Waiting for Your Disney Trip? Keep the Magic Alive at Home!
Take it from someone who only went to Walt Disney World once as a child. You can keep Disney magic alive and well in your home regardless of your budget.
From re-watching beloved VHS tapes to visiting my local Disney Store, my parents cultivated a love that has lasted a lifetime. Now, I’m a dedicated fan who travels there as much as I possibly can.


Credit: Disney
However, the experience of waiting years between visits taught me to savor the anticipation of my next trip.
Whether you are still saving up or have just started a countdown to visit Disney World, the wait doesn’t have to be torture. It can even be fun.


Credit: Amazon
Allow me to share my favorite tips for making your Disney countdowns (and your day-to-day routine) just a little more magical.
Tip #1: Explore Disney+
If you didn’t subscribe to Disney’s exclusive streaming service initially, you probably have now. This Disney-fied version of Netflix offers endless movies, documentaries, and TV shows.
While new content, like Monsters at Work (2021), was created for the platform, Disney+ is a treasure trove of nostalgia. Take a ride down memory lane with Walt Disney’s original films or tv shows you loved on The Disney Channel.


Credit: Disney/Pixar
And don’t miss out on the documentaries. High-quality mini-series like The Imagineering Story (2019) and Behind the Attraction (2021) delve into the inter-workings of the theme parks and their most popular rides.
So, whether you’re a Disney history fanatic or have never seen every Pixar movie, you can catch up on Disney+. Plan some themed movie nights and binge on magical entertainment.


Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images
Tip #2: Cook Magical Meals
Thanks to internet food bloggers, many fan-favorite Disney recipes can be recreated at home. Spend some time in your kitchen and see if you can whip up homemade Dole Whip or Mickey Rice Krispie Treats.
To start, create a bucket list of your favorite Disney snacks. You’ll be amazed at how easy most copy-cat recipes are!


Photo: Disney
But if you’d like official recipes, check out the cookbook Disney released for their 50th anniversary: Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from the Most Magical Place on Earth. Featuring classic recipes and new creations, this cookbook is stuffed with yummy inspiration.
This cookbook even shares the secret of Be Our Guest’s ‘Grey Stuff’ recipe. (Trust me, it’s delicious. Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes.)


Credit: shopDisney
Tip #3: Go to the Theater
You may have to wait for a tour, but Disney Theatrical Productions have several Disney musicals in their repertoire that bring adored stories to the stage.
Popular productions include full-scale musical versions of The Lion King (1994), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and (most recently) Frozen (2013). Featuring expanded runtime, additional songs, and breathtaking dance breaks, Disney musicals are an enchanting night of live theater.
If you have younger children, Feld Entertainment produces several Disney on Ice tours that perform across the globe. These Disney-themed ice capade shows feature beloved characters, beautiful sets, and casts of extremely talented skaters.
Best of all, the run time for Disney on Ice shows is significantly shorter, so they are ideal for little ones. (Plus, the Disney medleys and merchandise stands full of light-up toys will give you Magic Kingdom vibes.)
Regardless of which Disney production you see, you will be transported for the night.
Tip #4: Explore Disney World via YouTube
YouTube isn’t just a hub for silly cat videos, it hosts content creators who adore Disney. By just searching for specific Disney parks, attractions, or shows, you can relive memories or plan for your trip.
I often fall down rabbit-holes of ride-through attraction videos and high-quality recordings of Magic Kingdom Castle shows. If you prefer more ambient videos, you can find loops of park music and walkthrough videos of Disney property.
For the viewer who prefers commentary or Disney-related news, several channels feature updates on the parks, entertainment, and general information on The Walt Disney Company.
There is a Disney-themed corner of YouTube just waiting for you.
Tip #5: Add Disney Touches at Home
If you spend more time at home than in the parks (like me), you can bring Disney home with décor!
Fortunately, Disney has an entire line of kitchenware, home goods, and decorations you can find on shopdisney.com. If you have a specific request, sites like Etsy.com also sell handmade items featuring niche characters and park references.
Whether you like making waffles every morning or snuggling under a favorite blanket, you can find Disney equivalents for daily items. And adding Disney-inspired décor to your walls and end tables will just make you smile.
Put together a dream shopping list and add a little pixie dust to your dwelling.


Credit: shopDisney
Even if you follow just one of these suggestions, your wait for Disney World will be more magical. Treasure the excitement and know you’ll be walking down Main Street U.S.A. before you know it!
Feature Image: Disney