Walt Disney World is a busy place. I am not just talking about the thousands of people walking around, but so much more; different music playing, balloons floating all around, smells wafting from every direction, walking in and out of air conditioning with your body temperatures constantly fluctuating. All of this is a lot to take in for any individual, but for those individuals with cognitive impairments or sensory disorders, it can be complete sensory overload, resulting in meltdowns that can ruin a family’s day.
When this happens, an individual may need to retreat to a quiet location, somewhere to relax and calm down. Does such a place exist in Walt Disney World!? Luckily, Disney has compiled a list of the quieter locations in each park just for these occasions and I will share that list with you now, edited with some of my own suggestions:
Magic Kingdom
- Main Street, U.S.A.: First Aid; Side Street by Crystal Arts
- Adventureland: Swiss Family Treehouse; Corridor to the left of Pirates of the Caribbean
- Liberty Square: Behind Ye Olde Christmas Shop
- Frontierland: Tom Sawyer Island (NOTE: You must take a raft ride to/from the island and some waiting may be required); Splash Mountain garden area
- Fantasyland: Pathway leading from Cinderella’s Castle to Fairytale Garden(Be aware, this can be near a smoking section); Pete’s Silly Sideshow area; Pathway behind The Barnstormer
- Tomorrowland: Near Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood Boulevard: First Aid
- Echo Lake: Walkway surrounding Echo Lake
- Sunset Boulevard: Courtyard outside The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Commissary Lane: Outside ABC Commissary (Or inside if it isn’t too busy) store
Epcot
- Future World West: Courtyard and restroom area outside Imagination pavilion; Area between Seas entrance and Coral Reef Restaurant
- Future World East: Near Ellen’s Energy Adventure, First Aid (part of Odyssey Center building next to Test Track)
- World Showcase: (Be aware that some of these locations may be busier during Flower and Garden and Food and Wine festivals)
- Mexico-Outside area to the right of the pavilion near the backstage gate
- Germany-Garden area next to Glaskunst
- Japan-Garden area
- Morocco-Village Corridors
- France-To the right of the buildings along the water’s edge
- International Gateway
- United Kingdom-Garden area at back of pavilion (when shows not running at gazebo)
Animal Kingdom
- Discovery Island®: First Aid (next to Creature Comforts);
- Discovery Island Trails
- Africa: Gorilla Falls Exploration TrailAsia: Maharajah Jungle Trek
In all of these parks, you can also sit in Table Service and Quick Service seating areas during their non-peak hours.
Do you have any other areas you would recommend? Where is your favorite place to rest in the parks? When you’re ready to plan your Disney World Vacation, email me at [email protected]
