letting those words of inspiration really soak in, or seeing your childhood heroes come to life in front of you.

What’s quite special is that I’m sure no two Disney adults will get emotional over the same thing. For me, it may be seeing the Flynn and Rapunzel float in Fantasmic!, or experiencing the finale of Soarin’ flying over the park. But there are so many other things that will touch the hearts of Disney adults—everything from walking down Main Street at night to watching little kids interact with characters.

I particularly enjoy this Reddit thread where people shared what made them emotional at Disneyland. There is truly something at the Disney parks designed to touch every person’s heart.

Some of my favorite responses there include:

“Walking through cars land at night with everything lit up.”

“Leaving, primarily from Disneyland, at night when you can tell there’s already less people in the park, just about when I get to the midway point on Main Street near Carnation.”

“That moment when you first step through the gates and the area music hits”

“Soarin'”

“Living vicariously through my two little daughters ❤️❤️❤️”

I Line Up for the Newest Popcorn Buckets

Call me a crazy Disney adult, but when I heard that a Death Star popcorn bucket was coming out for Season of the Force, getting one was non-negotiable…even though it meant waiting in this huge line.

Disney popcorn buckets have had a huge fan following in recent years. In fact, these are so popular that the first day a sought-after novelty is released, you’ll often see resellers come in to try and bulk-purchase these to resell on eBay!

Some may judge the huge Disney adult popcorn bucket following, but there are good reasons why these are so popular. Each new popcorn bucket features a completely unique design featuring favorite characters and seasonal themes, making them ideal for collectors.

These elaborately themed novelties have evolved far past their function in the parks. They are fantastic home decor items as well! I admit it…I have a popcorn bucket shelf. They are just too fun not to display, and honestly, they brighten my day. Glancing over and making unexpected eye contact with a Jabba the Hutt bucket will sometimes just give me the laugh I need to get through.

I Pretend the Characters Are Real

I always have a little bit of an internal battle between my Disney adult side and my introversion when I go to the parks. Even though it may look a little funny as an adult with no kids, I love the character meet-and-greets.

Some will doubtlessly judge this, but I am always willing to suspend my disbelief and pretend that I really am meeting the actual character. Disneyland is designed to be a place where you can escape reality and let out your inner child, so you bet I’ll be doing that!

I will never get tired of waiting in line to get a hug and a photo with Mickey because there is just something so heartwarming and human about these character interactions. Afterwards, it always brings a smile to my face knowing how the amazing Disneyland Cast Members always go above and beyond to make every single person feel special.

I Film Everything

Yes, I admit that part of this is because it’s my job. But even if it weren’t, my camera roll would definitely still be 99% Disney photos and videos. As a matter of fact, when I go to dig for something non-Disney related, it always takes me a second because I have so many videos of Dole Whip and Disney fireworks on my phone.

A big portion of my camera roll is taken up by the Disney food! The treats at Disneyland are so beautifully put together and are honestly just as fun to look at as they are to eat! So yes, I am that person who will spend a solid five minutes with my phone out, capturing every angle of my food before I actually eat it. I feel like it’s a crime not to.

I also like to (respectfully) film the entertainment and rides sometimes, if it won’t detract from someone else’s experience. I do this because I love sharing these videos with all of you on Mickey Visit and hearing your stories about the attraction!

I always make sure to have my phone brightness all the way down, hold my phone close to my body, and make sure that I am not close enough to another person that my filming would be distracting to them. This is one of the personal, unofficial rules I implement for myself when I visit Disney.

I Disneybound (and Dress Up for After-Hours Events)

While Disney adults are not allowed to wear full costumes to the parks, they can Disneybound! This is dressing up in everyday clothes inspired by a certain Disney character by using color blocking and accessories. I like to do this sometimes, as it’s exciting to put together an outfit and wearing it adds a little touch of magic to my day! Plus, Disneybounding can make for a great conversation starter with the Disney characters you meet.

And you bet that I’m going to be wearing a full costume when I get the chance! Disneyland After Dark nights provide the perfect excuse to dress up. At these events, you’ll find nothing but Disney adults dressed in some seriously impressive costumes. My favorite part of these events is seeing who everyone is dressed up as!

I Buy a Little Too Much Merch

The above meme pretty accurately captures my constant predicament when visiting Disneyland. I’m sure that many other Disney adults experience the same thing!

It is just so easy to overspend at Disneyland, especially with all of the cute merchandise available. I’ve recently become a sucker for a cute Lug bag or a new Her Universe dress, despite my best efforts to be responsible. And my collection of Minnie ears grows increasingly larger with each new seasonal design. When I first saw the Castle Collection for the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration, my first thought was, “Oh no, there goes my money.”

There are constantly little new things dropping at the parks that would be so easy to miss. Even if I have no intention of buying all of it, I’ll still watch all of the merchandise videos from content creators on Instagram to see what’s new. I can’t help it—it brings me joy!

I Love the Smell of Pirates Water (and Other Things)

This is definitely a niche that Disney adults will absolutely understand, but others may judge. I just live for the distinctive smells at Disneyland. When I walk into Pirates of the Caribbean, I deeply inhale the bromine smell of the water. Yes, it is totally weird, but the smell is nostalgic and associated in my mind with my love for this iconic ride.

And, of course, I love the smells on Soarin’. My favorites are the scent of the Soarin’ orange groves in Soarin’ Over California and the floral smell flying over the Taj Mahal in Soarin’ Around the World.

Though it’s an odd one, another one of my favorite smells is the queue of Indiana Jones Adventure. I can’t quite pinpoint what the smell is, but clearly it’s left a lasting impression on me. This is one that some Reddit users mentioned when talking about their favorite smells at Disneyland, so at least I know I’m not alone!

I Go On the Kids’ Rides

Yes, I will absolutely stand in line to ride Peter Pan’s Flight, and I will cry during those two short minutes. There is something so special about Disneyland’s original attractions.

When you’re an adult, it’s easy to get into the Indiana Jones, Rise of the Resistance, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, etc. loop with all of the fast-paced thrill rides that you forget to slow down and soak in the original Disney magic.

I hear a lot of Disney adults say that if they’re going to Disney, they’re going to ride everything, kids’ rides and beyond, and I love that attitude!

I know in reality, there really is no such thing as a “kids’ ride” at Disneyland, but I love to go on the Fantasyland rides and family-friendly dark rides to connect with my inner child, even though I don’t have kids. There is something so delightful about the music and vibrant scene design of these classic attractions.

I Get Up Insanely Early to Rope Drop

To most people, it may seem kind of crazy to get up at the crack of dawn while on vacation. But to Disney adults, rope drop is not negotiable. I’m not always at the front of the rope drop crowd, but I will absolutely try my best to be lined up bright and early before the Cast Members drop the ropes to the various lands.

And honestly, there is a very good reason to rope drop. I don’t want to be stuck in long lines all day because I slept in! I feel so much better knowing I accomplished everything before the masses start rolling in.

Are Disney Adults Judged Too Harshly?

Disney adults are the target of a significant amount of criticism and judgment from people who don’t really get why they do what they do. People are welcome to judge all that they’d like, but I am always of the mind that if it’s not hurting someone else, you should unapologetically pursue what makes you happy.

The world we live in can be a very stressful place. Disney provides an escape, a place of joy and comfort, and a healthy dose of the love, hope, and magic that can sometimes be missing from our everyday lives.

Disney adults see the beauty in small details, stay in touch with their emotions, and take their mentality outside of the parks to appreciate the magic in their everyday lives. To me, that’s not something to judge, but something to celebrate.