Woman explains why adult Disney fans are living a happier life than others: 'Idea of third place'

People often frown upon adults who continue to enjoy their childhood hobbies. Adults who are still Disney fanatics are mostly ridiculed and are told to grow up. However, little do the indifferent people know that the world of Disney, the stories and the magic it holds provides a momentary escape to the adults, who are tired of shuffling between work and home. Disney somehow becomes their "third place," where they find solace. Keilena Burch—who goes by @keilenabb on TikTok—decided to share her theory about Disney being the ideal "third place" for adults.

She stitched her video with another creator on TikTok named Christian (@cbwritescopy), who explained that Gen Z doesn't have any third places to go to and it's raising a generation of depressed and anxious people. Every generation that came before the current generation had a third place to seek some relaxation. Keilena Burch, who revealed that she used to work with Disney, agreed with the other Christian's opinion and understood his sentiments about Gen Z trying to find a third place while living in present times. "The idea of a third place is why I think Disney adults are so happy," Burch explained in her video, stating that working with Disney was so much fun.

"Like, when I was working there, all my friends were coworkers, so we all had free tickets to the parks. So, we get off work. We go to the parks. I have the day off. I go to the parks. You always have the option to do something that isn't sitting at home or work or school, and it's free," she recalled. "Ever since I moved back to New York, like, all I want is to move back to Florida and work for Disney again because I miss having access to a free and fun third place." She mentioned that she wasn't making much money in Florida compared to New York, but still didn't have to touch her savings because she was doing all the fun stuff for free.

Burch's lifestyle costs more money now, even though she earns more than what she did at Disney. Now, her "third place" to escape to are retail stores like TJ Maxx and Target. If a person is not working for Disney, then they have to pay a fee to enter the amusement parks and get on one of those fun rides. However, Disney adults are relatively happier because they are glad to spend that amount of money to spend some time at a place that brings them happiness and it doesn't have to be their home or work.

"Like we can be fun Disney adults, but they kinda have figured out. Why would you leave somewhere you might be making less money but you have access to the things that you like, for free and you can move away and not have access to those things, but you make more money?" Burch concludes. Several current and former Disney employees came ahead in the comment section to share how they still work with Disney for the perks they get in return.

@canewartanddesign joked, "Thinking I'm going to the parks for free, but then I need my little Mickey-shaped sweet treat." @11thetallesthobbit11 suggested, "In my opinion, the third place is social media for lots of people, but it only kills your happiness." @freethebee commented, "Depending on the career as well if Disney adults are flying and going to Disney 1-2x a year, it may be cheaper for them to just live near it and work there. Not a Disney adult, but I feel like it would just make sense. The extra $1.50 an hour isn't always worth it."