Where Are the Best Hangout and Meetup Spots at Walt Disney World?
Sometimes, you just want to meet up with your friends and bask in the atmosphere of the Most Magical Place on Earth.
When you’re in the mood for such visits, where should you go? Here are a few of the best hangout and meetup spots at Walt Disney World.
Cinderella Castle Courtyard
Let’s start with the obvious one that everybody knows.
When you want to meet friends at Magic Kingdom, one of the best places for a sit-down is right in front of Cinderella Castle.
Disney has designed this area to encourage hanging out and maybe even having a picnic.
The view is ideal, as you’re staring at one of Florida’s greatest architectural wonders. Nothing says Disney like a castle, right?
Plus, you can people-watch to your heart’s content as guests enter/exit Main Street, U.S.A.
A drawback for this courtyard is its locale. Sometimes, you’ll prefer to sit in a quiet area that’s away from others.
At Cinderella Castle Courtyard, we’re talking about exactly the opposite of that.
You’ll face heavy foot traffic and swarms of people who aren’t always respectful of boundaries.
PS: Disney technically calls this place the Main Street Plaza Gardens, but if you tell your friends that, they may guess the wrong location.
Discovery Island Trails
Some places I’ll mention are ones you’d expect, while others may surprise you.
The hope is that you’ll find a spot or two that you’d never considered in the past.
For example, most guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom inevitably work their way toward the Tree of Life.
How often do you keep walking toward Discovery Island Trails, though?
You and your friends can watch adorable creatures like sea otters while you talk and catch up on life.
You’ll also find some chairs around here that are rarely in use. Many guests speed through the area primarily to check it off their list.
Meanwhile, you and your friends can spend time basking in the beauty of arguably Disney’s most beautiful park.
Geyser Point
You’ll find this restaurant and lounge at the back of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Head toward the boat dock, and you’ll find it on the other side of this section, right by the water.
You and your friends can eat and/or drink here while appreciating the splendor of this resort.
Disney has stuck a nature-friendly hotel by the water, and it added Geyser Point a few years ago as an ideal meetup spot.
The restaurant resides by the water, providing an idyllic view of the forest and the lake.
Plus, when your friends get boring, you can watch the televisions here!
The Great Ceremonial House
I am an evangelist for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s pretty much my favorite hotel on the planet.
I’ve spent more time here than at any other Disney resort, and I love all the potential sitting areas in and around the hotel lobby.
Disney calls this building the Great Ceremonial House. It houses several sitting areas on both floors of the main facility.
You can also grab a table at Capt. Cook’s or Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar if you’re hungry/thirsty.
Just outside the building, you’ll find Pineapple Lanai, which serves all the Dole Whip your party can eat.
Plus, you and your friends can shop while you’re here!
The Land Pavilion
At EPCOT, you’ll likely meet your friends somewhere at the World Showcase pavilion and roam around there.
However, you can avoid the crowds by picking a place closer to the front of the park.
At The Land pavilion, you can meet at/near the entrance and spend time in a climate-controlled indoor setting.
On some of the hottest days in Florida, you’ll be grateful for the air-conditioning.
While you’re at The Land, you can ride attractions like Soarin’ or Living with the Land. That’s not really hanging out, though.
Instead, you should simply grab a seat on the first floor near Sunshine Seasons and exchange stories with your friends.
The sunny setting will relax you, while the activity near the attractions and restaurant will provide some entertainment.
Plus, when you’re hungry, you can’t do better than Sunshine Seasons! The food here is fresh from the pavilion itself!
The Riviera Lobby
You’re likely noticing a trend with these two suggestions.
I view Disney hotel lobbies as ideal meeting/hangout areas.
That’s because Disney designs them for high foot traffic and offers plenty of seating to accommodate weary guests.
At Disney’s Riviera Resort, the lobby provides an optimal meeting spot for guests.
While you’re here, you can sit down and catch up, or you can explore the two floors of tourist activities.
You’ll find restaurants, bars, and cafes, plus a shop with some of the best merchandise on the Disney campus.
My family has talked up this hangout spot so much that we have bumped into friends here on more than one occasion!
Walt Disney Presents
I’m presuming that your friends love Disney, too. Otherwise, why are they hanging out with you here?
The best spot to meet up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios happens to be a walkthrough attraction that’s perfect for Disney fans.
Walt Disney Presents assembles the entire history of The Walt Disney Company in a single building.
You can look at photos from Walt Disney’s early life and learn about the process of creating films and, later, a theme park.
Your buddies can catch up with you while you all learn more about Disney in a place that – let’s be honest – is typically empty.
The one drawback here compared to some of the other suggestions is that you’ll walk through the entire space in a few minutes.
Nothing stops you from exiting the building and walking right back in, but there’s also a plan B.
The Baseline Tap House is relatively close. You can drink and share some apps here if you need more time to bond.
Due to its size, Hollywood Studios is generally the worst Disney park for hanging out, though.
The only other viable option is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and it can be wildly busy, especially on weekends.
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Feature Photo: Disney