Christina 'Toni' Kulusich, a frequent visitor to Disneyland known as a "Disney adult," has defended her interactions with the Peter Pan character after a video of their encounter went viral, sparking debate and criticism online. Kulusich addressed the scrutiny in interviews, asserting that her relationship with the character is a "special friendship" and that the viral clip was "taken out of context."
The video in question showed Kulusich presenting a custom-made gift to Peter Pan, engaging in a conversation for over two minutes, and then following the character through the park. Many online viewers interpreted the interaction as excessive and claimed the actor portraying Peter Pan appeared uncomfortable. Some commentators accused Kulusich of "stalking" and "harassing" the performer.
Kulusich, however, stated in an interview with Wired that the online backlash has affected her mental health but maintained that she would never put the actor in a compromising situation. "People really just took a five-second video of me with Peter Pan out of context and ran with it," she said. She emphasized that her interactions are driven by a desire to release her "inner child," a sentiment she associates with the Peter Pan character.
She explained that her connection with Peter Pan began in 2015 after a particularly magical experience in the park. Kulusich, a crochet artist, regularly visits Disneyland and documents her experiences on social media, often focusing on meeting characters. She shared that she is proud to be a "Disney adult," a term for older individuals who frequent theme parks, often without children, to enjoy the immersive experience and connect with characters.
Dylan Gadeke, who portrayed Peter Pan at Disneyland from 2014 to 2021, commented on the situation. While not the performer in Kulusich's viral video, Gadeke stated he had many interactions with her and found her behavior "a little awkward and uncomfortable." However, he defended Kulusich against the online harassment, asserting that her actions never crossed the boundaries of appropriate guest behavior at Disneyland. Gadeke suggested that the public should stop giving her attention, which he believes fuels the toxicity.
The public reaction to Kulusich's interactions has been divided. While some criticized her behavior as inappropriate for an adult interacting with a character performer, others defended her right to enjoy the park as an adult, noting that Disney experiences can be healing for adults seeking to reconnect with their childhood. Kulusich affirmed that she always seeks consent before initiating physical contact, such as a hug, and allows the character performer to guide the interaction, stating she never initiates activities like walks.
Kulusich also clarified that she has not been banned from the park, contrary to some rumors. Her consistent engagement with the Peter Pan character, including sharing photos from a decade ago with the same character, highlights her long-standing affinity for the character and the park experience.