epcot

How to avoid crowds: attend Disney After Hours

An introvert’s guide to 2024 Disney After Hours at EPCOT

Introversion Insight:

A lot of people don’t like crowded places, but for introverts, it can be overstimulating. Way too many strangers in one place. (And let’s hope they don’t want to strike up a conversation.)

Disney After Hours is a ticketed event that allows you to visit a Walt Disney World park after it closes for the day. You have three hours to do all the things—but with fewer people. They limit the number of tickets sold.

That’s why I think Disney After Hours is worth it and perfect for D•Introverts. Guaranteed lower crowd levels! It’s becoming harder and harder to find a “slow season,” so with these limited-capacity events, you’ll notice a difference.

Avoiding the crowds—my mission in life

What’s included?

This is what you’re paying for:

Lower wait times for attractions
No blazing sun at night (especially important for the summer)
Ice cream, popcorn, and bottle soda/water
Characters

And what I’m really paying for is a way to experience the park without the crowds.

Who should attend?

If crowds zap your energy, this event is for you. Less people-y for the win.

If you have a rest day during your trip, do Disney After Hours on that day. Sleep in and relax at your Resort during the day and then you’ll be ready for the late night.

If you don’t want to mess with Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes, or virtual queues for rides, consider Disney After Hours. They’re not used during the event because you don’t need them.

If it’s your favorite park, try the after-hours event as a different way to experience it.

If you’ve already visited the park on a previous trip, Disney After Hours is a good way to repeat your favorite rides and attractions. If you’ve never visited the park, I don’t recommend Disney After Hours because not everything is open. You won’t receive the full park experience.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World at a busier time of year, this event allows you to bypass the crowds.

Which park?

At different times during the year, you have four options:

Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
EPCOT
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Let’s talk about Disney After Hours at EPCOT in 2024.

How does it work?

Pick your night

The event takes place on select nights in February through July 2024:

February 2, 8, and 15
March 7 and 28
April 4 and 25
May 9, 23, and 30
June 6 and 20
July 18

All are on Thursdays except February 2, which is a Friday.

Buy your ticket

Prices range from $149 to $159, depending on the night. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can receive a $30 discount.

Tickets can be purchased online and in the My Disney Experience app. You have the option of electronic (mobile) delivery or postal delivery. Electronic is preferred because it links with your account, and then you can just use your MagicBand or MagicMobile to get in.

(If you don’t want to use a MagicBand or MagicMobile and you don’t have your ticket mailed to you, you’ll need to go to a ticket window where they’ll issue a physical card to you. The purchase confirmation email with barcode can’t be used to get in.)

On a related note, you don’t need to make a park pass reservation for Disney After Hours.

Create a plan

Introverts are planners, so you’re probably already thinking (and overthinking) about what you want to do during the event. You definitely want to have a plan for Disney After Hours. Three hours go by fast. Figure out your priorities. Rides? Characters? Ice cream? Unfortunately, you can’t do it all. (Oh? Is that a challenge?!)

What’s available during Disney After Hours at EPCOT

Attractions

disney_after_hours_epcot_guardians_standby

You have twelve options (thirteen if you count both missions on Mission: SPACE):

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Did you notice the image above? Guardians is only standby during After Hours! No need to mess with the virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane.

Tip: Be near this ride shortly after 9 p.m. when it switches to standby. In my experience, they had us queue up early and reopened the ride before the official event start time. We were on and off by 9:50 p.m.

If you plan on watching the fireworks, watch them closer to Mexico so you can quickly escape to Guardians when the show is over.

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet
Frozen Ever After
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Soarin' around the World
Spaceship Earth
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Mission: SPACE (Green and Orange Missions)
Living with the Land
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Note: Compared to other parks with After Hours, EPCOT doesn’t have as many headliner attractions where you’d typically find longer wait times on a regular park day.

They are also spread out more. With EPCOT being a large park, be prepared to do some walking in these 3 hours!

Food and beverages

As mentioned above, ice cream, popcorn, and bottle soda/water are included in your admission. You’ll find them at snack carts near Mission: SPACE, Creations Shop, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Imagination! pavilion, Norway, and Canada.

Note: Locations subject to change.

disney_after_hours_epcot_maple_popcorn_canada

Tip: Maple popcorn from the Canada popcorn cart is included in After Hours!

For purchase, you have limited options and many close early:

Connections Eatery (until 10 p.m.)
Connections Café (until 10 p.m.)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop (until 11 p.m.)
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (select menu items)
World Discovery Hot Dog Cart
Rose & Crown Pub

Note: Mobile order is not available during Disney After Hours at EPCOT.

Entertainment

Did I mention 3 hours go by fast? If you can squeeze in some shows and characters, here are your options:

DJ in World Discovery

The music is piped throughout the entire park. (I must admit it’s a little odd to hear DJ music being played within the World Showcase.)

Mariachi Cobre in Mexico
- 10:10 p.m.
- 11:10 p.m.
- 12:10 a.m.
Live bands at the Canada Mill Stage
- 10:30 p.m.
- 11:30 p.m.
Classic characters (I spotted Mickey and Pluto, but characters seemed hard to find.)

Note: Disney PhotoPass Photographers are in the park during Disney After Hours at EPCOT.

Merchandise

Since time is limited, I wouldn’t recommend shopping during the event, but in case you do, here are your options:

Creations Shop
ImageWorks—The “What If” Labs
Treasures of Xandar
Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay
Test Track SIMporium
SeaBase Gift Shop
Plaza de los Amigos
World Traveler

Head in to the park

Your plan is planned. The 1,861 points of light on Spaceship Earth await.

Event hours go from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Your ticket actually gets you into EPCOT at 7 p.m., so you have 6 hours in the park—roughly half the time with all the regular day guests and the other half with just event guests. That’s good to remember because that means you won’t escape all the crowds until later.

(Official park closing time is 9 p.m., but that’s when Luminous: The Symphony of Us starts. By the time it’s over and the day guests have filtered out of the park, it may be closer to 9:30 p.m. before crowd levels seem low.)

Note: After the fireworks crowd leaves, they block off a large portion of the World Showcase. You’ll find it’s blocked off from China to Morocco.

disney_after_hours_epcot_world_showcase_map

Check-in

Check-in takes place at the park’s main entrance on the far left side as well as the International Gateway entrance. You’ll see large yellow signs to guide you. Oftentimes there will be a Cast Member out front directing guests as well. You’ll want to stay to the left as the right side will still be in use by guests with regular park tickets.

disney_after_hours_epcot_event_guest_entrance

In my experience, guests started queuing up between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

A Cast Member will place a wristband on you. Throughout the night you may be asked to show your wristband to go on rides.

If you’re already in the park because you’re using a regular park ticket or Annual Pass, you’ll need to exit the park to check in and get your wristband. I only found check-in locations at the main park entrance and the International Gateway entrance.

General Tips

Don’t spend all day at a park and then attend Disney After Hours. You’re asking for an introvert hangover if you do.

Eat dinner before the event starts.

Don’t expect to walk on all the rides.

However, it’s not uncommon to find 10- to 20-minute wait times during Disney After Hours. Wait times typically go down the later it gets. The longest wait I experienced was 55 minutes, and that was for Test Track.

As much as I like to leisurely stroll through the park, I wouldn’t during Disney After Hours. In fact, I would speed walk.

More After Hours

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Need a quiet spot at Walt Disney World? Look for the old smoking areas!

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.

On May 1, 2019, Disney Parks banned smoking inside the parks. As a result, all these off-the-beaten-path, tucked-way smoking areas were now empty. Disney inadvertently created what I’m affectionately calling D•Introvert Zones, quiet areas where introverts can take a breather and escape the crowds!

Leading up to the smoking ban, Disney had reduced the number of smoking areas, and as of 2019, eleven areas remained. Some of these areas have been repurposed, but many of them remain accessible and are surprisingly quiet. Let’s go over each area.

Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland: Near Space Mountain

Shaded area with benches
One of the quietest, tucked-away spots in my experience

Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.

Frontierland: Near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

smoking_area_big_thunder_mountain_railroad_magic_kingdom

Scenic area next to the water
Not as tucked away

Because everyone passes this area as they exit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, it may not be as quiet or empty.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Africa/Asia: Pathway in between

Scenic pathway
Covered area with tables and chairs

Tip: Get some fries at Mr. Kamal’s nearby and take it up to this area.

DinoLand U.S.A.: Near DINOSAUR

Secluded pathway
Not always accessible

Cast Members are sometimes positioned just to the right of the DINOSAUR entrance, blocking access to this area.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset Boulevard: Near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror exit

smoking_area_tower_of_terror_hollywood_studios

Shaded area with benches
Tucked-away spot

Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.

Grand Avenue: End of street before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge entrance

smoking_area_grand_avenue_hollywood_studios

Mostly standing room
May be used for character meet-and-greets

World Nature: Across from The Land Pavilion

Scenic area by water with monorail overhead
Some benches

World Discovery: Across from Mission: SPACE

Multiple benches
Tucked-away spots

Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.

World Showcase: Between France and United Kingdom Pavilions

Scenic area by water
One of the quietest, tucked-away spots in my experience
May be used for special events

World Showcase: Italy Pavilion

Mostly standing room
Not very tucked away

World Showcase: Between China and Norway Pavilions

Standing room
Not very tucked away

Need a quiet indoor spot at EPCOT? Take a gallery stroll!

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.

Florida can get hot, especially in the summer. I would never tell you not to visit Walt Disney World, but if there’s a time I’d highly discourage you from visiting, it’s in the summer. It’s toasty. But magic can still be found in the sunscreen you’re sweating into your eyeballs.

These restorative niches Susan Cain wrote about—they can be quiet spots, but maybe just as important, they are cool spots. Never underestimate the recharging power of air-conditioning.

Sure, you can find AC if you want to go on Soarin’ Around the World, watch Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360, dine at Connections Eatery, or get in line to meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus. But what if you just want a quiet spot with AC without rides, shows, restaurants, or characters?

Take a gallery stroll!

Morocco: Gallery of Arts and History

“Race Against the Sun: Ancient Technique to Modern Competition” – exhibit showcasing life and events in the Sahara
Limited benches

Japan: Bijutsu-kan Gallery

“Kawaii: Japan’s Cute Culture” – items representing the kawaii pop-culture aesthetic
Limited benches

China: House of the Whispering Willows

Costumes, drawing, photos, and artwork of the Shanghai Disney Resort
One highly coveted bench near the exit
Additional benches if you walk through to the Reflections of China side

Norway: Stave Church Gallery

Artifacts and exhibit about the Vikings
Small, cozy space
Standing room only

Honorable mention – Mexico: Folk Art Gallery

“Remember Me!” – La Celebración del Día de Muertos” – exhibit with art from Mexican artists inspired by Disney•Pixar’s Coco
Standing room only

Note: This tends to be a high-traffic area, so it’s not necessarily a quiet spot.

Need a quiet spot (with AC!) at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

Tips for a highly sensitive Disney introvert

Introversion Insight:

Not all introverts are highly sensitive. They may just have a hard time with social stimuli. But some introverts do share similarities with highly sensitive people. These individuals process social, physical, and emotional stimuli deeply.

Emotions can run high at Disney Parks, good and bad. If you’re a sensitive D•Introvert, you’re feeling all the feels. You have the ability to recognize and understand emotions. You really should see it as a superpower, but sometimes it can weigh you down.

Let’s talk about situations you might find yourself in while on your Disney Parks vacation, along with ways to manage them.

“Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills”

Disney has set the bar on guest service, so when they fall short, it’s noticeable. Nine times out of ten you’ll encounter friendly and helpful Cast Members, but it’s possible you might interact with one on an off day.

(Side note: Some of the EPCOT festival booths are operated by a third party, and I’ve noticed some of those Cast Members are not the friendliest.)

If you’re like me, a sour interaction will haunt you for the rest of your park day. Like Beverly, it will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Part of you is thinking about how you could have responded to the Cast Member. Part of you feels chastised in a way. And another part of you is formulating the email you’ll write when you get home.

It’s easier said than done, but don’t let it consume you. Try to be present. If you find yourself ruminating, focus on what’s physically around you: landscaping, buildings, food, or the smile on your partner’s face. I like to get out of my mind and think of the bigger picture. Think of all the positive interactions you’ve had. That one sour interaction doesn’t have to affect your entire vacation.

“You idiots! You fools! You imbeciles!”

If you’ve been to a Disney Park before, you may have witnessed a family in full meltdown mode. And it’s not necessarily because they’re all introverts who have been overstimulated. The crowds, lines, heat, and stress can be intense for anyone.

Emotions may run high, and harsh words may be said. Like the grumpy Cast Member interaction, your instinct might be to brood over a loved one’s hurtful comments. You feel things deeply, to the point where you might think it would be best to just go back to the Resort. That is always an option, but I’d say most of the time, try and brush it off. Know that this person still loves you just as much as they did before the hurtful comments. Clear the air by going on a thrill ride.

“Oh, d-d-dear”

Is Piglet your spirit animal? I can relate to Piglet. I worry. I overthink. I have anxiety. But that all magically goes away when you enter a Disney Park, right? Not exactly. You might be stressing over getting to your next Lightning Lane or dining reservation on time. Maybe it’s finding the stroller parking, exiting an attraction, and then discovering your stroller has been moved. Little things like these might affect you more than other people.

And that’s okay. We learn to manage like we do outside the parks, but one thing that may help is preparation. Being prepared for different park scenarios can give you a lot of peace of mind. My top three suggestions? Read up on park procedures, know the lay of the land, and become familiar with the My Disney Experience app.

“Welcome to Sunnyside, folks”

Sometimes plans change. One minute you’re in the attic, the next you’re at Sunnyside Daycare. Introverts tend to be planners, so I’m guessing you’ve created a well-thought-out and detailed plan for your Disney Parks vacation. Nice work, pal. But how flexible is it? Or should I say how flexible are you?

You might experience a ride going down, a torrential downpour, or a sudden headache. The people in your party may just want to go with the flow and not follow your elaborate plan. I think there are some compromises to be made. Know you can’t do it all. It’s possible you’ll come back for another visit. But as corny as it sounds, I think it’s important to remain proud of your planning. You put a lot of effort into it. You researched everything so now, even if you don’t follow the plan, you can serve as your travel party’s expert.

More tips

How to survive as an introvert at Walt Disney World

Five introvert planning tips for your upcoming Disney Parks vacation

Five introvert tips while on your Disney Parks Vacation

How to survive as an introvert at Walt Disney World

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 why conserving and recharging our energy is key.

Disney Parks are busy, crowded places. They can be physically exhausting, but let’s not forget about how mentally exhausting they can be for introverts. Here are some tips for preventing an introvert hangover.

Lay low on the first day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom promotes a message of conservation. What they don’t promote is conserving your energy before you even step foot in a park. But in all seriousness, take it easy on your arrival day. Definitely don’t hit up a park on your first day. Travel days are hard enough. This is the perfect time to charge your social battery for what’s to come.

Ease into it. Ever notice how slow and deliberate you are in life? Keep it up, even when you’re full-on excited to explore the parks. You’ll prevent an early burnout.

Become a photographer

Offer to be the photographer for the group. If you’re the one taking the picture, you’re not in the spotlight. It’s a way to regulate how much attention is on you—or in other words—how much stimulation you receive. The more stimulation received the faster you’ll deplete your social battery.

As you’re walking around the park, watching a parade, and taking in the sights, you can distance yourself from the action by placing a camera between you and the environment. It’s good to be present, of course, but your camera can act as a buffer.

Have an exit strategy

Because introverts tend to be planners, you’ve probably mapped out each day of your Disney Parks vacation. Might I suggest a bit of flexibility? You may go into a park day thinking you’ll be there from open to close, but your social battery may not last.

I like to have an exit strategy in place before entering the park. Here’s an example: “We will leave the park for a midday break at 2 p.m.” If you get to that point and feel like you need a break, do it. If you’re feeling fine, feel free to stay longer. But deciding this up front may help if you’re concerned about how long you can handle the parks.

Know your escape route

Speaking of an exit strategy, do you know all your transportation options if you want to take a break from the parks? A midday break is easiest when you stay on property since you can use Disney’s various modes of transportation. But it can get complicated when you realize they have buses, boats, monorails, and gondolas. Here are your Walt Disney World transportation options from each park to each resort:

resort_transportation_from_magic_kingdom

resort_transportation_from_hollywood_studios

resort_transportation_from_animal_kingdom

You’re going to have a great time!

More tips

Five introvert planning tips for your upcoming Disney Parks vacation

Five introvert tips while on your Disney Parks vacation

How to avoid crowds: attend Disney After Hours

An introvert’s guide to Disney After Hours at EPCOT

Introversion Insight:

A lot of people don’t like crowded places, but for introverts, it can be overstimulating. Way too many strangers in one place. (And let’s hope they don’t want to strike up a conversation.)

Avoiding the crowds—my mission in life

What’s included?

This is what you’re paying for:

Lower wait times for attractions
No blazing sun at night (especially important for the summer)
Ice cream, popcorn, and bottle soda/water
Characters

And what I’m really paying for is a way to experience the park without the crowds.

Who should attend?

If crowds zap your energy, this event is for you. Less people-y for the win.

If you have a rest day during your trip, do Disney After Hours on that day. Sleep in and relax at your Resort during the day and then you’ll be ready for the late night.

If you don’t want to mess with Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes, or virtual queues for rides, consider Disney After Hours. They’re not used during the event because you don’t need them.

If it’s your favorite park, try the after-hours event as a different way to experience it.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World at a busier time of year, this event allows you to bypass the crowds.

Which park?

At different times during the year, you have four options:

Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
EPCOT
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Let’s talk about Disney After Hours at EPCOT in 2023.

How does it work?

Pick your night

The event takes place on select nights in June through August 2023:

June 1, 15, 22, and 29
July 6, 12, 20, and 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24

All are on Thursdays except July 12, which is a Wednesday.

Buy your ticket

Prices range from $129 to $139, depending on the night. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can purchase tickets for $99.

On a related note, you don’t need to make a park pass reservation for Disney After Hours.

Create a plan

What’s available during Disney After Hours at EPCOT

Attractions

You have eleven options (twelve if you count both missions on Mission: SPACE):

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Did you notice the image above? Guardians is only standby during After Hours! No need to mess with the virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane.

If you plan on watching the fireworks, watch them closer to Mexico so you can quickly escape to Guardians when the show is over.

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet
Frozen Ever After
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Soarin around the World
Spaceship Earth
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Mission: SPACE (Green and Orange Missions)
Living with the Land
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Note: Compared to other parks with After Hours, EPCOT doesn’t have as many headliner attractions where you’d typically find longer wait times on a regular park day.

They are also spread out more. With EPCOT being a large park, be prepared to do some walking in these 3 hours!

Food and beverages

Tip: Maple popcorn from the Canada popcorn cart is included in After Hours!

For purchase, you have limited options and many close early:

Connections Eatery (until 10 p.m.)
Connections Café (until 11 p.m.)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop (until 11 p.m.)
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (select menu items)
World Discovery Hot Dog Cart
Rose & Crown Pub

Note: Mobile order is not available during Disney After Hours at EPCOT.

Entertainment

Did I mention 3 hours go by fast? If you can squeeze in some shows and characters, here are your options:

DJ in World Discovery

The music is piped throughout the entire park. (I must admit it’s a little odd to hear DJ music being played within the World Showcase.)

Mariachi Cobre in Mexico
Classic characters (I spotted Mickey and Pluto, but characters seemed hard to find.)

Note: Disney PhotoPass Photographers are in the park during Disney After Hours at EPCOT.

Merchandise

Since time is limited, I wouldn’t recommend shopping during the event, but in case you do, here are your options:

Creations Shop
ImageWorks—The “What If” Labs
Treasures of Xandar
Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay
Test Track SIMporium
SeaBase Gift Shop
Plaza de los Amigos
World Traveler

Head in to the park

Your plan is planned. The 1,861 points of light on Spaceship Earth await.

Event hours go from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

(Official park closing time is 9 p.m., but that’s when the EPCOT Forever fireworks start. By the time it’s over and the day guests have filtered out of the park, it may be closer to 9:30 p.m. before crowd levels seem low.)

Note: After the fireworks crowd leaves, they block off a large portion of the World Showcase. You’ll find it’s blocked off from China to Morocco.

Check-in

In my experience, guests started queuing up between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

A Cast Member will place a wristband on you. Throughout the night you may be asked to show your wristband to go on rides.

General Tips

Don’t spend all day at a park and then attend Disney After Hours. You’re asking for an introvert hangover if you do.

Eat dinner before the event starts.

Don’t expect to walk on all the rides.

However, it’s not uncommon to find 10- to 20-minute wait times during Disney After Hours. Wait times typically go down the later it gets. The longest wait I experienced was 55 minutes, and that was for Test Track.

As much as I like to leisurely stroll through the park, I wouldn’t during Disney After Hours. In fact, I would speed walk.

More After Hours

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Planning a solo Disney Parks trip as an introvert

Introversion Insight:

Put an introvert in a new, busy, and extroverted environment. How do they fare? It’s natural for them to be quiet, introspective, intimidated, and maybe even a little self-conscious. But with some planning and knowing what to expect (and knowing they’re doing something they’ll enjoy), they can have a pleasant experience.

Whether you’re in the area for work, can’t get others to come with you (losers!), or you just need a Disney Parks fix, a solo trip may be a good option. As an introvert, you might think a solo trip is perfect. You can be by yourself (albeit with thousands of other guests). But I found the opposite to be true at first. It was challenging! Here are some things I wish I would have considered.

Knowing yourself

Are you an independent, self-confident person? If you’re used to running around town by yourself in your day-to-day life, a solo park visit may come more naturally for you. But I think for some, it can be intimidating.

Consider how comfortable you are in your own skin because when you’re by yourself—at least for me—there’s a degree of self-consciousness. I don’t typically wear Mickey ears in the parks, but if I did, I might feel insecure about wearing them if it’s just me. I’d want to be with a group where we’re all wearing ears.

And depending on the person, you might all of a sudden be insecure about how you walk or talk. I’m pretty sure the odds of tripping over your own feet are greater when you’re solo! That’s just how it works. But I do become hyper-aware of those things when it’s just me. So then it can be harder to live in the moment and enjoy the parks because I’m overanalyzing. Of course, I’ve gotten better the more visits I’ve made, and everyone is different, right? We all have different levels of confidence and images of ourselves.

But you really do learn about yourself. You figure out your level of comfort in different situations. I think you can grow as an adult. I don’t think we ever stop maturing. You end up navigating airports, transportation, hotels, and the parks all on your own. And for me, it forces me to act like an extrovert. It’s good practice for the noisy extroverted world we live in outside the parks.

I sometimes rely on my spouse to hold up a conversation or let them guide a social interaction, so when I’m solo, this is my chance. I talk to more people. I sometimes find Cast Members are more talkative to you as well if they notice you’re solo.

You also might feel a sense of freedom. I think when you live in a certain place for a while and interact with your same social circle, you get stuck in your ways. You act a certain way around these people. So when you take that solo trip, I feel like you can let loose a bit more.

Navigating the parks

You create your schedule. If you want to stare at all the signs in Africa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a half hour, you can. PS: This is something I’ve done, and it’s glorious—so many small details in those signs. But you decide how early you arrive and how late you stay. You also decide when you need a break to go back to the Resort midday. With a group, you’re at the whim of others in your party.

You don’t have to do rides or attractions you don’t like. And on the flip side, you can do the rides or attractions you like, the ones you can’t get your spouse to go on or experience. When I’m with my spouse, we don’t usually stop to enjoy the parades or the streetmosphere performers. But I can easily do that when it’s just me.

You might use those single rider queues. Normally when I’m with a group or even just my spouse, we’ll still ride together and not do single rider. But when you’re solo, you can take advantage of it, which means a shorter wait for the ride, of course, but also less time awkwardly standing in the long regular line with other groups surrounding you.

For me, it could also mean doing rides or attractions I’ve experienced before because I’m familiar with them. The newness of the solo situation may seem overwhelming, so visiting those places I’m already comfortable with can be reassuring.

You can go at your own pace. If you typically get slowed down by a group of people, this is your chance to get your steps in and walk at your normal fast pace. For me, though, it means I can go at a more leisurely pace. I can take in the sights and stop wherever I want. Disney Parks are known for their attention to detail, so I can really spend time noticing those details and spotting hidden Mickeys. As silly as it sounds, I find myself daydreaming a bit more. It’s definitely a more relaxed experience once you get used to it.

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One of my goals in life is to avoid crowds whenever possible, and this includes at the parks. What’s nice about a solo trip is you can steer clear of the crowds. You might normally go with someone who only watches the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the crowded hub area. Great view but it’s also very people-y. So when it’s just you, you can opt for a less crowded fireworks spot and be okay with it.

But let’s not forget—everything is now on you to figure out (no pressure!). You don’t have that support of a small group or significant other who would normally act as that buffer where they’re normally the one to talk to Cast Members.

When I get up to the boarding area for a ride, for example, I don’t typically tell the Cast Member how large my party is because I let someone else go in front of me. They more or less lead the way, and I get to tag along. I tend to do that as we’re walking around the parks too. If we hit a bottleneck of people, my spouse is usually leading the way and breaking through the crowd so I don’t have to. Little things like that are now left up to you as a solo traveler.

Eating solo

What’s nice about a solo Disney Parks trip is you can eat whatever and wherever you want. You don’t have to compromise based on what the group wants.

But we should mention eating alone. Are you comfortable eating alone in a public place? This is something that’s a little awkward for me for some reason. And it’s amplified in a sit-down, table-service restaurant. Quick-service restaurants aren’t as bad.

At a table-service restaurant, I feel like all eyes are on me. I start wondering what the other guests are thinking about this guy eating by himself. And a small part of me feels guilty about taking up a table when a server could have a larger group and receive a larger tip. So when I’m on a solo trip, I don’t do table-service restaurants. It’s just quick-service restaurants or snack carts. (I will make an exception for Nomad Lounge because I love that place so much.) But for most meals as a solo traveler, I’ll typically grab it and go and eat while I’m walking around. I won’t always sit down in the seating area of the quick-service restaurant.

Fighting the loneliness

It can be lonely. You’re still creating memories with the parks, but they’re not shared memories with loved ones. I’m a nostalgic person, so I’m always reminiscing about past trips I went on with friends and family. It’s nice to have that connection. So you might miss that connection. But one thing that may help is sharing your solo trip as you’re going along on social media. So even though you’re by yourself, you’ll still feel connected to those in your social media circle.

Packing your essentials

Logistically, remember to pack what you think you’ll need. I’m the type of person who dislikes carrying anything when I’m at the parks. It’s just easier and less stressful for me when navigating the logistics of rides. So If I’m by myself, I don’t have that spouse who brought everything I might need in a bag. I have to remember what to pack and what I’ll use to haul it around with.

Relaxing with some liquid courage

I jokingly refer to alcohol and coffee as my liquid extroversion or liquid courage. But I really do think there’s some truth there. As you might expect, it helps me loosen up, and it gets me out of my head. Introverts tend to spend a lot of time thinking—and overthinking—life. I’ll sometimes say something to a Cast Member and then an hour later I’ll be analyzing what I said, wondering if what I said made sense or if it was really funny or not. So liquid extroversion helps me relax and be present while at the parks, especially if I’m there by myself.

Realizing you’re not the only one

Vacationing solo may not be as common on a non-Disney vacation, but you’ll be surprised by how many solo travelers you’ll see at the parks. You won’t be the only one! That should give you some reassurance.

You’re going to have a great time. You’re going to a Disney Park after all. I’ll fully admit it was weird—at first—to visit the parks by myself. It’s a different park experience, but I think if you can keep these things in mind, you’ll feel prepared and excited about your upcoming solo trip.

Furthering the discussion

I sat down with Matthew of the Imagination Skyway podcast, and we chatted all about solo trips to Walt Disney World. (It was a very non-introvert thing for me to do. Hello, anxiety. But it was a lot of fun too.) I invite you to listen to that episode (and go easy on me) if you’d like more tips on solo visits to Walt Disney World.

Introvert hack: book a Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Package

Introversion Insight:

Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. Uncertainty can make an introvert anxious. While we’re at it, let’s avoid crowds. Large groups of people can drain an introvert’s social battery quickly.

The Garden Rocks Concert Series takes place each year at EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. These concerts are included in your EPCOT park admission.

2023 show schedule

Glass Ceiling
March 1 & 2

Steve Augeri, former Journey lead vocalist
March 3 & 4

Daughtry
March 5 & 6

Audio Exchange
March 7–9

Tommy DeCarlo
March 10 & 11

Smash Mouth
March 12 & 13

Element
March 14–16

Mike DelGuidice
March 17 & 18

Blue Oyster Cult
March 19 & 20

The Vybe
March 21–23

Berlin
March 24 & 25

The Pointer Sisters
March 26 & 27

The Female Collective
March 28–30

Luis Figueroa
March 31

Piso 21
April 1 & 2

Melina León
April 3

Epic Live!
April 4–6

STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 7 & 8

Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles
April 9 & 10

Foreigners Journey
April 11–13

Blue October
April 14 & 15

Switchfoot
April 16 & 17

Evolution: Motown
April 18–20

A Flock of Seagulls
April 21 & 22

Jo Dee Messina
April 23 & 24

The Hooligans
April 25–27

Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, the voice of Player
April 28 & 29

Kool & The Gang
April 30 & May 1

Finesse
May 2–4

Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 5–8

Latin Ambition
May 9–11

The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
May 12–15

506 Crew
May 16–18

A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce
May 19 & 20

Casting Crowns
May 21 & 22

M-80s
May 23 to 25

Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago
May 26 & 27

Rick Springfield
May 28 & 29

The Champagne Orchestra
May 30–June 1

Plain White T's
June 2–5

Glass Ceiling
June 6–8

The Spinners
June 9 & 10

The Commodores
June 11 & 12

Element
June 13–15

Vertical Horizon
June 16 & 17

Tony Orlando
June 18 & 19

Foreigners Journey
June 20–22

Simple Plan
June 23–26

Epic Live!
June 27–29

Living Colour
June 30 & July 1

Wang Chung
July 2 & 3

Evolution: Motown
July 4 & 5

For each of these dates, there are three performances: 5:30 p.m. 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m.

You can also add an optional dining package. Let’s see how it works and why it might be a good option for introverts.

How it works

Decide which musician and restaurant

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation, your dates may not revolve around a single act’s performance at Garden Rocks. (Or maybe they do because you’re a big Rick Springfield fan. Don’t forget to pack your Jessie’s Girl T-shirt.) It may just be the luck of the draw based on when you’ll be at the parks—and more specifically when your EPCOT day is.

Keep in mind dining packages are only available Friday through Monday.

Once you know your date and musician, it’s time to pick your restaurant. For 2023, you have eight to choose from:

I’d recommend Le Cellier. (We did Coral Reef just to check it off our list.)

Compare prices

Is the Garden Rocks Dining Package a good deal? No, not really. Even if you pick the most expensive items on the menu, you may not come out ahead. But you're not booking a dining package because of the value. More on that soon.

Adult prices below are for ages 10 and up; child prices are for ages 3 to 9.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: $74 | $48
Biergarten Restaurant: $60 | $34
Coral Reef Restaurant: $69 | $27
Garden Grill Restaurant: $66 | $43
Le Cellier Steakhouse: $95 | $36
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue: $35 | $20
Rose & Crown Dining Room: $59 | $25
Spice Road Table: $47 | $20

Make the reservation

You can book your dining package online, through the My Disney Experience app, or by phone (407.939.3463) for lunch or dinner up to 60 days in advance. Keep in mind the reservation time has to be 2.5 hours before showtime. So if you opt for dinner, it may be an early dinner. The system will automatically pick your showtime when booking online. If you’d like a different showtime, it’s best to call.

If you want to wing it, you can also try for a same-day dining package at Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Visit the restaurant that day to see what’s available.

Dine at restaurant

I hope you’re hungry because the dining package includes a nonalcoholic beverage, an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for each person.

For Akershus, Biergarten, and Garden Grill, it includes a nonalcoholic beverage and full buffet/family-style meal for each person.

For Spice Road, each person receives a nonalcoholic beverage and two small plates. The table receives a shared dessert platter.

You’ll order from the restaurant’s regular menu. There isn’t a special Garden Rocks menu. Your server will know you have the dining package and can explain your options, if needed.

Attend concert

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You’ll be given your show tickets at the restaurant at the end of your meal. The tickets say to arrive 15 minutes before showtime; however, if it’s a popular musician or you just want to be as close to the front as possible, I would show up 30 minutes before.

The Garden Rocks Dining Package guarantees you a seat, but it doesn’t guarantee you a certain row or seat.

Concerts take place at the American Garden Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. There are two queues. If you’re facing the theatre, the queue on your right is standby. The queue on your left is just for dining package guests like you. The queues are clearly identified with large signs.

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Once you show the Cast Member your ticket, you’ll be directed to the section reserved for dining package guests. It’s first come, first served, so pick where you want to sit. This section is typically the front left section, so you’ll have a good seat for the show.

Why the dining package is for introverts

So what are you really paying for? For D•Introverts, it’s peace of mind. You have a guaranteed seat for the show, so you’ve eliminated the potential worry and anxiety of not knowing if you’ll get in. This is especially helpful when it’s a popular musician since capacity may be reached for the standby sections.

Speaking of standby, you don’t have to camp out early in a long standby queue that’s only partially shaded. So you’ll avoid that crowd and have more time to roam World Showcase. Win and win! It’s a much more relaxed, VIP experience. And as you know, it’s always nice if you can have less stress during an already stressful vacation.

Five things introverts should do before their 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.

Planning ahead offers introverts peace of mind, especially when we’re navigating a busy theme park. Whether you’re an introvert, or you’ll be traveling with introverts, do these five things before leaving.

Download and learn the mobile app

We are in the age of apps—and Disney Parks are no exception. Walt Disney World Resort’s app is called My Disney Experience. Disneyland Resort’s app is just called Disneyland. (They have separate apps, but you use the same Disney account login.)

You can still find physical guidemaps at the parks, but the apps have maps plus a lot more.

Dining reservations
Mobile food orders
PhotoPass photos
Wait times
Show times

Download, log in, and learn the app before leaving home. It is mostly user friendly, but there’s something that happens to my brain when I’m hot, tired, and surrounded by people. I feel this invisible pressure that makes it harder for me to focus on a task—in this case the park’s app. Anybody else?

If you plan on using Genie+ during your trip, brush up on this relatively new service. It’s a beast in and of itself.

Study the park maps

Speaking of maps, you can find interactive maps within the app. You can also download PDFs online. Vacations can be fun but stressful if you don’t know where you’re going, and the parks are big. Spend some time reviewing the maps before leaving to get the lay of the land. You’ll also save yourself some time.

Figure out transportation

On a related note, how do you get from point A to point B on the map? Transportation may not be as overwhelming at Disneyland Resort since destinations are closer together, but Walt Disney World Resort is another story. It’s like a mini-city with buses, monorails, boats, and gondolas.

Spend some time mapping out where you’ll be going and how you’ll be getting there. Tip: Use the Get Directions feature in the My Disney Experience app. Just pull up a location, tap Get Directions, and enter where you want to go.

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Build table-service restaurants into schedule

Make some table-service restaurant reservations. After a while, you may get sick of quick-service food, but maybe more importantly, table-service restaurants are more introvert friendly. They allow you to slow down. They often have a more relaxing atmosphere.

And one huge perk? They seat you so you don’t have to hunt for a table. (Does your anxiety go through the roof when you’re wandering through a crowded restaurant with a tray full of food, trying to find an empty and clean table? No, just me?!)

Request an extra PTO day

For me, my PTO days are precious, but I always try to request one extra PTO day at the end of my vacation time. Why do this? It gives you a whole day at home to decompress, recharge, and settle back into your normal routine—not to mention time for laundry. Going from an action-packed Disney Parks vacation straight into (most likely) an action-packed workday can be tough for introverts. Build in that buffer.

Good luck planning, D•Introverts! You’re going to have a great time. Let me know if you have any questions.

Five introvert tips while on your 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.

You’ve researched and planned your Disney Parks trip for months now (I know you, D•Introvert). It’s finally time to go! Here are five tips to consider while at the parks.

Walk and talk

Small-talk conversations can be hard for introverts. You may be perfectly fine with silence, but the others in your group may turn it into awkward silence while you’re waiting in line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This may sound weird to an extrovert, but think of topics ahead of time—even create a list on your phone that you can consult when conversation gets tough.

Another idea is to walk and talk. Instead of sitting around a table, keep walking. You may actually find it’s easier to have a conversation while walking. You don’t have to make eye contact as much, so your brain can more easily concentrate on what you want to say.

Consume liquid extroversion

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Did you know Disney Parks pour and brew liquid extroversion? It’s truly a magical place. I call alcohol and coffee liquid extroversion (or sometimes liquid courage). A drink or two can take the edge off your anxiety about socializing, crowds, and attractions.

Help your travel party understand you

Do people ever ask you if you’re having a good time? In your head, you’re thinking, “Duh, of course I am. I’m at a Disney Park.” But it might not be obvious on your straight face. Or maybe you're just being your quiet normal self.

To an extrovert, they may think you’re not enjoying a ride or show because you’re not outwardly expressing your emotions. They need more reassurance that you’re having a good time. I think it’s completely fair to reassure them, but make sure they understand how you experience the parks.

Express who you are

It’s totally okay to stay quiet, reflect, and analyze what you’re experiencing. It’s what we do best as D•Introverts. But I need to remind myself: it’s also okay to show my enjoyment publicly! And this leads me into my last tip…

Don’t be self-conscious

Let’s go back to where you’re waiting in line with your travel party. Do you ever feel self-conscious of what others may think if they overhear what you’re saying to your group? Even though it’s not true, you might think you’re being too loud or what you’re saying is lame to the person overhearing.

One thing I love about Disney Parks is the fact that they are no judgment zones. All walks of life enter the parks, truly. You can feel comfortable being your introverted self inside a Disney Park.

Well, you’re all set. Put those comfortable shoes on and enjoy your Disney day! Let me know if you have any questions.