by Jennifer Baker, contributing writer
As a twenty-something who prefers to sleep in whenever possible, getting up early to make it to Extra Magic Hours takes its toll pretty quickly—so I look forward to breaks about as much as I look forward to my next ride on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
With the added benefit that most of my favorite Disney memories seem to happen while sitting on a street curb eating a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar or relaxing on a park bench sipping on an iced cappuccino, I think everyone needs to take time out from exploring the theme parks from time to time, whether on your first or 15th vacation to Walt Disney World.
Through my numerous visits to Walt Disney World, I'e discovered a few favorite ways to get away to unique areas or attractions in each park. And since as a single young woman without children, I tend to favor those places where I can take a break from all of the youngsters while getting to do some people-watching (probably my second favorite activity outside of sleeping in). So let's take a look at my favorite getaways in each park.
Magic Kingdom
Tony's Rocking Chairs
Of all four Walt Disney World parks, the Magic Kingdom and its swell of strollers tends to bring out the most-needed escapes for me. My first choice is always the rocking chairs directly outside Tony's Town Square and Exhibition Hall on Main Street. Not only are these chairs far more relaxing than a regular park bench, but they offer a great place to watch Walt Disney World go by. As others frantically rush to start their day at the Magic Kingdom, you can rest comfortable taking in the true meaning of Walt's vision through the sights, sounds, and smells of Main Street.
Seeing all of the excited guests entering the park reminds me of being a kid; the enthusiasm is infectious and a great way to kickstart the rest of your busy theme park adventure. A way to take this retreat up another notch is with a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle (but then again, when does a Dole Whip not enhance a visit to the Magic Kingdom?).
Columbia Harbor House
On the opposite side of Magic Kingdom, directly across from the Haunted Mansion, lies a great—if not surprising—location to get away from the bustling park. Columbia Harbor House not only provides delicious, quick-service food (fried shrimp at a quick serve price… yum!), but the upstairs seating has a great, air-conditioned view of Liberty Square.
The best part for me? The stairs aren't stroller-friendly, making the second floor dining room much quieter and less congested than other quick-serve locations throughout the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to take a look at the different wall decorations; each area upstairs tells a distinctive nautical story. The 'ghost room' overlooking the Haunted Mansion complete with a picture of the infamous ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, is my favorite.
Epcot
World Showcase Countries
While the countries of World Showcase are popular areas to visit and dine for many, they also provide great areas of respite. Taking a stroll through the winding pathways of each country—not just into the first gift shop or ride in sight, but truly to the very depths of the pavilion—engulfs you in the culture of each unique country. I like to grab an adult beverage at the beginning of my trek (my favorite is the Grey Goose Orange Slush in France) and really take my time to explore.
Walking through the beautiful gardens in Canada, viewing the koi ponds in China, and getting lost in the Moroccan architecture… these all remind me of my time spent abroad in college a few years ago. While I may not be able to travel back to Italy as often as I'd like, the concept of mingling with people from different cultures is strong in the World Showcase, and it reminds me of my second home that was college, and all of the great memories I made there. By taking a moment to enjoy the scenery, you'll feel recharged, gain some new perspective, and maybe even make some new and unexpected Disney memories.
Behind the Seeds Tour
Behind-the-scene tours have become very popular at Walt Disney World in recent years as a way to see something extra during your vacation. Future World's Behind the Seeds tour may not sound thrilling, but the backstage access, cast member interaction, and inexpensive cost make this a great way to escape the chaos of The Land pavilion. As a twenty-something with a focused career, sometimes it is difficult to find ways to branch out and learn a little something new, so Behind the Seeds gave me a great opportunity to do just that.
The tour takes you on a brief walk of the Living with the Land greenhouse, where you not only learn about the distinctive agriculture techniques employed at Epcot, but also see alligators, shrimp and fish up close and personal. My favorite part was getting to personally release ladybugs into the greenhouse to combat pesky pests. Reconnecting with nature in this most unexpected environment provides a unique break in the day for family members of all ages and may even teach you a little something new (even us young adults who may thing we know it all).
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The Magic of Disney Animation Gallery
Tucked in the back of Animation Courtyard is The Magic of Disney Animation, a brief film showing how animated characters are drawn. The real respite, though, is in the animation gallery at the exit of the film. In this area, you'll find great background and visuals on the latest Disney animated films as well as classics like Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. For me, my love for all things Disney (along with pretty much every other young woman my age) started with Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine. Having the chance to explore this artwork at my own pace provides a very cool look behind the classic stories I grew up with. And in our current movie world of CGI, this is a great area to remember where it truly all started for Walt Disney World's founder, the one and only Walt Disney.
Streets of America
After riding Toy Story Mania and before rushing over to the next thrill at Tower of Terror, I like to head over to the Streets of America for some quiet time. Walking through New York, San Francisco, and Chicago all within a couple of blocks and listening closely for real sounds of the city such as car horns and traffic reminds me of my sweet home, Chicago. Unlike my real city, though, there are no city buses to dodge while rushing across the street in heels to catch a cab— on the Streets of America, you can actually escape the crowds in this less populated area of the park. Grab a soft pretzel or some popcorn and have a seat on a New York City brownstone stoop, taking in the “skyline” and recharging before your next big thrill.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Conservation Station
In over a dozen visits to Animal Kingdom, I had never once explored Rafiki's Planet Watch. But after taking the train ride and discovering Conservation Station, this is definitely one of my new favorite places to take a break in Animal Kingdom. At Conservation Station, you can view some of the smaller members of the animal world, pet a few domesticated animal friends, and even meet a character or two. I love that there is always something new and different going on in the area, providing the opportunity to expand my horizons and learn something new about the animal kingdom. This secluded area in the forest is perfect for both animal lovers as well as those looking for relief from the Expedition Everest crowd.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Explore the animals of Africa at your own pace, walking through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. This oft-missed area is located at the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris, so instead of exiting and immediately heading on to the next Animal Kingdom attraction, take a detour to see tigers, hippos, and monkeys.
What I enjoy about this trail are all of the unexpected encounters; my generation has an admittedly short attention span at times, so knowing I get to see something completely new each time I walk through holds my interest and keeps me coming back for more. The last time I walked through, I saw Animal Kingdom's newest baby gorilla playing around with his mother; there is truly nothing quite like watching animals interacting in the wild (or the next best thing—Disney's version of the wild). Since you're never quite sure which animals you will see, taking this detour a great place to take a breather from the hubbub of the park.
With a place as immense as Walt Disney World and an ambitious vacation schedule with 15+ hour days, taking a break from my Disney vacation is not just an indulgence, but a true necessity. The sites here are just a start to the countless enjoyable places to take a well-deserved break during your busy vacation. Whether or not you're a young adult needing a rest from an early morning alarm, hopefully this encourages you to explore new locations on your next trip and give yourself much-needed time to get away from your getaway.
