Originally Posted By minniefan Okay, so I've been back for 4 days now....and I've offically slipped into my Post Disney Depression. I wrote to my fellow Disney Freak friend, seeking her advice, and I thought you guys might enjoy her response: 'Ah yes. The clinical term for what you are experiencing is the Disney Doldrums. I have counseled many on the matter. It is an affliction of the mind that effects 9 out of 10 recent vistitors of the Happiest Place on Earth. It can manifest itself in many ways. The incubation period can be as short as several hours to a full day from the time you depart John Wayne Airport. Once present, these symptoms can last until your next visit if left untreated. Unfortunately, there is no cure, however remission can be achieved with a careful regimen of slow weaning combined with love and support. Allow me to explain. What happens is, when the Disney Lover leaves the Magic Kingdom and tries to re-emerge into the real world, they are plagued with thoughts of the sounds, smells and general merriment of the Land. This is perfectly natural. Symptoms can range from a harmless state of distraction to an all out disabling private hell. It is best not to fight these fond memories at first, just let them flow, then promptly try to re-focus. It is important not to shut out your friends and family. They love you very much and will see you through the stages of this mind deteriorating disease. Remember, it can be tough for them too if they feel you are slipping away. The key here is to be open and honest about what you are feeling. You did the right thing in taking that first step and contacting me. What I can suggest at this time is to get yourself back out there, try to blend in with society, throw yourself into your work and home responsibilites. Limit LP and other Disney internet enablers to 2 topics, twice per day, this may be lifted at a later date. When you feel you are ready, you may look at your photos, if it is not too painful. Surround yourself with a support group. Beware of those who do not understand Disney and may try to judge you. It is okay to have non-Disney friends but keep them at arms length, perhaps e-mail only status, until you are feeling better. Each day will get easier. Baby steps. Don't be hard on youself, and remember this is not your fault. I will check back with you in 12 days. That is two days for each day in the Land. At that time you may need Disney Detox if you are still experiencing symptoms and they are progressively getting worse, such as... singing Tiki,Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room in the shower seeing fireworks when you close your eyes ordering Mickey Nuggets at Burger King sudden urge to paint your house in sparkle pink with gold touches and banners when driving up a hill you exclaim "I think I can, I think I can" looking for the Disneyland Railroad Express each time you hear a bell drawing hidden Mickeys throughout the office waking in the night, cold sweat, reciting in spanish "please remain seated" hanging out in your attic or crawlspace because it smells like Pirates of the Caribbean rocking in the fetal position when you hear "When You Wish Upon A Star" asking real mice for their autographs carving out logs and launching them off the roof of your house into a puddle of water throwing yourself down the elevator shaft of a haunted hotel from the glamour era trying to cram your big ass into a teacup and demanding that your husband spins you on the kitchen floor If I feel you are a danger to yourself or others, you will be need to listed as a Disneyphile and Advanced Disney Detox will be required. I don't want to scare you but it does involve cold water, bright lights and sharp sticks. I pray for you. Godspeed.
Originally Posted By Capstan minniefan, don't feel bad. I live 2000 miles away and it's been four years....
Originally Posted By minniefan Four YEARS Capstan? How can you STAND it? I'm already planning for another trip next year! The funny thing about my girlfriends' email is how TRUE it is! I AM still singing Tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room in the shower! It became a joke for us this trip....we ordered chinese food in our room one night and forgot to put away the soup, and when we came back from the fireworks....P.U.!!! So, we all started singing that we were staying in the 'stinky stinky stinky stinky stinky room'.. Ahhhh the memories!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP ElderP had major withdrawls all July after going to the meet and knowing it would be 2 months before we had the right combonation of time and money to enjoy the *inside* of the parks. Truely a tragic time for those around him as we got him through that difficult time.
Originally Posted By Capstan minniefan, how do I stand it? In part, by becoming embroiled in these funny POTC re-design threads. But I've had enough for today. I think I'll go back to work on my Pirates of the Caibbean CGI model. Please say hello to your friend for me!
Originally Posted By BrerOtter I had a major post-Disney depression the first time I went to WDW. I was friends with people at work who were as fanatical as I was, and I thought I was alone (and a little weird) when I went out on a limb and said, "I'm homesick for Disney World." A woman I worked with said, "I know; isn't that the worst?" I think of it like those commercials that are currently running for a cruise line, where people talk about being treated like royalty: "I consider this a temporary exile."
Originally Posted By RAM1984 I am alternately crying and LingMAO. I have gotten so bad that I start getting depressed before a trip just thinking about how I will feel when I have to leave. I was just there in October and will be back on Thanksgiving. It will be our 5th trip this year. We live about 400 miles north and I get so jealous of the people who live close by and can visit at will. I just emailed the list of symptoms to my daughter. She lives in Seattle and does not get to visit DL as often as her father and I. I know she will identify. Good luck to all who suffer from this potentially debilitating conditionºoº
Originally Posted By alfrede Have to agree with you all there. Getting back to Australia after 4 weeks in Anaheim was not so much a jet-lag thing as a DLR withdrawal syndrome. DW and kids walking around the house staring blankly, calling out for churros or popcorn. Putting bananas in the freezer and waiting until they freeze before pathetically trying to cover them with ice-magic, just so they could once again taste the frozen bananas. If someone stood still in the house, the others tended to line up behind them and wait for 45 minutes before moving on. The kids lining up to have their school bags checked at the door before leaving for school. DW ringing up the travel agents asking them what airfares will be like in 3 years time!!! I, on the other hand, simply log on to LP and sadly read all the threads about people who are about to go and think to myself... I was there! This is a definite disorder. Who do I see about compensation?
Originally Posted By drawbridge OMG! Thats wso funny it hurt. Alfrede had some good ones too! I really think there is a market out there for support groups, think of how many we all know! Its so true that LP is such an enabler. So Minnie, when is your next trip. Sounds like you better take your girlfriend. P.S. How big ARE her teacups????
Originally Posted By minniefan My next trip will probably be a whole year away....although planning the next trip always seems to ease the pain a little. And yes, I am going with my friend who wrote that original message. I don't know what I'd do without LP....you guys ARE my support group. You understand me.
Originally Posted By BrerOtter Anybody else gotten into the driver's seat, buckled up, and then just waited for the car to start moving?
Originally Posted By boydisney It took me several months after my last trip to even log back on to LP, because i was too sad to read about other people going to the park. Also the best cure is to plan your next trip before you leave so you have something to think about on the sad drive or flight home.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Our departure was especially difficult because it was also a family reunion. I taled everyone into getting 6 day hoppers. At first they thought I was nuts, but in hindsight it was a great choice. It was perhaps our best visit ever, but so hard to head to the airport at the end, saying to ourselves "I can't believe that its over :-(". So, now we are looking forward to the next reunion, probably in 2008, and most likely at WDW. Maybe 2 weeks this time. Better start saving....
Originally Posted By Pixie Glow What I hate the most - the last day of the trip, looking at people walking into the gates. IT ISN'T FAIR.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I recall arriving (at Hojo's) and seeing other families packing their cars as they prepared to leave. It briefly reminded me that our fun would also come to an end. Needless to say, I put that out of my mind during the following 9 days
Originally Posted By mike-LTM Isn't amazing how slow a countdown to a trip can be as the excitment builds. Yet that depression we all get hits sooo quick. I agree with Pixie seeing people arriving as you are leaving is so hurtful!
Originally Posted By minniefan <...seeing people arriving as you are leaving is so hurtful!> Not just hurtful! I actually get kind of mad! How DARE they look so bright-eyed and bushy tailed???
Originally Posted By knoxvelour well just remember as you're arriving other people are leaving It's the circle of life
Originally Posted By FerretAfros And it moves us all, Through dispair and hope, Through faith and love, Untill we find our place, On the path unwinding, It's the circle, The circle of life
