Our son adores Walt Disney World. However, any child occasionally gets overwhelmed, overstimulated, and tired in hot, busy parks. Most adults do too! With autism, taking a break from the hustle and bustle is especially important. We’ve listed our favorite quiet places at Magic Kingdom for families with autism.
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Preparation is vital. We bring fidget toys and sensory tools to help us through challenging situations, such as when we need to find a Disability Access Service reservation time. Here is a list of our favorite quiet places at Magic Kingdom for families with autism, so you can recharge with your iPad, grab a drink, and wait for your DAS or Lightning Lane.
Bay Lake Tower Villas and Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Visiting Disney’s Contemporary Resort requires careful consideration with the family. In our household, we need to prepare for any significant location change. However, if you are fed up with the crowds at Magic Kingdom but not done for the day, this is a quiet space, removed from the parks but just a monorail ride away!
You will leave the Magic Kingdom and head towards the Contemporary via monorail or walkway. If you follow the signs toward the marina, you will find the perfect place to relax. There’s an outdoor area featuring a quiet wooden deck, picturesque natural views, and engaging water sports.
Tomorrowland Pathway
One of my favorite secret quiet spaces at Magic Kingdom is the winding pathway that connects Tomorrowland to the Storybook Circus. Head to the back of Storybook Circus by the Barnstormer and the Fantasyland train station.
Sensory Warning: Every few minutes, the TRON train launches with a loud whoosh and a high-pitched scream from the riders. If your son is sensitive to sudden mechanical “rushes,” this path might actually be a trigger now rather than a reset.
You will find a peaceful pathway that meanders past the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Walt Disney World Railroad. Service animals are also permitted to use the restroom in this area, which is located next to the Space Mountain gift shop.
Main Street USA Train Station
When you enter the park, the Main Street USA Train Station stands proudly over the park. While it can be noisier and busier when the train departs and arrives, it is otherwise quiet and relaxing. A bonus is that the Main Street train station is shaded and cool, with a couple of benches available for relaxation.
The First Aid Building
There is additional freedom from the crowds near the park entrance if you know where to look. Walk down Main Street USA and head to the left after Casey’s Corner and before the Crystal Palace. While this area is not entirely abandoned, it is a little oasis compared to the rest of the street. The First Aid station is next to the Baby Care Center. However, the smell of dirty diapers can be a bit overwhelming, so I would advise against going inside if your child has a particularly acute sense of smell.
Swiss Family Treehouse
Make like the Robinson Family and head towards the treehouse. The treehouse is shaded and quiet, but there are a lot of stairs to climb. While this is often an empty attraction, people continuously ascend behind you, and you either have to keep moving or let them pass. We always enjoy taking a break from the crowds to visit this walk-through peek into the Robinson family’s home. However, during hectic times of the year, there may be a wait, and it will NOT be quiet. Check the wait times for the Swiss Family Treehouse attraction!
Ye Olde Christmas Shop
Behind the Ye Olde Christmas Shop in Liberty Square is a quiet space with a view over the castle and the lagoon. The only caveat here is that the area can be quite crowded during parade times. We try to avoid the hour before the parade because it can get a little crowded.
Otherwise, we enjoy relaxing here. The bonus to this location is that it’s near the Liberty Tree Tavern, which makes a mean gluten-free stuffing and pot roast.
We are known to have mini dance parties and sip a cold drink away from the commotion. See our little guy’s peanut butter and jelly-covered face for proof of snarfing down some snacks.
Travel Must-Haves for Little Adventurers
Travel Car Seat – Not FAA approved, but safe as a booster in your Uber
Noise-Canceling Headphones – Soothing quiet for little ears
Kid-Proof Tablet Case – Drop-tested and travel ready
Fidget Toy Set – Pocket-sized fun for long layovers
Weighted Lap Pad – Like a calming hug on cars and planes
Pathway leading from Cinderella’s Castle to the Fairytale Garden
The gardens in front of the castle are a charming place to take a load off. They can get crowded in the mid-afternoon. Head down the path to the castle, and veer to the right towards Fantasyland. While they sometimes host character meet-and-greets here, for the most part, it is gorgeous, shaded, and peaceful.
Tomorrowland
Believe it or not, Tomorrowland is excellent for getting away from the masses. The Carousel of Progress is a pretty quiet place in Magic Kingdom. The ride has an annoyingly repetitive song, but it is peaceful, rarely crowded, and the air conditioning is incredible.
If you’re not into the Carousel of Progress, which I don’t understand, there are other options. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority is nearby and has a short line. It is an open-air car that you ride that circles above Tomorrowland. When looking for a quiet place at the Magic Kingdom, our family can squeeze into one car or split among two cars if we need a bit more space. This area makes for a lovely break if we want to take it easy.
Relaxing in the Quiet at the Magic Kingdom
What are your favorite quiet places at Magic Kingdom for families with autism?
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Are you looking for quiet places in other parks? We’ve done our homework.
- Top 5 quiet places at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Top 12 quiet places at Epcot
- Quiet places in Hollywood Studios
Get your kiddo through the park with the Ultimate Accessible Guide for Autism at Walt Disney World.
