6 Tips To Help You Cope
The Disney Blues are something I’m far too familiar with it. You just had a wonderful Disney vacation full of magic and pixie dust and real life is, well, not very magical. Sometimes, the Disney Blues even hit me while I’m still on vacation because I’m anticipating the feelings! And while not everyone, especially non-Disney fanatics, understand the Disney Blues, you’re definitely not alone.
The severity of Disney Blues can vary significantly, but sometimes they can feel like true depression. Lack of interest in normal activities, low energy, trouble getting out of bed or doing normal activities, and appetite and sleep changes. It’s more than just thinking “Oh, that sure was fun!”
It’s okay that you feel this way!
First off, you’re not alone in feeling this way! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re struggling with experiencing the Disney Blues so I want you to know it’s okay that you feel this way. I’ve felt them many times before so I’m sharing the 6 tips I use to help me cope. Let’s get started!
1.Realize you will be back!
Sometimes it feels like you’re never going to be back to Disney World and that can trigger your Disney Blues. Even though I go multiple times a year and know that I will absolutely be back, I get this little voice in my head saying, “What if I never get to go back?!” which makes it that much worse.
You will be back to Disney! Maybe it isn’t quite as soon as you’d like, but if you love Disney that much, I know you’ll find a way to get back to the parks. Understanding that these feelings aren’t permanent and that this was not your last Disney trip is important to conquering the Disney Blues!
2.Listen to Disney Parks’ Music
One of my favorite things about Disney is the sensory immersion, particularly the music. Whenever I have the Disney Blues, even if it’s not right after returning home, I always turn on playlists of Disney parks’ music to make it feel like I’m back in the parks just a little bit. This one is my favorite Main Street playlist and this one is my favorite Adventureland playlist. Or maybe you want to cry your eyes out listening to the Happily Ever After playlist. Oh, just me who cries? Oh okay, cool.
I also LOVE the WDW Channel that plays in the hotels–I listen to it on my phone and sometimes I even play it on my AppleTV in my room to pretend I’m in the hotels–hehe, gotta do what you gotta do! My dad will even sneak in and leave a Ghiradelli chocolate on my pillow sometimes to complete the experience!
Turning on the soundtrack to the happiest place on Earth is just a fun, easy way to beat the Disney Blues!
3.Work on Disney DIY Projects
I like to incorporate some Disney magic into my living spaces so finding DIY projects is a fun way to get into the magical mindset we need when we have the blues.
One of my favorite DIY projects was taking all my pressed pennies and making them into a framed Mickey head. It’s a great way to showcase these little park mementos and it’s a more subdued Disney touch than bright red or black.
One of my other favorite DIY projects was making a silk flower Mickey head. Now, this was a pricey project but I think it’s beautiful and I love how elegant it is while still being magical!
You could also try scrapbooking some photos or doing a gallery wall of Disney photos!
4.Eat a Mickey Bar
Okay, so this one is pretty self-explanatory but obviously a Disney trip isn’t complete without a Mickey bar! Now, through pure Disney magic, you can buy a Mickey bar at your local Target or grocery store! I’m not endorsing eating your emotions, but it’s a fun little way to get a (literal) taste of Disney while at home.
5.Re-watch Disney Movies
A huge part of the Walt Disney Company is its movies! If you’re feeling the Disney Blues, re-watch the classics! It’s also fun to watch them in chronological order or by theme. For instance, watch just the princess movies in order, or watch just the Pixar movies. You get the idea, but it’s a nice way to cozy up under your favorite Disney blanket and distract yourself from missing your happy place.
Joining Disney+ is a great way to be able to enjoy the classics whenever you want. And if you’re looking for newer content, I highly recommend The Imagineering Story to learn about the history of Disney.
6.(Hypothetically) Plan Your Next Trip
My all time favorite way to beat the Disney Blues is to work on planning my next trip. Now, sometimes I have an actually trip in the works but other times I hypothetically plan. I have a list of hotels I need to stay at still, and I’ll watch YouTube videos of them and pick where I’ll stay next. I also look into upcoming events in Disney and pin future ideas on Pinterest which acts as a mood board.
Sometimes planning a trip means I have to save up, so I’ll make budgets and planning documents to keep me on track. I also keep a Mason jar on my desk where I stash any spare cash and change and I use whatever I put in there as my Disney fund.
I hope these tips help you beat the Disney Blues! Do you experience the Disney Blues? What do you do to get over them?
But, if you’re feeling genuinely depressed and it goes beyond just missing Disney, please reach out to a mental health professional who can offer you clinical guidance.
YES!!! The post-disney trip blues are so real. I always listen to Disney Parks’ Music and recreate our favorite meals 🙂
So fun! I’m not a very good cook so I don’t do the meals often, except I do love to make the PB&J milkshake from 50’s PrimeTime!
This is such a sweet post. I have only been to Disney World once in my life and it was 10 years ago now! I certainly miss it and I’d love to go again one day, but it’s not as high on my priority list since getting married and “settling down.” Hopefully in the next few years, if things get safer when it comes to traveling and being around other people!
I totally get this! We missed the whole Disney vacation with our son while he was little, but did make it on a Disney cruise (I’d love to do that again!). However, I got my biggest post-vacation blues after spending a long weekend in Bermuda. 4 days is all it took. Before that trip, I never considered myself a beach person, but it totally changed my perspective. I was a mess for 2 weeks after.