How I Realized I’m Not a Disney Adult

Tiff 3 weeks ago Experiences 1 Comment

I love Disney. I grew up going to Disney in the summers, I went as a young adult with my friends, and for 10 years as an adult; I went to Disney no less than twice a year. I had a collection of Minnie ear headbands and themed shirts that matched, and I looked forward to going to Disney, no matter how many times I had already gone. I assumed this meant I was a Disney adult. My husband tolerated being married to a Disney adult.

A woman is taking a selfie indoors. She is wearing a blue tank top with a design on it and a headband with blue and white star-patterned Mickey Mouse ears. She is smiling and has one arm raised. The room has light-colored walls and a window with blinds. — I’m coordinating ears and shirt to go to Hollywood Studios in 2017

Between COVID and life, we had a seven-year stretch during which I did not go to Disney. I did miss going, but I knew that was not a priority for our family right now.

A group of six people, including two children and four adults, are posing together outdoors under a blue sky. One adult is wearing a cap and sunglasses, and another is wearing a headband with large ears. The group is smiling, and one child is making a hand gesture. They appear to be enjoying a sunny day. — Our entire family at the Magic Kingdom in 2016

My dad’s health took a serious downturn this past fall. My parents still bought their annual passes in the summer, but they only used them a few times, and they couldn’t do very much when they did go.

My father passed away in April, and my mother asked me if I could go to Disney with her for a day or two in between all the business that goes along with a spouse passing away. I asked her if she was sure since I thought it might be sad for her, but she said she had nothing but happy memories there, so it might make her feel better.

The image shows two people standing in front of a sign that reads "The Land." They are both smiling and holding drinks. The person on the left is wearing a floral dress and a visor, while the person on the right is wearing sunglasses and a white shirt. There are trees and greenery in the background. — Mom and I at EPCOT in the 90s

We went to Hollywood Studios, and there were a lot of changes since 2018. Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge did not exist. The Great Movie Ride and Lights, Motor, Action were still there. There were five rides I had never been on.

Walking through the new lands for the first time, I tried to take it all in. I’m a huge Star Wars fan, and I’ve wanted to see Galaxy’s Edge since it first opened. Then my mom said she missed how Hollywood Studios used to be. That’s when it hit me. I missed it too, but not because it was better that way. Objectively speaking, all the changes they made at Hollywood Studios are far better.

I miss my kids being little and going to Disney with them. I miss my parents being younger, in good health, and able to travel. The magic of Disney wasn’t Disney, it was going and enjoying it as a family; kids, parents, grandparents together. Those once-happy memories are now mingled with sadness that my father is gone, and life is very different from what it was a decade ago.

I know I still have years to make new happy memories with my family, but I am in mourning right now. I hope someday I’m blessed with grandchildren and the ability to travel to Disney with our kids and grandkids. I want to immerse myself in going to Disney as I did when our kids were little. I hope I get the chance to see it through young eyes and enjoy the magic again.

But for now, going to Disney will be a little sad for me. And that’s okay.

One comment

Jeanne Marie Hoffman
June 2, 2025 at 8:55 am

This makes so much sense, and I’m so sorry for your loss.

I have so many good memories at Busch Gardens Williamsburg but it never feels the same. I have such a strong ethos for the memory of it — but I think it is the same thing you are saying. It’s not that it is worse. It’s that it is different. And the beauty is in the memories we made there.