Favorite Hidden Spots in the Parks

[spinnerf]

The Carousel of Progress! LOL

I would agreewith the China theater entrance. A great place to cool off, people watch, and enjoy ancient Chinese art. I spent an hour in there recently giving one of the kids a nap.

[linedropper]

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.

I agree, we always grab some fish and chips then head back to the garden! Also great spot to get Pooh and Tigers autograph!

[brad817]

Push the Talking Trash Can at Magic Kingdom is great. My kids love him. We always have to stop and wait for Push.

[epceddie]

My wife and I discovered the cabanas at the Contemporary on our last visit in February. There are two on the corners of the circular quiet pool that juts out into the water. Two others are closer to the main pool. You can book them for a morning, an afternoon, or the whole day.
We rented ours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and it was one of the most relaxing, stress-free days we've ever spent at Disney.
We already have one reserved for our trip in December. We like to go midweek to take it easy and recharge our batteries.

[Quadstriker]

What about the secret column outside of Rose & Crown?

[Kati]

What about the secret column outside of Rose & Crown?

Oh I LOVE the Rose & Crown - that's definitely a must-see on the list!

[Mitzie]

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.

I couldn't agree more. Did this a couple of years ago and it is still one of my fondest memories!

[BrerSchultzy]

I've got two that I never see mentioned anywhere:

1. Everyone on these boards knows about the upper floor of Columbia Harbour House by now...but did you know Pinocchio's Village Haus has an upstairs too? It's not always open, but when it is, there are four or five tables on a balcony up there overlooking FL (and now the construction for FLE).

2. Watch the fireworks from Frontierland. The show is a little different, but it's always empty.

Oh, and one more...between the Yacht & Beach Club and the Boardwalk there's a little fountain and lawn. Incredibly secluded. And finally, one that others know about, but I haven't seen on this thread...always walk all the way to the back of the World Showcase pavilions. Most guests only go to the first few shops, and they miss the museum in the back of Japan, or the quiet streets in the back of Morocco.

[DisneyDawgette]

In MK, be sure to visit Aloha Isle! To the right of the stand there is a big, empty area that is near what I believe is a character meet and greet! When we went in June, we stopped by after Wishes! to grab a Dole Whip and chill out on the floor while the park cleared out so that we could get a good seat for the 11pm Spectromagic! We ate, and then moseyed over to Main Street and got an incredible seat right on the curb! I would definitely recommend this plan of action- we had a group of about 35 and it worked flawlessly, so I'm sure with two of you, it would be a piece of cake!

[Crow]

I've got two that I never see mentioned anywhere:

1. Everyone on these boards knows about the upper floor of Columbia Harbour House by now...but did you know Pinocchio's Village Haus has an upstairs too? It's not always open, but when it is, there are four or five tables on a balcony up there overlooking FL (and now the construction for FLE).

2. Watch the fireworks from Frontierland. The show is a little different, but it's always empty.

Oh, and one more...between the Yacht & Beach Club and the Boardwalk there's a little fountain and lawn. Incredibly secluded. And finally, one that others know about, but I haven't seen on this thread...always walk all the way to the back of the World Showcase pavilions. Most guests only go to the first few shops, and they miss the museum in the back of Japan, or the quiet streets in the back of Morocco.

i agree w WS, dont see many people in those parts.

[Urbss]

There have been some great responses to this thread, some I already knew about and a couple I can't wait to check out. I'll try to add a couple new ones:

Make time to witness the flag ceremony at 5pm in the MK right in Town Square on Main Street. I saw this a couple years ago and it moved me in a way that is very difficult to explain.

During MNSSHP we usually try to grab a bite to eat at Cosmic Rays right before the fireworks, then sit on the ledge outside of Cosmic Rays (facing the Castle of course) and watch the fireworks. No, you can't see everything, but it works for us. And, if we are still eating when it is over, we go back in and check out Sonny Eclipse for the remainder of our meal.

On one visit we found that the bathrooms by Animation Courtyard don't seem to be used as much as many of the others. Actually, they didn't seem very intuitive as to where they were located. The best part of this experience was the water fountains - the water was SOOO cold!! We drank and drank and then filled our water bottles. Plus there were shaded areas to just sit and take a rest.

At EPCOT, I love to stop at Club Cool. That is a nice cool place to stop and get a free refreshment (I don't even mind the Beverly drink) and it never seems to be all that crowded.

And in Italy, it is nice to try to time your visit to grab a glass of wine and grab one of the small tables out to the side of the wine shop right before the street performers start.

And one last thought, if you are purchasing any of the PhotoPass CDs, make sure you tell every PhotoPass Photographer that you have purchased it because sometimes they will do a lot more than the norm. We once had a bored PhotoPass photographer in Italy take us all around the area for at least 20 different backgrounds and poses. It was really an awesome and magical experience.

Have Fun and Good Luck!!!
Tom

[A Big Kid]

At the MK - the Car Barn. It is to the left as you enter the MK. The Car Barn is the stable for the horses that pull the trolleys down Main Street.

There is one of those checkers tables in there. Also, there is always a CM tending to the horses who is more than happy to brag about their horses. Grab a cold drink and a snack and enjoy some quiet time in there.

[MKFD43]

Go to fort wilderness for the outdoor movie and smores. You can buy smores kits and cook em over the camp fires.

[Lindsey310]

There are so many favorites but I will name a few:

I love sitting in the wilderness lodge lobby for hours. My husband and I like to watch people's faces as they enter the lobby. We love all the little details there. Also when it is wicked hot outside and you walk inside wilderness lodge, there is an amazing smell that only the wilderness lodge has with that much needed cool breeze that smacks you in the face.

In magic kingdom, right near the launch off for Tom sawyers island to the left is a little shady spot. I like to grab a bucket of popcorn and sit there for a while.

In animal kingdom, taking your time walking around the tree of life is very nice. Especially when the crowds have thinned out and everyone is on the rides.

In epcot, I like to sit near the entrance to future land, listen to that great music and enjoy some cinnamon almonds!!!! A must have every time I go to Disney!!

In MGM, (yes I still call it that and newbies look at me like huh? What's MGM? Lol ok Hollywood studios) I like over on the back street where the "landscapers" aka bandscapers perform. A great show on the back streets with shady spots on the benches.
Have a magical time and to intercot!!!

Only 10 days left!!!!!!!

[Gator]

I consider any spot a secret spot if I can get to a bench or chair before someone else does. Those things always have someone in them. My favorite spots would be a spot with a good view of an attraction and some ambient music.