They meet on Tuesdays at the Blue Bayou Restaurant adjacent to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. They’re all women, most in their 30s. Their numbers vary but typically three–four people attend. They first “met” on a Disneyland Reddit site during Covid. Disneyland was closed due to the pandemic and they promised to meet in person once the lockdown was lifted. In July 2020 they convened at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. There were five of them, each wearing Covid masks. Since then, they’ve become close friends and gather at Disneyland whenever possible.
My connection to the group is Juliet. We met at a senior home in Tarzana. She’s a 28-year-old activity assistant who helps with my block printmaking classes. One day she asked if I could bring her a Mickey Mouse block design so she could carve a Mickey print. I now bring her a new Disney design for each class.
I asked Juliet about her love of Disneyland. She said it started at 10 when her parents were divorcing. “It was a tough time. My older sister worked as a Disney merchandise buyer. She had free tickets to Disneyland and we went every month. It took me away from my parents’ fighting. Disneyland became a place where I could feel like everything’s going to be okay.”
Juliet purchases a yearly Magic Key Pass for $1750. This allows her unlimited entry to Disneyland, free parking, discounts on food and merchandise and ride reservations to bypass long lines. “I go there at least 30 times a year. It works out to about $60 a visit.”
I asked about the other women she meets at the park.
“They’re like family,” she said. “One woman is a chef who’s been sober for four years. Whenever she feels like she’s going to relapse, she goes to Disneyland. It’s a safe space for her. We talk about life and recovery and how to stay positive. Another woman lost her husband in a car accident. She goes to Disneyland to remind her there are still happy places in the world.”
Juliet lives with her boyfriend in Canoga Park. They have two dogs, no children. Her boyfriend supports her Disney obsession though he doesn’t feel the same way. “He goes with me a few times a year, but mainly it’s a girls gathering.”
“When you’re at Disneyland do you go on rides or just sit around and talk?”
“Of course we go on rides.”
“What’s your favorite ride?”
“Right now I’m loving Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad because it gives you a history of Disney animation. You dive into the screen with classic Disney characters. It’s totally immersive and so much fun.”
I asked what she talks about with the other women.
“Disney news, of course. When the new Snow White movie came out, we were upset because the lead actress said the 1937 Snow White was dated and the Prince acted like a stalker. She had no respect for the original. We also talk about new rides like how the Haunted Mansion was refurbished to include the Nightmare Before Christmas.”
I asked if they talk about their troubles in the real world outside of Disneyland.
“We talk about everything. One of the ladies is recovering from breast cancer. We give her a group hug and tell her how much we love her. I drove her to a chemotherapy session. She’s doing great, thank God.”
“How old is the oldest member of your group?”
“There’s a woman in her 60s. She used to go to Disneyland with her brother when she was little. After her older brother died from a drug overdose, she went to Disneyland so her brother’s spirit could go on the rides with her.”
I asked Juliet if everyone in the group had trauma in their life. This made her pause.
“Maybe,” she said. “I never considered that.”
After that question she grew quiet. I worried I’d unintentionally offended her as if implying her love of Disneyland was merely a way to escape reality. When I saw her the following month I apologized.
“You didn’t upset me,” she said. “You just made me think. Disneyland helps me remember when my parents still loved each other and our family was happy. There’s not a lot of good and pure things in the world. The world is crazy. Disneyland isn’t.”
I asked if she planned on getting married at Disneyland.
“No way. I want to go somewhere romantic like a tropical island or Europe. Disneyland is magical, but not wedding magical. I think my boyfriend was relieved to hear this.”
“Do you plan on having kids?”
“Oh, yes. I can’t wait to take them to Disneyland and re-experience the park through their eyes.”
I considered asking Juliet if I could join her and her friends at Disneyland. I decided against it. Her group seemed sacred and I didn’t want to taint that energy. A few months ago she told me she was excited about visiting the Walt Disney Barn in Griffith Park. It was a replica of the farm house from Walt’s childhood in Missouri. I asked if I could go with her. She agreed.
We met at Griffith Park and walked to a small red barn not far from the LA Zoo. The barn had been Walt’s private workshop where he built miniatures and modern trains. This was his “happy place.” He escaped here during the 1941 Disney strike while animators picketed outside his studio demanding higher pay. This was where he made his initial sketches for Disneyland.
Juliet took photos of everything. She was fascinated by Walt’s scale model train set and wood benches that he personally hand-carved. She told me Walt’s uncle was a train engineer who took Walt on routes between small towns. When Walt was 15, he worked as a “news butcher” on a Santa Fe train line selling newspapers, magazines and candy to passengers.
We went for Mexican food in Burbank. Juliet told me about Walt’s love for Los Angeles. In 1923, he moved his animation studio from Kansas City to California. He lived in Los Feliz then moved to a mansion in Holmby Hills. He built a miniature train around his property. His first Los Angeles animation studio was on Kingswell Avenue in Los Feliz. It’s now a skateboard shop. His second LA studio on Hyperion Avenue is now a Gelson’s market.
When Juliet spoke about Walt, her eyes lit up and her voice became lyrical. Her joy was contagious and I realized why she and her friends were so consumed with Disney. It was a way to keep them buoyant and optimistic while the real world was on fire.
After lunch, I thanked Juliet for the day and walked her to the parking lot. She drove a red Prius with Mickey, Goofy and Daisy Duck stickers on the back window. A bumper sticker read: “Caution: Occupants May Be Singing Disney Songs.”
“I can see why you’re so passionate about Disney,” I said. “It makes you feel good.”
She gave me a big hug.
“I know I might have to give it up one day,” she said. “But until then I’m going to lap up every moment.”