by Ray Keating
Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 10, 2024
Are Disney resorts and theme parks meant to be places only for children?
Given the world we live in, vociferous criticisms seemingly must be launched at, well, pretty much everything in life (yes, it’s exhausting), and that includes adults – individuals or couples – who visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland or other Disney theme parks without children.
Often these criticisms are rooted in an assumed, increasing immaturity among adults. Without getting into that larger debate and discussion, how about the simple idea that adults might appreciate a fun experience with or without children? My wife and I have done Disney as a couple (we honeymooned in Walt Disney World and now are Annual Passholders), individuals, parents, and grandparents over the years. We, therefore, get to experience and enjoy the parks in different ways, and this is far from unique.
And as a business, Disney cannot ignore demographics. In the United States, the population is skewing older and in general people are having fewer children. So, it makes sense for Walt Disney World, for example, to cater in various ways to families with children and to adult guests without kids.
By the way, this isn’t a new idea. Walt Disney understood the idea of appealing to the entire family – parents and children – and to adults alone. Just consider the following observations from Walt…
“You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” - Walt Disney
“Disneyland isn’t designed just for children... I believe the right kind of entertainment can appeal to all persons, young or old. I want Disneyland to be a place where parents can bring their children – or come by themselves and still have a good time.” – Walt Disney
Walt Disney understood people, which was one reason why he ranked as one of the great entrepreneurs of the twentieth century.
Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with remaining a kid at heart, as long as that doesn’t involve shirking adult responsibilities, but instead simply means embracing fun, joy and youthful outlook on life. And that includes trips to Disney World.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
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• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
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