Places to "escape" within parks?

[SparklesFam]

We have a child with a special need that will likely require us to be able to find private areas to hang out for 15-45 minutes to talk and have a snack and be *away* from other people. We have awhile before our planned trip to strategize and work on exposure BUT I would like to plan for worst-case scenarios. Is there a list somewhere on here of places people have found "hiding spots" within MK, MGM, and Epcot? Thank you!

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm not sure if there's a list, but there are other threads that have asked the same thing and gotten some great suggestions. You might be able to find them with the search feature at the top of the page.

My daughter hung out in the Hall of Presidents in MK. Not sure if you can eat in there, but it is air conditioned with seating and it's fairly laid back.
The people mover and Carousel of Progress. Ellen's ride (it's long, with no breaks) is good. (I've seen these suggested - never been on any of them though)

There are first aid stations that you can utilize. I imagine they'd allow you to have one of the rooms to let her lie down or relax in. Not sure how old your daughter is but putting some type of cover over a stroller (if she uses one) helps to feel secluded and quartered off in their own "zone" and you can find a quiet area to kind of park and hang out.

 

[lanejudy]

Here is a link to WDW's "Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities" which includes a section about quieter spots in the parks: https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

Keep in mind that "quieter" may be a relative term, and depending on how crowded the park is on any given day or time of day, it may or may not be quiet enough. That said, we usually take our breaks in the park. You probably want to be prepared to leave and return to your resort if necessary. TS meals during non-peak meal times (say 10am, 2pm, 4pm, etc.) can also be a fairly quiet break, but may not fit well if you have someone who needs to eat on schedule.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

One place I like to hear de is near the bathrooms by 7dmt and space I will sit on the bench by them and if needed more space I will take my small in tell and open it making a little cocoon for my self and put on my noise canceling head phones on

 

[mshanson3121]

Tom Sawyers Island at MK is a really nice place to get away from the crowds, noise etc. It's secluded, shady and there's picnic tables to sit down on.

 

[redberyl]

Morocco in epcot has some nice indoor areas that are quiet if you explore in the market, also in France toward the back there is a private garden area

 

[LinderInWonderland]

There is also the mini-hedge maze in the back of the U.K. Pavilion at Epcot.

 

[gap2368]

you can also ask a CM where a good quiet place is they are useably very good at pointing them out if you need something, but I find that one day one area will be very good then the next it is not and the other way around too.

 

[stormer]

There are tables in the building by the character spot in Epcot. They are kind of in between the character spot and club cool. We always sit there for a while and regroup (it used to be a big open space, but they recently added tables and chairs). It is close to the bathrooms and very cool. We have never seen a lot of other people there.

In Magic Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island is a good idea. We also like the walking path behind Space Mountain going to FantasyLand. It is usually nice and quiet.

 

[gap2368]

We also like the walking path behind Space Mountain going to FantasyLand. It is usually nice and quiet.

this is also a smoking area so if you do not like smoke or allergic to it I would stay away from that area at all coast

 

[Mo Disney plz]

I take my daughter to the care centers. They are for baby care by design but there clean, cool,and you are not disturbing anyone

 

[CoriM48]

Our favorite hiding spot at Epcot is the bathroom area to the right/tucked behind of Figment. It has some shade, benches, and is so out of the way that few people use those restrooms. We have ended up having some calming time there every single time we've been to Epcot.

 

[OurBigTrip]

this is also a smoking area so if you do not like smoke or allergic to it I would stay away from that area at all coast

There is one smoking area on a long trail - plenty of places to sit quietly and relax without being near cigarette smoke.

 

[gap2368]

There is one smoking area on a long trail - plenty of places to sit quietly and relax without being near cigarette smoke.

but only if the people smoking stay in that area the few times I went back there people were walking between the two lands smoking ( I have sat at both ends ) and people tend to finish smoking about the time they leave the walk way. Yes I do think it is quiet back there but for some even being around someone who just finished smoking can cause an asthma attack ( I am one of them)

 

[loves to dive]

My favorites:

At HS - the back streets. while people do go back there it is not normally crowded, there are benches scattered around. I've spent many a morning with a cup of tea from the book store just sitting on a bench and enjoying the quiet.

At Epcot - the mosiac room at Morocco, it's nice and cool in the summer and while there may be people who wonder through they rarely stop. The gardens in both Japan and China have little tucked away benches

At AK - this is a little harder but the trails through both of the walking trail spots have benches and little side walkways that people rarely take.

At MK - as others have said Tom Sawyers Island is great. The river boat is rarely crowded and especially inside there are lots of tucked away places. The little tucked away cul-de-sac on main street on the right side after the first set of shops (if walking toward the castle) is often quiet.

You can always leave the parks and go to the resorts, all the deluxe ones and the moderates have little hidden away areas that people rarely go to. From MK just take the ferry or monorail over to GF or the boat to WL, loads of places at both of those. From Epcot, exit through the International Gate and wander around the back side of Boardwalk, just stay away from the pool or inside of YC there is a great sunroom. From AK,take the bus to AKL, loads and loads of tucked away places there. From HS walk or boat to either YC or BW.

 

[OurBigTrip]

but only if the people smoking stay in that area the few times I went back there people were walking between the two lands smoking ( I have sat at both ends ) and people tend to finish smoking about the time they leave the walk way. Yes I do think it is quiet back there but for some even being around someone who just finished smoking can cause an asthma attack ( I am one of them)

Yeah, ok.

 

[Joanna71985]

Yeah, ok.

It does happen. I get sick from people smoking

 

[gap2368]

Yeah, ok.

just because it dose not happen to you dose not mean it dose not happen to other people I am not telling people not to go back there for a quiet place I am letting people know that are very sensitive to signet smoke they may not want to go back there or close to that area that is all.

I should add that I think you are being ( I have a hard time with words sometimes) like you do not believe me but if you do and you see what I was trying to do, inform other who need to stay away form smoke then thank you.

 

[robndani]

I agree about the area near Figment in Epcot - We always end up hanging there for a snack!

 

[pixarmom]

A couple of things has helped our youngest son with the need for a quiet area. First, afternoon resort breaks have become relatively essential. If we don't have one, we have at least some time on a boat (to/fro MK or to/fro DHS or Epcot.)

As for specific spots in the parks, the gardens in Epcot's UK, the very back of Epcot's Canada pavilion (all the way up the stairs,) the seating area in AK behind Flame Tree, and my new favorite - the green spaces around the hub in MK. There is chaos all around the hub, but those areas feel more quiet and isolated than they look - especially when sitting on the faux grass. I threw a blanket on the ground (faux grass sensory issues) and we just looked up at the sky from there - it's like a little oasis! Also, I agree that scheduled TS ADRs are really helpful, especially when dining earlier or later than the crowds and requesting a booth on ADRs has been key for us. DHS is a really tough one for quiet spots - the best we've found is outside the Tower of Terror gift shop and then a booth at the Brown Derby for lunch.

Otherwise, his need for a quiet area arises quickly and without much time to get to some of the locations that offer that. So for us, the best option has been a park stroller - not for mobility, but to create a safe space - sunglasses, an ARK brick stick chew necklace and a light blanket in his backpack. He puts the light blanket over his head, puts on the sunglasses, and uses the chew for sensory input. We literally find a corner wherever we can and try to create our own quiet.