Disney is definitely the happiest place on earth whether it's Disney World, Disneyland, Disney cruise line, or any other Disney destination, happiness is guaranteed. Although there are things that many of us know about Disney, there are a lot of aspects left out of the public eye due to the participation of smaller groups or lack of popularity. These fandom groups make miracles happen and introduce a new perspective and way of looking at things that make each person even more passionate about the Disney legacy. Even though we think we know everything when it comes to Disney, there still may be some things that we are left in the dark about.
1. The Fashion of Disneybounding
Recently, All Disney properties placed a ban on adults dressing up as characters due to the confusion that little kids may have as they see other people dressed up as the characters they want to visit. Fans were extremely disappointed, yet came up with a solution to still embrace that Disney flavor. Fans decided to start "Disneybounding" which would entail dressing similarly to a character while not dressing exactly like them. They may wear similar clothes or wigs to depict the "style" of the character, yet leaving room to not look completely identical. This fandom also participates in meetups as they join each other to take pictures and attend the parks together as well as participate in trivia nights.
2. Attending Dapper Day Each Year
Twice every year around the spring and fall, Disney hosts an event for fans titled "Dapper Day", a tradition held at the Disney Parks to preserve the old charm and keep the spirit alive. Fans come dressed in an outfit of choice from the present or past which is a "Dapper" outfit. These outfits can be inspired from old Disney movies or anything that fan is specifically passionate about. There are no rules when it comes to Dapper Day! On this day, Disney also hosts many pop-ups and expo's, and gatherings to get fans and Disney lovers together! This event is an old favorite for many, and will continue to be for years!
3. Fish Extenders and Pixie Dusting on Disney Cruise Line
Have you ever seen those decorations on the door when on a Disney Cruise? Those are actually for families who participate in Pixie Dusting or Fish Extenders! Both of these groups are unknown to the general public, but most Disney-lovers will know these terms right away. After selecting a cruise, a family may decide to join a Facebook page to engage in the excitement with fellow cruisers.
On this page, there will be different groups presented to the members to see if they would like to get in on the fun in a different way. Fish Extenders is a gift trading group that allows for families of all ages to trade gifts for the duration of the cruise. Each family is put into a group and given those families to swap gifts with! As each gift is passed through, they are either put in front of the doors or in the crafty decorative baskets made by the families! Pixie dusting is just about the same thing, but it's out of the kindness of the guests rather than being assigned a group!
4. D23 The Official Disney Fan Club
"D23", The Official Disney Fan Club is a way for fans to connect on a broader scale and stay connected to the changes that are occurring as well as the history of Disney itself. Fans who join the fan club are mailed a newsletter every month containing new information about future park attractions, previous sketches of older films, and various print outs. These newsletters are different each time and contain something interesting about the park or the franchise of Disney itself which keeps fans hooked. As well as this newsletter, there is an expo that takes place every year which draws fans in from all over the world. At this expo, fans are able to dress up as their favorite characters, while meeting one another and talking about their passions and shared interests. There are also panels and informational sessions presented by Disney with comic book writers, present actors and actresses on the network, and various other talents.
5. Debunking Theories on Disney Fandom Forums
Have you every heard of the Pixar Theory? Disney fans are constantly on multiple forms attempting to get answers about easter eggs and theories that have been developed by fans overtime. Creators of these films may drop hints from time to time but they never truly give all of the information we want to receive as fans. There are so many different Disney Movies that have been created over the past few years as well as decades which hint at the past but could also predict the future of films. Always keep your eyes peeled for a hint dropped in a film or even a simple easter egg in a movie, and keep up with those forums because you never know what you'll find!
6. Etsy Shops Are Created To Make Ears/ Personalizations
Did you ever think that the only place you could buy Mickey ears would be the Disney store? Well, that's wrong! You could also buy them on Etsy and even get your own personalized pair based on your favorite character! Millions of shop owners make mickey ears and merchandise for Disney fans to wear around the park or wherever they please! From rhinestones to different fabrics and characters, you can make yours match your outfit or whatever you would like!
7. Attending 24 Hour Disney Day
Yes, there are 24 hour Disney days! They don't come too often but when they do, make sure to chug that extra red bull before heading to the Magic Kingdom. You get to spend a full 24 hours at the happiest place on earth, why wouldn't you want to do that? Fans from all over the globe come when these specific days happen and take naps on Peter Pan yet make sure that they get their daily dose of fireworks!
8. Dressing Up Is For People of ALL Ages!
Even though you might not be able to fully dress up identically to the character, there's always a way to show your spirit! There's no age on the happiness you can share with a character or loved one when you're at the happiest place on earth! Sometimes we associate dressing up in a youthful way as "immature" or "wrong" but freedom of expression and the goodness of people's hearts never goes out of style.
9. Fans Can Bring Their Favorite Characters Personal Gifts
Would you ever want your favorite character to have something personal that you made just for them? Well, you can definitely do that if you would like to. At Disney World, you are allowed to give a character a gift if you would like to! It's never exactly spoken about by cast members or told to guests to do, but if you want to brighten a character's day and give them something that means something to you, it's always an option!
10. Disney Is For All, No Matter What Difference Everyone Unites
The access for Disney is the absolute best, topping any other theme park in the world. There are so many accommodations that could be set for those with different ways of mobility or a circumstance in need of changes throughout their day. They create passes so guests can still enjoy their day and be immersed in the environment that they would like to be in without even thinking of having a difficulty with access.
Disney is by far the happiest place on earth and the fandom just shows how strong the love is globally for the mouse who started it all. We always talk about Disney at such a surface level as we don't realize how strong the fandom is due to the core of Disney and the values that are immersed into the hearts of so many people. Next time you go to Disney or watch a Disney movie, think about the light it brings you and the love that it may put into your own life.
