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Combating the Florida Blues

Walt Disney World: Any tips for dealing with Lack-of-Disney Depression?

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 19, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Does anyone have any tips for combating the Florida Blues?

I have just come back from 3 weeks in Florida and am really starting to feel the blues. Irrational thoughts are beginning to plague my mind, such as: 'Why did it have to end...Was does time have to pass...Did I enjoy it as much as I could...Did everyone have fun...Why didn't I go back on that ride...?!'

So all I've tried so far is looking at our photos, and that was okay while it lasted... but does anyone have any other advice for dealing with Lack-of-Disney Depression?!


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Brian Emery
Posted April 19, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Yes…. There is this drink I use to help..Van Gogh Dutch Carmel Vodka…
(Assuming you are at least 21) Follow these instructions.

Buy said bottle of Van Gogh… Put several ice cubes in a glass, Fill glass with Van Gogh, stir
and enjoy…

Repeat of necessary..

From Terri Pierce
Posted April 19, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Under 21 suggestion.

Lots of disney movies.

LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS!

And forums. lots and lots of them.

From Robert Niles
Posted April 19, 2011 at 1:14 PM
Reading a certain theme park website? ;^)

Hey, writing up a trip report, submitting a bunch of photos and ride reviews and hanging out on the discussion board each day can help extend the vacation feeling!

That's why we're here.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 19, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Visiting a more local theme park or going on a "staycation"

From Terri Pierce
Posted April 19, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Visiting local parks make me miss the big parks even more!

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 20, 2011 at 1:03 AM
Thanks for the suggestions guys. We did watch Aladdin the other night, and it was hilarious, a lot funnier than I remembered. Abu is a classic character and all of Iago's lines are spot on.

We do sometimes go to Alton Tower in England but it really doesn't compare! Some of the rides are good, but there's no consistent attention to detail to hold it all together. It's really not a 'theme' park per say...

And I am in the process of writing Trip Reports, Robert...but my first one hasn't shown up on here yet... I've emailed you seperately :-) But TPI is definitely helping. A Lot.

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 20, 2011 at 1:06 AM
Oh yeah, and the good ol' vino is playing it's part in the healing process. When we've run out of Runts and Kisses and Cheetoes and Reeses Pieces...vino will still be there! :-P

From James Rao
Posted April 20, 2011 at 3:27 AM
I gotta agree with Terri, visiting the local stationary carnival, Worlds of Fun, adds to my "I wish I was at a Disney park" depression. All I do the whole time I am there is try to re-imagine the park and make it more Disney-like.

However, visiting Silver Dollar City down in Branson does help - so I guess it depends on the immersive quality of the local park. Some parks do "Disney" better than others, I guess.

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 20, 2011 at 5:50 AM
Good point James. We don't have any carnivals near us, but along that line, could try and get involved with other things on offer. I have recently moved to a new area so I imagine that is increasing my feeling of loss!

It's comforting to know that other people feel the same after Disney though! Maybe I jsut need to have a good cry and get it out!

What's everyone's favourite weepies? Might have to stick Bambi on...

From Brian Emery
Posted April 20, 2011 at 6:32 AM
Well if you charged a lot of things, the bill will bring you back to reality…

PS – I am going to Orlando for 8 days starting May 7th…. I bet that does not help though…

From Crystal A
Posted April 20, 2011 at 8:23 AM
My family calls it the "Mouse Blues". Reading Theme Park forums helps, as well as reading trip reports. Some of the reports are so well written its like you're really there.

From James Rao
Posted April 20, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Lauren, I call World's of Fun a stationary carnival because I am a Disney-snob and because of its proliferation of carnival style midway rides. WoF does have a few stand out attractions (Prowler, Mamba, Patriot - all coasters), but everything else is a far cry from anything found at a Disney park. Additionally, WoF is a "pitstop park" because an entire circuit of the best attractions WoF has to offer can be completed in about 90 - 120 minutes on an average day.

Silver Dollar City, on the other hand, has many of the same immersive, narrative qualities found at a Disney park, but without the state of the art headliners. SDC is a "destination park" because it takes a couple of days to do and see everything the park offers.

Between the two parks, WoF and SDC, I can get a coaster fix and a themed entertainment fix... at least enough to hold me over until my next Disney trip!

From Scott B
Posted April 20, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Sometimes I listen to some DTunes radio to get me out of a funk. Nothing like hearing some 'on ride' audio while sitting in my cubicle to make the blues go away.

Also, has this been mentioned? Start planning your next vacation to the Mouse....duh!!! ;)

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 20, 2011 at 3:33 PM
Thanks guys, those last messages made me :-) It's 23.30 here in England and thought I'd check forum before calling it a night and glad I did! TPI defo helping calm the Mouse Blues...

Good idea planning next trip Scott...unfortunately I've got a husband who's plugging for next holiday to be Vietnam (will be awesome but SO different...) and the same old budget issues, but we're all blue-skying here so what the hey... you know I'm already planning in my head (who isn't?!)

Brian, I actually love hearing about other peoples' next trips, whenever I meet someone over here who's a Disney-goer you can't stop me talking about it! Who are you going with, what are you looking forward to most, where are you staying and how long is it since you last went?!

And James, thanks for explaining about your local parks - you are lucky to have them at least! We've got two little ones near London that I guess I could try out (but once you start comparing cost to Disney tickets...). I'm sure I could get an adrenaline fix to last a while!

Maybe I could try reading those Kingdom Keeper novels, anyone think they're any good?


From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 20, 2011 at 7:18 PM
If you can afford it, I would plan your next Disney Vacaton. I found that I am less sad when I know that I will return in a year or two!

From Kelly Muggleton
Posted April 21, 2011 at 5:15 AM
You should definitely write a trip report Lauren! Tie all those fab pics you have into the memories and re-live it.

I hate to say it but I have had Florida blues for over a year now and I just put down the phone and said... 'I'm going to see Mickey!' 28th August (I know it will still be busy but needs must).
The countdown is on! (Having been to every 5-year WDW anniversary since their 20th I feel its rude for me not to go)

From Terri Pierce
Posted April 21, 2011 at 5:36 AM
I have a feeling they would come to your house and hunt you down if you don't go Kelly. It's only right that you prevent them from having to do such extreme measures and go willingly. ;)

From Kelly Muggleton
Posted April 21, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Haha you're so right!! The Disney Police! Armed with confetti guns and ears on their helmets! :-)

I am a total Seaworld addict too and I have said - they'll wonder what they've done wrong if I don't make an appearance at the new Orca show!!

From TH Creative
Posted April 21, 2011 at 6:49 AM
Get your drink on ... go to Youtube and watch ANY of these:

The Wolfs Dance Orlando

Hurst Family Disney World Vacation 2009

Epcot in 5,151 Photographs

A Model Day at Magic Kingdom - Exclusive Disney Parks Tilt-Shift Video

Disney Music Video 2009

Those will take you back!

From Shari Lockyer
Posted April 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Hey Lauren, I'm missing WWOHP in a similar way. I think we were in Florida about the same time. I'd love to read how your trip went. I had my last pumpkin juice on the weekend & have one more chocolate frog saved for Easter - I knew I'd be considering selling everything I own & moving south by about now.

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 26, 2011 at 4:19 AM
Thanks for all your kind words and empathy guys
:-)
I did actually write a trip report, just for my first park, and tried twice to get it up here, but it didn't appear. Stupidly I didn't save it, so will write again.

Shari - I've just finished some sweets I got in Honeydukes :-( And the only choc frog I bought was for my friend's birthday present which isn't until August! (I hope I can resist that long!)

And thanks TH - I'll check out those vids - when Im not at work!

It would certainly be nice to go to every 5 year anniversary too. Well done for booking August, Kelly! Enjoy the countdown! It doesn't help that my mum's already going back in September (and she came with us in April)...I wish I could be a kid again so my parents would pay for my holidays!!!!

From Lauren Hayhurst
Posted April 27, 2011 at 1:05 AM
'kay, first Trip Report is up guys and I do feel better!! Thanks for all your suggestions! Just know that I'm here for you when you return from your next holiday of a lifetime :-)

From duncan henny
Posted April 27, 2011 at 8:13 AM
start planning your next trip an watch loads and loads of you tube videos from all the parks :)

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