Post-trip depression not going away

[Beck1]

Hi all, I'm new here and happy to meet other Disney fans.

I am still experiencing post-trip depression, and our one trip to Disney World was almost half a year ago. I've read all the tips for dealing with post-trip depression (listen to Disney music, watch movies, make Disney recipes, watch Youtube videos, etc), but nothing seems to help. My husband is not willing to go on another trip, at least not for a long time, especially since we spent a large amount of money on our trip. So the #1 trick - plan the next trip - is not something that I can do.

Maybe I'm analyzing it too much, but I'm trying to figure out what this all means. What void is there in my life that makes we want to be in Disney World so badly? Is it the lack of innocence and sweetness in this world? Is it the quality time together with family? Is it the fact that Disney World seems to be the way our world should be, but isn't? I honestly had some of the best days of my life on our trip, being with my husband and two kids in such a wonderful place. I'm not sure how to recreate that feeling in everyday life.

To the rest of my family, it was a great trip, but just that. No one else in my circle is a Disney fan, so I feel pretty alone. They likely think I've lost my mind, and I think I'm starting to bug them by talking about it so much. I feel like I don't really fit into the world anymore. I'm glad to share all of this with people who can relate. Does anyone feel the same way, that calling it "post-Disney blues" downplays the severity of this feeling? What else has helped you, outside of the usual suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[LSUmiss]

Can you find a way to plan a shorter cheaper trip that your husband might go for?

 

[MamaBelle4]

Hi all, I'm new here and happy to meet other Disney fans.

I am still experiencing post-trip depression, and our one trip to Disney World was almost half a year ago. I've read all the tips for dealing with post-trip depression (listen to Disney music, watch movies, make Disney recipes, watch Youtube videos, etc), but nothing seems to help. My husband is not willing to go on another trip, at least not for a long time, especially since we spent a large amount of money on our trip. So the #1 trick - plan the next trip - is not something that I can do.

Maybe I'm analyzing it too much, but I'm trying to figure out what this all means. What void is there in my life that makes we want to be in Disney World so badly? Is it the lack of innocence and sweetness in this world? Is it the quality time together with family? Is it the fact that Disney World seems to be the way our world should be, but isn't? I honestly had some of the best days of my life on our trip, being with my husband and two kids in such a wonderful place. I'm not sure how to recreate that feeling in everyday life.

To the rest of my family, it was a great trip, but just that. No one else in my circle is a Disney fan, so I feel pretty alone. They likely think I've lost my mind, and I think I'm starting to bug them by talking about it so much. I feel like I don't really fit into the world anymore. I'm glad to share all of this with people who can relate. Does anyone feel the same way, that calling it "post-Disney blues" downplays the severity of this feeling? What else has helped you, outside of the usual suggestions?

Thanks!

I'm glad you had such a magical trip!!

And you DEFINITELY can plan trips. You just don't purchase anything. Look into all the different offerings around Disney that you may have missed the first time.

And spend more time on the Disboards. Might help cure your "homesickness".

(I would be remiss if I didn't say that some of your comments were a little alarming. If you are depressed, please seek professional help )

 

[Beck1]

Can you find a way to plan a shorter cheaper trip that your husband might go for?

Yes that's definitely one idea that I've thrown around.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the dis, Beck!

Hanging here on the dis, as already mentioned, is a good tonic. I have been used to 2 trips a years for about 15 or so years (many, not all, have been solo but meeting up with many folks from here). But my last trip was 2017, 5 years ago. Stopping by here among friends, with at least one common enjoyment, does help. Post often, join the discussions, even if not Disney related.

If you wanted a bit more Disney focused at times, stop by the Theme Park Community Board.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/theme-parks-community.161/

I don't stop there myself, but I am sure it would be a good one also.

You're off to a good start though, Beck, you found us.

 

[Her Dotness]

Odd though it sounds, what helps me is reminding myself that I'm just homesick and grieving the loss of my magical place. I set an amount of time to feel sad and then deliberately think about other things going on in my life once my time limit is up, not doing that late in the day. Especially not when trying to go to sleep.

YouTube videos by 4K WDW are wonderful, IMO. No talky-talky at all, only the natural sounds as the person filming walks around. They're filmed from an angle at about eye level. You really feel like you are there! There are parades, park visits and resort tours. You can "tour" resorts where you'd love to stay but know you could never afford without winning the lottery.

Because a dream is a wish your heart makes. So, plan those dream trips and come here to mope and whine when you most need to. You can be sure we'll understand. One of the saddest sights at WDW for me is the sign saying, "See Ya Real Soon," as we drive away. Because I know Mickey won't; we won't return soon at all.

 

[fla4fun]

Do you plan to go on vacations other than Disney during the next few years? Maybe plan a budget beach trip with a few Disney days tacked on the end. I recommend putting them at the end of the trip rather than the beginning so you don’t spend the beach part of your trip wishing you had done the whole thing at Disney. Putting them at the end would allow you to look forward to them.

I know how hard it can be. One thing I will caution you about, just from my experience. Not every Disney trip is wonderful. I am glad your last trip was so good. However, I have been doing multiple trips per year on property for over 35 years, and some were amazing, some were just OK, and a couple were pretty bad. No matter how much they talk up the magic, sometimes Disney doesn’t deliver. I would hate for you to think you are going to have a carbon copy of your fantastic trip, only to have a less satisfying experience.

As another poster mentioned, it wouldn’t hurt to talk about it with a professional if you are feeling depressed. At least talk with your SO about the things that made the trip so great, without making it all about Disney. Think about what you need to keep some of those positive feelings around. You may find the good vibes have less to do with Disney and more to do with who you were with. Maybe it had something to do with not having a lot of responsibilities to deal with on the trip, if you have been under a lot of stress. I know that is a big factor for me, and coming home to find the stress is still there is painful sometimes. Perhaps there is a way to recapture the magic of the trip without going to Disney.

I think people can get so wrapped up in all the responsibilities of daily life that they forget to stop and take some time out to just relax and enjoy spending time with those they love. Get the family together, pack a picnic lunch and a frisbee (or whatever you all like to do) and just have fun. It’s OK to just have fun sometimes.

Best wishes for brighter days ahead! You are welcome to vent here anytime! We understand.

 

[Frwinkley]

One of the things that always helps me with recovering after any trip (Disney or otherwise) is saving for the next trip (even if it's a few years away). I love saving, saving, saving so that by the time the trip comes around, everything is paid for! It gives me something else to think about and I love having a goal.

 

[Suger Mag]

I bought into DVC ... that was how I cured my depression. After coming back from an amazing vacation in 2008 and realizing I had spent about half the price of a contract on that one time trip... We signed a contract for Animal Kingdom Lodge. One of our best decisions ever.

But I agree with the others. Start a vacation account... buy Disney gift cards and stash them. If you can save enough money you might go back sooner than later.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One of the things that always helps me with recovering after any trip (Disney or otherwise) is saving for the next trip (even if it's a few years away). I love saving, saving, saving so that by the time the trip comes around, everything is paid for! It gives me something else to think about and I love having a goal.

Agree with this! Saving, even small amounts, really helps lift my spirits. Watching the savings grow bit by bit is a very real, practical way to make Disney dreams (or any travel dream) come true.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It sounds to me like you are missing a couple of different things:

One is the "Disney Bubble" - a zone of insulation against the news and the rest of the world. Recreate that at home sometimes by unplugging from live TV and social media. (If you still want to watch something, choose old movies on DVD.)

The other is family time. And while vacations are great for that, you can snag smaller doses at home by being "tourists in your own city" for the day, or even just having family game nights.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi all, I'm new here and happy to meet other Disney fans.

I am still experiencing post-trip depression, and our one trip to Disney World was almost half a year ago. I've read all the tips for dealing with post-trip depression (listen to Disney music, watch movies, make Disney recipes, watch Youtube videos, etc), but nothing seems to help. My husband is not willing to go on another trip, at least not for a long time, especially since we spent a large amount of money on our trip. So the #1 trick - plan the next trip - is not something that I can do.

Maybe I'm analyzing it too much, but I'm trying to figure out what this all means. What void is there in my life that makes we want to be in Disney World so badly? Is it the lack of innocence and sweetness in this world? Is it the quality time together with family? Is it the fact that Disney World seems to be the way our world should be, but isn't? I honestly had some of the best days of my life on our trip, being with my husband and two kids in such a wonderful place. I'm not sure how to recreate that feeling in everyday life.

To the rest of my family, it was a great trip, but just that. No one else in my circle is a Disney fan, so I feel pretty alone. They likely think I've lost my mind, and I think I'm starting to bug them by talking about it so much. I feel like I don't really fit into the world anymore. I'm glad to share all of this with people who can relate. Does anyone feel the same way, that calling it "post-Disney blues" downplays the severity of this feeling? What else has helped you, outside of the usual suggestions?

Thanks!

I don’t find your comments alarming at all! It makes perfect sense to me that someone discovered a way to get away from the craziness of life as we know it today, to escape to a place that’s perhaps better than anywhere else on earth, practically, at making us forget our daily struggles for a short time and keeping us in a bit of a fantasy world for a while. Disney is great at this - as PollyannaMom said, it’s a ‘Disney bubble’, where it’s challenging to keep up with news while vacationing, even if you want to. This is likely what you discovered and are missing so much. Who wouldn’t? I think it’s partly one of the reasons why so many of us love it so much - it’s our escape. And there is nothing wrong with that, really. Everyone has their way of escaping in order to survive and thrive. It’s certainly preferable to some other unhealthy ways I can think of.

Read these boards long enough and you’ll discover that there are many people who take multiple trips a year to WDW, and quite a few who even move there to be closer to the Magic! I always felt fortunate that, in my family, we all feel the same way about Disney. In some families, it’s not like that, so trips can be more difficult to attain. I agree it’s helpful to hang out here with others who feel the Disney love, too. And try and figure out a way to make affordable trips happen. That can be different for everyone - some buy DVC, some stay offsite, some may rent points, there are value resorts, traveling during slower/cheaper times, taking kids out of school (!), compromising and going once every so many years, etc. Figure out if there’s a way you can keep it going that works for you and your family. Most of us here all do the same thing to some degree, so you’re in good company! Don’t bother talking to people who aren’t into Disney about Disney, it’s not worth it because they don’t get it. Even talking to other Disney people can sometimes be frustrating if they have strong opinions about how you ‘should’ do trips or touring. Everyone has to do it their own way. Figure out yours.

In the meantime, if you do feel you are depressed, for real, it’s good to seek out some help. But that’s not really what came out at me in your post. Welcome to the Disboards, and I hope you can find some camaraderie here.

 

[slo]

Welcome to the DIS!

My DD and I watch people on YouTube that livestream from the parks - they are so fun to watch. If she was home I would ask her what their names are. Ive never looked them up - she always sets it up for us to watch. She just found them by surfing YouTube, so take a look at that and you’ll be able to watch fireworks shows, rides and more.

*if you think this will make you feel worse than disregard.

 

[CGB]

Disney is my happy place... and my family knows it. And honestly, they love it too.

Our first family trip was 2004 and then it took three years for us to save to go back. We stayed at the Poly and it was totally magical! Everybody wanted to go back quicker, so that became a reason for "tightening our belts" financially, so to speak. We took yearly trips after that, staying on-site and trying different resorts, finding the luxury of club level, driving and staying off-property in cheaper condos while paying college expenses, then needing two rooms and finding our campy favorite resort at Pop. Week long trips became too much and we actually prefer long weekends now, preferably in the spring or fall. We've done several holidays, to include Halloween, Christmas, New Years, and July 4th, at WDW. Oh, the money we've thrown at the mouse over the years!

However, it's been five years since we've been there. The kids are young adults now and their grad school/jobs interfere some with the schedule. DH has some medical issues, so we have avoided WDW during the pandemic. I'm also hoping some of the new changes get sorted out. There's no doubt we miss it... we all monitor changes there and talk about them. We have so many great WDW memories that it's part of who we are. I'm sure our future will involve trips with the kids and their families... can't wait for it!

How to replace the magic while you're home? Stream those youtube channels (I was streaming the 4th fireworks last weekend.) Find recipes for the foods you ate while there (Tonga Toast, Dole Whips, Artist Point Berry Cobbler, etc. - lots of Disney recipe books). Make Disney cookies. Decorate your home for the holidays with similiar decorations. Hang out here and peruse the trip reports. For me, Disney is a state of mind that makes me happy. Before you know it, you'll be back through the gates, smiling at the castle, and exhaling.... because you're back.

 

[Micca]

No one else in my circle is a Disney fan, so I feel pretty alone

Well then, let's get you a bigger circle! Coming here is a good start, you can hang out with like minded Disney folks and it doesn't have to cost a dime (provided you have internet.) There are plenty of people here whose families don't have the level of interest we share, and that's ok. It's a hobby, not everyone in the family participates in each other's hobbies.

My husband is not willing to go on another trip, at least not for a long time

This is also pretty common around here. Any chance you could do a solo trip? Or maybe take the kids and let your husband do whatever he's into? Might sound odd to vacation without your S/O, but hang around here and you'll see that it's a thing.

In any case Welcome Aboard! You've found your peeps!

 

[Christine]

OP, we've all been there to some extent. My Disney depression doesn't last 6 months but definitely for many weeks and then I get busy with life and get past it--but sometimes I'll be having a conversation with my cousin (who also went) and we get wistful to get back there and it leaves you feeling a little blue.

I think what I like so much about Disney is that I'm a person who needs to be "busy" on vacation, but I also don't like the busyness factor to create a lot of work for me. In that regard (while you still have to do a lot of planning to go to Disney), there's just plenty there to do to keep you going ALL day, or not, and not a lot of work goes into it. That's exactly what I need and as the trip planner in my family, it's just a really easy vacation for me. I've been lucky with all my trips to have 95% of things work out and work out well. I'm also lucky that my family is mostly on board. My husband isn't as crazy about it as I am but he's game to go wherever I plan, whenever. I am not sure what I'd do if someone in my group disliked Disney (and there are plenty of those). I started my kids going very young so it is ingrained in them to be their fallback place. As young adults they now travel all sorts of places, but they are happy to always squeeze in a Disney trip.

I think the biggest hiccup I see for you is that your husband and kids are just so-so about it and that is going to cause you some problems in getting back there. If a spouse doesn't really care for Disney and wants to do other things, you sort of have to honor that. And if you are rolling in money, you can't do both. Is this the part of it all that is really depressing you? I think that is what would get me because it sort of squashes any hope of another trip back anytime soon.

None of my circle are that big into Disney either so I come here when I want to talk about those things. But it's always so nice to run into someone who's just been on a trip themselves or you find another Disney fan and can just chat about it. I get that with coworkers sometimes so that can be fun.

 

[shh]

Well then, let's get you a bigger circle! Coming here is a good start, you can hang out with like minded Disney folks and it doesn't have to cost a dime (provided you have internet.) There are plenty of people here whose families don't have the level of interest we share, and that's ok. It's a hobby, not everyone in the family participates in each other's hobbies.

This is also pretty common around here. Any chance you could do a solo trip? Or maybe take the kids and let your husband do whatever he's into? Might sound odd to vacation without your S/O, but hang around here and you'll see that it's a thing.

In any case Welcome Aboard! You've found your peeps!

THIS 1000x! OP - I totally get your Disney Blues. So many people on this forum have spouses, kids, etc not into Disney at all - they get their "fix" by enjoying a short solo trip - just for themselves. I highly recommend you read some of the solo trip threads and consider trying it just once - maybe for a long weekend as birthday or holiday present from others or something you get for yourself.

Skip the shoes, gizmos and other "stuff": ask for this as your gift!

WDW is extremely safe for solo female guests - I'd go solo there in a minute and I'm not adventurous enough to travel alone anywhere else really. Stay onsite and you'll be in the bubble start to finish.

You can do a cheap solo trip for a fraction of what you probably spent on your family vacation.

 

[Micca]

I'll add that sometimes spouses "come around." I've read many posts here where the magic didn't kick-in until a subsequent visit, then they're hooked!

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Does your family travel often? You mentioned DH wasn't open to taking any trips in the near future. If you don't travel regularly, was it really Disney or just getting away for however long and having your family together interrupted by every day life? Don't get me wrong Disney is amazing and one of our favorite vacation spots, but other places are equally amazing.

If you don't travel often, maybe look at the budget and decide some money towards a travel fund and plan another less expensive trip. No matter where you live, there is likely a decent destination within a days drive where you could go visit a ton cheaper and enjoy family time interrupted by everyday life.

 

[Beck1]

I don’t find your comments alarming at all! It makes perfect sense to me that someone discovered a way to get away from the craziness of life as we know it today, to escape to a place that’s perhaps better than anywhere else on earth, practically, at making us forget our daily struggles for a short time and keeping us in a bit of a fantasy world for a while. Disney is great at this - as PollyannaMom said, it’s a ‘Disney bubble’, where it’s challenging to keep up with news while vacationing, even if you want to. This is likely what you discovered and are missing so much. Who wouldn’t? I think it’s partly one of the reasons why so many of us love it so much - it’s our escape. And there is nothing wrong with that, really. Everyone has their way of escaping in order to survive and thrive. It’s certainly preferable to some other unhealthy ways I can think of.

Read these boards long enough and you’ll discover that there are many people who take multiple trips a year to WDW, and quite a few who even move there to be closer to the Magic! I always felt fortunate that, in my family, we all feel the same way about Disney. In some families, it’s not like that, so trips can be more difficult to attain. I agree it’s helpful to hang out here with others who feel the Disney love, too. And try and figure out a way to make affordable trips happen. That can be different for everyone - some buy DVC, some stay offsite, some may rent points, there are value resorts, traveling during slower/cheaper times, taking kids out of school (!), compromising and going once every so many years, etc. Figure out if there’s a way you can keep it going that works for you and your family. Most of us here all do the same thing to some degree, so you’re in good company! Don’t bother talking to people who aren’t into Disney about Disney, it’s not worth it because they don’t get it. Even talking to other Disney people can sometimes be frustrating if they have strong opinions about how you ‘should’ do trips or touring. Everyone has to do it their own way. Figure out yours.

In the meantime, if you do feel you are depressed, for real, it’s good to seek out some help. But that’s not really what came out at me in your post. Welcome to the Disboards, and I hope you can find some camaraderie here.

Thanks so much, your input makes me feel a lot better already.