20 Quiet Spots to Get a Break from the Crowds at Disney World

With how busy the Disney World theme parks can get, these quiet spots are key to recharging for the rest of your day.Disney World is truly a magical place to experience. But with the endless number of rides and attractions offered – and the dizzying number of guests visiting everyday – you'll eventually find that you'll need to take a break from the crowds.

Even though it feels like every nook and cranny of the Disney World theme parks is filled with guests, you'll be happy to know there are a lot of quiet spots where you can rest and recharge. It's quite amazing how some of the best quiet areas feel like they're in the middle of the busiest spots in the theme park. Many of these spots are places that not all frequent visitors even know about, and places I personally love to visit to rest and recharge.

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Pathway Between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus

Even several years after TRON Lightcycle / Run opened at Magic Kingdom, this pathway is still underutilized. When you're facing the main signage for TRON, instead of taking a right to go up toward the ride queue, take a left. This pathway goes under the outdoor section of the ride, immediately making it a quieter spot than its surrounding areas. It's also shaded, making it a great place to escape the Florida sun in the summertime.

East Center Street

As guests enter Magic Kingdom, they walk straight down Main Street, U.S.A. and go directly to Cinderella Castle. Not me. Instead, to catch a little break from the crowds, I take a right between Uptown Jewelers and Crystal Arts. Walk down the end of East Center Street and you'll find a quiet area, neatly tucked away from the rest of the theme park.

Bwana Bob's

Across from Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland, there are several planters and benches to rest your aching feet. However, don't sit on the benches facing Sunshine Tree Terrace. Instead, walk around to the other side, facing the Swiss Family Treehouse. Here, you'll be surprised how much quieter it is compared to the narrow, busy pathway heading into Adventureland.

Tomorrowland Terrace

Much like the pathway leading from Tomorrowland to Storybook Circus, the pathway through Tomorrowland Terrace is still not very busy compared to the Tomorrowland entrance. While Tomorrowland Terrace is normally closed off in the afternoon to prepare for the fireworks dessert party, during the day time you can sit down and relax away from the crowds, noise, and the sun.

Swiss Family Treehouse

This spot is easily one of the best ways to get away from the crowds at Magic Kingdom and have a beautiful view overlooking Magic Kingdom. Make your way up the steps to the top of the Swiss Family Treehouse, and you'll escape the noise of a busy Adventureland and find gradually find yourself in one of the most serene parts of Magic Kingdom. I personally love walking up here when the sun is setting and gaze at Cinderella Castle, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Space Mountain beautifully lit up.

World Nature Restrooms

Heading over to EPCOT, this spot is much like Bwana Bob's at Magic Kingdom. Just outside the World Nature restrooms, you'll find a large planter with a bench. Instead of sitting on the bench facing the restrooms, walk around to the other side that faces the water. Here, you'll find a great quiet spot with a nice view of World Nature.

Imagination Restrooms

This entire area has to be one of the quietest spots around EPCOT. If you head past the right of the entrance to Journey into Imagination with Figment, you'll eventually make your way to the Imagination Restrooms. This spot is hands down the best place to relax and recharge away from the EPCOT crowds.

Next to Mission: SPACE

Just outside Mission: SPACE, behind the closest snack cart, are a few benches and planters. Whenever I walk by this area, I always find it almost empty, and more importantly, nice and quiet. Between this area and the Imagination restrooms, one lesson comes to mind: The area or attraction that's not as busy could be one of the quietest places to relax and recharge.

The Back of Canada Pavilion

I like to think that it's because there's only one main attraction in the back of the Canada Pavilion that this spot stays consistently quiet. However, it might also be because to some, it may feel like a trek to walk up a flight of stairs, then down another flight of stairs to get to the back of the pavilion. But trust me, it's worth it when you find this quiet spot with several benches for you to rest your tired feet. Flanked by a recreation of the Hotel du Canada on one side and English cottages on the other, it's difficult to hear any guests walking around World Showcase, making it perfect to get away from the crowds.

Katsura Grill Outdoor Seating

What I love the most about Japan Pavilion is that even if the outdoor dining section of Katsura Grill is filled with guests, it's still a relatively quiet spot to rest and relax. When you first enter the open area of Japan Pavilion, walk past the koi pond and up the ramp or the stairs. If you go up the ramp, you'll walk by the lower outdoor dining area. If you go up the stairs, you'll eventually end at the farthest corner of the outdoor dining area. Both spots are perfect quiet spots with beautiful views of the Japanese vegetation and architecture that make up the pavilion.

Tree of Life Garden Trail

At Animal Kingdom, it's either guests have no idea where this trail is located, they walk by it unknowingly, or they prioritize more thrilling attractions. Either way, you win because this quiet spot is perfect to escape the crowds and the midday heat. The Tree of Life Garden Trail is full of small nooks and crannies, pockets of shade, and of course, quiet. As you take your sweet time walking through, you'll also get the bonuses of ponds and waterfalls and an up-close view of the animal carvings on the Tree of Life.

The Middle of Pandora

Even the busiest areas have their own pockets of quiet – Pandora included. In Pandora, guests quickly flock to Avatar Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey, or Satu'li Canteen, making all three of these areas loud and busy. However, if you make your way toward the middle of Pandora, away from all of these attractions, you'll find a spot not often traversed by guests. Not only will you find a surprisingly quiet area, but you will also get a different perspective on the landscape and vegetation

Between Pandora and Africa

Many guests exit Pandora through the bridge that connects to Nomad Lounge and Tiffins Restaurant. However, if you exit Pandora at the far end, near Satu'li Canteen, you'll find yourself on a pathway that's not often traversed in comparison to the main entrance to Pandora. This pathway also takes you along the water, giving you a scenic and quiet way to get to Africa.

Flametree Barbecue Seating

I used to wonder why the seating for Flametree Barbecue was so large. But now I don't complain because it's the best quiet spot to relax when at Animal Kingdom, even if you don't purchase food at Flametree Barbecue. There are different seating areas on different levels, making each seating area feel secluded. Some areas are shaded with a roof while others are shaded by the natural vegetation, making it relatively cool. And of course, you get the pleasure of escaping the loud crowds for a little bit so you can recharge.

Rafiki's Planet Watch

This entire area doesn't get enough love in my opinion. From the seating area while you wait for the Wildlife Express Train to the pathway you take to arrive at Conservation Station to the exhibits inside, there's no shortage of quiet spots at Rafiki's Planet Watch. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that even the outdoor areas are well shaded, making it a great area to cool off.

Along Echo Lake

As we make our way to Hollywood Studios, I want to start off with a spot that everyone sees, but not everyone utilizes. Along Echo Lake, specifically in between Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and 50's Prime Time Café, you'll find an area that's not often inhabited. It's a great quiet spot to take a short break before heading to your restaurant reservation of next attraction. And with the water of Echo Lake close by, you'll feel just a touch cooler even in the Florida sun.

Tower of Terror Exit

At first, it was hard to understand why this spot stays so quiet, but now I think I have a good idea. As guests explore the Tower Hotel Gifts shop after riding Tower of Terror, the occasional guest may get a coffee and pastry at the nearby Joffrey's kiosk, but the vast majority walk head straight to their next ride. However, if you're looking for a quiet spot, you'll stop right here at the outdoor courtyard to take a chance to rest and recharge. There's plenty of space to relax, it's quiet, and there's even a shaded area with benches just behind the Joffrey's kiosk.

Outside the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge

The waiting area in front of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant is almost always full of guests waiting for their reservation to be called. However, the seating area just outside the lounge is not often inhabited, making it a great quiet spot to relax, recharge, and even people watch if you so please. Part of the seating area is also shaded, making it a great option to take a break from the Florida sun.

Pixar Place

This entire spot is consistently less crowded and more quiet compared to the rest of Hollywood Studios. Even when the Pixar characters are out doing their meet and greets, you'll easily find quiet spots to relax and recharge. It's also secluded, making it a great area to get away from the crowds and take a few slow breaths before heading to your next attraction.

Walt Disney Presents

The final quiet spot on this list deserves more and more love. Not too far from Pixar Place is Walt Disney Presents, a wonderful quiet (air-conditioned) indoor gallery exhibit that allows you to explore Walt Disney's legendary legacy through rare artifacts. So, not only do you get to learn about the history of the Walt Disney Company, but you also get to get to recharge in a quiet, indoor area – a win win!

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