Whether it’s theme parks, iconic characters or beloved films, Disney has enchanted millions around the world. But for its biggest fans — sometimes called “Disney adults” — it can be an intense and often spiritual experience, involving weddings, annual pilgrimages to Disneyland, and even ways to mourn loved ones.

So, when you put it like that, could Disney be its own kind of religion? And what does this example tell us about what is and isn’t a religion? Some experts say it all comes down to how we think about nostalgia, ritual and the sacred.