Sometimes, amid all of the hustle and bustle of theme parks — running to a ride to make sure you don’t miss your FastPass+ window, rushing to a restaurant for your Advance Dining Reservation time, and elbowing your way into a good spot to watch a parade — it’s nice to stop and take in the sights and sounds around you. Luckily, there are plenty of spots at Disneyland and Walt Disney World to take a break, and you might find that the time spent at these places garners more fond memories than all of your turns on Toy Story Midway Mania and Space Mountain combined. Here are 8 picturesque places to take a break at the parks:
1. Liberty Square
There are plenty of quiet spaces in this land in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. A forest gazebo at the edge of Liberty Square is a great place to visit, and the view of Cinderella’s Castle that it affords isn’t bad, either. Tiana, of “The Princess and the Frog,” is sometimes available at the gazebo for a visit. Other beautiful places to explore near Liberty Square are Sleepy Hollow, a restaurant where you can get a Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich and sit on a somewhat shaded patio, and the Liberty Belle riverboat, which offers peaceful views of the river and Tom Sawyer Island. Later, you can follow that Sleepy Hollow waffle with a meal at Columbia Harbour House – the restaurant’s second floor provides a great view of the Liberty Square-Fantasyland concourse.
2. Victoria Gardens
Canada’s pavilion is a wonderful place to escape the crowds and noise in Epcot. The flowers, trees and waterfall at the walkway to O Canada! are tranquil and beautiful. While seating isn’t available, this site is still worth a stop. Another gem at the World Showcase is the France pavilion, where you stroll over a footbridge inspired by the Pont des Arts and you can sit and relax at the center fountain, admiring the World Showcase’s only “carrot” – the Eiffel Tower, which is the only thing that can’t be reached by the general public.
3. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Disney’s Animal Kingdom can be a very crowded place, but this trail in Africa offers a way to get away from it all. As you follow the trail at your own pace, you’ll see native wildlife like gorillas, hippos and zebras as well as lush forests and savannas. A similar self-guided tour is available in Asia, where the Maharajah Jungle Trek is home to tigers, birds and other animals, along with waterfalls and a canopy of trees.
4. Echo Lake
Quiet spots to relax may be harder to find at Disney’s Hollywood Studios than at other parks, but this area has tables that are often overlooked. And where else can you find a spot where you can sit and admire a fountain as well as a huge brontosaurus? Gertie might even entice you to go for a snack at her Ice Cream of Extinction stand.
5. Hungry Bear Restaurant
Tucked in a corner of Critter Country at Disneyland is this restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches and lemon “bumblebee” cupcakes. But its best feature is its peaceful view of the Rivers of America, where the Mark Twain Riverboat sometimes passes by. This is one of the most tranquil spots at the park.
6. Snow White’s Grotto
Another peaceful place at Disneyland is this grotto and wishing well, which is to the right as you’re facing Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Near a waterfall are statues of Snow White and the dwarfs tucked among the rocks, and you could eventually hear Snow White herself singing and see princesses making an appearance.
7. Silly Symphony Swings Promenade
The Silly Symphony ride at Disney California Adventure is a peaceful whirl, but the promenade beneath it offers an unforgettable view of Paradise Pier, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and The Golden Vine Winery across Paradise Bay – all while sitting a little closer to the ground.
8. Town Square Theater
Back at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a place that’s not necessarily quiet, but the view and atmosphere can’t easily be beat. You can sit in a rocking chair overlooking town square and see an excited parade of people pouring into the park to your left, and beautiful Main Street and Cinderella’s Castle down to your right. All of the comings and goings of Main Street can be seen here, from parades to bands, flag-raising to trains arriving, with the scents of popcorn and candy in the air.
So while Walt Disney World and Disneyland can be hectic, there are still plenty of spots to rest, relax and enjoy the view. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at the parks, take a time out and just enjoy everything they have to offer. Are there any more picturesque places that you’d like to recommend? Please share them below!
