Beating the Post Disney Blues
Normally here on Touring Plans we focus on helping you plan your next big vacation, but today I want to take a moment to talk about what happens once we get home. That’s right, I’m talking about Post Disney Blues (PDB). Most people think that because I live in Central Florida that I’m immune to PDB. However, the more you visit, the more you miss it! So today I’m reviewing my top 10 tips to beat the Disney Blues.
1) Stow Some Tasty Treats: Many of the snacks sold in the parks are pre-packaged and will keep for a while. Nothing perks up a sad day like some Sour Mickey Gummies or a bag of Chip & Dale Pretzels. Did you know that pre-packaged food items can even be ordered from Disney Merchandising? Just call 877-560-6477 if you need your fix before your next trip!
2) Visit Virtually: YouTube is an amazing thing! Before I ever visited Disneyland or Disneyland Paris I’d toured both parks through videos shared by others. Of course, you can always count on the TouringPlans YouTube channel for all the latest. I can also take requests! Let me know if there is anything you’d like to see in the comments below.
3) Curl up with a classic: Disney films are how many of us fell in love with the parks in the first place. When I’m really missing Disneyland, dusting off a classic Disney film always hits the spot!
4) Lend a Helping Hand: The only thing better than planning your own Disney vacation is helping someone else. If you have a friend or co-worker heading to the magic, volunteer to give that person pointers. One of my favorite things in the world is volunteering to go to the park with first timers! I dare you to find anything more fun!
5) Scrapbooking: This can be virtual or good old fashioned paper, but in either case you get to relive your experience and create something beautiful. In my case, I prefer to create photo books with online sites like Shutterfly. Pulling out my old photo books are like a little mini vacation!
6) Let’s Get Cookin’: (Bonus points for catching my old school Disney reference there) Recently I’ve gotten brave enough to try out Disney recipes I’ve found online and I’m surprised how much they taste like “home”. If you’re missing your favorite dining spot take a look online, you might be able to recreate it at home.
7) Listen In: There are an amazing number of Disney podcasts and radio stations out there. If you take time to sample a few you’re sure to find one you love. This can be a great way to keep Disney with you while working out or at your desk.
8) Steal the Soap: Yes, I really mean steal the soap from your room. It wasn’t until 8 months after our last trip to the Disneyland Hotel that I cracked open my last tiny bottle of shampoo. (I may or may not still be hiding a bottle of lotion from my hubby.) Of course, if you really go into withdrawal you can order it too. But there is something delicious about those tiny bottles that really came from Disney!
9) Hidden Treasure: Years ago I started this tradition by accident. When visiting a restaurant while celebrating I swept the confetti on the table into my purse. When I got home I didn’t have the heart to dump it out of my bag so I just left it there. Months later I opened the purse and found a little Disney magic I’d forgotten. Now I purposely hide little things when I get home just for the joy of finding them again!
10) Let’s Do It Again: Of course, #10 has to be planning your next Disney vacation! Even if it doesn’t pan out, it’s still fun to always be on the hunt. And you never know what you might find!
How do you keep the Disney Magic alive at home? Do you have any hot tips for beating the Disney blues? Please let us know in the comments below. As always thanks for reading and commenting!
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I felt the Blues after our trip in April. I googled it to see if what I was feeling was actually a thing, turns out it totally is and the only cure is to plan another trip. We brought home one of the famous DL balloons with Mickey on the inside. It stayed afloat for more than a month. I cried when we finally threw it away. I have two more trips planned this fall, so the blues are abated for now :).
I like your style. 🙂
I definitely need that support group. Before I even headed to Disney World last week, I already had my countdown on my refrigerator for my next trip later this year. Count me in! 😉
I’ve been experiencing PDB for the last 20 years…I literally break out in tears as we leave Anaheim (we live in AZ)….and as I get older, it gets worse (I’m 51…pathetic, right?). PDB now lasts several weeks….I listen to DL soundtracks (50th Anniversary CDs) for weeks or months, I start planning new trips (we’re going to WDW plus 7 night Disney Cruise in August)…but I can never get enough…a couple weeks ago I had a POTC movie marathon weekend…and I’ve spent a lot of time on various FB Disney fan pages and nearly daily check our DCL reservations ….. I think I need professional help!! The fact that a local radio station is giving away 3 day park hopper passes to DLR has not been helpful at all. I’m constantly listening for the clues as to when to call in to win free DLR tickets….I’m hopelessly addicted to the House of Mouse.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is always looking at their reservations and gets emotional!
Just know that no matter how bad it gets.. I’m worse. I live at WDW and go several times a week, but I still cry when leaving other Disney parks or the cruises. Even living here I can’t get enough. I don’t think there is such a thing! See?? I think I’m the pathetic one. You sound down right normal next to me! 😉 I’m glad we’re all here to support each other through the madness.
I’m suspecting it may never get easier based on the comments here. I might as well tell my clients “will sew for Disney dollars!” I know I’m getting jonesy because I’ve started commenting on message boards instead of just lurking. :p I think Michelle’s right, we need a support group! Woo, 100 days!
yep I agree you’re worse! 🙂 ….although I do have to add that for several weeks after each trip I look for jobs at both parks. WDW actually had an opening in my field last year and I applied for it…only made it to the second level though 🙁 I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work at one of the parks in my career field!
I gave up on working for Disney. I don’t think it would be as much fun as it’s cracked up to be after meeting a lot of CMs. I suggest applying with TouringPlans – they’re WAY more fun! 😉
@ Gillian, If you haven’t been to DLR, you really should go! I’ve only been to WDW once (getting ready to go again), and I enjoy WDW, but Disneyland is THE Happiest Place on earth in my humble opinion, and I’ve been there numerous times! Walt is always there, the light in his apartment above the fire station is always on. It’s the center of the Disney universe and all things Disney. Just try and go during an off peak time, it will much more enjoyable!
Maybe we can form a support group!
My beau and I have been going through this since we left the World at the beginning of March. The only thing that helps (aside from the most delicious krispy treats I’ve ever had in my life and my mouse ears) is seeing the number on my countdown app shrink! 101 days now… I also tend to stay extra immersed in what’s going on through social media (I go absolutely bananas every Wednesday when See Ya Reel Soon posts a new video on YouTube). I even check my Lines app regularly, just to see what the poor peak season folks have to contend with!
Great tips, I wish more people I know would go to Disney so I could talk their ears off about it! I mean help… So I can help. :p
Hi Gillian – how fun that you have another countdown! Congrats! 🙂 I love See Ye Reel Soon too – how about this week watching Ashley get surprised again?? I cried watching! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Definitely more tears for me as well. I just loved the effort he put into surprising her, and can’t wait to see the surprise tea reservations next week too! Sadly, my dude could never surprise me that way; I’m way too actively involved in the planning.
Haha – I can relate. My guy did surprise me with an in room celebration at DL once. I was filming because *I* thought I was surprising *HIM*. Well, he called and did the switch-a-roo on me! He was so proud of himself!
Also- do you watch Fresh Baked Disney? They are totally my DL fix!
Aw, that’s really sweet! I checked out Fresh Baked Disney today at breakfast, thanks for the recommendation. I’ve never been to Disneyland, and I keep waffling about whether that’s the next trip, or back to the World. I wish we got the fun Halloween extras that DL does at WDW! It’s a fine line to walk trying to watch just enough video, but not so much that new stuff is spoiled (do you know how hard it’s been to avoid Mine Train videos and pictures?! Same with trying to avoid “too much” news on Diagon Alley :p) I hear such conflicting things from Disneyland goers that I don’t know what to make of it.I’m sure it’s awesome, of course, just different. ;p
In a similar vein we play a game called You know you’re not at WDW anymore when…..
For us, because we drive, it’s usually the first restaurant or hotel (depending on the hour) we stop at…where the decor, service and general ambiance Just. Isn’t. Disney. and we’re slapped back into reality. We’re learned to save a box of cookies or some other treat to kind of ease the transition. 🙁
DisneyDad!! I thought you were gone forever! I’m so happy to see you. 🙂 I play this game a lot when we leave a Disney cruise. You know, who is going to bring me my coffee? It is always a rough first day back in the real world.
Wouldn’t “Post Disney Blues” be PDB? However, PDS is a better abbreviation, so maybe you should call it “Post Disney Syndrome”. 🙂
Bah- Bryan, thank you! I can’t believe I missed that. I’d started out with Syndrome but it sounded too clinical. I’ve updated it thanks to your sharp eyes!
Tip number four is the big one for me. I recently exchanged a lot of e-mails giving advice to my sister, who was taking her family for the first time in six years. It was fun and rewarding, though it really just made me want to go again.
Hi Dan, I’m so glad you’re using your Disney love to help others plan! It is one of my favorite things to do. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I’m dealing with those blues right now since returning from my last trip 3 weeks ago 🙁 I’m helping a family member plan their first trip! I offered to go as their tour guide, but alas, they, like everyone else, never take me up on my offer!
Hi Michelle… aww, I’m sorry. The first few weeks are the worst! 🙁 Hope it’s getting better!
One of my tips for beating the Post Disney visit blues is looking for hidden Mickeys in my everyday life! You would be surprised how many you see!
Hey Judy – that is a great one! Now you’re going to have me looking! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!