Confessions of a Disney skeptic: Why Walt Disney World isn't just for kids (or Disney Adults)

I hate to boast, but I was awarded the title of “Galactic Hero” during a recent mission aboard Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Evil Emperor Zurg was no match for my highly refined laser-blasting skills as I piloted my trusty star cruiser through the corridors of Gamma Quadrant.

By the time my journey was complete, I had racked up a staggering 999,999 points — a score that would put even the most seasoned Intergalactic Space Ranger to shame.

It’s hard to say what accounted for my unprecedented success amid the chaos of the cosmos. Years ago, as a young cadet fresh out of the Academy, I exhibited pitiful marksmanship during my inaugural trip to Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando.

Back then, my eyes couldn’t keep pace with the rapidly moving “Z” targets, and my laser cannon seemed to require a full solar cycle to recharge between shots. Any dreams of joining the elite Galactic Order were quickly dashed against the rocks of my own inadequacy.

But something changed on this most recent outing.

It’s possible Zurg has lost a step over the years. Or maybe age and experience allowed me to excel at an interactive ride intended for children. Whatever the reason, I emerged from my extraterrestrial skirmish with a newfound sense of accomplishment — an emotion I didn't expect to feel on a work trip to “The Most Magical Place On Earth.”

Twenty-five years have passed since I first stepped foot inside Magic Kingdom® Park. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t in a rush to return. I am 33 years old, with neither a child, a niece, nor a nephew to insist that I take them on a pilgrimage to “The Vacation Kingdom of the World,” as my mother did for me growing up.

Forking over a small fortune to immerse myself in a world of fantastical characters, anthropomorphic rodents and overpriced churros, I must confess, wasn’t exactly high on my priority list. And so I went about my life pursuing other interests, content to let Disney’s siren song tempt others to its mouse-eared shores.

The irony of this perspective is that a large percentage of my professional life revolves around theme parks like Walt Disney World. My role as a producer at Travelzoo requires me to stay abreast of trends and developments in the themed entertainment industry, and few companies loom as large in this space as the Walt Disney Corporation.

Dear Reader, I promise that I was simply doing my job. My lot in life left me no other option. When the House of Mouse beckoned me to its hallowed grounds under the guise of an all-expenses-paid "Familiarization Trip," I couldn't help but accept. 

The timing of this particular visit was centered around Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — a special after-hours event featuring Halloween-themed entertainment, fireworks, trick-or-treating, a spooky dance party and Disney characters dressed for the occasion.

I entered Magic Kingdom ready for the August heat, with nothing but a lanyard to separate my wardrobe from my regular summer attire. This sartorial choice, however, marked me as a noncommittal outsider amidst the sea of costumed guests. 

As I claimed my spot along Main Street, U.S.A., to await the start of the “Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” I felt oddly self-conscious surrounded by the delighted throngs of Disney enthusiasts around me.

Everywhere I looked, guests had immersed themselves in the magic of the evening. Children and so-called “Disney Adults” alike sported inventive Disney-inspired outfits, from the classic to the obscure. 

A sample of the characters I saw:

• Aladdin and Jasmine pushing a stroller
• Jack Skellington and Sally from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" twirling hand-in-hand
• Kronk from "The Emperor's New Groove" mingling with a prequels-era Obi-Wan Kenobi
• No fewer than a dozen Elsas from “Frozen,” with (this is a rough estimate) 3 billion renditions of “Let It Go” between them

Standing around, studying an article about fantasy football on my phone, my guilt at being the only guest without a costume started to intensify. Before I had the chance to sink into a further sense of isolation, though, the parade sprang to life before my eyes in a dazzling display of lights, music and costumed characters.

The Headless Horseman kicked off the festivities, riding a magnificent black steed past Cinderella Castle and setting a spooky tone for the procession that followed.

A dance troupe led by Max Goof dressed as Powerline from “A Goofy Movie” was next. A personal favorite, I couldn't resist bobbing my head along to the infectious energy of the song “Stand Out.” 

I wasn’t alone. Everyone in the park, from the guests to the custodians on break to the photographers camped in front of the castle, seemed caught up in the revelry.

Like the 2018 film “The Grinch” (produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures), my heart expanded in ways I hadn't anticipated, shedding my skepticism and embracing the pure delight that had gripped the crowd around me.

An event I assumed would only appeal to Disney Diehards had somehow managed to ensnare me in its spell. My disposition transformed from a passive observer to an active participant in the experience.

I watched with delight as villains from across Disney's storied canon materialized before me — from Cruella de Vil and Ursula to Jafar, Maleficent and the Evil Queen — the line between fantasy and reality blurring with each passing float.

When the parade was over, I headed deeper into the park to enjoy the other attractions on offer. I rode Space Mountain. I ate my weight in fun-sized Twix bars. I endured the line for Tron Lightcycle Run, then I went back in the queue to do it again. 

I had fun. Of course, I had fun. The Walt Disney World experience is meticulously engineered to foster positive feelings and lasting memories for all who pass through its gates. Who was I to resist such a potent formula for happiness?

For those of you who may foster a similar reluctance toward the Disney enterprise, I encourage you to secure your own free trip to Orlando and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. And even if you have to foot the bill yourself, a visit to Walt Disney World may prove more rewarding than you expect. 

There’s a reason, after all, why 58 million people flock to the parks each year, and it’s not just to defeat Emperor Zurg in the name of the Galactic Order.

Disney holds a unique position in our culture — one that transcends mere theme parks. Its stories, characters and experiences have become woven into the very fabric of our collective consciousness.

Getting to explore that world as an adult and see it through fresh eyes was a powerful reminder of the affection people have for these characters and the ingenuity that goes into crafting those indelible experiences.

Watching the scores of guests create core memories (a phrase popularized by Pixar’s “Inside Out”)  and live out childhood fantasies, I found it genuinely moving to think that my contributions at Travelzoo played a small role in the joy they were experiencing.

Maybe I’m a Disney Adult after all.