Even adults get exhausted and overstimulated in the theme parks at Walt Disney World. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are fewer shaded areas than in other lands. When you throw these in with a son with autism, you get creative. Over the years, I have discovered the quietest places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Preparing for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
While I know what works best for our family, consider these tips for your child as well. If you’re not familiar with the story of my incredible son, I’ve shared it on the blog. Just because they work for us does not mean that they will work for you. There are many ways to prepare.
- Show them ride videos, discuss expectations, and prepare a social story.
- Decompress daily in your hotel room or by the pool.
- Bring a tablet or a loved possession.
If this trip is once in a million, you can still go hard on this expensive vacation. However, it will require preparation and the presence of more than one adult. In our family, we take the kids somewhere shaded and relaxing, while the other chooses a new reservation using the Disney Accessibility Service (DAS).
The Top 8 Quiet Places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney Presents
Located in Animation Courtyard, this is a walk-through gallery. It is consistently the quietest place in the park. It is air-conditioned, the lighting is dim, and it features models of the parks. It’s an ideal spot to let a child decompress away from the sun and noise.
First Aid Station & Baby Care Center
Located just inside the park entrance to the left, these centers offer a quiet room for those in a true sensory crisis. The staff is incredibly patient, and the environment is clinical and calm.
Stressed about Disney? See what sensory-friendly destination suits your vibe better!
Tower of Terror
Second, all the way at the end of Sunset Boulevard is the Tower of Terror. If you pass the ride queue, there are rod iron benches under the overhang of the roof and outside of the gift shop. There is foliage, the air conditioning from the gift shop, and even a drink cart nearby. The courtyard of the Tower of Terror is the perfect sensory break in the evening, as brightly colored lights illuminate the front of the attraction.
Beauty and the Beast
On Sunset Boulevard, between Beauty and the Beast and the amphitheater is a seating area. Our family sits here to relax. However, if you cannot find a spot, the stage show is thirty minutes long, and with headphones, the Beauty and the Beast show can be a relaxing spot to escape the sunshine. However, the crowds seem to gather here in between events.
Echo Lake
Echo Lake is full of glamorous architecture from Hollywood’s Golden Age, like Gertie the Dinosaur and Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner. The wide walkway surrounding Echo Lake (near Gertie) remains a solid option. If you stay on the side closest to Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll find shaded benches that are tucked away from the main traffic flow to Galaxy’s Edge.
The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure
Duck into The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure for an air-conditioned live show that rarely has a long wait. Sensory warning: it can be dark and loud.
Toy Story Land
The Roundup Rodeo BBQ indoor lobby is air-conditioned, themed, and a great place to step in for 5 minutes of “cool down” sensory relief. (Even if you’re not eating there.)
There is not much shade in Toy Story Land, so you will get hot quickly. Bring water and hang off to the side of the path.
There are a couple of quiet areas near Alien Spinning Saucers. When you face the attraction, off to the left, there is an area at the transition point between Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. Off to the right, there is a quiet spot where you get off the ride.
Commissary Lane
Finally, outside the ABC Commissary, one can sometimes find a reprieve from the crowds. However, Commissary Lane has been busier in recent years as folks passed by to get to Galaxy’s Edge. Additionally, the new menu is significantly improved, so be sure to try out the food. Check the mobile menu on the app!
What are your favorite quiet spaces at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? If you’re looking for quiet places in the other parks, check out:
- Top 10 Places to Take a Break in Magic Kingdom
- Quiet places in Epcot
- Best Quiet Spaces in Animal Kingdom
If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend or take our “Choose Your Adventure” to find your family’s next perfect sensory-friendly destination. Join our community for more autism-friendly resources and family travel tips. Let’s build a more inclusive world—one child, one family at a time on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more autism-friendly parenting tips.
