18 Ways To Re-Create The Magic Of A Disney Park At Home (No Pixie Dust Required)
Turn your home into the happiest place on Earth.
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Since Disney parks closed in March, re-creating those magical experiences at home in quarantine has become a bit of a trend, regardless of age (we're all kids at heart, right?).
But recently, Disney parks around the world have begun to reopen with new safety precautions, like required masks and temperature checks, in place.
However, some of us don't live near a park, or maybe don't feel comfortable visiting one in the middle of a pandemic. So, here are a few safe, fun, and affordable ways to bring a little Disney park magic to YOU!
1. First things first — create a magical ambiance by playing some park tunes.
The sounds of Disneyland are almost as iconic as the food, whether it's the jaunty music as you walk down Main Street or the spooky sounds of the Blue Bayou. This video pretty much has them all, so just hit play and let the music take you away!
2. Light a Disney-scented candle (or two...or three).
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Would you prefer your room to smell like The Grey Stuff or whatever that intoxicating aroma is on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride? Either way, they say smell triggers memories, so take a deep breath and get ~scent~ straight to Disneyland.
3. Dress up as your favorite Disney character — without going shopping.
"Disneybounding" is dressing in the theme of a Disney character without actually wearing a costume. Instead, your outfit is made up of clothes from your closet that capture the spirit of your fave character. The best part? It doesn't cost you a cent.
4. Make your very own Dole Whip!
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Teeeeeechnically, this isn't the actual Dole Whip recipe used in the parks — that one is vegan — but close enough right? Plus, it's super easy to whip one of these up at home (see what I did there?).
5. Fry up some classic churros.
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Because nothing screams "Disneyland trip" like a complete sugar overload. Luckily for us, Disney also released a copycat recipe so we can enjoy the sugary treats at home.
6. Don't forget the pickles!
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Another Disneyland delicacy: fried pickles from Carnation Café. It's usually hard to get into, but now you can just make the pickles at home thanks to Disney's recently released recipe.
7. Try the Grey Stuff — trust us, it's delicious.
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If you've dreamed about trying The Grey Stuff since watching Beauty and the Beast as a kid, now you can with a super simple recipe. Spoiler alert: It's a cookies and cream mousse, and you'll eat it by the spoonful.
8. Or, for an easy option, pick up some Mickey Mouse ice cream bars.
Cooking not your thing? Don't fret — you can buy the park's signature chocolate-coated ice cream to get that melty, sticky Disney park experience.
Still hungry? Check out 17 Disney Park Recipes For People Stuck At Home Right Now.
9. "Ride" your favorite rides.
The YouTube channel Virtual Disney World has tons of POV footage of various attractions from around the world, so all you have to do is sit back and let your imagination take you away. Haunted Mansion, here we come!
10. Make some custom Mickey (or Minnie) ears.
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No sewing machine? No problem. The WDW Couple have an easy, no-sew, DIY Minnie Mouse ears tutorial, so you can make customized ears that will have people asking "where'd you get those?!" on your next trip to Disney.
11. Transform your old maps into a set of unique coasters.
Got some old Disney park maps lying around? Turn them into a little piece of nostalgia for your home! They'll make perfect coasters for your next dinner party (post-pandemic, of course).
12. Get creative with a Disney parks coloring book.
Not only can coloring be a stress-relieving activity, applying your creativity to these adorable Disney Parks posters will also bring you closer to the rides you miss.
13. Learn how to build your own Disney ride (virtually) with Imagineering In A Box.
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This free online course shows you what actually goes into building a Disney attraction and teaches you how to create a concept for your very own ride — from the world to the characters. Get ready to bring your favorite Disney movies to life.
14. Or, kick it up a notch and re-create your fave rides at home.
With @DisneyParks being closed. Looks like I’ll just have to recreate them myself. First stop: Magic Kingdom #homemadedisney
Okay so this one takes a bit of creativity, but with some craft supplies, music, lighting, and imagination you can totally re-create some of your favorite Disney rides at home. Build your own version of Pirates of the Caribbean, It's A Small World, or even Space Mountain — no Fast Pass required.
15. Test your Disney parks knowledge with a trivia quiz.
Whether you've been to a park once or 100 times, this Disney Parks trivia quiz could stump you. But what better way to feel more connected to Disney than by learning everything about it?
16. Draw your favorite characters with the Animation Academy.
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Missing Disney and need a fun, creative outlet? Draw your favorite characters! You may not be able to physically visit the Animation Academy at your park of choice, but this series of videos will teach you how to emulate it at home.
17. Stock up on Disney souvenirs (from your couch).
It's like having all the shops on Main Street at the tip of your fingers...literally. With just a click of your mouse (computer, not Mickey!), shop tons of cute Disney-themed clothes, accessories, kitchenware, and more.
18. Binge your favorite movies on Disney+.
Binging the Toy Story movies or putting on The Little Mermaid might not be exactly the same as taking a spin on Toy Story Mania or Ariel's Undersea Adventure, but it's pretty close. Turn it into a sing-along and you've got yourself one hell of a Disney party.
Looking for more Disney activities? Check out 36 DIYs That Will Get The Whole Family Psyched For A Disney Vacation.
How are you spreading the Disney magic at home during quarantine? Let us know in the comments below!
Don't forget to check out Bring Me! for all of BuzzFeed's best travel tips and hacks, vacation inspiration, and more!
