A Field Guide to Disney Napping

A strategic nap can be an invigorating and cathartic part of a Disney World vacation. Done incorrectly, it can also be a sweat-soaked nightmare that leaves you more exhausted than when you started. Fortunately, I have scouted out the ideal napping locations in each park. While my napping preferences may differ from yours, I think you'll find these locations to be very refreshing.

Magic Kingdom: Carousel of Progress

This stalwart of classic animatronics will lull you to a gentle slumber with its jerky vibration-heavy movement and repetitive lullabies music. While the start-and-stop nature of it might keep you from achieving full R.E.M. sleep, the progression of scenes is great for inducing dreams about time travel or bathing animatronics.

Magic Kingdom, being the oldest park, has a myriad of nap spots. However, it's important to consider set and setting. While Hall of Presidents is a longer show and lacks the herky jerky nature of Carousel of Progress, some of those Presidents can be nightmare-inducing. Stick to the Carousel for a nap free of politics.

Epcot: The American Adventure

The Founding Fathers would approve of your right to nap.

A traveler looking to siesta might naturally make their way to the Mexico pavilion, but this would be a tragic mistake. While Mexico has the simulated night sky and breezy airflow, your only real option for slumber is the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This 7 minute boat ride is barely a power nap, and it features fake fireworks towards the end. You'll want to be awake for this one.

Instead, seek out The American Adventure, conveniently located in the exact spot where your feet will be tired and you'll be cranky. Comfortable seating and a show you definitely don't care about are the perfect recipe for getting to sleep and staying asleep. While the theater is often full, I've always found it to be a pleasant nap spot with ample leg room. A generous 29-minute running time means you get a lot of napping bang for your buck here.

Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney Presents

This underrated walkthrough exhibit has a number of truly interesting Walt-related artifacts before opening up to a small theater. You'll only be accompanied by a handful of other guests, and half of them will be napping as well. Honestly, you could probably stay here through multiple showings of this 15-minute film without a cast member bothering to wake you, making it one of the more flexible nap spots.

While I did once enjoy a lovely nap at the nearby Mickey Shorts Theater, that venue is much more well-trafficked and you're likely to be disturbed by the presence of children. Walt Disney Presents has no such problem. They'll just assume you're a very dedicated Walt fan.

Animal Kingdom: Satu'li Canteen

The layout of this beautifully-themed Avatar quick service dining establishment is ideal for the shy napper seeking refuge from the oppressive sun that is often focused specifically on Disney's Animal Kingdom on the exact day that you're there.

The ordering and pickup area is separate from the seating, and a quiet corner can be your own personal na'rìng (the Na'vi word for "forest") as you enter your cheeseburger pod coma and recharge to ride the Mighty Ikran one more time.

Conclusion

Whether you need a break from the heat or a rest for your feet, Disney offers some lovely places to unofficially recharge. Of course, for a true recharge, you'll want to stay at one of Disney's fine on-site hotels and that's something I'd love to help you with. As a travel agent specializing in Disney and Universal vacations, I can help you find your ideal spot for your most important nap of the day.