Posts Tagged ‘magickingdom’
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Best Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurant for introverts
Introversion Insight:
Crowded places can be overstimulating for introverts. Crowded eating establishments add a whole other layer of anxiety. (I still get anxious thinking about the school cafeteria.) Introversion and anxiety tend to be two peas in a pod. Being prepared and knowing how to navigate these situations can help you find your inner peas.
If you’re new around here, a quick-service restaurant at the parks is basically a fast-food or counter-service restaurant. A table-service restaurant is more of a sit-down location with a server. Table service is best for introverts because they seat you, they bring your food to you, and they clean up after you. Easy peasy. But it generally requires a reservation, which can be harder to secure at Magic Kingdom. No worries, though. You have plenty of quick-service options.
But first, the number one rule for any location—avoid the lunch and dinner time rush. We want to avoid the masses of hangry guests.
So what makes a quick-service restaurant good for introverts?
Plenty of seating
There’s nothing worse than having your tray of food, carefully balancing everything, and trying to find a place to sit. It feels like all eyes are on you, am I right? We need lots of seating so we don’t have to trek too far or hunt too long.
Different types of seating
Booths, corner tables, and spots along the perimeter are all great for introverts. We want to avoid places with just a bunch of tables close together in the center of a room.
Easy to navigate
Thankfully, most Disney Parks restaurants are organized and set up in a way that’s easy to navigate. Things we pay attention to: where to order, pick up food, and grab utensils, condiments, and napkins. Tip: Always do mobile order if it’s available. (Since the pandemic, that seems to be the company’s preference anyway.) You’ll avoid the ordering line, and the most talking you’ll have to do is telling them your order number at pickup.
The million-dollar question that stresses me out? Do I pick up after myself, or do I leave it on the table? We want stress-free logistics, folks. I tend to want to pick up after myself, but I’ve also eaten at restaurants where the employees almost discourage it because they have a system in place.
Columbia Harbour House
So here it is. The best Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurant for introverts is Columbia Harbour House. This nautical-themed seafood restaurant checks all our boxes. It has plenty of tables tucked into multiple seating sections, but here’s the best part of Columbia Harbour House—the upstairs.
Not everyone knows there’s an upstairs seating area, which means it’s surprisingly quiet and not nearly as crowded as downstairs. (Yes, it’s true. Word has gotten out about the upstairs. But it’s still a great spot. And remember, you’re not eating at the lunch or dinner time rush, so it’s already less crowded.) Beware, though. Sometimes they close off sections, including the beloved upstairs. You’ll also find this restaurant to be quite cozy, with its warm lighting and wood paneling throughout (hygge, baby!).
Side note: If seafood isn’t your thing, you can also get chicken strips or a salad. Sea you there!