Favorite Hidden Spots in the Parks

[Kati]

Hello Intercot!

I'm going back to WDW for my 10th time this September, and taking along the boyfriend for his 1st Disney trip.

I would love for this to be a new experience for the two of us together - and in the spirit of finding new things, what are your favorite hidden spots within WDW? I would love to hear everything, so please share away!

Thanks,
K.

[Mari]

Snap! I'm hopefully visiting again next year with my boyfriend and it will also be his first time! I don't think I have any very secret/special places that I can think of that you probably don't know about already but I definitely think a visit to the Poly to watch Wishes together on the beach would be a lovely thing to do!
Also, be sure to remember to get him a 'first time' pin for him to wear throughout the trip!
I'm looking forward to reading the other posts and see what everyone else has to say!!

[azcavalier]

Well now, that's going to depend on what for! For example, secret spots for eating? Relaxing? Watching fireworks?? Shortcuts? Best bathrooms that no one uses?

The first thing that comes to mind is not a secret, many on here love it, yet it's almost always empty. The top floor of the Columbia Harbor House restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. The restaurant itself is a nice break from regular counter service, and the upstairs is cool, well themed, clean, and usually only around 10% full. Plus it has some great bathrooms there that nobody uses!

[Kati]

@Mari - Welcome to Intercot!

@azcavalier - Looking for all new things, food, great spots to see the parade, hidden rooms/dining, etc. Any personal recommendations are more than welcome

[dizneydeb22]

My favorite thing to do is walk through the Animal Kingdom Lodge! The theming there is breath taking! The shop there also has interesting items in addition to the normal souvenier fare. Look out on the savannah and explore the grounds! I have never stayed there, but have visited and explored many times. My husband and I have also eaten at Jiko-the Cooking Place. It is the best meal we've had at WDW so far. From what I hear, BOMA is also very good. That is on our Restaurant bucket list for our next adult only trip! Enjoy your trip...I hope it is magical for you and your BF. Isn't exciting to know you're going with a newbie!!!

[magicman]

My favorite thing to do is walk through the Animal Kingdom Lodge! The theming there is breath taking! The shop there also has interesting items in addition to the normal souvenier fare. Look out on the savannah and explore the grounds! I have never stayed there, but have visited and explored many times. My husband and I have also eaten at Jiko-the Cooking Place. It is the best meal we've had at WDW so far. From what I hear, BOMA is also very good. That is on our Restaurant bucket list for our next adult only trip! Enjoy your trip...I hope it is magical for you and your BF. Isn't exciting to know you're going with a newbie!!!

If you have dinner plans at the AKL, you might want to check to see if they are doing story-telling that night. We were fortunate enough to hear an African story sitting on the patio/balcony the night we ate at Boma. It was very unique.

[dizneydeb22]

If you have dinner plans at the AKL, you might want to check to see if they are doing story-telling that night. We were fortunate enough to hear an African story sitting on the patio/balcony the night we ate at Boma. It was very unique.

Thanks for the tip! You know in all the times I've gone there, I've never caught it! I've added it to my Disney bucket list!

[BIGDOG]

Here is one of my favorite spots and things to do. Arrive early for rope drop at the Magic Kingdom, early so that you are close to the front. Enjoy the show and when the rope drops hurry to the bakery on the right side on main street. Order one of the lunker Cinnamon rolls and a coffee and grab a seat by a window. Sit there wake up drinking the coffee and eating one of the best foods on Disney property and watch all the crowd roll by.

[waymickey]

One of the best secret spot in disney to relax is the fireplace on the third floor in the WL. Quiet cool and the crackling of fire is just great. Also a nice spot to relax is out on TSI. go around to aunt polly's and sit in one of the rockers and drink a lemonade.

One of the best secret (not really) attractions is going over to the stables at fort wilderness and see the horses.

[MaterializedHaunt]

Oh goodie! This is a nice topic. I am a very quiet guy and i LOVE my quiet nooks in different places around parks and resorts. I could make a fairly large list actually but I will give u just a couple.

Upstairs Harbour House is a great one whoever said that.

I like going to the little nook directly across from Sleepy Hollow snack stand in MK. Its very shady and cool in there and noone is ever in there (at least when I go).

Animal Kingdom is great for a nice quiet walk, you have to look for the little walking paths around the Tree of Life. Last time I went on them I walked and not one person was on it.

Epcot would be that little section up to the left of Captain EO where the water squirts out of there ground. Not much shade there but when ppl exit the EO show and after they disperse, its super nice and quiet.

MGM (or HS for u new people) would be probably the Counter Service place directly next to the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground area. (I go during offseason, so this CS is usually closed and it just nice shaded area semi-quiet.)

[darthmacho]

Kati this is a great question that I always have a difficult time answering, and I believe it is because I'm almost always on the move in WDW and rarely stop and enjoy the hidden spots.

However, whenever I think about this, my mind always goes to the Canada Pavilion, where just beyond the gorgeous gardens is a rocky mountain pass, complete with waterfall, that provides a little shade and the sound of running water. Vary relaxing.

[DonaldDuckUSA]

IDK if this qualifies, but DBF and I like to get away from the hustle and bustle with snack time.

We have a few restaurant bars that we enjoy visiting. We'll order assorted appetizers to split, depending on our hunger level. We have a drink and sometimes we chat with the bartender. Sometimes we don't.

We're out of the air conditioning and eating yummy food without stuffing ourselves and we can move at a slower pace. It's very relaxing.

We find yourself in the Yak and Yeti a lot, but Prime Time is a good time if you're in the mood for colorful staff. The bartender isn't in character, but everyone else is!

[Dopey's Girl]

I love the garden behind the tea shop in The UK in Epcot (just past our very own Column). It's so pretty, and unless the Beatles band is playing, it's always very peaceful.

[Crow]

some good ones mentioned..
watching Illuminations from the balcony outside Tokyo Dining in Japan.
to the right of France theres some shrubs etc next to the shops. or the wine shop in France
down below the bridge between France and England theres an area by the lake.
garden in England where the band performs
as stated the waterfall in Canada
walking the path under the bridge outside International Gateway leaving Epcot towards BC
walking from Epcot to DHS by the water.
the exhibit area in China
the parade passing over the bridge in MK from the castle Towards Hall of Presidents..
having a Dole Whip by Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.
Tom Sawyer Island. actually found the paintbrush once to get a fastpass.
DHS-the backstreets, One Mans Dream. the key under the carpet at the entrance to Muppets.

[Crow]

WL.. sitting on upper floors looking down
Boat to DD from PO, POFQ
walking over bridge from POP to AOA

[wdwfansince75]

As a morning person, I usually look for a quiet place for my first cup of coffee in the morning...dock at CR and Poly, gazebo at SoG...

Hope the quiet (and hidden) walk between the Fantasyland train station (or whatever they call it) and Space Mountain is open again, with the Fantasyland expansion...

The smoking area in front of the Plaza is usually not very crowded, and since my long-haired room mate smokes, we often meet there, and enjoy our hot dogs (from Casey's), and a little quiet, even with the crowds within view

And almost any of the benches or tables overlooking the lake in DHS are available...quiet, although not private.

[Kairi_7378]

I see that you're staying at one of the PO resorts. At either of them, you can take a boat to and from DTD. I suggest doing this at night. DTD looks amazing from the water, especially when it is lit up for the evening. I also recommend walking around your resort. There are a lot of beautiful, quiet paths to explore. We found the food court at POR to be particularly relaxing.

One of my favorite "hidden" spots at the Magic Kingdom is the Cinderella fountain. If you stand in the right angle, it looks like Cinderella has been "crowned" by the crown in the mural behind her.

Make sure to explore all of the countries in Epcot, too.

[LVT]

I have to add the Tom Sawyer Island's floating bridge. It is a stark contrast to the park's that brings me a simple pleasure.

[jwallace378]

On our honeymoon, my wife and I took a carriage ride through Ft. Wilderness. Nice and quiet and saw some interesting Florida wildlife.

[Mom on a Mission]

Fort Wilderness! Plan dinner at the Hoop Dee Doo or Trail's End, take the boat from CR and get there early. Walk around the area, up to the Meadow's Trading Post, and then come back and sit in the rocking chairs on the porch waiting for dinner. They even have checker & chess sets you can play. And the boat ride back to CR after dark is gorgeous!