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Whether it’s because of a public health crisis, a hurricane, no vacation time, an empty wallet, or some other reason, sometimes you just can’t go to a Disney theme park when you want. If you are a Disney fan, like me, this is a hard pill to swallow. But, there is a way to get your Disney fix without going to the parks. And that is to bring the Disney parks home. As far as I’m concerned, this is the next best thing to being at the parks. So, how exactly do you do it? Read on to find out just how simple it is to enjoy Disney parks at home!
Method #1: Listen to Disney park music.
My favorite way to enjoy Disney parks at home is by listening to Disney park music. Several online radio stations play music and ride throughs, which will make you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. My favorite online radio station for this is Sorcerer Radio, but there are others out there. I can’t tell you how many times Sorcerer Radio has instantly transported me to a particular spot in Disney World by sparking a memory. An added bonus to Sorcerer Radio is that throughout the day they give you news, rumors, and tips about the parks. My favorite thing about this station is that they play all of the nighttime shows from the parks in their entirety each night.
Method #2: Watch Youtube videos.
Youtube has a huge collection of Disney park videos. Whether you are interested in seeing rides, shows, parades, or fireworks, you can watch them on Youtube. You can even find videos highlighting some of the best food at Disney World. Not only will Youtube videos help you enjoy Disney parks at home, but they can also help you plan your next trip!
Method #3: Cook some Disney recipes.
Another fun way to enjoy Disney parks at home is to cook some of your favorite dishes from Disney recipes. You can find an extensive list of Disney recipes at allears.net. This is a great way to have some Disney fun with your family. I love making some of the Disney desserts with my son. A couple weeks ago, we made Ohana’s pineapple coconut bread. You can find recipes for lots of Disney drinks at Allears too!
Method #4: Read trip reports.
Whenever I can’t visit a Disney park, I like to live vicariously through others who can. There are several websites and blogs that posts reports of other people’s trips to the Disney parks. These can be a lot of fun to read. Plus, they can sometimes give you insight into things to do (or not do) on your next trip! My favorite sites for trip reports are Disney Tourist Blog and WDW Magic. Another bonus of trip reports is the incredible photos that some of them include. Tom at Disney Tourist Blog, in particular, has some stunning photos of the parks. You can find one of my trip reports here.
Method #5: Look through old photos.
In addition to reading about other people’s trips, you can enjoy Disney parks at home by reliving your own past trips. Pull out the photos from your previous trips and look through them. If you haven’t yet put them into a scrapbook or photo album, now is a great time to do so. It’s amazing how many things you forget until you starting looking at old photos! Every time I do this, I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. And if you took your children when they were young, they will enjoy seeing the photos from those trips they no longer can remember. So, grab that box of pictures and enjoy your trip down memory lane!
Method #6: Burn Disney-inspired candles.
For most people, smells can trigger strong memories. A lot of Disney fans have a favorite smell from the parks. Nowadays, there are several companies that make Disney-inspired candles. These candles will bring your favorite scents from the parks right to your living room. Some of these companies also make wax melts and room sprays. If you are really missing Disney, this is a great way to get your Disney fix! I have not yet tried any of these candles, but plan to do so soon. Three of the most popular companies are Magic Candle Company, Wishes Candle Co., and 3 Cheeky Chicks Wax Co.
Method #7: Do some Disney-inspired activities at home.
Maybe one of the most fun ways to enjoy Disney parks at home, especially with your kids, is to do some Disney-inspired activities at home. Play Disney board games. Put together some Disney jigsaw puzzles. Build a Disney Lego set. Watch your favorite Disney movies and sing along. Print off and color some Disney coloring pages. Read a book about the parks. I particularly love the Imagineering Field Guide series, which explains why the parks are designed the way they are. My son and I also enjoy reading the Kingdom Keepers series together. Or, if you want to get really creative, recreate your favorite rides and attractions in your home. On this one, you are only limited by your imagination and effort.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, sometimes you just can’t travel to the Disney parks when you want. For Disney fans, this can be hard to endure. If you are really missing Disney and need to get your fix, try the above methods to enjoy Disney parks at home. While it’s not the same as being in the parks, it is the next best thing to get you through until your next trip. Read our post on Disney closures to find out what you need to do if a closure interferes with your trip. For more staycation ideas, see what to do when you can’t travel, creative staycation ideas for kids, and how to plan the perfect staycation. Happy travels!
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