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Mickey men: All-male trips to Tokyo Disneyland popular

27 Comments

Most of the places where groups of men congregate in Japan aren’t too surprising. You can always find guys hanging out with other guys at sports stadiums, video arcades, pachinko parlors, pool halls, or any restaurant or bar that specializes in meat or fried foods.

Recently, though, there’s a new spot that’s gaining popularity for a day out with the boys: Tokyo Disneyland.

Whether or not you’re a fan of Disney’s movies and characters, there’s no denying that the marketing team behind the Tokyo Disney Resort does an outstanding job. Aside from its core target market of families with young kids, Tokyo Disneyland draws tons of couples, and not just teens, either. The park remains a popular date spot for young adults, too.

In addition, both teens and adult women regularly make the trip to the Happiest Place on Earth (in Japan) with their female friends. Until recently, this sort of single-sex excursion was almost exclusively for the ladies, but Disneyland is now seeing more and more all-guy groups coming through the gates, something that’s been dubbed “Danshi Disney” (literally “boys’ Disney”).

Danshi Disney veterans say there are four upsides to an all-male outing, with the first being that it makes it easier to relax and have fun. When going with a date, many guys feel the need to make sure she’s having a good time, which usually takes precedence over their own enjoyment. Removing the girl from the equation means if you want to spend the whole day repeatedly riding Space Mountain, no one can stop you.

Speaking of roller coasters, not having to deal with an emotional one is another plus for some Danshi Disney fans. Disnyland tickets aren’t cheap, and after shelling out for admission, most people want to make a full day out of it. That can translate into a lot of emotional highs and lows as you spend several hours next to a potential romantic partner, and some guys would rather not have to worry about that when really they just want to enjoy the theme park.

As a matter of fact, some guys even point to Danshi Disney as a means of changing the way society perceives them. “Why do groups of guys at Disneyland get teased and called ‘gay,’ while groups of girls don’t get called ‘lesbians?’” one Internet commenter wondered. By going to Disneyland in a pack of dudes, some hope to stand as proof that being born with a Y-chromosome doesn’t preclude you from liking Mickey and his pals.

Finally, perhaps the weirdest impetus behind the Danshi Disney movement is when guys do it specifically because it’s not their ideal situation. By going to the Tokyo area’s archetypical date spot, some of them form a sense of solidarity with their Danshi Disney cohorts through to their shared goal that, “Next time we’re going to come with girls!”

Of course, doing that would eliminate all of the other Danshi Disney benefits.

Source: Byokan Sunday

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Disney fans in Japan show love for their favorite characters in an eye-popping way -- 12 urban legends about Tokyo Disneyland -- Love Disney? These Adorable Mickey and Minnie Hotel Rooms Are For You!

© By Casey Baseel

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


27 Comments
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“Why do groups of guys at Disneyland get teased and called ‘gay,’ while groups of girls don’t get called ‘lesbians?’”

I find it odd whether it be adult men, women or mixed company.

Years ago I would occasionally visit Tokyo Disneyland with my kids. As a father, I have to admit it was lots of fun. But, the one irksome part of the experience was that hoards these 20-something adults would mob the Disney characters, screeching all the way (cue shrieks of "kawaiii") and trampling over the toddlers in the process. The little ones didn't stand a chance.

It was somewhat creepy. And if the eye-rolling and other forms of negative body language of some unmasked characters like Cinderella was any indication, you could tell that they thought the behavior of these young adults was a bit weird, too.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I uh, just don't know what to say. Coming hot on the heels of that bizarre solo wedding service article a few days ago, too. No wonder the birth rate's so low!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

I read the article hoping against hope that one of the reasons would be "to meet single women." Alas, it turns out that this is just one more step in the infantilzation of males in Japan.

Boys, wearing those stupid droopy-ears is beyond weird, ESPECIALLY if you're not even doing it for the sake of a woman. Grow up, grow a pair, and go meet a woman.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Infantile

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Herbivore men rule -- I guess.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

“Why do groups of guys at Disneyland get teased and called ‘gay,’ while groups of girls don’t get called ‘lesbians?’” one Internet commenter wondered.

If you have to ask that, you just don't get it.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Think I'll pass. This place gets more and more kimochiwarui every day.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No booze, though, right?

Or is that only in America?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sounds a bit Goofy to me.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

“Why do groups of guys at Disneyland get teased and called ‘gay,’ while groups of girls don’t get called ‘lesbians?’” one Internet commenter wondered."

I'm with Probie on that one. It may be unfair, and even discriminatory in this day and age, but that's probably the first thing that pops up in a lot of people's minds. I would NEVER go to Disneyland/world unless it were with my better half (and only after begging to go somewhere else for the same amount of money you can spend -- like Thailand or somewhere), or for my kids (if I had them). No way would I round up a group of male friends and suggest we go get pictures with Mickey.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Nothing wrong with a bunch of guys having fun, right? More or less like going to the beach, and hey! if you meet a group of girls that wants to hook up, all the better!

Sounds like what Spring Break is to American young men.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The soushoku invasion is only getting stronger. Thanks, Johnny's Jimusho!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

And it's not even with the purpose of running into a group of cute girls?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's hard for me to reconcile my longstanding support for gays with how annoying I find herbivores.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is the end of manhood in Japan.

4 ( +6 / -3 )

I just cant be bothered waiting three or four hours for each ride. Crazy! Some cold ones, bbq grub and a bunch of Js down at the beach would be a better alternative.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Beats the hell out of....groups of men severing heads and lining people up and shooting them. I think we can all use a little Disney vibe these days..

3 ( +6 / -3 )

So a bunch of men hanging out are a bunch of perverts?

Sounds like majorly outdated going back to the witch-trials, inquisitation, etc.

Personally not fond of the Disney parks too pricey, long waits, etc but endured it for my child. All the performers are adults though and work very hard.

So where does the pedo angle come in.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It's not my cup of tea, but the digs at these guys are pretty nasty. What harm are they doing anyone?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Just guys hanging out and having fun...why is this such an issue ?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Sounds like what Spring Break is to American young men.

When Snow White enters the wet T-shirt contest then yeah, it would be like Spring Break.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Why do men have to be trapped in such severe gender roles? Women want to, and can do, anything a man can and that's fine, but God help the man who rejects male straight jacket of beer, sports and BBQs or being relegated to a man cave as their only outlets.

A bucket load of sexism on this thread, and from many here who'd hand you your head on a platter if you said anything remotely similar about a woman.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It has to be said that Japanese men have more herbivore inclinations. Sure, they aren't doing anyone harm as such - but they give an interesting perspective on how the west - and Japan- define masculinity

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Love theme parks good on them! Would have chosen Fuji kyu or Nagashima onsen over Disney though!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

**“Why do groups of guys at Disneyland get teased and called ‘gay,’ while groups of girls don’t get called ‘lesbians?’” one Internet commenter wondered."

Exactly. Gay men are just as discerning as any other heterosexual or bisexual males.

They wouldn't be seen dead standing in a herd of herbivorous, Japanese males, wearing Disney themed clothing and accessories, while screeching "kawaii" at the top of their lungs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Himajin: Agreed. All I did was compare this to what a lot of guys do in the States for Spring Break and I got several thumbs down?

A lot of us go on fishing, cross country or camping trips.. We men love beautiful women for sure, but it's not always about the almighty wet t-shirts...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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