Everyone knows that going to Disney means being around a lot of people pretty much all the time. Gone are the days of empty parks and walk on lines, so you need to be prepared for crowds. But sometimes you just need a few minutes to get away from the crowds and take a breather, whether it’s because you have a sleeping child, need a spot to nurse a baby, somewhere to rest your feet, or just need to get away from people for a minute. It may seem impossible to escape the crowds but there are a few places in the parks you can go that typically have little to no crowds most of the time.

As someone who struggles with anxiety especially in larger crowds, I’ve had to find the tried and true spots to get some space. I’ve also discovered some great spots to take your kids when they just need some space to get the wiggles out from taking my daughter to Disneyland. So I’m going to share with you my favorite places to escape from the crowds in the parks.

Check out this post to see the estimated crowd levels for every day in 2024!

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! ***

First things first, you need to plan your Disney vacation. You absolutely have to book with my travel partner Get Away Today! They are a company 30 years in the business of providing amazing Disney vacations for the best price possible. Their tickets are always cheaper than Disney’s prices, you can book just tickets or you can add them to a package with a hotel stay which always have offers of 4th nights free, free parking, and more! You can also add the new Disney Genie+ service to your tickets with Get Away Today to maximize your time in the parks by being able to use the Lightning Lane entrances. You can book you trip with Get Away Today here and at checkout, you can use code RAMBLING10 to receive additional money off of your 2+day ticket/2+ night hotel stay package! On top of that, you can now add Disney Genie+ directly to your tickets when you book with Get Away Today. Now that we’ve gone over that, let’s get into the best spots to escape the crowds once you’re there.

Disneyland

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

This is one of my favorite spots to get away from the crowds when I have a sleeping kiddo in a stroller. You are allowed to roll your strollers in here and they can get some much needed sleep while you rest your feet. It’s also a great spot to nurse if you have a baby as there are a few spots for you to sit and lots of space inside so you can have privacy. Every time I have stopped by this spot, it has never been busy. Frequently throughout the day, the actual show happens so you may notice more people waiting inside for the show but once they let people in it’s usually empty! There are also lots of fun things to look at like various historical replicas and photos, a model of the original Disneyland, photos of Walt Disney himself, displays, and more. The other perk is that this building has AC so if it’s a hot day, make sure to take your breaks here.

Main Street Cinema

Another great spot for kiddos to nap in their strollers or give them a break is the Main Street Cinema. Inside it’s air conditioned, it’s dark, and some of Walt Disney’s earliest animated films play on six different movie screens which will keep your kids entertained and give them a little time to relax. Or if your hot during the day and need to get out of the heat or just want a nice spot to kick up your feet and get away from the large crowds for a bit, this is definitely a spot you don’t want to miss!

Outside Market House on Main Street

As you walk down Main Street USA you will notice the Market House on the right about halfway up. If you turn right you will find a little spot that branches off of Main Street. Usually you will find some flowers in a cart or something like that surrounded by various cute and fun buildings to look at. This is a spot most people pass by as they are rushing to rides, stopping to grab something to eat, or heading into the shops in the area, so this is the perfect spot to just take a breather and get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for a few minutes while still taking in the sights and sounds of Main Street.

Check out this post to see the estimated crowd levels for everyday in 2022!

Main Street Vehicles

A great way to step away from the crowds of Main Street but still get from point A to point B is on the Main Street Vehicles. They’ve got a few fun options like the fire engine, horse drawn street car, omnibus, and jitney. You can catch a ride on any of these at the end of Main Street in Town Square or by the castle.

Enchanted Tiki Room waiting area

As you enter Adventureland on your left you’ll see the Enchanted Tiki room and out in front of it is a waiting area where guests typically wait to be let in to see the show inside the Tiki room. But you don’t have to be seeing the show to go into this waiting area, you can stop by here just to have a look around and break away from the crowds. If you are close to a show time, you will definitely see more people in here but during times when the show just started and various times throughout the day, you’ll notice very few people in this area. It’s also a good spot to let kiddos walk around and get their wiggles out and they also have some fun decorations that they can look at. The Tiki Juice Bar is also right there so you could enjoy a nice dole whip to enjoy while you take a breather.

Adventureland Treehouse

If you’re looking for a place with fewer people but still gives you something to do, don’t pass up the newly reimagined Adventureland Treehouse. The view from the top of this is amazing and it’s the perfect spot to take kiddos and let them play and wander freely without worrying too much about them getting lost in the crowd. There are a few fun interactive things that they can do throughout and typically it isn’t too crowded. You can find this between Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Tom Sawyer Island

The spot where you’re most likely to see the lowest crowds is Tom Sawyer Island. Because it is a very isolated part of the park being right in the middle of the Rivers of America, there aren’t usually large crowds. There are tons of trees which creates plenty of shaded areas and makes it a great place to just walk around or find a bench and relax for a bit. There are also lots of fun things for kids to do like looking for treasure, exploring the fort, and fun suspension bridges for them to walk on. To get over to Tom Sawyer Island, head over to the dock area in New Orleans Square by the Haunted Mansion to board a raft that will take you over.

Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat

The Rivers of America have another good option for escaping crowds and that’s the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat. Both of these boats dock right across from Frontierland and will take you for a sail around Tom Sawyer Island. These boat rides usually last around 10ish minutes and while the boats won’t be completely empty, they do have space where you can spread out away from people as much as you can. The Mark Twain Riverboat does have more space than the Sailing Ship Columbia due to the multiple levels onboard so if you want more room, make sure to set sail on the Mark Twain.

If you’re in the area of New Orleans Square, try out Blue Bayou! Here’s everything you need to know about this iconic Disney restaurant.

Seating behind Harbour Galley

One of the best kept secret spots to get away from crowds is located behind Harbour Galley right at the entrance of Critter Country. Instead of walking straight to Splash Mountain as you pass Haunted Mansion, you want to turn right like you’re going to Harbour Galley and continue on past the restaurant and continue to walk along the dock there. It will take you back to a small seating area with a few tables and chairs and then a path that continues on. Along this path, you can see the logs from Splash Mountain come around the corner right after the final drop of the ride. This is a great place to have something to eat on the few tables they have, nurse a baby or take a sleeping toddler. Not only is it a great spot to get away from the crowds but also entertaining to see people on Splash Mountain after they’ve been soaked! In the photo below, you can see the walkway on the left.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough

Another great place to get away from the heat and crowds is the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough. This path leads you up inside Sleeping Beauty’s Castle as you climb up the stairs and walk along the corridor where you will see displays and photos following the story of Sleeping Beauty. This isn’t a very long thing to do but it still gives you the chance to break away on a busy day and have a moment to yourself. You can find the entrance to on the backside of the castle on the ride side by the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Snow White’s Grotto

As you get to the end of Main Street, instead of going straight ahead into the castle, take the path to the right of the castle and it will lead you back to Snow White’s Grotto. This spot has got a cute little wishing well to throw coins into and make a wish as well as a little waterfall with statues of Snow White and the seven dwarves. This spot usually isn’t too busy, as long as there isn’t a character meet and greet in the area, and is a great place to get away from everyone while still being in one of the most beautiful parts of the parks.

Steps across from “it’s a small world”

This is one of my favorite places to go to take a break, especially with kiddos. Now this area isn’t always available because they do use it for character meet and greets at times, but if they aren’t doing them and you have the option to walk up onto these steps this is a great spot to break away from the crowds. They are located right across from “it’s a small world”, you will pass them on your right as you walk up to the attraction. There’s plenty of room for kids to walk around and you have a great view of the pond under the Monorail which will keep your kids entertained as they watch the ducks. Even though there are no benches in this area, you can always sit on the steps or up against the railings if your feet need a break. Of all the spots I go to to get away from crowds, this is the one I visit most frequently. It’s also a great spot to view parades from to be further away from all the people lined up right on the curb.

Seating behind Edelweiss Snacks

This is another great area that not many people unitize. You can see it in the photo above, it’s a nice little deck area in the pond by “it’s a small world” that has tables and chairs to eat at but not many people go here because it’s kind of off the beaten path. It’s also covered so you will have some shade from the sun on hot days. To get to this spot, you will want to be over by the Matterhorn, the entrance to this deck is right next to Edelweiss Snacks.

Toontown

Most of Toontown is busy with the new play areas hat have been added, but in the back corner between Chip n’ Dale’s GADGETCoaster and Mickey’s House, there is a little patch of grass with some seating that is usually pretty quiet and free from a lot of people. It’s the area where Chip and Dale’s Treehouse was previously and is a great spot to take a quick break if you’re up in Toontown.

Make sure you check out this post so you can make the most of your Disney trip!

California Adventure

Walkway behind Grizzly River Run

This is my personal favorite spot to get away from the crowds in DCA. Right at the entrance of Grizzly River Run, there is a giant grizzly bear. On the other side of the grizzly bear is a walkway that goes up and over the river and leads up to the waterfall which is a really nice place to relax and usually there aren’t many people around. The sound of the waterfall would be some soothing background noise for sleeping kids and it’s also an entertaining spot for adults to watch the rafts come down the final hill of the ride completely soaked.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Located right across from Grizzly River Run is the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This spot is designed for kids to play and run and get all their energy out, but it’s also a nice spot to walk around in the large redwood trees or find a bench to sit on for a bit. Even though there may be kids in the area playing and running around, it’s a fairly large area so you can easily find a spot away from it all and it will always be less busy than the other areas in the parks.

World of Color viewing area

As you come up on the bridge for Pixar Pier, instead of heading over the bridge you will want to go to the area just to the right of the bridge. It’s the area across from the Little Mermaid attraction which is usually the viewing area for World of Color. There is quite a bit of open space here that most people don’t stop and hang around in, so it’s easy to find a spot where you could stop to enjoy something to eat, let your kids walk around or sleep, whatever it is you need. This spot also has the best view in DCA so you have the added bonus of that while getting away from the crowds.

Along Pixar Pier

Pixar Pier is one of the busier areas in DCA so it’s hard to find a spot where you can have some space, but along the pier there are a few areas that have some benches that sometimes aren’t too busy, but that isn’t as common as people want to sit somewhere. So instead of trying to find a bench, we usually go up against the railing a little further up on the pier where we can watch the Incredicoaster take off from the station. It can be a little hit in miss with how busy it is, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area and need a little space from everyone.

Seating by Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta

At the far end of the Paradise Gardens area of the park, there are two restaurants that have lots of seating which during off meal times can have quite a bit of empty space. But there is a small area that’s a little more separated from the rest of the seating on the far end of Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta as you head toward Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind, that is where I try to find a spot if I can. There are less tables in this spot and less people sit here because it’s further away from the restaurant.

Need a longer break from the crowds? Check out these sit down restaurants!

Seating across from Radiator Springs Racers

As you walk all the way down the road in Cars Land and make it to the Stanley statue, instead of turning right to go to Radiator Springs Racers you will go left and there is a small seating area off to the side. Not many people take advantage of this area so it’s a great spot for sleeping kiddos or nursing a baby if necessary.

Seating behind Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

Another spot you can go in Cars Land is located behind Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, right off the walkway that connects Avenger’s Campus and Cars Land. It’s just a few umbrellas with some chairs but this area isn’t usually as busy so these spots are usually pretty open for you to take break for whatever you need. It’s also far enough off the path that it gives you the chance to get away from the crowds for a bit while you watch Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters.

Hollywood Backlot stage area

This area is one of the biggest places to break away from the crowds. This area really only has Monsters Inc and Mickey’s PhilharMagic so there aren’t usually very many people in the big open area of the backlot, especially if there are no shows going on on the stage. There are some benches around here as well as some shade which makes it the perfect spot to hang out. You can also find some cute characters like Chip and Dale hanging out on the stage for photo ops sometimes so if you need a break, don’t miss out on this spot right in the center of Hollywood Land.

Animation Academy and Sorcerer’s Workshop

This is one of my favorite spots to go to get away from the heat and the crowds. There are several things to do here as well so you are still entertained instead of just sitting around. The first is that you can take a class at the Animation Academy where they will teach you how to draw a Disney character. While there will be other people in the class with you, you have your own seat and have a little more personal space then if you were standing in line. If you don’t want to take a class, you can head to the other part of the Animation Building where inside they have tons of movie screens up on the walls which is great for little kids to keep them entertained or even adults. They also have an area called Turtle Talk with Crush that’s a fun option for kids. There are a few benches in the Animation Academy but not a ton, but you can sit against the walls in certain areas if you need to rest your feet. Also be aware that you cannot bring strollers in so if you have a kiddo sleeping in the stroller, you’ll have to find somewhere else to take them to sleep.

Also in the Animation Building is the Sorcerer’s Workshop. There is a ramp that leads below inside the Animation Building that will take you down to this area. Not only is this spot really amazing to see all the details, but it is an awesome spot for kids to explore. They have all sorts of fun gadgets, spots for them to draw, and interactive aspects.

Find a complete list of non-ride activities at Disney on this post

And there you go! Some of my favorite places to get away from the crowds at Disney. Whether you are going during the off season or during the busiest months of the summer, all of these spots will give you the break you need from the crowds for a bit. Hopefully you found this helpful for your upcoming Disney trips!

Want more Disney tips and content? Follow me on Instagram @theramblingintrovert