For us, a day at Disneyland is a kind of marathon of fun. We love arriving before park opening and getting in one last ride late into the evening (and another last ride and another…) We delight in all the sights, sounds and smells of the Happiest Place on Earth, and we take in as much as we can for as long as we can. To keep that kind of schedule and actually enjoy it, we find little ways to rest and regain some energy throughout the day. Finding a spot to relax in Disneyland can be tough on popular days, but it is so important! Here are our top five places to find some peace and relaxation at Disneyland Park.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, A Treasure of a Retreat
in Frontierland, Disneyland
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is an island oasis and a quintessential Disneyland experience. After just a short raft ride from Frontierland, we like escaping to this rustic island of timbered retreats and rocky overlooks. We adventure over to Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island during the busiest part of the day at Disneyland Park. Somehow, it never seems to get busy at this little gem.
Relax in Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
in Adventureland, Disneyland
Even the flowers sing here, so Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is not the quietest place to rest. Still, this charming attraction is cool on hot days, warm on cold days, dry on wet days and pleasantly dark. The show is fifteen minutes long with lively tunes from the Sherman Brothers paired with gorgeous visuals and sweet humor. We always emerge refreshed and ready to follow Indiana Jones or a pack of pirates on an adventure.
BONUS: All of that renewed energy is doubled when we manage to grab a Dole Whip. We like to mobile order Dole Whips from the Tiki Juice Bar right next door. If we time it right, we can enjoy them during the show. Sometimes we gobble up this refreshing treat before the show even starts. Fortunately, the benches in the attraction’s secluded waiting area are also a nice place to relax at Disneyland Park.
Relaxing Pathways Around Sleeping Beauty Castle and Disneyland’s Hub
in Fantasyland, Disneyland
To find these next places to relax in Disneyland Park, head toward the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle on the north side of the Hub. Skirt around the guests taking photos in front of the castle, and look for some winding pathways off to the side. These pathways are not exactly secret, but neither are they the most efficient routes in Disneyland Park. Because of this, they can be surprisingly serene even on busy days. You can enjoy this icon of Disneyland Park while you relax on its “hidden” pathways.
We particularly like the paths around Snow White’s Grotto just east of the castle and near Pixie Hollow. Listen and you may hear Snow White singing while you rest in the shadows of the castle
The courtyard and paths on the west side of the castle by the Royal Hall and Theater can sometimes be a nice place to rest. This depends on whether there are shows in the theater or princesses greeting guests in the hall. Check the entertainment and character schedule if you are looking to relax here. If nothing is scheduled, this can be a peaceful out-of-the-way retreat.
… and Other Quiet Paths in Disneyland Park
The walkway between Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Bayou Country has calm nooks. The wildlife of Batuu even provide a soothing soundtrack. We like that this spot is lushly landscaped equipped with nice benches. We like to grab a wrap from Ronto Roasters and relax here.
There are also some lesser used paths and turnouts east of Matterhorn Bobsleds. However, we would say that “quiet” is a relative term here, as these are also near the Autopia track. Additionally, this area gets more congested around parade or nighttime spectacular time.
Indoor and Covered Dining Around Disneyland Park
multiple locations in Disneyland
Sitting down for a meal can be a great way to recharge. This tip is one we often forget about while we are excited for our next attraction. When we make time for a relaxed and delicious meal, it makes a huge difference in our visits. Blue Bayou Restaurant might be the most peaceful of all Disneyland dining locations, and there are other wonderful table service spots like Carnation Cafe. Quick service meals with indoor or covered dining like Red Rose Taverne or Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree) can be extra restful if we use mobile ordering and skip the time in line.
A Relaxing Ride on the Disneyland Railroad
stops at New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland
A “grand circle tour” on the Disneyland Railroad is one of our favorite ways to relax at Disneyland Park. With stations around the park, we hop on when our feet grow tired and stay for as many stops as we wish. The track is raised above the bustle of the park, and we get to admire Disneyland’s marvels from the comfort of our seats. Grand Canyon and Primeval World – Land of the Dinosaurs offer thrilling sights, but we still disembark feeling rested and ready to explore some of the area we spotted from the train.
Disneyland Railroad also makes our list of 5 Wonderful Attractions for All-Ages at Disneyland Park
We hope you find this list of our favorite places to relax in Disneyland Park helpful.
Disneyland Park is a great place for endless adventures, but we find that taking a moment to relax at these five places makes our days sweeter. We hope that your own visit fills you with excitement and energy. For more ways to recharge in the midst of a Disneyland vacation, be sure to read 5 Best Places to Relax in Disney California Adventure Park and Maximize Value: Take a Rest Day at Disneyland. For comprehensive advice on planning your Disneyland Resort visit, see Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep and subscribe to our free newsletter below. Thanks for reading!
