Best Rest Spots at Disney World

Sometimes, we all need to stop and catch our breath.

That goes double at Disney, where you’ll exercise a ton without realizing it.

You may walk as many as ten miles in a given day, and that’s gonna make you tired.

So, where are the best rest spots at Disney World? I have thoughts.

The Great Ceremonial House

Let’s start with the acknowledgment that I could list dozens of places.

Park planners have created many spots at the parks for you to unwind for a bit.

Some of these locations have come and gone over the years.

A decade ago, I undoubtedly would have included Ellen’s Energy Adventure, a go-to spot for napping while technically on a ride.

You will NOT ever fall asleep on its replacement, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Also, some of the best rest areas reside off the beaten path.

For example, I strongly encourage you to take breaks at Magic Kingdom.

Hop on the monorail and stop at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

You’ll exit the station and walk into the hotel lobby, the Great Ceremonial House.

This building features ample seating, encouraging you to sit down and bask in your surroundings.

The Polynesian setting will sweep you away and allow you to forget all your problems for a while.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Disney’s show-based attractions present another ideal opportunity to get off your feet.

When you visit a Disney theme park, always check My Disney Experience on the Disneyland app.

You should know all the popular shows and also which ones last the longest.

Those are the ones to target, as they’ll allow you to relax in an inviting setting while Cast Members perform for you.

Arguably the best of these is the Frozen show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which retells the highlights of film.

This performance is somehow original and entertaining and even a bit improvisational, even though you know Frozen’s story well.

Jambo House Lobby

Another lobby I love for its tranquil setting is Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This campus actually features two different hotels, Kidani Village and Jambo House.

Kidani Village’s lobby is much smaller, which helps you tell whether you’re in the right place.

The Jambo House lobby features couches and chairs where you can sit down, admire the African art on display, and know peace.

I may have mentioned this before, but it’s true. This is THE place at Disney where I’m most likely to fall asleep.

This lobby is my only little slice of Heaven on Earth.

The Japan Pavilion

Meanwhile, my wife’s most relaxing place is Mitsukoshi Department Store at EPCOT’s World Showcase.

You’ll find this store at the Japan pavilion, and it’s a pop culture fan’s dream, selling lots of anime and video game merchandise.

Over the years, I’ve learned that my wife will shop here as long as she wants. So, I’ve explored the pavilion a lot.

To my delight, it’s an excellent resting spot, as there are places to sit right past the building. Technically, they’re not chairs, but they work.

Then, we have the seating near the koi pond that’s sure to give you a breather and make you appreciate the beauty of nature.

To a larger point, the Japan pavilion is just a fun place to be.

Living with the Land

We have another subsection of rest stops: slow rides.

I’ve never tested it, but I would guess that the boat on Living with the Land travels at about two miles per hour.

Well, it’s a boat so it’s knots per hour, but you get my point. It’s a sloooow ride.

Even better, the first half of it takes place mostly in the dark.

The only way Living with the Land could be better is if they handed out pillows.

Pinocchio Village Haus

There’s a lot to like about Pinocchio Village Haus, the only restaurant I’m listing today.

The central location in Fantasyland causes you to walk near/by this place several times during a Magic Kingdom visit.

Once you enter the restaurant, you’ll find a solid menu that’s especially good for people like me who like boring foods.

But we’re not talking about food today. The appeal of Pinocchio Village Haus is its ample seating.

You can usually grab a bite to eat here, and sometimes you’ll get particularly lucky.

A table overlooking It’s a Small World will open. On these blessed dates, you can watch the boats while you recuperate.

This restaurant is an oasis near the middle of the most crowded theme park in the world.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

This place is my safe harbor at Walt Disney World. I come here whenever I’m tired or irritated or looking for a good view.

The PeopleMover overlooks Tomorrowland and also transports you through the heart of some attractions, including Space Mountain.

So, there’s some intrigue here, as you’ll occasionally notice the lights on at Space Mountain. That’s always fascinating.

But my favorite part is the original model of Progress City, the capitalist utopia Walt Disney envisioned.

You’ll drive right by Progress City, and some of my favorite moments in Tomorrowland were – no joke – when the ride broke down right here.

This model is a significant part of Disney history, and I love it.

You may prefer the views of Tron Lightcycle / Run, though. They’re good, too.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

The glory of Tomorrowland is that it somehow offers another excellent spot to sit down, relax, and enjoy a show.

Well, Carousel of Progress is technically a ride, but you’ll barely know it.

Walt Disney himself had a hand in the creation of this attraction for the 1964 New York’s World Fair.

A child of the early 20^th century, Uncle Walt wanted the kids of the 1960s to appreciate how far the world had advanced.

So, he created this four-act play to show what was considered cutting edge technology in various eras of his century.

The show is charming, but, more importantly, it’s loooong. You’ll spend at least 25 minutes here, escaping the sun and relaxing.

World Celebration Gardens

Most of the rest spots I’ve recommended have been indoors.

Sometimes, you want to sit out in the sun and bask in the beauty of your surroundings, though.

EPCOT recently leaned into this thought by adding ample seating at World Celebration Gardens.

You can grab a chair here, recharge your phone, and admire EPCOT in all its glory.

Many of the chairs even provide a view of Spaceship Earth. And Disney often has character greetings here, too.

Pro tip: Visit at night for an absolutely magical, totally relaxing way to finish your day at Walt Disney World.

These are the best rest stops at Disney World. Do you agree?

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