Suggest a quiet/romantic hideaway

[furb & dez]

Hi all,

My partner and I will be having our first visit to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom in just a few weeks. It may be folly (seeing as these are theme parks full of people...), but can anyone suggest quiet or romantic spots in either park just to sit and relax for a bit? (keep in mind I/we have no idea how the parks are even laid out)

thanks,
Furb

 

[daannzzz]

There aren't very many quiet spots in the parks but there are some romantic ones, just full of people.

If you stand in front of the France pavillion at Epcot, to the left next to the canal is a garden that doesn't often have many people in it. Of course I don't think there are any benches but there are some near there. The back area of the Morocco pavilion where the restaurant is has a couple places to sit but it can be hot back there during the day.
If you go to lunch (or just to get a drink) in the mid afternoon at Columbia Harbor House in the magic Kingdom go upstairs and you can find some real quiet places near windows looking out to Fantasyland or Liberty Square. We have been the only people in one of the rooms a couple times. Be aware that Disney blocks of the stairway once in a while but there is another one you can check and it is often open.
The pathways behind the Tree of Life at the Animal Kingdom often have very few people on them. There are a couple benches back in there. You can enter the trails right before passing over the bridge to Asia or Afrifa.

 

[Dead Robot]

This is going to sound weird but when I went to MK the first time we had run of Tom Sawyer Island all to ourselves for at least 30 minutes. We stood people-watching for the longest time. Not sure why we were alone for so long...fluke?

 

[furb & dez]

Tom Sawyer's Island I can see... especially if there aren't scads of mongrels running around. I'm ALWAYS looking for quiet spots to sit and relax. At Disneyland, after a certain point in the day, I can look at Dez and say "ready to ride the train for a bit?" and he's ready. On busy days, we might ride around the park two or three times just to relax.

Any restaurant recommendations? I have rezzies for the Moroccan restaurant. It would be nice to know about restaurants outside the property as well... I don't want to eat *every* meal on-property.

 

[Dead Robot]

Any restaurant recommendations? I have rezzies for the Moroccan restaurant. It would be nice to know about restaurants outside the property as well... I don't want to eat *every* meal on-property.

I've only eaten on property, so can't help you there, sorry.

I love the Crystal palace for character breakfast - you get into MK early and can take all sorts of castle pictures without massive crowds. Food is okay. And who doesn't love Pooh?

The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT is fantastic. Great theaming and food.

Sci Fi Drive Inn is fun, but I'm a geek.

Check out the restaurant thread for reviews and comments!

 

[L&Lfan]

Sometimes there's a lull at the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse where you can get maybe 3-4 minutes by yourselves to enjoy the Adventureland panorama before more climbers pass by.

 

[daannzzz]

I love Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco and if you go to lunch or dinner early it can be a fairly quiet spot until the musician and belly dancer come out.
And early lunch (right after they open) at Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK can be fairly quiet with good food.
Early dinner at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge was very quiet with good food as well.
I have not eaten off property enough to recommend anything.

 

[furb & dez]

I am definitely looking forward to the Moroccan restaurant, I love Mediterranean food.

So excited, just bought my park tickets tonight! Next weekend can't come soon enough

 

[BoomNLeon]

Ahhh - romantic spots in the parks. So few and far between, but they do exist. One of the places we LOVE is in the Canada pavilion up the stairs toward the entrance to O Canada. The crowds are usually very light and there are lovely views of Victoria Gardens. Also when you exit O Canada, there are several quiet places to sit and chill. Another good spot to relax is in the Morrocco pavilion next to the museum. There is an atrium like area that is indoors. There is a fountain and the ceramic tiles in the space are quite intricate. Nice place to sit and relax. MK has fewer places. Tom Sawyer Island and Swiss Family have been mentioned. Another option is the small seating area next to Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square. It is tucked behind the Castle.

The restaurants off property are almost all chains unless you drive into Orlando or somewhere near there. DisneyLand is a whole different ball game from DisneyWorld when it comes to proximity to everything. Almost all the moderate and deluxe resorts have good restaurants that offer a chance to break away from the crowds and hang out. We like the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs, Olivia's at Old Key West and Sanaa at Kidani Village.