9 Ways to Keep the Magic Alive and Avoid Post-Disney Blues
Whether you’ve just returned home from a Disney vacation or it’s been a while and you’re getting the urge to book another trip, the post-Disney blues are real! Here’s a little insight into why you feel this way and some of my best tips to keep the magic alive from home!
Theme parks pull you out of the real world and into a world of adventure, and nobody does this better than Disney. Everywhere you turn, you’re surrounded by magical sounds, sights, tastes, and nostalgia. Where else can you watch your favorite Disney character walk by in a parade while eating a Dole Whip and hearing Disney music from your favorite movies?
The pixie dust that makes your vacation so amazing is exactly what makes the return home so difficult. Now, you’re back to traffic and mundane daily tasks, and some of the people you encounter won’t be smiling…even though (gasp!) some of these people work in customer service! Of course, I hope your daily life is also full of fun and happiness, but it’s just different when you leave the Disney bubble. If you know, you know!
Here are my favorite ways to sprinkle a little Disney magic into my regular life and push past those post-vacation blues. Good luck! I know it’s hard to leave the happiest place on Earth or the most magical place on Earth!
1. Podcasts
This is the most frequent way I get my Disney fix from home, and there’s honestly something for everyone in the world of Disney podcasts. You can search for specific topics in your podcast player of choice (this is what I did before my first time to Aulani and I listened to several podcasts that were completely new to me.) or you can find a host or hosts that you’d enjoy listening to regularly, when you’re missing Disney, or when you’re ready to plan your next Disney vacation. The hosts of all three of my favorite Disneyland-related podcasts live outside of California, so I feel like I can relate to some of them much more than I can to the young, local influencers who get to visit the parks weekly.
Since Disneyland is my favorite park and my “home” park, here are my recommendations for podcasts with primarily Disneyland content. I’ve yet to experience Disney Cruise Line, and I am by no means an expert on Walt Disney World, so please share any recommendations for podcasts about either of the above!
Here are my favorite Disneyland-related Podcasts:
Rope Drop & Park Hop
The hosts of Rope Drop & Park Hop are two moms in Idaho, and listening to them feels like I’m having coffee with friends who love Disneyland but who tell it like it is. They typically review the latest news at the beginning, then dive into a wide variety of topics. A vast majority of these topics cover Disneyland, but they will also share trip recaps from Aulani, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and touch on non-Disney adventures from time to time. They also have their children host shows throughout the year, and it’s fun to get a kid’s perspective! If you are a mom who loves Disneyland or anyone who wants real tips and opinions without any glossing over, you’ll love this show!
DLWeekly
The hosts of DLWeekly are two friends in Minnesota who prefer Disneyland over Walt Disney World, and they offer an extensive news segment, trivia questions submitted by listeners, a segment on park snacks, and either an in-depth interview (often with a Disney insider) or a thorough trip recap in each show. This show makes you feel like you’re not alone in your love for Disney, and you’re in good company with your obsession. If you are nostalgic about Disneyland, appreciate Disney history, and value attention to detail, this is the show for you.
Disneyland 4-Ever
The hosts of Disneyland 4-Ever make you feel like it’s actually cool to love Disney, and you would probably be less trendy if you didn’t (contrary to much of society’s opinion). They are a couple in Utah, and they probably visit the parks the most frequently of the podcast hosts listed here. This is the shortest podcast listed here, so perfect if you just want a quick bit of Disney. But they pack a lot into the short runtime. They always offer a quick review of the news and then either a trip recap or a discussion topic. This podcast is a great resource because the discussion topics are almost always helpful, evergreen-style tips for both novice and experienced park goers. These two are unique in my podcast lineup since they’ve visited several interventional parks, and they are experts on the Disney Vacation Club.
2. Books
If you are into the history of Disneyland, it’s fun to read about the park after a visit because you can visualize what you’re reading about. I’m a big reader of other genres and topics, but I’m just getting into Disney history and behind-the-scenes books. I’ll share more when I have recommendations, but this is quickly becoming a fun way to experience the parks from home!
3. Copycat Recipes
My absolute favorite way to bring the park magic home is to recreate Disney food from the parks. If you like to write your own recipes, this is a fun way to experiment in the kitchen, and if you’d prefer to follow a recipe, browse through some of my favorites here, on this site, which include everything from savory selections to cold brews to, obviously, macarons!
4. Themed Movie Nights
The advice to watch Disney movies is a common post-visit tip, but something that has been really fun since my last trip takes that to the next level. One way we’ve brought a little Disney magic home is by planning themed movie nights. I came up with this idea after discovering The Fairytale Foodie on Instagram. She makes amazing, themed meals for all of our favorite Disney movies, and I don’t always follow her exact menus, but I do always get some great ideas!
Recently, I made gumbo, cornbread, and king cake when we watched The Princess and the Frog, and next on the calendar is a Beauty and the Beast movie night, complete with a French-inspired dinner and The Grey Stuff! So these movie nights can also be a great excuse to try out one of those fun copycat park recipes!
This new family movie night tradition has quickly become a fun memory maker, without even leaving home!
5. Plan Your Next Trip
Perhaps the most obvious solution is to just go back! Okay, okay, here me out. I am aware it’s not realistic to visit our favorite Disney locations as much as we would like, so I’m not talking about being irresponsible or anything. Here are some ideas:
- Start to daydream about where you would like to go next.
- Or when you would like to go next. Based on your most recent trip, start to question if you’d like to visit at the same time of year next time or try another season. Check out my pros and cons list of when to go to Disneyland here.
- Start the discussion with any friends or family members you’d like to travel with on a future Disney trip.
- Make a list of the foods and attractions you missed on your most recent trip and save it in a note on your phone for your next visit.
- Price out your ideal next trip and start a separate savings account to fund your adventure slowly over time.
- If you’re further along in the planning, perhaps you’re ready to put a deposit down on a trip via an authorized travel agent or reputable 3rd party booking site. This is not sponsored by or affiliated with them at all, but I’ve had great experiences using Get Away Today and three of the podcast hosts mentioned above are travel agents specializing in Disney.
6. Plan a Different Kind of Disney Trip
If you tend to visit the same Disney location each year (or enter your frequency here), perhaps consider a new spot for your next Disney trip. For example, maybe it isn’t reasonable to fly across the country to Walt Disney World every year, but maybe a 4-day Disney Cruise is leaving from your area in the next 9 months for a fraction of the cost. Or maybe you set a flight watch for all the places on your Disney bucket list and start saving so you can spring into action when a great deal pops up!
The great thing about trying something new is that it will take more daydreaming and planning than your typical trip, so it can be a great way to get in the Disney spirit without making any commitments or deposits just yet!
7. Help a Friend Plan a Trip.
The last time I received a request to help plan a Disneyland trip, I replied by quoting Ursula, “It’s what I do. It’s what I live for!” But even if you’re not a Disney super nerd like me with a blog to prove it, I think passing along your tips and knowledge helps you extend the magic.
Plus, when your friend or family member gets home, you can relive the glory days again and find out their favorite rides, snacks, or if you’re extreme like me, you might even ask which parking garage they chose for their visit.
8. Make a Photo Book
One of the most amazing things you can do after the end of your trip is to make a photo album of special moments from your Disney trip. You likely have hundreds of photos on your phone, so pick an easy photo app or site and convert these digital files to an actual book you can hold in your hands. This is a gift that keeps on giving because you can look back and reminisce for years to come!
9. Maybe: Social Media
This one is hit or miss. I love to see the latest treats at the Disneyland Resort, but when I don’t have a trip planned for the near future, it can be more painful to watch everyone else enjoy the latest seasonal macaron or churro when I know there will be a new menu by the time I’m back. The exception is when I’m helping a friend plan a trip. In that case, I love to pass along the latest news and food reviews, so I love to watch in real time and stay up-to-date. Know yourself and unfollow or just take a social media break if it serves you best!
