Maybe you are experiencing a Walt Disney World hangover after just returning to the real world after a Disney vacation. Maybe you miss the happiest place on earth and don’t know when you will next be headed to see Mickey Mouse. You are not alone; all Disney Fanatics have experienced the Disney blues at one time or another. This article tosses out some ideas to help you bridge the gap between Disney vacations. Follow these tips to make a little bit of Disney magic at home.
Sounds of Disney Podcasts
Disney Fanatics agree that walking into their Disney Resort or favorite Park brings immediate goosebumps. The smells, sounds, and ambiance trigger a surge of wonderful memories. Lucky for you, you do not have to purchase a Park ticket or hop on a flight to Orlando to experience the sounds of Disney. Disney-up your workday by streaming Sounds of Disney Podcast while you work. Each episode begins with a brief Disney news update before launching into music from a certain Park area. Episodes include clips from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland as well as holiday clips. If listening to the New Orleans Square soundtrack, Beach Club Resort lobby background music, or EPCOT World Showcase music sounds like your perfect playlist- do not miss this podcast.
Browse Disney Merch
If you are like me, planning Park day outfits and sleuthing out Disney home goods, accessories, and clothes that feature favorite Disney characters are some of your preferred shopping past times. Most people think of shopdisney.com as the place to go for Disney merchandise; while it’s certainly a great place to shop, there are so many more options.
Shopping online or in-store at Box Lunch Gifts or Hot Topic is a great idea for those on the hunt for Disney jewelry, accessories, and outfits. If you are on the hunt for a specific product from the parks, markdown Disney merch, and unique vintage products- do not forget to check out Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, and Etsy. Custom Disney merchandise, vintage Park buttons and tickets, throwback Christmas ornaments, and custom t-shirts are just a few of the things I’ve snagged from shopping these sellers.
Watch Your Favorite Disney Film
Nothing beats kicking back and watching your favorite Disney movie. Even if you have seen it dozens of times, the nostalgia and familiarity of a Disney movie night is a great way to beat the blues. Disney+ streaming service is chock full of Disney animated and live-action films. We bet you will find a forgotten favorite movie to enjoy on Disney+ during your next family movie night. Snag some character-shaped food- (grocery store Mickey Premium Bars, anyone?) and kick back to have a family movie night.
Make Your Favorite Disney Meal
Disney dining is a huge part of the vacation magic for many of us. You likely have a favorite Disney meal, cocktail, or snack that you dream about between vacations. Why not hit the internet to learn how to recreate this treat at home?! TikTok, Pinterest, and fan blogs are full of copycat Disney Resort recipes. Recreating Polynesian Village Resort’s Lapu Lapu pineapple cocktail at home or 1900 Park Fare’s Strawberry Bisque makes an ordinary day at home a bit more magical.
Learn More About the Disney Story
The more you know about Disney history and Disney Park history, the more you can appreciate little details of your next Disney vacation. Do some reading to brush up on Disney history; there are so many great books to choose from that range from Walt Disney’s life story to background on Imagineering and books about the history of Disney animation. Do not miss the Disney+ series Behind the Attraction or The Imagineering Story. We promise you will have a new appreciation for your favorite parks and attractions after learning more about them in these shows.
Have a Theme Night
Enlist your whole family or friend group to have a Disney-themed night. Choose a Park, Disney restaurant, Disney movie, or any other Disney detail you love and go all out. Print menus, cook themed food, dress the part, play Park music and share the magic with your loved ones as you celebrate. My family has loved recreating dishes and cocktails from our favorite Resort and creating Tony’s in the comfort of our home while we screened the live-action Lady & The Tramp.
Hit Disney YouTube
If you can’t ride Disney attractions in person, why not ride them virtually? Relive the magic through the eyes of vloggers on YouTube. When I miss the parks, I look up vintage ride videos online, Disney dining reviews, and vlogger day-by-day vacation diaries.
Flip Through Old Vacation Memories
Regardless of if you are flipping through vacation photos from a week ago or twenty years ago, reminiscing about the details of a Disney vacation is a great way to reflect on all the great memories made on your trip. If you have not taken the time to make a tangible album, consider printing photos to make a photo album or scrapbook, or use a website like Shutterfly to print a custom digital scrapbook so you can routinely flip through your memories.
Plan Your Next Trip
Sure, you might not be booking a Disney vacation any time soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream up your next vacation. Research Disney Resorts, restaurants, and activities, so you have an idea of what you want to do on your next vacation when the time comes. Check ride wait times so you can make an informed Park plan the next time you are booking FastPass+ tickets and research crowd trends and Resort prices to inform your next vacation better.