Disney Things to do in Quarantine!

Long time, no see!  Of course, that's how everyone's feeling now--not just me for abandoning my blog for so long!  Honestly, it can be easy getting lost in everyone else's blogs and social media accounts dedicated to Disney, and start to feel like I have nothing new to add to the conversation, but THAT'S NOT THE POINT OF THIS BLOG!  The point is, I love Disney, and I love writing, and that's that.  So in the spirit of revisiting passions during self-quarantine, I thought of sharing a list of fun activities to keep you in a Disney frame of mind!

What to Eat

My friend Marla (a wonderful artist who also teaches the sip-and-paint classes offered at the Disney World hotels--follow her on Instagram @marla_e_artist) told me that Disney is sharing certain park favorite recipes on their app, My Disney Experience!  So far they've shared a Dole Whip recipe (blend 4oz pineapple juice with 2 cups of frozen pineapple, and add one big scoop of vanilla ice cream, to make 4 servings), and the Disney Parks Blog has a Mickey Mouse Beignets recipe, and churro recipe!  There are a lot of copycat recipes floating around on the great interwebs!  I've also seen Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches at my local grocery store (I currently have the sandwiches in my freezer).  I recommend using InstaCart or Shipt for any grocery errands (and please tip your shoppers)!  You can also make Mickey-shaped ANYTHING if you have cookie cutters, circular food (Oreos, Nilla wafers, banana slices), and/or imagination!  Just the other day I made a Mickey-shaped chocolate chip cookie sundae, thanks to my oversized Mickey cookie cutter!

What to Watch

Disney Plus is a great option if you need a daily dose of Disney!  I'm making my way through the Star Wars saga, myself!  For those who still watch TV, Spectrum is offering the new season of the DuckTales reboot (season 3) on demand for free until May 31!  (I have so much to say about how DuckTales is KILLING IT that I might have to make a separate blog!)  Over on WDW News Today, they've posted a list of character shows from Tokyo Disney made available to watch on YouTube for a limited time (some of these aren't available anymore).  You can always type in parade names and Point-of-View ride videos of attractions from any Disney park on YouTube and you'll find lots of fun things to watch!

What to Craft

The Flower and Garden Festival is my favorite Epcot Festival and I was SO BUMMED that I didn't get to go before the closures.  So I channeled that frustration into these floral Minnie headbands for my mom & myself with woodsy-looking wire, fake flowers, and headbands from Michaels!  I learned by watching a youtube tutorial years ago, and you can, too!  The Disney Parks Blog is also sharing video tutorials of how to draw a VERY LONG LIST of characters!  Disney Family also has a long list of crafts to choose from, including this colorful pom-pom Mickey pillow!

What to Wear

These days you might feel like it doesn't matter WHAT you wear--you don't have to go anywhere, and no one will judge you but your cat.  But our appearances affect how we FEEL!  Don't forget what Jerry told George when he showed up in sweatpants!  I have a long history (starting in 2012 when I first stumbled upon the tumblr account) of putting together Disneybounds (if you don't know, please drop everything and click here), in which you put together an outfit based on a Disney character (it's not a costume).  Canadian Leslie Kay and her friend dreamed this up years ago when they were getting excited for a trip to the parks--they were Disney-bound, and playing it up to get excited about their trip!  A woman after my own heart!  This trend has really blown up over the last few years and she even released a book this month!  If you have Instagram, you can follow the trend at @thedisneybound where she shares flatlays of outfits and pictures of people just like you and me in their Disneybound finest!  Another fun Disney fashion account to follow is @ashtinelikekutcher, who also posts flatlays (all the elements of an outfit arranged together and laid out flat, like an outfit display without the mannequin) of Disney-inspired outfits, and where to find everything!

What to Listen To

I've been listening to a Disney mix on Pandora (I ask Alexa, "Play Disney on Pandora," and she says, "Disney--CHILDREN'S--radio, on Elyse's Pandora Account" and I feel like she's making fun of me every time) on those rare occasions when I'm not on the couch watching TV.  I'm not a podcast-listener yet, so I don't have any Disney ones to recommend, but I'm sure they exist!  You can also look up soundtracks on Spotify and YouTube.  On Instagram, @michaeldoesdisney was posting daily COVID-19 related Disney spoofs that are very entertaining to watch, and he also recommended an account, @disneyworldsounds, which uploads exactly what you'd think--minute-long sounds of Disney World, including ride music and announcements, parade music, voiceovers, and environment sounds (i.e. Main Street USA background music)!  You can also tune into one of my live couch concerts where I play originals and covers (including Disney songs and a special ukulele Disney medley I put together) on my instagram account, @elysebuckley!

What to Do

Now that you have some ideas, you can combine your favorites into activities!  I love having video chats with my friends, using the Marco Polo app, and Zoom for longer conversations, and I'm grateful to the US Postal Service for still delivering letters and packages to those in need of a pick-me-up (or essentials)!  You can have a video conference party with friends (perhaps you all get dressed up in your favorite Disneybound with a Disney-themed cocktail), a movie watch-party (my friends and I text reactions as we watch together), or send some heart-felt letters with doodles and photos to the friends you wish you were with!  Decorate your windows to make someone's walk a little brighter!  Make chalk art of your favorite inspirational messages and characters!  If you miss being at the parks, you can recreate some rides or park decorations, or even turn your bathtub into a lazy river!  Dress like Ellie and have a picnic on your own "hub grass!"  Comment with any other ideas below, and have a safe and fun time, making your own magic!