Post Disney Depression

[Funfire240]

I've been feeling the same way - we left on Saturday after almost a week. Last year I had some feelings of regret of things we missed but knew we were going back this September so I just started planning right away.
This time I keep going over the way I should've done things and what I forgot to do. We were with my parents and in-laws and things didn't go as smoothly as I would've liked but all in all we had a great trip.

I thought I was just being silly but realize now it's normal to feel this way (My mom did too but she chalked it up to her and my dad being alone after being around us all week)

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Been back for 6 months with no trip in sight... I just try not to think about it. DD is getting too cool for us now, so maybe we won't be as embarassing in a couple years... LOL

 

[gtpoohbear]

I totally get Post-Disney-Depression, every time! Initially, I keep it at bay by working on my scrapbook and trip report. Kind of feels like it keeps the trip going for a couple more weeks.

Then I start planning another trip. Even if the next one is years away and none of these plans will even be used. It's good practice right??? Plus, I can make sure that, while things are still fresh in my head, I "fix" anything that wasn't perfect on this trip

I also try to find ways to do Disney-ish things at home. See if Disney on Ice or Disney Live is coming to your town. Or make a special movie night the next time a Disney movie is released.

 

[Satchmo128]

Many people definitely share your feeling, OP. Hugs to you as you get back to your normal routine at home!

I have a similar feeling of sadness when we return from Orlando, but it is not only because I miss Disney.....but also because some of our favorite friends moved to Central Florida 5 years ago and we miss them dearly. I am typically already crying when we are driving to MCO because I miss these friends so dearly when we are home in Seattle.

I agree with others that planning your next Disney trip can always help the blues go away. If you haven't ever been to the California parks, I would encourage you to try something new! We are heading down to see Cars Land in less than 3 weeks and I am beyond excited!!

 

[bellaally]

Hope this doesn't hit me hard but since I am coming back December 15, I think I will be too busy getting ready for Christmas.

 

[DreamnDisney]

I returned on 9/25 from an amazing stay at AKL. I miss going home to AKL after a long day at the park. I swear everywhere I go now I smell something that immediately reminds me of Disney. Last night I thought my incense smelled like the AKL lobby!

 

[disneylover92]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I have a ton of scrapbook stuff I bought over the summer, and just recruited my 8 year old brother, to help me pick out pictures and stuff My Aunt, Uncle and Cousins, live in Deltona, so we always visit them when we go down, and it's also super hard to leave them, only getting to see them 2 days a year. I just started looking up package prices for next September. I'm already pretty excited for it!

 

[PrincessKathleen]

I haven't been to Disney since June of 2011 as we don't go a lot, so I know the feeling well I like to listen to Disney music, although that can make it kind of worse, look through the photobook we made of our last trip (since you just went you could work on making one), and plan for our next trip Which will be summer of 2014

 

[bball15fan]

I came back in July, and I still have it! But I have been working on some movies from my trip, and a picture book...which I am sure will take me all together months, so it does help a lot.

 

[wundermommy76]

Oh my gosh! I JUST posted a thread about the same thing and then saw yours. Glad to see I am not alone.

 

[goofy Jr. 88]

I drink out of my resort mug at work (yes, it is refillable there!).

I am drinking out of my mug as I type!

Also, while doing work on the computer, I will listen to Mouseworld Radio.

 

[FloridaDreaming]

What do I do to help with the withdrawal? I stream Disney parks music on my iPhone. The Disney 4 Parks 1 World CD is always in my car's disc player. I throw on one of my Disney tees (or pajamas), grab some popcorn and my refillable mug, and chill out with either a Disney movie or stream Disney youtube videos on the television. I've also been known to whip out the Mickey cookie cutter and make some Mickey rice krispy treats.
I also look at all the picture threads here on the Dis. I love to see the great pics people take of the parks and DTD. And I'm always changing my mind of which resort we'll stay at next. So, I spend a lot of time on the resort threads getting to know them all.

 

[k5thbeatle]

My family and I spent 14 days in Disney, and just left yesterday. Needless to say, we're all going through major Disney withdrawal/ depression. Especially my sister and I. Does anyone have anything they do to help with the withdrawal of not being in the most happiest place in the world? Thanks in advance!

Well one thing that seems to help that is often not mentioned is that when you return, give yourself an extra day (or two if possible) before you have to return to work. In other words, try to plan it so that when you return you're not right back to work the very next day.

In either 2006 or 2007 we did an 11 day WDW vacation, the first 9 at BoardWalk, the last 2 at POFQ. In the cab from BW to POFQ I said to wifey, 'You know, if we were going to the airport right now I'd be OK with that'. Don't misunderstand, I didn't want to leave, but I realized I'd had my fill. Ever since then, on trips mostly of 7 or 8 days, our last day was one of contentment, not depression. Even the stroll through MCO with all the new arrivees streaming past failed to dent our spirits...Bill From PA

I also have to comment on the sentiment of this post...I agree. We started going for longer times usually spending about 16 days on trips in recent years and while I was not wanting to leave...I was ready or content as this poster wrote. So my point is not "try to go for longer times" but regardless of the length of time realize the end for what it is and think of the fun and be happy with that.

 

[k5thbeatle]

I am drinking out of my mug as I type!

Also, while doing work on the computer, I will listen to Mouseworld Radio.

Yes, but what are you drinking? A Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush ala French pavillion?

 

[lrorr]

I'm having a little post Disney blues over here too. We went at the end of August. Back to school was a nice distraction. I am having a great time going through all our pictures- so many memories made this trip! I also have friends there right now and I'm following them on facebook and living vicariously through them

 

[tenaseewalker]

I'm having a little post Disney blues over here too. We went at the end of August. Back to school was a nice distraction. I am having a great time going through all our pictures- so many memories made this trip! I also have friends there right now and I'm following them on facebook and living vicariously through them

Sometimes I think it's worse reading about it, I want to be there having fun with them.

 

[Zipears Fan]

Well, there really is no cure, per se. However, I have heard of many different ideas on how "to treat" it such as plan your next trip, listen to the CDs, watch family videos, etc. I have found, however, that those can have the opposite, worsening effect.

Here's what my family has done in the past, and what my wife and I continue to do: Make your trip to WDW the first part of a longer vacation. We will stay at Disney for a week, and then hit a beach and stay at a condo for week two. This gives us something to immediately look forward to and do and lessens the negative impact we feel when Disney is over. This way, the Magical Express ride back to the airport with the "see you real soon" lightly playing in the background isn't the last thing we do before going back to work on Monday!

 

[P00H1010]

That feeling is such an awful feeling. We go through it everytime we leave WDW. Haven't really found a cure per say but it helps to continue to immerse yourself with Disney. Look at pictures from your trip, watch vids on youtube, listen to Disney music, go on DIS, start talking about your next trip etc.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

There is no complete cure! You can only place your Post Disney Depression (PDD) into remission by planning for your next trip or going to local Disney stores. After our last trip we went to our local Disney stores, one of which is a Disney experience store. This helped...a little. Immerse yourself in good books about the park and imagineers. Likewise, subscribe to a bunch of disney podcasts. Buy memorabilia, today I just received from my wife an incredible haunted mansion attraction poster replica on some sort of sheet metal. Really cool looking.

Every time we return we contemplate a move to be close to the magical kingdom. This sounds crazy to friends and family but oh well. In two years we plan to move from our current locale. We have debated being closer to family (within 3.5 hrs of disneyland) or being bold and going to disney world (our fav of the two parks). Plus we hate winter, love beaches, and want a different pace so either place is a plus.

 

[AuroraRora]

I get this too - this year it wasn't so bad but last year I was so depressed when I got back that I considered not going back anymore just to avoid going through it again. Having other trips planned definitely helps though, even if they're tentative and way off in the distance. For me, things like listening to the music and coming on the Dis actually make it worse, so I usually take a few days after getting home to get myself together before I'm able to go on youtube and watch Wishes etc without tearing up.

Edit: I agree with the PP - going to the Disney store in your city definitely helps!