10 ways going to Vans Warped Tour is kinda like going to Disney World

Everybody knows the two happiest places on Earth are Disney and the Vans Warped Tour. Everyone is included, accepted and celebrated; entertainment is abundant and at the end of the day, you leave feeling incredibly exhausted but wildly euphoric. And a bit sunburned.

I saw some babies in strollers at the Vans Warped Tour in Camden, New Jersey, last week and I’ve come across some fairy wing-wearing Warped warriors in the past, so don’t be too quick to shoot down this comparison.

From faith, trust and pixie dust to high fives and stage dives, here are some of the similarities between two seemingly different experiences:  

Disney’s FastPass+ Service is just like getting a “Skip The Line” Wristband at Warped

When you visit the Disney Parks, you get Fast Passes with your park admission which let you zoom through lengthy queues to get on your favorite rides with little to no wait. This is essentially the same concept as a “Skip The Line” wristband at Warped Tour, which gives you express entry into the venue, allowing you to cut the crazy, long general admission line. Express entry wristbands can be obtained by donating three canned goods, $5, or a used cell phone to Feed Our Children NOW! at each date.

The Magic Kingdom is divided into “lands” similar to how the VWT is divided up by stages

Source: Jessica Norton
Disney’s Magic Kingdom has themed areas (Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland) while Warped Tour has different stages (Journey’s Left Foot, Journey’s Right Foot, Poseidon, Cyclops, Monster Energy North, Monster Energy South, Full Sail University Stage). There’s no right or wrong—just explore to your heart’s content!

At Warped Tour band members are our characters

Source: Raymond Brown / Jessica Norton
That feeling you get when John from the Maine walks by and gives you a head nod is the same as when Mickey Mouse waved to you during the parade when you were five.

Going to band signings is just like going to meet your favorite characters

Source: Jessica Norton
When you go to Disney, you wait in a long line to get an autograph from your favorite princesses and Pixar characters. At Warped Tour, you wait in line to get bands like State Champs to sign your AP Mag and/or take a selfie.

At Disney you wear hats and ears and at Warped Tour you wear band tees and accessories

Source: Jessica Norton
At both places you are repping your faves via cute graphic tees, tote bags and accessories.

Main Street, U.S.A. is like merch tent row

Whether it’s an Alt Press snapback or a new pair of Minnie Mouse ears, you don’t leave Disney or Warped Tour without spending money on a souvenir or two (or five…) While you’re walking through the rows of merchandise tents, or down Main Street, U.S.A., it’s likely you’ll grab some ice cream or a hot pretzel, too.

Rides = Crowd Surfing/Slip and Slide

While Warped Tour may lack both Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, you can get your adrenaline fix by crowd surfing or hitting up the on-site slip and slide.

Free water!

You can get a free cup of water at the concession stands in any of the Disney Parks. At Warped Tour you can stop by the CoolGear Hydration Station to fill up your water bottle for free. You don’t have to worry about paying $5-plus for a water bottle at either place—phew.

Warped Tour weather conditions often emulate the summer weather of Orlando, Florida

Be ready for heat, humidity and sporadic rain storms. Emphasis on heat.

You can plan out your days and access tips and information via an app

The My Disney Experience App helps you organize your FastPass+ service, make food reservations and allows you to check ride wait times while the 2016 Warped Tour App shows you set times and lets you create your own schedule for your date.

Have you found any parallels between Disney and the Vans Warped Tour? Let us know in the comments below!