Ways to recharge
Top five quiet spots at Magic Kingdom
Introversion Insight:
Susan Cain wrote one of the best books about introversion called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. In it she talks about creating “restorative niches” in your life. These are places you go when you want to return to your true self. In our noisy, extroverted world, we’ve learned how to act more extroverted and get out of our comfort zones—but only if we have the accompanying restorative niches to balance it all out.
Back home, I bet you have a quiet space you retreat to. Those can be harder to find while on vacation, or more specifically at Walt Disney World. We love the parks because they truly feel like safe havens from the noisy real world we live in, but they’re also loud, crowded, and draining.
I’m always scoping out quiet or often overlooked areas of the parks where I can recharge or just distance myself from the action for a few minutes without leaving the parks. I’m happy to share these five spots at Magic Kingdom.
Inside Big Top Souvenirs
- Multiple tables with chairs
- Air-conditioned indoors
- Smell of sweets from Big Top Treats
Behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
- Couple benches
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
To the right of Space Mountain
- Long benches
- Shaded from sun
To the right of RocketTower Plaza Stage
- Couple benches
- View of the PeopleMover
Note: This spot may not always be quiet if the stage is being used.
To the right of Carousel of Progress
- One bench
- View of the PeopleMover
More quiet spots
Top five quiet spots at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Introversion Insight:
Susan Cain wrote one of the best books about introversion called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. In it she talks about creating “restorative niches” in your life. These are places you go when you want to return to your true self. In our noisy, extroverted world, we’ve learned how to act more extroverted and get out of our comfort zones—but only if we have the accompanying restorative niches to balance it all out.
Back home, I bet you have a quiet space you retreat to. Those can be harder to find while on vacation, or more specifically at Walt Disney World. We love the parks because they truly feel like safe havens from the noisy real world we live in, but they’re also loud, crowded, and draining.
I’m always scoping out quiet or often overlooked areas of the parks where I can recharge or just distance myself from the action for a few minutes without leaving the parks. I’m happy to share these five spots at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Across from Feathered Friends in Flight! by the water
- Multiple tables with chairs
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
- Water view with Tree of Life backdrop
Behind Tusker House
- Benches
- Separation wall from main walkway
Note: During the lunch and dinner rush, this area may become a waiting area for the Tusker House restaurant.
Pathway behind Caravan Road kiosk
- Multiple tables with chairs
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
To the left of Drinkwallah kiosk
- Multiple tables with chairs
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
- Water view
On the right side of Fossil Fun Games
- One bench
- Shaded from sun
- Great for people watching
Note: This spot may not always be quiet if carnival games are being played.
More quiet spots
Five introvert planning tips for your upcoming Disney Parks vacation
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. They like clear expectations. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people.
Whether it’s your first trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland or your seventh, planning is sometimes just as fun as the actual trip you take. (All the introverts in the room are nodding their heads in unison.) If you’re an introvert, or you’re traveling with introverts, consider these five planning tips.
Start planning early
Do you struggle with coming up with the right thing to say in the moment? That’s actually pretty common for introverts. Our brains need time to think and process. The same can be said about Disney Parks planning. You’ll be better off planning the trip months in advance (twelve months even) for a lot of reasons, but one of them is you need time to think about everything you want to do.
Make your thoughts known
Now that you know what you want to do, make it known. Introverts tend to go with the flow and do what the group wants to do. Don’t be afraid to speak up and mention things you want to do—or sometimes more importantly, things you don’t want to do. (No, Susan, we’re not doing Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. I’m not becoming part of that show again.)
Create a flexible, laid-back plan
Do you live a pretty chill life back home? You probably do. Introverts tend to keep a pretty open and simple schedule. Try to replicate that while on vacation. Take midday breaks from the parks. Recharge time! And you’ll also avoid the hottest part of the day.
Spend two days at each park
It can be overwhelming when you cram too much into one trip. Understand you won’t see and do it all, and that’s okay. But two days in each park will help. The other reason to do this? There’s something reassuring and exciting felt on your second day at each park. By then, the place seems familiar. You’ve got your feet wet (thanks, Kali River Rapids). You know the basic lay of the land. It’s just not as intense on the second day for our introvert brains.
Don’t share a hotel room
Are you planning a friends trip or one with extended family? Book your own hotel room. After being with them all day long, you’re going to appreciate having your own private space to recharge. (And I’m going to say what you’re thinking—you’ll also have your own space to fart to your heart’s content.)
Go forth and plan, D•Introverts! Let me know if you have any questions.
How to get a break from the EPCOT crowds
Introversion Insight:
A crowded, lively place is exciting and energizing for some. But for introverts, it can be exhausting. These places actually drain an introvert’s mental energy. This is where recharging comes in.
You’ve just spent half the day at EPCOT, traveling the world (showcase) no doubt. It’s probably crowded and loud—I’m looking at you, The Land pavilion. You’ve discovered EPCOT is probably your favorite park because it’s basically designed for introverts (but more on that another time.) As much as you enjoy it, you’re mentally tired. You need a recharge like a well-used ECV at the end of a day.
Make like CC Bloom in the movie Beaches and head to the boardwalk—Disney’s BoardWalk. Between the France and United Kingdom pavilions, you’ll find a park exit (and entrance) called International Gateway. Go through the gateway to find Disney’s BoardWalk area. A quiet and recharging walking loop awaits you. (You’ll find benches along the boardwalk too.) Heading clockwise, you’ll pass Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort, and finally your re-entry point for EPCOT, the International Gateway. You’ll be refreshed and ready to build an ugly-looking concept car on Test Track!
