It’s back-to-school time. Some people welcome this time of year as routines return, and our lives have a little more structure. The start of the school year means you might have to wait until the next school break to visit a Disney park. Whether you’re a family with kids or just a kid at heart, here are some things you can do to keep the magic alive until your next Disney vacation.
1. Watch a Disney movie that you’ve never seen.
Check out Disney+ or visit your local library! Whether it’s new a Disney movie or an older one, you’re bound to find something you’ve never seen before. Keep in mind Disney has a lot more to offer than just animated movies. From Pollyanna and Swiss Family Robinson to Remember the Titans and National Treasure, there are so many unique and inspiring movies to enjoy. You could even throw in some themed snacks or activities and turn it into a memory-making event.
2. Explore Disney+ Content.
Disney+ has some fantastic shows that give you that feeling of being in the park while sitting on your couch. Here are some of our family’s favorites:
- Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Behind the Attraction
- One Day at Disney Shorts
- Disney+ Insider
3. Read a Disney book.
There are many Disney books for kids, but one of my favorites is the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson. The books have lots of behind-the-scenes details for Disney fans of all ages, and they are action packed. Recommended age: 10-14 years old. They feature Disney villains so they might be scary for young children.
For younger kids that are just getting into reading chapter books, Ridley Pearson has recently written a series for younger readers called Magical Map. Recommended age: 6-8 years old. These are early chapter books that feature Disney rides, and while they are mysterious, I don’t think they are scary.
There are a surprising number of Disney books for adults too. Whether you’re looking for guide books or books written by Imagineers, there is something for everyone. There is even a Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series that just made my “To Read” list so I can relive the days of Residential Street at Disney-MGM Studios.
4. Do something with your photos from your last Disney vacation.
Are your photos from your last Disney vacation still in your phone? Print them out, frame them, put them in a photo album, or create a digital photo book. Share them with your loved ones and relive the memories.
5. Make a Disney recipe.
Enjoy a taste of the parks! There are lots of Disney cookbooks to choose from. You can find these at a retailer or at your local library. My daughter recently got The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault, and our family has had a lot of fun making Disney recipes while dreaming of our next Disney vacation. I love it when everyone is in the kitchen together, working on a project. We do not have a natural inclination for cooking, but we have a lot of fun experimenting. Knowing the end product is going to take us back to our favorite place is the icing on the cake.
6. Tune in to The DVC Show!
DVC Fan releases a new show each Monday, keeping you up to date on all things DVC and Disney. The show is fun and casual, an honest conversation between friends. It is available as a podcast or on YouTube. Check it out!
7. Create a Disney-inspired Halloween costume.
Halloween costumes, apparel, and décor are out in stores and online. Whether you’re attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood, use this time to come up with a really fun costume. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and there are lots of ideas online. Be creative! You could create an individual costume or collaborate with friends or family to fit a theme.
8. Play a Disney game.
There are so many Disney games to choose from. These days, our favorite family game is The Magical World of Disney Trivia. We love to play Disney trivia on a Disney cruise or by the pool at a Disney resort. This gives us a little taste of that at home. My son even likes to create his own Disney trivia games for us to play.
9. Plan your next Disney vacation!
A true Disney fan is always planning the next vacation, or maybe even the one after that. What do you want to do on vacation? Do you want to invite family or friends to come along? Where do you want to stay? What is your budget? Do you have enough DVC points? Do you have an item on your bucket list that has been there for a while? It’s never too early to start dreaming and exploring your options.
10. Talk to other Disney fans on DVC Fan Forums or the DVC Fan Facebook page.
This is fun place to gather with other Disney fans. You can come to share ideas or opinions, get advice, and ask questions. You can also live vicariously through people who are currently at Disney on vacation, who share pictures or trip reports. It’s a great place to hang out when you’re missing your home away from home. You might even make some friends along the way!
11. Whistle while you work with Disney Ambience or Disney Music.
Our family loves to play Disney ambience while we’re making dinner, doing chores, or completing homework. Disney+ has a variety of ambience videos, and of course, there are so many options to choose from on YouTube. Many of the ambience videos are instrumental music and graphics only, but you can also find Disney playlists that feature songs with lyrics.
Disney Hits on SiriusXM is a great station to tune into. I love the “Be Our Guest” segments. It is so interesting to hear how Disney songs have impacted other people and why those songs hold a special place in their heart. If you would be interested in sharing your favorite songs, you can fill out a form on their website. You must be 18 years or older, but if you have children that would like to participate, you can share your songs as a family. If you are chosen, you get the opportunity to share your 4 favorite Disney songs on air.
12. Watch POV Ride videos.
When our family is really desperate for a glimpse into the World, we will turn on a POV ride video. It’s definitely not the same as being immersed in the parks, but it does give you a hint of the magic. You can find select rides on Disney+. There is a much larger selection on YouTube, but the quality is hit or miss. You might find certain content providers are better than others. This is also a great way to revisit rides that are no longer with us, view rides with overlays, or explore ride variations that might be in other parks.
13. Visit Tiana’s Joyful Celebration
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is an amazing place for kids to explore, and they currently have an exhibit called Tiana’s Joyful Celebration. If you are near the Indianapolis area, consider making it into a day trip. This exhibit was produced by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Walt Disney Imagineering. It is designed for children 6-10 years old and their families. Experience the culture of New Orleans and help Tiana prepare for Mardi Gras. This exhibit features hands-on activities with music, pretend play, and art. It will be at this location until January 3, 2027. After that, this exhibit will embark on a 12-city tour over the course of 5 years. Future stops include:
- Columbus, Ohio: The Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
- Sylmar (Los Angeles), California: Discovery Cube Los Angeles
- Dearborn, Michigan: The Henry Ford Museum
- Fort Worth, Texas: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
- Atlanta, Georgia: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
- Tampa, Florida: Glazer Children’s Museum
14. Invest in Disney Art or Disney Lego Sets.
There are quite a few art shops to choose from on Disney property, as well as Disney Cruise Line. A quick internet search will overwhelm you with options. Whether you choose artwork by Thomas Kinkade or Joey Chou, surround yourself with what you love.
Also, Lego has created so many amazing Disney Lego sets that are 3D works of art. You can build and display them, or take them apart and re-build them again and again. They also make great gifts for the Disney fans in your family!
The best part of Disney art is you get to enjoy the beauty and wonder of Disney in the comfort of your own home.
15. See a Live Disney Show
The quality of a Disney production is second to none. It is truly special to see a live show, whether that be a stage show or an orchestra concert. Some Disney shows tour the US while others go all over the world. Check out the links below to see what is coming to a city near you.
- Disney on Ice — There are 5 shows currently on tour. If a show is not in your budget right now or maybe you want to see if it’s something that might interest your family before investing the money, go to Inside Disney on Ice for fun activities, behind the scenes info, recipes, and workouts.
- Disney Concerts — Check out the website of your local Symphony Orchestra to see if a show is coming to a city near you. These shows are generally part of a Film or Pops series because there are video elements (or an entire movie) that accompany the orchestra.
- Disney on Broadway — Aladdin and The Lion King are both currently on Broadway in New York City. Beauty & the Beast The Musical and The Lion King are touring North America
- For Live Events in the UK, visit this website.
- For Live Events in Australia, visit this website.
Maybe you are saving for your next Disney vacation, and don’t want to spend a lot of money on tickets to a live show. Disney+ has some behind the scenes footage of Broadway in their One Day at Disney series. Also, Frozen, Newsies, and Disney’s Broadway Hits are all streaming on Disney+.
Final Thoughts
There are so many ways to enjoy Disney magic at home. Use your imagination!
I want to hear from you. Head over the DVC Fan Forums and share your ideas. How do you keep the magic alive between visits?
