Posts Tagged ‘epcot’
Top five quiet spots at EPCOT
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 EPCOT.
Katsura Grill outdoor seating area
- Multiple tables with chairs
- Shaded from sun
Back in Morocco
- Multiple spots: benches or tables with chairs
- Immersive theming
By the exit of Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
- One covered bench
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
To the right of Mission: SPACE
- Long benches
- Shaded from sun
Walkway over to the Odyssey
- Benches with umbrellas
- Shaded from sun
- Covered from rain
More quiet spots
Magic Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Early introverts get the worm at Disney Parks
Introversion Insight:
Introverts savor their alone time. It’s a way for them to recharge after being around a bunch of humans. But also, we’re just more comfortable in our skin when we’re alone (probably overthinking something I’m sure). And when we do venture out, getting out there early in the day is key.
Alone time while on a family or friend vacation to Walt Disney World or Disneyland—it may be hard to come by but not impossible. As much as you love your family and friends, you may get to the point where you wish you had your own space, especially if you’re sharing a hotel room. (Here’s your first tip: pay the extra money for your own room.)
Growing up I wasn’t much of a morning person. I think I dreaded mornings because it meant I had to leave the comfort of my bed and face a stressful school environment. But as an adult, I’ve discovered mornings are prime time for introverts! Have you ever rope dropped Costco? It’s exhilarating. People just don’t like to get up early.
Morning resort walks
But you do. Sleeping in on vacation? That’s for the foolish birds. Wake up early and before the rest of your travel party so you can walk around your Disney resort alone. (This is assuming you’re staying at a Disney resort. You really should.) One reason is they have great lobbies, shops, eateries, and walking paths. Go explore and scope out the place.
Park rope drops
Mornings aren’t just for coffee and contemplation.
And rope dropping isn’t just for Costco. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early at the park. Have you ever noticed how tired your brain feels as the day goes on? Our noisy, extroverted world is to blame. Start off right when you’re feeling at your best. You’ll enjoy the parks more mentally, and you’ll minimize crowds and lines.
How early should you arrive at the park? A half hour to an hour before official park opening time. This is because the parks actually open before the time you see. They’ll typically let you in to a certain point inside the park and hold you there until the published opening time.
Warning: Here’s a corralled cattle moment. Everyone will crowd as close as possible to the Cast Members blocking the way into the rest of the park. It’s tempting to stand back, but don’t. Brush shoulders with these people. (Since it’s early, their deodorant is freshly applied and working.) It will pay off because you’ll be part of the very first group to experience a ride. And you’ll continue to be the first group experiencing each subsequent ride or attraction. You’ll always be one step ahead of everyone else who foolishly entered the park right at the published opening time.
There’s also something reassuring about being in a space before the masses arrive. I bet you arrive early to events at home and work. You’ve learned you’re more comfortable when others join you in your space instead of you inserting yourself into an existing crowd. The same holds true at Disney Parks.
One of the best Disney Parks backstage tours for introverts
Introversion Insight:
It really is all in the details, and introverts notice them. They have an eye for it. There’s something satisfying about discovering small details that often get overlooked. Introverts pay attention to the small things and ultimately appreciate them more.
All magic comes at a price. But for an additional price, you can experience behind-the-scenes magic at Disney Parks—in the form of backstage tours. They’re a great way to learn about the details Disney Parks are known for. But here’s the thing: backstage tours are perfect for introverts, and here’s why.
Small gathering > large gathering
If you had the choice of having a small, close-knit group of friends come over vs. a large group, you’re probably going to choose the former. And it’s not just because of the number of people. You feel more connected in private gatherings. You get a sense of that on a backstage tour, a connection to the other Disney Parks nerds on your tour and a connection to the parks themselves.
Love of learning
Introverts live inside their heads. It’s a nice place to be most of the time (although, it can be exhausting sometimes). We’re always thinking—and overthinking—things. Growing up you actually enjoyed learning new subjects in school. If I had it my way, I’d be a full-time college student the rest of my life.
You probably research and obsess over a particular topic or hobby. It’s just how you roll. And if you’re reading this, I bet one of those obsessions is Disney Parks. Backstage tours help you learn and ponder the parks like you’ve never done before.
Living with the land
Not every introvert likes gardening, but I’d venture to say every introvert enjoys quiet, more solitary activities (like gardening). So one of the best backstage tours for introverts is the Behind the Seeds tour at EPCOT.
If you’re a fan of the Living with the Land attraction, then Behind the Seeds should be one of your (and Stacey’s) must-dos! And even if you’re not, it’s pretty fascinating. You’ll learn about some of the agricultural methods used at The Land, visit labs and greenhouses, sample cucumbers, and touch one particular plant.
Here are some introvert tips:
- The check-in location is inside The Land pavilion to the right of Soarin’ Around the World.
- Check in fifteen minutes early. You’ll sign a waiver and get a name tag.
- Be prepared to introduce yourself. Don’t worry—it’s short and sweet. The tour guide will ask you to say your name and where you’re from.
- You’ll wear an audio device to better hear the guide. The rubber part goes behind your ear.
Behind the Seeds tour
When: Daily, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (every hour)
Length: 1 hour
Price: $39–$45 (depending on date)
Discount: 15% for Annual Passholders, Disney Visa cardmembers (must call to receive discount), and Disney Vacation Club members
How to Book: Online, My Disney Experience app, 407.939.7529, and tour check-in location
Park Admission Required: Yes
Cancellation Policy: Up to 2 days before
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.
Soarin’ to tower: we are ready for introverts
Introversion Insight:
Introverts may feel like they’re on this carousel of life where they interact with the noisy world but then need to retreat and recharge—before doing it all over again. Round and round we go.
But smart introverts figure out a balance (dare I say a carousel of progress?!). They find experiences, social events, hobbies, and even careers that neither overstimulate nor understimulate. They find their optimal thrill rides.
Soon you’ll be airborne, but first I’d like to acquaint you with what makes a ride or an attraction introvert friendly:
- details
- the right amount of thrill
- an organized queue/boarding
- music
Soarin’ Around the World has it all.
Soarin’ makes you feel like you’re hang gliding—something an introvert may not do in real life—using a lift system and a large projection screen. You’ll feel the “wind” in your hair. You’ll smell things. You’ll hear a relaxing score. You’ll visit twelve different world locations. It’s basically designed for introverts.
As an introvert, you appreciate nature and beauty. You notice and love details. This ride checks all those boxes as you discover natural and human-made wonders from around the world. The details are paired with the perfect thrill level too. It’s a ride that excites and relaxes the whole way through.
Let's talk logistics. The queue and boarding process matters. We’ve all been on that ride where we’ve felt like cattle, corralled from one room to the next. (Sorry, Cosmic Rewind, you’re not very introvert friendly.) It feels crowded and disorganized. You run the risk of getting separated from your group temporarily. Little things like this can stress out introverts. Soarin’ has a refreshingly organized queue. Everyone has their own row to stand in during the preshow, and you can’t help but love the single-file boarding.
And the award for best ride music goes to…
Whether it’s the preflight, ride, or exit music, Soarin’ has one of the best soundtracks. Tip: If work is just too much, put the Soarin’ music on repeat!
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!
