post-disney depression

[Musky]

I've found that it helps to drag out the picture developing and movie watching and not be in a rush to look at everything as soon as you come home. For example, if you use film, don't get it all developed right away. Save several roles and get them developed in a few months. Or if you use, say, two memory cards, download one as soon as you get home and save the other one for a couple of months. Or if you have videos of your trip, don't watch them until some cold snowy night when you just can't stand it anymore. If you're seeing them for the first time, it really helps you to relive your trip much more than looking at them for the 100th time. You'll see pictures and say, "Oh, I forgot all about that!" or "I didn't remember the sky being such a gorgeous shade of blue that day.", etc. I think it really helps to prolong the pleasant memories of our trips.

Becky

 

[reedycreek]

ok i started this thread, and must admit the depression seems to wear off a little bit each day after the return home. dont know if that is because i am slowing trying to get over it, or am in the very early beginning stages of planning a new disney trip. either ways, the boards help enormously as well!

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I'm right there with you...I just got home a week ago. Besides the "planning another trip" theory (which I'm trying to convince dh to do...), I like to scrapbook all of my photos and memories. While I download the pics right away to look at them, printing them, cropping them, scrapbooking them, and journaling all the memories helps to keep me in the Disney spirit!

Diana

 

[LoriMistress]

I just watch videos of our trip and look at pictures and remind myself how much of a great time I'm having. I'm going on a Disney Cruise in Dec 2006 so that will be so much fun to plan.

 

[crow11ad]

Can I share my little depression? The last day at Disney in April we were staying at the CBR. I woke up really early and just had to lay in my hammock again. Then when they came and got the luggage to hold we were starting out the door. I said let me check and see if there is anything we left. as I looked at the restroom one last time and the room one last time, I started forming tears. As I closed that door again more tears. We took some pictures and I was on my hammock and DW took a picture of me and I had tears.

When we finally made it home, I had about 4 days until I had to go back to work. Let me tell you the very first day back before going back and for about a week, I actually cried. I told DW that all I was asking for was one more trip. Well as you can tell by my timer it is coming.

It maybe a while before we go back, but with all the video I have from our last trip and pictures I figure that any disney fix I need I can look at them and visit the DIS.

It does take time to have reality hit. Something just happens that as soon as you drive under that sign to DIsney, that the magic begins and you forget all the troubles. The first trip we planned was 199 days. This trip started at 220 days. I just know how to make the days fly and not feel so long.

It will happen to everyone and the only cure is either not think about it or plan another trip. The thing is we already talked about going back in a couple of years. But let me see if I can't get it sooner.

 

[Gaiusrex]

Heh. I do just the opposite. After I get back, I post some on the board, look at pictures, and watch the videos. But after a few days, I try to step away from it all. I take a break from the board. I tuck the pictures away. I don't even watch Disney movies.

Eventually I ease my way back into it all. That's when it's time to start planning the next trip.

 

[dixiegirl]

This is a huge problem for me - happens to me every trip and seems to get worse each time!!! Can't help it - I'm a Disney addict and I admit it proudly. DH and I just returned on 10/15 and I already booked my trip for next October - it somehow makes me feel better knowing that I am already started on my next trip. At work, I listed to Live365 all day (Disney of course) and that actually makes me feel better.

This year I am doing a scrapbook which is very time consuming for me so that should keep me busy for quite awhile - especially since I have 6 trips worth of photos to sort thru! LOL!

 

[trampslady]

Always! But, I've got a trip or two (or sometime three!) already in the planning stages, so it makes returning home much easier! Of course, I realize everyone can't go so frequently. With this in mind, I'll suggest my other Disney fix. I ALWAYS bring home Disney pens, mints, notepads, etc. so that each and every day I'm exposed to Disney. It's a good thing my DH loves WDW as much as I do as I don't know how it would possible work for us if he didn't!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Originally posted by DepCor0311
How about this...we haven't even left yet and I am depressed that the trip is going to go "too fast" and be over with before we know it!!!...Guess I should learn to live in the moment...slow down and smell the roses....

I totally understand! I told my girlfriend I'm depressed about the trip being over and she asked how that could be when I haven't even left yet. She says I'm not allowed to have those thoughts until the first day of the trip is over. She just doesn't understand!
:O)

 

[PratersloveDW]

Originally posted by Jennyvelaz
It's been one month today since my trip...I'm still not over it! I've become a disboard fanatic, disney store groupie, and disney channel/radio nut! I don't know how to shake it! Already waiting for May!

DITTO!!! And as someone else mentioned, I also sit here and go, "well, this time 3 weeks ago..." *sigh* One of my fav parts of trips to Disney is two days before we leave. I will usually take these days off to finishing packing and doing last minute arrands. And I know that when I get back all I will think about is that I want to be there again...getting ready. I hate that when you are on the trip you are already getting depressed of leaving!!! Ugg...but now I can't wait for MAY!!!

 

[DemonLlama]

I still have 40 days to go, and have already begun considering the depression factor. We only go every two years. My counter starts back at 712 days come Dec. 16. And I scrapbook like a maniac, and watch our videos until I know every single detail by heart, and we "imagine" ourselves going through one of parks on drives, and we have the shirts, and pens, and antenna balls, and everything else. And it isn't the same. But it helps. I, too, retire from the DIS for a period and then come back. The sadness is worst as we approach the non-Disney Christmas year (the odd numbers) and I start scheming in earnest to make a yearly trip work, and finally give up. It's just not in our budget.

So I've decided that this is the best lesson I can ever give myself is making each day count. Not just the trip days, but the 712 in between. What makes me happy right here, right now? What can I do to make others happy, right here, right now? (Hint: depression usually starts with an unhealthy focus on self, so focusing on others, especially those who need help, is a good way to snap out of it.) Now remind me of this on Dec. 23!

 

[reedycreek]

this is sort of tounge in cheek, but i wonder if disney really uses the magic to its advantage to make you depressed when you leave so you will come right back. i mean, the parks are so clean, sanitized, friendly, and fun that who could not want to go back? i would imagine that running the parks and resort the way to do makes people see that the REAL world is not so great, and to come back to disney to escape it soon. just a thought...

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by DepCor0311
How about this...we haven't even left yet and I am depressed that the trip is going to go "too fast" and be over with before we know it!!!...Guess I should learn to live in the moment...slow down and smell the roses....

I do the same exact thing. Right before the trip, I start getting depressed because it'll all be over too soon.

 

[crow11ad]

Another thing you could do is goto www.live365.com

They have a lot of stations that play disney from attratcions to music right from the park. I listen to it very often and gets you in the mood and I am sure it will help heal the pain.

 

[ctrabada]

Let's see.... I cope as follows:

1. Reading and posting on this board!
2. Bought DVC points so we can plan more trips....
3. Read Disney magazine from cover to cover
4. Read the Unofficial Guide
5. Think of things I would want to do on my next trip
6. Check for AP rates and then figure out if I can escape for a weekend
7. Visit my parents and sneak off to the parks at least 1/2 day
8. Go to the Disney store at the mall

 

[Connie of Trenton]

After our Disney Land and Sea trip in October 2003 I made a HUGE scrapbook which we have setting out so we can enjoy the memories any time! My husband also booked us another cruise so we are excited about that!

 

[tinkerbell13]

but it was more from the trip not really living up to what I thought it would be. We were much more rushed than I thought we would be even with 5 park days to see all the parks. We were there a total of 8 days and we were exhausted!! And it was too HOT!

So to make ourselves feel better, we went to DISNEYLAND 2 days after we got home. It was not crowded, not hot, and we had a blast!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by DemonLlama
So I've decided that this is the best lesson I can ever give myself is making each day count. Not just the trip days, but the 712 in between. What makes me happy right here, right now? What can I do to make others happy, right here, right now? (Hint: depression usually starts with an unhealthy focus on self, so focusing on others, especially those who need help, is a good way to snap out of it.) Now remind me of this on Dec. 23!

That's a great attitude! Thanks for the reminder to cherish every day ... we never know what's around the corner.

 

[Horizons16]

I cry... a lot... lots and lots of tears...

then i make the family plan another...

 

[HenDuck]

Just wanted to say I know how you feel. I have been there. yes, planning another trip is helpful, but sometimes that trip doesn't come soon enough .

Sometimes I think about my friends who have never gone and never will or who will only get to go once, and then I feel grateful.

Hugs to you!