Where do people wait?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I've seen a lot of very informative posts, but one that I haven't seen is ideas for quiet, uncrowded and/or cool places to wait. Let's be honest, there are only so many stores you can waste time in, and some of them are very small and don't lend themselves to leisurely perusing. Sometimes the QS restaurants won't let you sit unless you are eating. And benches can be hard to come by depending on the area and time of day.

Next year we will be taking a big family trip with multiple people with special needs and limitations. None of us will probably qualify for a DAS, but we will still need to take it slow and find places to rest and regroup. So I started trying to make a mental checklist of places in each park to go and realized the only one I can think of os Innoventions in Epcot. I'm sure others could use suggestions as well. So whether you use a DAS, or just need to get away and rest for a little bit, where are the best places to go in each park?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

And if there is already a thread or a sticky, please include a link to it. I think it could be very helpful to a lot of Disers!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is one of those things I was gathering information about with the intent yo add it to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, but just haven't had time.

There are dome suggestions in the WDW guidebook GOR guests with cognitive disabilities - don't let the name scare you off - it has lots of good information for people with any disabilities.

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

 

[Aristomommy]

In Magic Kingdom we found a shady and/or air conditioned spots at:
-Tomorrowland Terrace (no problem sitting there)
- Benches between Space Mountain and Carousel of Progress
- The benches along the wall to New Fantasyland
- benches in front of Cosmic Rays
- ride the train once around ending the same spot

Epcot:
- Club Cool
- innoventions
- aquarium inside Nemo
- ride the boat at Land
- kids splash area as you walk to world showcase
- World Showcase has many spots between countries to sit and rest but there aren't many rides you would wait for, we stop for a snack in many countries

AK:
- Dinoland has benches where the Dinosaur exits that are in the shade
- the walking trails are great for kids who need to move as they wait
- playground in Dinoland

DHS:
- across from toy story mania, there are benches in the shade
- watch a show if the timing works out, many of them are high capacity and let you in as it is starting


I would also look at the wait times on the app, you may find something at 5-10 min wait nearby to do while you wait for your return time. We loved carousel of progress, great movie ride and the land boat ride.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

In the MK, we use the train and the Peoplemover as good ways to rest for a bit. The Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents are other good spots to sit and rest for a while, but unfortunately my DD doesn't share my love of those.

In Epcot, the movie in France has comfortable seats. Maybe too comfortable as I have been known to doze off in there.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Any show or a long ride such as the Ellen's energy ride would be a good break. Also remember that while you may need to purchase food in order to use a CS sitting area, you don't have to order a full meal. Frequent snack breaks and sharing of meals and eating more often may work well for you.

 

[ttintagel]

In the Magic Kingdom, I like the little garden-type area around the Liberty Bell. I don't remember if there are actual benches, but there are some flowerbeds with walls to perch on, and it's shady and cooler a lot of the time.

Also, I've sat in the covered waiting area for the Liberty Belle steamboat when it wasn't crowded, even though I wasn't going to ride. CAVEAT: If there were people waiting to ride and there were no other seats for them left, I would give up my seat. I would also leave without a question if a Cast member questioned my presence there, but none ever has.

Future World is one of the best places. There are still a lot of benches left outdoors, and many of the large fountains and flowerbeds have good walls to sit on. The Land and Seas pavilions have lobby areas if you need to go inside, as well as the aforementioned Innoventions.

 

[cmwade77]

I usually use longer attractions that have shorter waits, such as hall of presidents, american adventure, ellen's universe of energy, the train, etc. for this purpose.

 

[2tinkerbell]

We really didn't "wait" in the sense that we sat down somewhere and waited. We used FP and DAS. We were never without a return time or a FP time. For example, we got a DAS return time just prior to using our FP time. We had a DAS return time while we ate a meal. We had a DAS return time while we sat and watched the parade. In other words, we did what we normally do, but, had a DAS return time always in the works.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thought I would follow up since I just got back. I paid attention to places to wait that were cool since it was HOT last week. We only went to MK and HS all week. However, I found that there were not many places to sit and wait where it was cool. I found 2 in MK, none in DHS. Most of the cool places are in shops and restaurants, and you can't really just camp out somewhere in a store without being in the way.

And people are right, the walk between attractions and other things is worse than the heat in the lines. We found ourselves in queues for things just to get out of the heat.

So even though the crowds were awesome last week, there is no way a couple of members of our party could handle the heat, and the DAS or an EVV would be no help for that. We definitely will be planning a trip for cooler weather next year.

 

[OurBigTrip]

One of my favorite places to sit and relax is on the walkway between Tomorrowland and the Fantasyland RR station. Almost always empty, and two or three benches along the way.

 

[JennyDrake]

Thought I would follow up since I just got back. I paid attention to places to wait that were cool since it was HOT last week. We only went to MK and HS all week. However, I found that there were not many places to sit and wait where it was cool. I found 2 in MK, none in DHS. Most of the cool places are in shops and restaurants, and you can't really just camp out somewhere in a store without being in the way.

So even though the crowds were awesome last week, there is no way a couple of members of our party could handle the heat, and the DAS or an EVV would be no help for that. We definitely will be planning a trip for cooler weather next year.

I think you are spot on.

The big hiccup in your request is "cool"-- and how one defines such. There are abundant places to sit and rest--even shaded ones, but as you noted very few that are air conditioned.

I think you are wise to consider a different time of year.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I think you are spot on. The big hiccup in your request is "cool"-- and how one defines such. There are abundant places to sit and rest--even shaded ones, but as you noted very few that are air conditioned. I think you are wise to consider a different time of year.

Yep, even in the shade it was hardly any cooler.

 

[Aladora]

I've seen a lot of very informative posts, but one that I haven't seen is ideas for quiet, uncrowded and/or cool places to wait. Let's be honest, there are only so many stores you can waste time in, and some of them are very small and don't lend themselves to leisurely perusing. Sometimes the QS restaurants won't let you sit unless you are eating. And benches can be hard to come by depending on the area and time of day.

Next year we will be taking a big family trip with multiple people with special needs and limitations. None of us will probably qualify for a DAS, but we will still need to take it slow and find places to rest and regroup. So I started trying to make a mental checklist of places in each park to go and realized the only one I can think of os Innoventions in Epcot. I'm sure others could use suggestions as well. So whether you use a DAS, or just need to get away and rest for a little bit, where are the best places to go in each park?

I'm not sure if there is something similar at WDW, but at DL we love to go into the Main Street Cinema. It's air conditioned, not usually busy at all and there are 6 screens of classic cartoons to watch. DS loves going in there when things get a bit much for him.