Disney Adults: Exploring (and Falling in Love with) a Magical Subculture

Wolfe, creator of the Disney Food Blog, considers the Disney Adult phenomenon in this defiant debut intended as a response to online ridicule of the group. She defines a Disney Adult as someone who has “a slightly obsessive proclivity toward experiences and entertainment created by one of the world’s largest media conglomerates” and for whom Disney is a “cornerstone” of life. Confessing that she’s one such fan, Wolfe contends that being a Disney Adult can offer a sense of belonging and provide a chance to have fun in a world that “tells grown-ups they shouldn’t.” Elsewhere, she discusses claims that fans treat Disney like a religion (she doesn’t offer a definitive take on whether the accusation is true), and contends that due to “super-saturated surroundings,” toddlers are more likely to take their first steps in a Disney park. Wolfe’s vulnerability is laudable—she’s frank about some questionable choices she’s made as a result of her obsession, including amassing $17,000 in credit card debt booking trips to Disneyworld—but at times her arguments are more impassioned than convincing. Still, fellow die-hards will take solace from Wolfe’s candor. Agent: Steve Troha and Jamie Chambliss, Folio Literary. (Aug.)