Quiet retreats in the parks?

[CarolinaBlue99]

The thread about whether it is possible to have a “relaxing” WDW vacation made me think about quieter areas of the parks to escape the crowds. Do any of you have favorite spots in the parks “off the beaten path” to retreat to and regroup?

 

[Lady Hiss]

I'm glad you asked this because I think relaxing, quiet areas are becoming low priorities for Disney. We loved The Writers Stop in HS, but it's gone now. We liked the path behind Space Mtn in MK, but it seems to be filled with smokers now, same with rocking chair area by BTMR exit. Some of the little paths in AK are quiet. In Epcot, I like the Japan koi garden area, but you can't always find a bench or seat. There are a few areas in some of the country pavilions that can sometimes be quiet but aren't very comfortable. On another note, I wish there were more comfy benches throughout the parks- concrete 'curbs' or walls just don't fill the need for some of us. My pet peeve is the area by RnR in HS - no comfy area to wait for your thrill seeking family members.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I love finding someplace along the trails by the Tree of Life in AK. In Epcot WS, in Morocco, on the left as you face the pavilion there are a couple rooms that are hardly ever noticed-great spots for quiet.

 

[Tomh]

MK: Tom Sawyer Island, the breezeway near the sun glass shop in Adventureland, the Main Street train station, second floor. Not only is it usually pretty quiet, it is also indoor, and air conditioned. The walkway between Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland (though there is a smoking area there). The little "side street" on the right side of Main Street USA. Two rocking chairs inside the Briar Patch shop near Splash Mountain. They are popular, but it is a nice place to sit, not too crowded, and cool.

Epcot: The walkway around the old Odyssey restaurant. The upper parts of the Canada Pavilion are usually nearly empty. Innoventions is air conditioned, and a ghost town. The seating area near the quick service in Japan, outside near the water feature. The gardens in the back of the UK pavilion. Morocco, to the left as you enter the pavilion, almost always empty there.

AK: The seating near Flame Tree BBQ. The walking trails around the Tree of Life.

DHS: I don't believe that I have ever found a place here where I would say it was really quiet.

 

[maramarrie]

MK: There used to be a spot where you could go down the rose garden path by the water and sit in front of the waterfall between the castle and Starlight Rays (we would roll the stroller down there and let the kids nap to the sound of the water); but I'm not sure if it's still there. The train ride is another way to quietly relax, though you do still have a crowd and some noise...Same goes for the Monorail. We used to hop on that with the stroller and let the kids nap in the a/c, too.

EP: There seem to be a lot of quiet (and even shaded) resting places in future world, both east and west. One of the Innoventions buildings has a huge section of benches and nothing else going on, a great place to soak in the a/c. The walkway between Test Track and the Odyssey is pretty calm much of the year. I think there are some country pavillions that have quiet areas (Canada, France, Japan), and others that always seem loud and bustling (Mexico, Norway, Germany, Italy).

AK: Rafiki's Planet Watch has some quiet areas. The animal walkways are often peaceful, too.

DHS: We were just there last week. There is a new taproom where the coffee shop used to be. We found it to be moderately busy, but because of some construction there was a bend in the pathway in front that allowed us to rest on the brick wall without a lot of traffic around us. They also had a new path from the entrance of the park to Tower of Terror/Sunset Blvd, and it was relatively quiet. Also, the end of Pixar Place is a dead end where Midway Mania lets out (I think), and there was NO ONE down there except Cruz Ramirez.

 

[PinkMagnolia]

2nd floor at Columbia Harbour House - I love it up there

 

[Mome Rath]

The bathrooms at the International Gateway outside of EPCOT.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

MK - whether it’s to escape the weather, or just rest a bit, we love to take the train ride around the park. Also, sometimes we take a round trip boat ride from MK to Wilderness Lodge.

AK - lunch at Flame Tree.... follow the path down to the tables by the water.

Epcot - the gardens behind England, the waterfalls behind Canada, the exhibit at the back of Japan.

Sorry, can’t think of any quiet places at HS.

 

[damskipi13]

I'm just back and based on current closures and crowds, here's what I found that did and didn't work.

MK:
- the trail behind Tomorrowland Speedway that used to be great now contains a smoker every 5 feet. Even on a low crowd day, it was terrible. They started within 10 feet of the "no smoking beyond this point" sign.
- I second the 2nd floor of the Columbia Harbour House. I was there about 2:30pm and there were only 3 other groups on the entire upper floor. It was very peaceful
- There is a low concrete wall between Big Top Souvenirs and Pete's Silly Sideshow. It was partially blocked by a trashcan, but otherwise easily accessible. I laid down on the concrete for a 40 minute nap and while it certainly wasn't quiet, I was in the shade, mostly blocked from prying eyes, and it was calm enough to sleep. I did wake up to find an old guy sitting closer than he needed to given how empty the area was, though
- Hall of Presidents is currently closed. Too bad! That's a great place to escape to for a bit

AK: in addition to the paths listed above, I love to go to the Nemo show when I need to cool off and just sit/lay down. The show is rarely full, so I sit at the very back along the sides and often have an entire row to myself. I can either lay down, or just sit quietly.

DHS:
- The Beauty and the Beast show, like the Nemo show, is a good place to go to just chill out for awhile. It's not air conditioned, though.
- ABC Commissary's side seating areas were practically empty around 3:30pm. I sat there and charged my phone for a bit while I enjoyed a drink and air conditioning

Epcot: Morocco, Japan, China, the welcome center during festivals, etc

 

[loves to dive]

Both trails at AK can be fairly quiet at times and have benches throughout. The walking trail around the tree of life is often quiet. If a show isn't going on, the area around the Lion King theater can be pretty quiet.

The streets of America at HS used to be my favorite place to just go and sit and chill out, they have done away with that now for Toy Story land. I like to sit at the outside lounge at HBD and relax and have a glass of wine.

Tom Sawyers Island at MK is often quiet, riding the Liberty Bell is relaxing and it's big enough that you can find quiet spots, bonus points at night.

Almost all the countries in World Showcase have little hidey holes. I love the gardens in China, back in the back there are benches and rarely people there. I love the mosaic room at Morocco. In front of the Festival Center is often quiet if there is no festival going on and during the week during F&G since it's not open then.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone! I'm marking these on our touring maps for each park. While we love to be active and do exciting things, we lean toward the introverted end of the spectrum. So we always look for places to "recharge" when we travel. We recently went to NYC, and I was easier to find out-of-the-way nooks than I expected - really made our trip to the big city manageable.

This list will be invaluable for our trip the first week of March - I'm so glad I found this DIS community!

 

[revdon64]

DHS: I don't believe that I have ever found a place here where I would say it was really quiet.

Not exactly secluded, but the back left corner of the seating area behind the food stands on Sunset Blvd. It's usually in the shade, and if the park isn't particularly crowded it's relatively quiet as well.

I tend to think that quiet places are what you make of them. If I can get out of the sun and sit down, that's usually enough.

 

[TinkOhio]

AK- It's already been mentioned, but the area on the water behind Flame Tree is beautiful and relatively quiet. Lots of tables to choose from!
- The Nomad Lounge right outside the bridge to Pandora is a fantastic place to relax! It has indoor and outdoor seating. You can sit and people watch while
sipping on amazing fresh brewed passion fruit vanilla iced tea. Great small plates if you're hungry, too!

MK- There is a little alley/nook off Main Street on the right hand side as you face the castle with umbrellas and tables. We like to grab a beverage or ice cream treat and rest there. It's not big, but there always seems to be a shady place to rest available there. Great people watching, too!
- For a really nice break, hop the resort monorail to the Polynesian and enjoy a Dole whip under an umbrella overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon and
Cinderella's Castle. We usually do this when the MK is packed and we don't want to go back to the resort to rest.

EPCOT - There is a quiet little courtyard behind the perfume shop in France. Pretty view and shade! We like to grab a pastry and enjoy a snack there.
- During the Food and Wine, or garden festivals, the festival center has a quiet area with tables right next to the bar. It's even hidden behind large
potted plants. Grab a soda or adult beverage and relax! They sell sandwiches there, too.
- Grab the boat outside the International Gateway and make the loop to the resorts and DHS. Great scenery!
- Ride the monorail to the MK and back. Unless it's early or late in the day, it's usually pretty empty and there is lots to see!

DHS- We like to sit under an umbrella on the patio at the Backlot Express. Sometimes you can catch the Star Wars Jedi show from there. Lots of fun to watch!

 

[neverlandsky]

Definitely sitting on the train to loop around MK twice.

Epcot watching the mini trains.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

AK- the seating area behind I think Tamu Tamu Refreshments, in Africa. It’s fairly hidden and quiet, and you are steps away from a place where they put alcohol in a dole whip. Win.

DHS- I find the umbrella area behind Starbucks next to the antique car pretty quiet. I also really like the Brown Derby lounge (though that is becoming less quiet as people find out about it) which is a great spot for drinks and small plates, it’s TS light, without reservations.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The thread about whether it is possible to have a “relaxing” WDW vacation made me think about quieter areas of the parks to escape the crowds. Do any of you have favorite spots in the parks “off the beaten path” to retreat to and regroup?

Not IN a park but the walk from Hollywood Studios to Epcot is always one of mine.

 

[Spencer Wright]

The walkway in between the BC and Epcot is generally pretty quiet, however depending on the time of day, 'quiet retreat' status might be questionable.

Also, as you enter AK, there are really amazing paths prior to the Tree of Life with cool birds I totally overlooked until my most recent trip.