When the Disney Magic is Gone

No matter how much you love Disney and your family, there may come a moment when the magic leaves.  This post is going to talk about what to do when the Disney magic leaves you, and what to do.

Our our trip last fall I had a moment where I just sat down and felt MISERABLE.  The park was FAR more crowded than I had anticipated.  I think it was also much more crowded than Disney anticipated, which made it hard for everyone.

My feet hurt, lines were long.  My kids were hanging on me and needing attention every minute of every.day.

Are you sensing my desperation.

In that moment, this article was birthed in my brain.  There are times that every parent wonders WHY DID I DO THIS?

And that, my friends, is OK.  Sometimes you just need a moment to shake it off, and remember why you’re there.

{keeping in mind, I think this happens on EVERY family trip – -you just have unanticipated bumps in the road that throw you for a loop}…

Here are 10 things to do when your Disneyland Day Loses the Magic

Sit Down to find the Disney Magic

All. the. stand. in. line ruins Disney magic for me more than anything else.  This was easier to do when we had a baby and weren’t constantly going ride to ride and “doing” the park.

Now, sometimes I’ll tell my husband to take the kids on a ride, or we will just hang out somewhere and they can play on their phones #teenagers

And yes, sometimes sitting there and paying a TON of money so people can play on their phones is OK.  You just need a little zone out — and that’s OK.

Remember, you’ve already paid the money to go to the park.  What you do while you’re there is to find enjoyment. The end.  Remember my post about the dad and the umbrella stroller.

Eat Something to find the Disney Magic

Sometimes you’re just hungry.  And, quite possibly, a Swedish fish that is in your backpack isn’t going to fit the bill.  Maybe you need some protein or something with vitamins.

You have to fuel the happiness with more than sugar, especially if you’re over 40 {guilty of that here}

I recommend lots of awesome snacks to bring with you in this post.  You can also get something at a cart, or do a sit-down meal.  Lots of options!

I am a BIG fan of a sit-down meal mid-day to gather yourself.  I have a post on the best ways to eat at Disneyland.

Drink Something to find the Disney Magic

I’m talking drinking something VIRIGIN, preferably water. 🙂

It’s so easy to get dehydrated in the hot CA sun.  Did you know that restaurants that provide cups of soda will give you a free cup of ice water, you just have to go up and ask.  It can truly brighten your day.

Sit down and drink your water, and the Disney magic comes back faster! 🙂

Also, I have a rule that whenever I see a drinking fountain at Disney I drink from it — for longer than I’d prefer.  It just keeps me hydrated and happy.

We also bring a water bottle to the park for us, but the drinking fountain rule helps.

People Watch to find the Disney Magic

So, when you sit down, zoning out and flipping through Instagram can be fun.

But people watching can be even more fun.

Look for:

• Angry Parents (a favorite of mine, sadly)
• Great T-shirts
• Great Mickey Ears — the park sells a ton, but there are SO many on Etsy that are so cute!  I love how imaginative and seasonal some of them are

I really get into the festive spirit with people watching.  Pay attention to the music and the smells.  Realize how lucky you are to be there (perhaps, instead of work)

Send me the list!

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Get a Fast/MaxPass to find the Disney Magic!

Everything’s more magical when you don’t stand in line.

Grab a fast past, and then do something ELSE until your ride turn comes.  Then just LOVE the ride, really enjoy it!

Go back to your room to find the Disney Magic!

Yup, everyone says to do it — but when you have older kids who don’t need a nap, I was guilty of forcing through the day.  Which was a mistake!  This past visit we went back to the hotel and laid down.  Rubbed our feet, drank cool water.

The whole nine years.

It. Was. AMAZING.  DO IT!!!! 🙂

Order a treat on the app to find the Disney Magic

Did you know you can order food on the Disney app?  You can order it and pick it up, all WITHOUT STANDING IN LINE.  I explain it all in this post on the best way to do food at Disneyland.

For me, the raspberry Macaroon at the Jolly Holiday bakery will turn any day around.  In fact, I feel happier now, just thinking about it.  Jolly Holiday has a lot of yummy treats.

Or, do a Dole Whip!  (extra credit if you then sit in the back row of the Tiki room and lean back to watch the show.  It’s a favorite of mine. 🙂

Find a Quiet spot to find the Disney Magic

I wrote a post about what to do when it’s busy at Disneyland.  And frankly, busy-ness is one of the most common causes of the Disney Magic leaving me.  I’m tired of lines, all the people, all the waiting to walk by the electric wheelchairs…. {sigh}

Anyway — I recommend a few places in that post that are almost never very crowded — but my favorite in each park:

• Disneyland: Mr. Lincoln on Main Street
• CA Adventure:  Animation Academy

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Guess who drew this? ME! One of the things my kids remember most was the Animation Academy, and frankly, I’m not sure we would have gone if it hadn’t been insanely busy when we were there (I’m talking an hour for Buzz). There are lots of hidden gems around Disney, you just have to know where to look. So. Even if you have to go at a busy time, or if the day you’re there just turns crazy busy – be sure to take the tips in my latest post. You can find it through the link in my profile, on my home page or right here: https://www.pullingcurls.com/disneyland-on-busy-days/ #curlsdoesDisney #disneyland

A post shared by Pulling Curls ~ family tips (@pulling_curls) on Nov 14, 2018 at 7:00am PST

Watch a Show to find the Magic at Disneyland

Disney does SUCH a good time on their shows.  They really will spark a smile, and there are usually plenty of seats.  As long as you don’t need to see each jewel on Elsa’s dress or up Mickey’s nose, you can really sit in the back and still enjoy it!

BONUS MAGIC TIP:

Let your kids run around to find the magic at Disneyland

Sometimes little people just need to run around, and you’re keeping them in line.  Sure, they love the rides, but they want to explore.  There are great options at both parks for this:

• Disneyland:  Pirates Lair (formerly, and better-ly known as Tom Sawyer’s Island)
• CA Adventure:  Redwoods Challenge Trail

So, there you go — my top 11 tips to finding the Disney magic!

Just know it happens to all of us.   I am not sure I had spent that much time with all my kids in one spot in YEARS the last time I went.  Everyone wanted my attention, and to show me things.  They wanted to hang on me and there were 12 billion people there.

I remember sitting at a table near Pirates of the Carribean and wondered why on EARTH I had planned this trip — and WORSE, I recommend it on my blog.

But a big part of the magic is deciding to find the magic.  I did some people watching and asked my daughter to find me the BEST Mickey ears she could find and soon the magic was back.  Just needed a little “me” time, a little sitting and a little bit of the imagination of others to snap out of it. 🙂

If you’re looking to spend less time in line, be sure to check out my Disney day planner — and my other Disney posts below that!

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