Often, a Walt Disney World visit can feel like a marathon, rushing the family from one attraction and reservation to the next at exhausting speed. A vacation isn’t a vacation unless you get some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment. Whether you’re an introvert looking to bask in the still moments or a tired parent needing to catch your breath, here are eight of our favorite Walt Disney World attractions to turn down the speed and chill out.
1. The Tomorrowland PeopleMover
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)
There is possibly no attraction at Walt Disney World more loved by loyal fans than the Tomorrowland Peoplemover—and in so many ways it’s an unlikely candidate for such dedicated affection. Casual guests might miss it entirely if they never look up, and it doesn’t offer any thrills, sweeping movie tie-ins, or a particularly deep story. However, the beauty of the Peoplemover isn’t in any of the traditional factors we expect from Walt Disney World attractions. Maybe it’s the sweeping views of Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle. Maybe it’s the seamlessly smooth motion of the vehicles or the freedom of not being strapped to a seat. Maybe it’s in the peaceful transitions in and out of Tomorrowland’s most beloved attractions. Whatever makes the PeopleMover dear to your heart, you aren’t alone, and it remains one of our favorite places to relax anywhere in Walt Disney World.
2. Spaceship Earth
Image: Disney
A visit to Epcot just doesn’t feel complete without a journey through the history of communication on Spaceship Earth. While much in Epcot has changed over the years, Spaceship Earth remains a crown jewel of Disney dark rides. You can experience this Future World mainstay a dozen times and find something new each ride (you can even try it in another language or add your own soundtrack if you bring in ear headphones). Spaceship Earth tells a story so beautifully immersive that you can’t help but get lost in it’s mesmerizing sights and smells. Seriously, a “Burning of Rome” candle might be a little macabre, but Disney needs to get on the ball and let us take home that intoxicating scent!
3. The aviaries in the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega
Disney has plenty of wonderfully chill walking tours, but one spot in Disney’s Animal Kingdom stands a hair above the rest. The aviaries in the Majarajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail are two of our favorite places in Walt Disney World to just find a place to perch and listen to the birds sing. You never know what to expect in these serene menageries. On one visit, we watched weaver birds assemble their nests (with no small amount of adorable thievery and squabbling). On another visit, one of the aviary’s larger denizens took to calling back and forth with a young visitor. Sometimes, when the park is less busy, the resident birds become more inquisitive and may approach guests who sit quietly. Instead of squeezing onto another blink-and-you’ll-miss-the-baby-elephant ride on Kilamanjaro Safari, next time you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, take a moment to enjoy the beauty of this hidden Asian oasis.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
Image: Disney
By traditional logic, there is no reason Pirates of the Caribbean should feel like a good ride to relax. After all, it’s an insanely popular attraction with a drop entirely themed around the carousing of bands of rowdy pirates…
And yet, it’s one of the most crazy relaxing rides in Magic Kingdom. Perhaps it’s the sense of nostalgia, the relaxing sway of the boat, or that oh-so-refreshing air conditioning, but when we want to take a chill moment in Adventureland, we can’t resist a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean. Whod’ve thought really bad eggs could be so calming?
5. Living with the Land
Image: Disney
Most of Walt Disney World’s boat rides are great stops to get your chill on, but our other favorite besides Pirates of the Caribbean is Epcot’s Living with the Land. While Living with the Land definitely has some beautiful dark components, the highlight of the journey is the peaceful tour of The Land’s hydroponic greenhouse where dozens of varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown using advanced farming techniques. The air is so fresh inside this beautiful garden, and there’s no way to avoid feeling a little zen around that many healthy plants. The ride’s beautiful conclusion always leaves us smiling… and craving blueberries… so many blueberries.
6. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is a tricky one to include because of its lengthy wait times. However, if you can catch it first thing in the morning or during a surprise lull, there’s no denying the allure of this Magic Kingdom journey past the star on the right straight on to morning. It doesn’t matter how old you get—a trip to Never-Neverland always feels like a childhood dream come to life. Like Disney’s other dark rides, you can ride it multiple times and always catch a new detail—or just sit back and relax as your little one eagerly takes in all the sights.
7. Star Wars Launch Bay
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)
We’ve gushed about our love for Disney Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars Launch Bay before. It is very easy to skip this attraction, particularly if you get spooked by the busy character meet and greet lines. However, this attraction remains our favorite place to catch our breath in this ever-more popular park (enjoy the calm moments while they last before Galaxy’s Edge opens). The Launch Bay has plenty of cozy corners and benches for guests to relax on, and we’ve even seen parents letting their little ones catch a nap. There’s also a lovely courtyard, and if you’re a fan of Star Wars, the museums and endless Easter eggs are a superfan’s delight.
8. Tom Sawyer Island
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again—Tom Sawyer’s Island is a terrible, spider-laden place, and there’s no reason anyone should go there. It probably doesn’t even exist anymore. It’s just a legend. Carry on. There’s nothing to see here.
All right, you caught us… again.
We love Tom Sawyer Island, and not just for the uncanny way Injun Joe’s Cave leaves us quavering in eek-I-peed-a-little terror. It’s because there are so many places on Tom Sawyer Island to sit back and seriously relax. You can picnic on the island’s high crags one hour then lounge in a rocking chair and watch the trains of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad the next. You can take a leisurely stroll through the island’s winding paths or let yourself get lost in the Mystery Mine and Escape Tunnel (don’t get lost in Injun Joe’s Cave—we might scream when we find you). For those looking to enjoy the peaceful side of Disney and embrace chill in their vacation, there’s no better place in the Most Magical Place on Earth.
What’s your favorite attraction to chill out in Walt Disney World?
