The “Most Magical Place on Earth” may soon be a lot less magical for families with young children. Disney is aggressively expanding adults-only offerings, including controversial new “Adult Only Days” that prohibit kids from entering certain theme parks.
It’s the latest move targeting the lucrative kid-free demographic. But the initiative risks alienating Disney’s core audience of parents and children.
Adult Only Days will debut this fall, with different Disney World parks going child-free on select weekdays. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will each take turns being 18+ when the program launches in September.
Disney claims it’s responding to demand from adults frustrated by strollers and screaming kids. “We want to give guests a peaceful day without pesky children,” a spokesperson said.
Yet many see it as a desperate ploy for revenue after Disney’s stocks plummeted to record lows. “They’re abandoning families and begging adults to bail them out,” said one industry expert.
The reaction online has been fierce. “Disney is for ALL ages!” wrote one angry mom on Twitter. But some millennials welcomed a chance to enjoy Disney without interruptions. “No kids means I can actually see the fireworks,” one woman enthused.
It’s not the first controversial move favoring grown-ups. Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021 was blasted as a “spring break for adults.” And Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser catered almost exclusively to deep-pocketed super fans.
Now, with Adult Only Days, Disney is removing kids entirely. Parents with existing park reservations during the blackout periods will be turned away at the gates.
“Get ready for lots of angry families,” warned a Disney travel agent. “This could be a PR nightmare.”
Disney claims Adult Only Days are “a test program” and may not continue beyond November. But they also hint it could expand in 2024.
For a company built on family-friendly magic, excluding kids marks a shocking paradigm shift. For now, families may want to steer clear of the Most Dramatic Place on Earth.
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