I’m a Disney superfan and have spent £15k on my obsession – I even dress up as Elsa or Belle to make extra cash
KIT Horsley, 30, works in admin and lives in Bracknell, Berkshire, with husband Karl, 33, who works in IT.
She talks to Fabulous Magazine about her love of Disney which has seen her spend over £15,000.
“Walking down the aisle towards my future husband Karl, I felt a lump in my throat. The song we’d chosen – The Second Star To The Right from Peter Pan – was playing and its lyrics: ‘Dreams you plan really can come true’ couldn’t have felt more appropriate.
Not only was I about to marry the love of my life, but I was also having the Disney-themed wedding of my dreams.
From the illustrations on the invitations, to the home-made decorations depicting scenes from Peter Pan, such as the Mermaid Lagoon, and the tables at the reception each named after a different location in the film, the theme ran through the entire day.
I wore a £55 Disney locket, engraved with: ‘Believing is just the beginning’, while Karl wore matching cufflinks.
Read more on Disney
I’ve been a Disney fan for almost 20 years, and it’s become an even more important part of my life as I’ve grown older. As a child, I loved watching Disney movies, but it wasn’t until I was 11 and my parents took me and my brother Ashley, then seven, on holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida that my deep connection with it was sparked.
Seeing all the characters walking around and getting to hug and chat to them was so surreal and wonderful. Returning home, I never wanted to lose the feeling of pure happiness I’d experienced there, so I immersed myself in films like Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid.
As I headed into my teenage years, I was one of the ‘weird kids’ with hair dyed crazy colours, my emo image at odds with my love of Disney princesses.
I didn’t care though, and found my own gang of friends who were very accepting. With my family, I returned to Florida three more times as a teenager and each time my obsession grew. I cried tears of wonder watching the fireworks display, rode the rollercoasters and spent my holiday money on merchandise.
Most read in Fabulous
In 2014, when I was 23 and working in admin, I started attending comic conventions around the UK, dressing up in costumes, such as Alice from Alice In Wonderland, which I either bought or made.
Meeting up with other superfans made me feel part of a very supportive community who understood how compelling the magic of Disney was.
The following year, Karl and I got together. We’d met at college back in 2007 and he got back in touch with me. I told him on our first date about my love for Disney, worrying he’d think it was odd. To my delight, he admitted he loved it too, although is more into gaming.
In early 2018, I took a second job as a princess party entertainer in order to save up to return to Disney World with Karl. Every weekend, I’d dress up as Belle from Beauty And The Beast or Elsa from Frozen, amazed I was actually being paid to be a real-life princess.
When Karl and I flew to Florida that September, he proposed in front of the Cinderella castle. I was ecstatic. Nobody was surprised by the Disney theme that ran through our wedding at a hotel in Surrey in October 2021.
After Karl and I exchanged vows, we walked back up the aisle to the song Happily Ever After, which is played during the evening fireworks display at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Later, at the wedding reception, I proudly donned a pair of Minnie Mouse ears.
Karl and I were due to return to Florida for our honeymoon last year, but because of Covid it had to be postponed. We’ve decided to wait until we start our family, so we can share the magic with our children.
I also kept some of the Disney accessories from our wedding day, including the Peter Pan table decorations, and I plan to use them in our future baby’s nursery.
Read More on The Sun
Read More on The Sun
In our home, I have a bookcase dedicated to my £5,000 collection of Disney DVDs, ornaments, pin badges and soft toys, while my wardrobe is full of costumes and branded clothing. In total, including three trips to London to see Disney On Ice and our holiday in Florida, I’ve spent around £15,000.
Some people will say it’s strange for a 30-year-old woman to be obsessed with Disney, but it brings escapism and joy into my life. The female characters are inspirational role models, and if it makes me happy, what’s the harm? I’m proud to be a Disney superfan and always will be."
