There is a popular saying amongst guests – “Disney” tired is real, ya’ll! And if you’ve been to Disney, you know full well that early mornings, late evenings, tens of thousands of steps and being out of your normal rhythm will exhaust you quickly. But we convince ourselves into thinking that any down time will result in us not getting our money’s worth and that we are wasting precious time. Turns out, resting and sleeping is a very important daily activity you should squeeze into your days at Disney. But where are the best places to catch some zzz’s if you don’t want to go back to the resort? That’s where today’s article comes in…
Welcome to Believe Vacations Weekly Article where today, we are going to share with you the best places to have Naptime at Disney. You may remember Annah Billings (formerly Williams) from our Young Couples at Disney article. She is going to provide the young adult perspective and share her favorite places to catch some sleep for herself. We welcome Mattea Pavlick to her first article/video. She will bring the “Mama Perspective” to the questions and share with us the best places for children to nap while on vacation. Don’t fall asleep on this great advice folks!
Where is the best place to nap at Magic Kingdom?
Annah – Magic Kingdom has a lot of attractions so Carousel of Progress is a great, long, air-conditioned nap. “it’s a small world” is long and you can get a nap. PeopleMover is a nice ride in the breeze. It may be blasphemous but Haunted Mansion has the perfect amount of darkness.
Mattea – I agree with the cool and dark, somewhat quiet Carousel of Progress. Same with Hall of Presidents. Kids aren’t super into the shows. And they are 20+ minutes!
…at EPCOT?
Mattea – You can nap all day in the stroller as you are going through the World Showcase. I also recommend Spaceship Earth for parents to stop walking and enjoy the dark.
Annah – The very beginning part of Living with the Land with the rain and darkness is the best nap time of ALL Disney properties. But you have to wake up for the gardens.
…at Hollywood Studios?
Annah and Mattea – Muppets 3D Vision! From the pre-show and then characters that are not as popular with small kids these days, to the comfortable seats, you can fall asleep here.
…at Animal Kingdom?
Mattea – The train rides to and from Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Just a few minutes for kids to be still to shut their eyes.
Annah – It’s one of my favorite parks so I don’t sleep too much there. But the Finding Nemo show is a long show in the dark. Great naps there!
What mode of transportation is the best for naps?
Annah – The Skyliner because you have your own gondola. If you take a bus that is not busy, you can go to the back and take a nap.
Mattea – For kids, they will always crash on buses regarding of the hour you are returning back to the resort. But if you want to stay close to the park, hop on one of the ends of the monorail and ride a few loops before going back into Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
Do you need to go back to the resort for a nap?
Annah – When we are in the park, we’re not always riding so we will find some “down time” and rest in the park around the afternoon or so. If we rope dropped, yes, a nap at the resort may happen.
Mattea – Going back to the resort is not just for the kids, it’s for me as well. I like to feel clean and if we are staying out late at night, a fresh look and a new outfit make for better pictures and a more relaxing dinner. Also, if you go during the school year and kids miss class, you may need to go back to take some activities online. It’s a mental rest for me, an emotional rest for the kids and a physical rest for all.
Is there a random place you recommend for naps?
Annah – Any lobby is a good napping area. They are pretty comfortable. But in the parks, look for little nooks and turns where there are not a lot of people walking through.
Mattea – Loungers by the pool are nice but hammocks at some of the resorts are really nice!
Final Advice
Annah – Disney tired is real! Catch some sleep when you can because you really will feel refreshed and energized when you wake up.
Mattea – If you can stick with a stroller for a few years, they may feel and look too old but as a parent, you’ll be thankful you’re pushing them around for a nap rather than you carrying them.
