Let's All Close Our Eyes and Go to Disney
"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."
No? Okay...
"Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning!"
No? Hmmm...
"When I look at you, I can feel it. I look at you, and I'm home."
Let's be honest. The news right now is not good.
As of this writing, an official announcement has not yet been made by the Disney Parks in the United States about whether they will hold to the April 1 re-opening date originally planned when they closed. We have our opinion, however, that it's going to be a good long while before things are back to normal. The crisis in this country is escalating, not abating, and April 1 is going to fall right at the beginning of a critical time.
One of the hardest parts of this is losing the freedom to go, even if you wouldn't go, wherever you want to. And surely many of us are longing for the comfort that Walt Disney World brings to us.
So in this post, we're gathering a list of our favorite things that bring every smell, taste, sound, and sight of Disney to our daily lives, at home. And if we left something out that you love, please comment and share your ideas with your fellow Disney fans! Since our favorite shops to buy Disney-related items, when recommended, are online, these have the thumb's up for social distancing.
The Smells of Disney
Find candles and wax melts that replicate the wonderful smells of Disney at the Magic Candle Company. Some of our favorites are: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Banshee Flight, African Lodge, Rome Burning, and Confectionary. Scents come in wax melts, candles, oils, and bath products.
For more candles and wax melts, a known name around the fandom is also Spireside candles.
The Sounds of Disney
There is a nice playlist on YouTube of sounds of Disney parks. It starts off slightly Disneyland-centric, but shifts to EPCOT and has a really nice selection of EPCOT music from the entrance, to each country around World Showcase to the Soarin' music. It's a great pick me up.
If you're less interested in studio-quality music and would like to feel like you're there with ambient noise, including background music and people talking, then there is a playlist for that on Soundcloud.
The Tastes of Disney
Depending on the selection at your grocery store of choice, look for MIckey's Premium ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches. I was recently delighted that my local Hyvee, which has been carrying the bars for a while, recently got in a stock of the sandwiches too. Yummm... Also look for dole whips. Yes, it's a real thing that is widely available and some grocery stores to carry Dole pineapple ice cream.
But I can totally relate if you don't want to venture out to the store right now. Maybe you'd rather cook your favorite Disney dish at home. There is a wonderful selection of Disney recipes at allears.net.
If that's overwhelming, try the Disney Chef which has a really nicely organized site with pictures of each recipe they provide.
The Sights of Disney
The most realistic way to enjoy Disney without being at Disney may just be with your VR headset if you have one. We personally enjoy Wander for the Oculus. It let's you explore a lot more places than just Walt Disney World, but it does have paths to walk around all four parks of Walt Disney World and two parks of Disneyland. I enjoyed doing an entire loop from Discovery Island, over the Africa bridge, down the path to Asia, past Everest, and into Dinoland.
If you don't have a VR, then Google Earth can do the trick.
And of course, there's a YouTube channel for that! Virtual Disney World has several 360 ride-throughs of the most popular rides, some in 4k so you can watch on your big TV. I just rode Soarin'. Feels so nice!
Still Want that Souvenir?
You can buy Disney merch outside of the parks at the Shop Disney site or app.
What About the Physical Sensation of Disney?
We thought about this a lot. You could walk 7-10 miles on your treadmill with your heat turned up to at least 80 Fahrenheit, but we don't recommend it. Honestly, this is one thing you don't want to replicate all aspects of!
Except one important thing, which is sunshine. Get some sunshine. For many of us, we can still go out in our yard or take a walk for exercise (just stay at least 6-10 feet away from others). I recommend doing this. Bonus points if you do it with your favorite Disney t-shirt or cami on.
So, start up some "Soarin' Over Orange Groves" wax melts from Magic Candle Company, watch the ride-through on YouTube, then listen to the Soarin' exit music on Soundcloud. Dig a Mickey's premium bar from your freezer or whip up a batch of banana bread pudding from the Polynesian. Then for goodness sake, get outside and walk it off.
Folks, we're going to get through this. One day at a time, it's not going to be the easiest thing we've ever done, but we're going to do it.
And to help get us through the rest of our crisis, this blog is going to pivot on our content a little bit and begin a Disney at a Distance series.
What is Disney at a Distance you might ask? It's a collection of narrative, videos, sounds, and suggested recipes or scents to have in your home for a virtual visit to one of Walt Disney World's iconic parks and lands. Think of it as a little escape. No admission needed, no standing in line, no Fastpass Plus required, no park schedule to adhere to... just your schedule, in your time. We will begin with Main Street USA in the morning. I can't think of a better way to start the day.
How do you do Disney at home? Share your tips with your fellow fans in our comments, or over on our Facebook page! We'd love to hear from you! Until next time...
