Disney adults—particularly frequent Walt Disney World visitors who travel without children—are often the target of jokes about their spending, repeat trips and Disney-themed style. In a Time essay, writer Jada Gomez argues that the criticism overlooks a simple reason people return: the resort brings them joy.
Gomez, who identifies herself as a Disney adult, compares the devotion of Disney fans with that of sports fans. She writes that people may spend heavily on season tickets, collectibles or a favorite team without the same level of ridicule directed at adults who collect mouse ears, wear themed outfits or make frequent Disney trips.
For Gomez, Walt Disney World offers a familiar setting, childhood nostalgia and opportunities to make new memories as attractions and experiences change. Her examples extend beyond theme park days: she writes about visiting Disney's BoardWalk area, watching Magic Kingdom fireworks from a beach, and taking a paint-and-sip class at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.
The essay also notes that not every Disney-focused visit requires admission to a park. Gomez describes the BoardWalk, which connects Disney's Yacht and Beach Club resorts, as an area that does not require a ticket. She also points to the ways visitors can tailor stays around their own preferences, including avoiding crowds or planning with a family member's mobility needs in mind.
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Gomez's central argument is not that every traveler should choose Walt Disney World over other trips. Rather, she says enthusiasm for Disney should be treated as another form of fandom, whether a visitor comes for rides, resorts, fireworks, collectibles or the familiarity of returning to a place they enjoy.
