Some stories stay with us long after childhood is over. With time, details of the plot, the order of the songs and even the characters’ names may fade. What remains are the emotions and the ideas these stories gave us about the world.
For decades, Disney has been part of childhood for generations of Poles. Research by SWPS University found that 84% of adult Poles regularly watched Disney films and animations as children, while 82% still have a soft spot for them.
But it is not just about nostalgia. Our attachment to these stories is also linked to values that can stay with us well into adulthood.
The values mentioned most often were friendship and loyalty, cited by 46% of respondents. They were followed by the triumph of good over evil (43%), overcoming difficulties (32%) and family (31%).
Money, fame and prestige did not feature among the most frequently mentioned values, nor did the drive to be the best. For adult Poles, Disney is associated above all with relationships, kindness, personal growth, loyalty and responsibility.
In other words, it seems to be less about what we achieve and more about who we share our lives with and the kind of people we want to be.
Friendship before success
In Disney stories, heroes rarely make it on their own. Friends, family and sometimes unexpected allies are there to support them, helping them through their toughest moments.
It is therefore no surprise that friendship and loyalty rank among the values most strongly associated with Disney.
The message remains relevant at any age. Some 89% of Poles say kindness towards others matters, while the same proportion believe in the value of being yourself. Courage is valued by 87%, family by 86%, and 84% agree that love can help us overcome difficulties.
The differences between generations are relatively small.
This could help explain why Disney continues to resonate with people who grew up at different times. The characters may change, but the need for connection, friendship and the sense that we are not alone remains the same.
Each generation sees these stories differently
Sharing the same core values does not mean that every generation sees these stories in quite the same way.
For Baby Boomers (born between 1945 and 1965), the idea that the world should have clear rules seems particularly strong. Some 54% say the triumph of good over evil is one of the values reflected in Disney stories. Their responses also highlight honesty, hope, perseverance and a belief in justice.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) are more likely to associate Disney stories with responsibility, growing up and dealing with adversity. For 74% of respondents in this group, Disney also offered a glimpse of the Western world.
Millennials (born between 1980 and 1995) place more emphasis on authenticity, acceptance and the freedom to live life on their own terms. Characters such as Mulan, Elsa and Vaiana do not simply try to meet other people’s expectations. Their stories are about discovering who they are and finding their place in the world.
“I have the right to be myself”
This shift is most apparent among the youngest participants.
Self-acceptance is mentioned by 12% of the oldest respondents, compared with 29% of Gen Z (born between 1995 and 2010). Independence and diversity show a similar pattern, rising from around 10% among the oldest respondents to 18% among Gen Z.
The difference is even more striking when it comes to pursuing dreams: 14% of Baby Boomers mention this, compared with 38% of Gen Z.
The pattern is reversed when it comes to the belief that good triumphs over evil. This is cited by 54% of the oldest respondents, compared with 24% of the youngest.
This does not mean that younger people have stopped believing in good. Rather, what they expect from a hero appears to have changed.
Simply defeating evil and restoring order is no longer enough. What also matters is whether a hero can choose who they want to be and the path they want to take.
For Gen Z, self-realisation, identity, belonging and acceptance of diversity are particularly important. The key message can be summed up simply: find your own path.
The classics still matter
It might seem that a generation with almost unlimited choice of content would be ready to leave classic Disney behind. Yet Gen Z are not rejecting its core values. Instead, they want to see them combined with a more contemporary approach to storytelling.
Almost half of Gen Z respondents (46%) favour combining Disney classics with modern ideas.
The picture is similar across all respondents. A large majority (87%) want Disney’s classic values to be preserved. Of these, 45% would like them to remain unchanged, while 42% would prefer to see them combined with modern values. Only 4% would like Disney to fully adapt its values to current social trends.
Contemporary stories are also well received, particularly when they focus on overcoming difficulties (75%), working together (74%) and perseverance (72%).
So the choice is not really between classic Disney and modern storytelling. It is about holding on to values that still resonate while telling stories in a way that reflects the world we live in today.
Lessons from childhood stay with us
This may be why Disney has become a shared experience for so many generations. Not because everyone remembers the same films and characters, but because each generation has found something of its own in these stories.
Baby Boomers remember justice, honesty and hope. Generation X associate Disney with responsibility, perseverance and the strength to overcome adversity. Millennials value authenticity and the freedom to live life on their own terms. Gen Z place more emphasis on self-realisation, identity and the courage to find their own path.
Yet beneath these differences, the same values come through: friendship, loyalty, family, courage, kindness and perseverance.
They are not new or particularly fashionable. But perhaps that is why they have lasted.
Disney has never been only about castles, crowns and happy endings. Its stories have also taught generations the value of having people they can trust, the strength to get through difficult times and the freedom to choose their own path.
Growing up does not necessarily mean leaving these stories behind. We may forget some of the details, but the lessons can stay with us long after childhood is over.