Those of us who are hard-core fans of the Walt Disney World Resort® know how hard it is when we don’t have another trip scheduled in the near future.  We wonder what to do with all of the free time we have now that the intense trip planning is over.  We feel disconnected.  We share our latest vacation pictures with anyone willing to look at them, all the while working out a hypothetical budget in our heads for our next visit, no matter how far away it might be.  How in the “World” (see what I did there?) can a Disney addict get through that Disney-free dry spell?  Well, poring through MagicalDIStractions.com is certainly one good way.  I also find it easier to survive if I can give in to my craving for the mouse … just a little … by surrounding myself with my favorite souvenirs and Disney “stuff.”  Now these could be anything from my collection of Disney popcorn buckets to the whimsical Mickey statue in my backyard that stands watch over my flower beds.

Right about now, I imagine many of you are thinking, “Popcorn buckets … really?  She should see my amazing collection of Disney memorabilia!”  We Disney-addicts pride ourselves on our magical treasures, whether they are rare collectibles, handmade items, Disney Parks official merchandise or thingamabobs gifted to us by family and friends who understand our obsession.  For me and my family, our collections consist of many varied items.  My husband and I always purchase one souvenir for each of our kids when we visit the Walt Disney World Resort.  As a result, my daughter started collecting snow globes many years ago.  As an 11 year old with 14 Disney trips under her belt, plenty of her globes feature various Disney characters – swimming eternally in artificial snow or pixie dust!  At 13, our son most recently chose a hard covered book in the England Pavilion in Epcot.  Now this kid eats, sleeps and breathes soccer, so The Kingfisher Soccer Encyclopedia is something he will keep forever to remember his favorite day exploring and eating his way through Epcot’s World Showcase.

Our latest trip was over Christmas, so my husband had it easy!

My gifts were all purchased in various Disney Parks.  I picked out two scarves that I love, both with subtle Mickey patterns.  Now when I wear them to work, I can “represent” and still look professional.  I had been eyeing an apron for a couple of years, and was happily surprised to find that Santa not only delivered the apron, but he included a few other kitchen treasures as well.  As much as I hate to cook, it does ease the pain when I am sporting my Mickey apron.

When I am pining for the majestic Cinderella Castle, all I have to do is head upstairs.  On the wall in our upstairs hallway hangs one of my favorite possessions, a framed print of an original oil painting of Cinderella Castle, painted by an artist named Charlotte Blanchard.  Admittedly, mine is an affordable copy of this lovely original, but every time I look at it I notice something new and my mind transports me right into the Magic Kingdom.  In fact, the print even features six hidden Mickeys, all the fun of a Disney Park without actually being there.

DIStracted Tip:  We purchased this framed print on a website called www.fineartamerica.com.  A quick search of “Disney castles” will set you up with numerous prints to choose from to bring a little more Disney into your home too!

Now those reminders of “The Most Magical Place on Earth” are great when I am home, but I spend a lot of my time in my car, so my husband helped me out on that front.  I think he loves my Disney obsession simply because it makes gift-buying easy!  He bought and installed my license plate holder without telling me.  It only took me a few seconds to decipher the “EM EYE SEE KAY EE WHY EM OH YOU ESS EE,” but I do often notice random people loitering behind my car trying to figure it out!

DIStracted Tip:  My husband loves shopping without actually having to set foot in a store!  He ordered my license plate holder through this link at his favorite “store,” Amazon.com.

Showing my Disney Side as I drive!

Now if you are like me, even though you surround yourself with the Fab 5, princesses and even villains, there is one item that is your favorite – something Disney that you adore.  Looking at that treasure brings you right back to the moment it became yours.  You brag about it to your Disney-loving friends.  This is the item you look at whenever you suffer from DISwithdrawl, and the mere sight of it can ease your symptoms until you can schedule your next Disney Parks vacation.  As much as I love to show my Disney Side, the most amazing Disney promotion took place from October 2006 to December of 2008: The Year of a Million Dreams.  If you don’t remember this, let me tell you it was an exciting time!  Cast Members randomly selected guests to receive prizes both big (a stay in Cinderella Castle) and small (free Mickey bars!).  As my family exited The Haunted Mansion, we were pulled aside and given our very own ears … blue and silver Year of a Million Dreams Mickey ears!  I will never forget the excitement of being chosen for a “dream,” and those ears are a piece of Disney history that we own and cherish.

Let’s not forget, you were promised “Show and Tell Time.”  So now it is your turn!  When you are missing the Seven Seas Lagoon, monorails, and Dole Whips, what treasures help ease your distress?  What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?  Magical Mickey memorabilia?  Respond in Comments or on our MagicalDIStractions Facebook page.  You may also share on Twitter or Instagram using #DIStracted.  Brag away!