"I got bored of Disneyland after visiting 300 times - now I'm obsessed with Universal and will visit five times a week"

A woman bored of Disneyland after visiting 300 times switched her obsession to Universal - visting the park five times a week and says it 'cured' her depression.

Holly Cole, 30, moved 700 miles from Nashville, Tennessee, US, to Auburndale, Orlando, Florida, in December 2022 - to be within a stone's throw of Disneyland.

The mum-of-one says her old life put a strain on her relationship with husband, Cody, 30, a fuel tester - due to trauma she suffered as a result of serving in the Navy.

But Holly claims the "pure joy and happiness" of the resort saved her marriage - and she took a job there as a merchandiser for financial stability.

But just eight months after moving to Disneyland, she stopped working there and says she became depressed.

Holly says Disneyland got to be “monotonous” for the family.

Having looked into other theme parks, Holly fell in love with Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and has already bought her family a season ticket - aiming to go there up to five times a week.

Holly - who is now working as a part-time personal shopper - said: "Disneyland became very monotonous for us after a while. We'd visit at least 300 times.

“There’s just more for my daughter to do at Universal, now she’s getting a bit older.

"Leaving Disneyland really took it out of me, emotionally and mentally.

"I needed to surround myself with different parks for a while.

“The first time I went to Universal, I sobbed and bawled.

"I’m such a Harry Potter nerd and I felt like it really was the place for me."

Holly, Cody and their daughter, Willow, three moved to Auburndale, Orlando, Florida - a 34 mile drive away from the Disneyland park in December 2022.

But by August 2023, Holly was finding the work monotonous - and wasn't sure how much longer it would be before Willow grew out of the rides.

She fell out of love with theme parks and became a reclusive, stay-at-home mum - who suffered with her mental health.

“It was a little bit rough, not being able to work at Disney anymore,” she said.

“Tears were shed.

“I took some time away from parks altogether. I just needed time to myself for a bit.”

In the meantime, Holly began looking into Universal Studios - which is also based in Orlando.

She loved how many rides catered to Willow’s interests - including ‘Spiderman', 'ET' and Dr. Seuss - and Holly takes her over "to meet Spiderman all the time."

Friends and family members had also told her “great” things about the park - and she went for the first time in November 2023, sticking mainly to the ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ area.

She added: “I’m a humongous Harry Potter nerd - and I cried walking through the entire section.

“I already knew, at this point, that I wanted to get season passes for all my family, so I could drink as much Butterbeer as I wanted and just read my books.

“But I had a blast - despite having a really simple day, I do feel like it saved me from a really low point in my life.