In Defense of the Disney Adult

—Thomas Simonetti—The Washington Post via Getty Images Disney Adults are so easy to tease.

People think they’re immature, embarrassing, cringe.

As such, jokes about people who enjoy visiting Disney parks annually (or even multiple times a year) run rampant on social media.

Satirized as being mentally stuck in elementary school and shamed for spending exorbitant amounts of money on their Disney fix , “Disney Adult " has become the punchline de jou r for someone who needs to grow up and get a life.

In their park of choice—whether it’s Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Animal Kingdom , or Hollywood Studios —Disney Adults typically wear some sort of Disney-coded costume or outfit meticulously coordinated with an on-theme Loungefly backpack and mouse ears.

Disney Adults are blasted for constantly returning to “the most magical place on Earth ,” and their slanderers believe those travel funds should be spent on “real” vacations .

Where? Literally anywhere else.

The most outrageous of culprits? A Disney Adult who enjoys the Disney bubble… without any children.

But in defense of the oft-ridiculed Disney Adult, why put a price on someone else’s joy, especially if you’re not the one bankrolling it? I’ll admit it: I am a Disney Adult.

You know what, I’m proud of it.

I grew up during the Disney Renaissance era and still never miss a new release, collect merch (especially ornaments), and will dress my dog as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story this Halloween.

When I’m super bored, I check the wait times for rides while I’m on my couch thousands of miles away instead of doomscrolling.

I’m confident in enjoying whatever makes me happy, and I choose to invest in my joy.

And yes, I am the dreaded Disney Adult without children.