Finally, through all the obstacles that Joy and Sadness went through, they are able to make it back to the headquarters. Upon returning, Joy finds that the decision that Anger made for Riley to run away from home has disabled the control console. Sadness then takes control, which then urges Riley to return home to her family, fixing the decision that Anger made. As Riley finally returns home, she tells her parents how she feels in regards to moving to San Francisco. Sadness is then able to fix the memories that she affected earlier on in the movie. With that, Joy and Sadness is able to make new core memories for Riley, which creates a new personality island.
The extreme relief can be felt through the screen when Joy and Sadness finally make it back to headquarters, allowing for Riley's emotions to return. This allows for Riley's character development, in showing how she goes from a shy, closed off girl to one that finally opens up about her feelings, and one that learns more the mistakes of the past.