The science behind ‘Disney Adults’: Experts reveal why some people are obsessed with ‘the happiest place on Earth’

Hordes of childless individuals storm the doors of the Magic Kingdom every day, dressed as their favorite characters and willing to spend thousands of dollars.

These so-called adults at Disney have It’s become a bit of a mystery, but there’s a science behind this group’s obsession with the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

Psychologists studying this fandom have found that it may stem from personal trauma, a way of reliving key memories or a sense of belonging.

These so-called “Disney adults” have become somewhat of an enigma, but there is a science behind this group’s obsession with “the happiest place on Earth.”

The concept of Disneyland began when Walt Disney watched his daughters, Diane and Sharon, riding the carousel in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

At that moment, imagine A A place where adults and their children can go and have a good time together.

Some Disney adults find refuge within the walls of the Magic Kingdom.

Many see destination travel as a childhood experience they never had, and a way to allow their inner child to flourish in a safe environment.

A woman named Susan shared her story on a Disney discussion forum regarding how she suffered trauma but felt saved when she visited the park for the first time.

I went to Disney World at age 19 and remember watching the “Wishes” show at the Magic Kingdom.

“This was at a point where I was really suicidal and didn’t feel like there was anything left to hope for.” “I didn’t really want to go to Disney World,” Susan shared.

‘Just being there, surrounded by all this magic and hope, surrounded by all these things that appeal to childhood and believing in your dreams, made me feel like there was this child inside of me who just wanted to be able to live again.’

She went on to explain how now, as an adult, she “travels whenever money allows her” and misses the park when she’s not able to.

“No horrible relatives or abusers will meet me there, and it’s okay there to want to be a child again and to think about childhood in a happy light,” Susan concluded.

The concept of Disneyland began when Walt Disney watched his daughters, Diane and Sharon, riding the carousel in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. In that moment, envision a place where adults and their children can go and have a good time together

One Reddit user shared their reason for being a Disney adult in a post that read: “(I was) a poor kid who grew up and decided they wanted to finally take their money to the place they could never go when they were kids.”

Another adult Disney character, Melissa Tierney, has turned her passion for magic into an influencer career.

I told hustle She owns more than 400 pairs of Mickey Mouse ears, and according to her Instagram, Mickey and Minnie were guests of honor at her wedding, which was held at the Orlando location.

“There are a lot of Disney adults that I’m friends with who had really rough childhoods,” Tierney told Bustle.

“Disney is an outlet for them to feel like they’re enjoying the childhood they didn’t have.”

But Terani’s obsession does not stem from a harsh childhood, but rather from a magical childhood.

I grew up with Disney because my parents loved bringing us there. “These are my fondest vacation memories,” she said.

One Reddit user had a similar upbringing that led to them falling in love with Disney.

“I’m a Disney Liver.” Growing up in Florida, I went for almost every school holiday, my dad and his family worked there (my grandmother was the opening/first manager of the Disney store at the Orlando airport and my dad still works there), and my husband and I watched a TV movie. “Disney movie on our first date and we went on our honeymoon, our guest room is Disney themed, we go every year,” shared ‘MrsCaptainFail’ users.

“(Disney parks) are one of the few places you can go back to,” psychologist Jaime Zuckerman told Bustle. “You can actually recreate that feeling of nostalgia within your control.”

Studies have shown rewards associated with nostalgia, such as optimism, enhanced social connections, reduced anxiety, and improved mood.

And people come back to see if they can get those feelings repeatedly.

Sometimes, Disney-obsessed adults take their Disney obsession not to the parks but to events to meet others with the same enthusiasm.

There are meetups all over the United States dedicated to people who love the Magic Kingdom and even online groups, one of which is called Mouse Fellowship, that allows people to schedule going to the parks in a group.