When we first came to Disney World as a family in 2011, I had never been before. My wife Lisa has been several times and was a semi-seasoned pro. My oldest daughter, Kate, was 7 and was all about princesses and castles and rides. My youngest, Charlotte, was 2 and has very little recollection of the trip. Me, I was 47, and I had never been.
And it was all I imagined.
The look in Kate’s eyes when she saw the castle live and in person was something I will never forget. She’s been seeing it at the beginning of the movies her entire life – but there it was !!!
Since then we’ve been several times. Okay, several being about 20 times +/-, and we have mastered the Disney process. From parking, to getting around the park(s) to how to get as many rides with as little wait as possible. It’s a skill set, for you have to not only master the technology (the Disney App) but you also have to know how to get from one place to another and also from one park to another. This takes experience. Sure, you can use the park provided maps, but you have to consider crowds and parades.
Everyone has their skill set in our family. Each of us has a piece of the puzzle and together we make a Disney trip work. Lisa is the planner, Kate is the technology director and Chalotte is in charge of setting the tempo and pace. Me, well, I have a special set of Disney skills.
This “skill” set is not for everyone, it’s for a selective set of dads. This specific skill and guidebook is for that set of dads with kids old enough that they can sit still, and the attraction you are attending will hold their attention. Plus it helps if you have a wife to assist with the kids should they not be able to sit still.
So, what is the topic of this post? It’s about naps. Yes – naps. Now, I’m not talking about the lay on the couch and fall asleep watching sports nap. No. I’m talking about the 5 to 7 minutes of shut eye that you need. It’s the 5-7 minutes that you (like me) require to keep us going and ready to navigate the park. See, in the middle of the day, walking around in the hot sun, carrying everyone else’s bags, backpacks and bought souvenirs, a dad needs to regroup. Sure, it’s a dad thing. But it’s also a guy thing. My goal is 5-7 minutes, but hitting the 10 minute mark is achievable.
Going back to the hotel, or AirB&B isn’t an option. It’s in very poor taste to leave the park to rest while your wife is still there with the kids. See, you also want to sleep well at night, so you don’t want your wife angry with you. But let’s face it – you need a few minutes. It can be tricky. You have to get that balance. You have to still be “there”; still taking part in the activity while setting that private moment to recharge.
Me, I’m the master. If there were an Olympic Napping event, I’d be reigning Olympic Champion with a winning steak that would never be challenged. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. No matter the time of day, no matter the sitting/standing situation – I can do it.
So dads. Pay attention. Or, if you are reading this and you know a dad who will be going to Disney World In Orlando, FL soon, share this with him. He’ll thank you. This is my guide for the best places to grab a few minutes of shut eye. You know you’ll need it.
Disney World in Orlando is made up of 4 theme parks. And hidden in the parks are great places to grab those few minutes. But you have to plan ahead. You have to go in with a plan. A good nap doesn’t just happen. Well, for me it does, but I’m a professional.
Anyone can find an empty table or a bench somewhere (amateurs). Disney with kids requires you to be a bit more creative. I used to hide it, but now, my family knows that I have specific places and attractions I go to for that specific purpose.
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Park 1 – Magic Kingdom
To me, this park IS Disney. It has the castle and the most princesses. I will never forget the look on both daughter’s faces the first time they saw the castle live and in person. It has the most rides (by far). It has loads of character interactions. The rides are a bit spread out, so you have to have a plan of attack to get the most rides in. And, of course, you have to plan your rides to coincide with your napping.
Me, I’ve done the rides. I like the rides. I enjoy the rides, some more than others, so make no mistake, I enjoy the rides. I enjoy the food and I enjoy the atmosphere and people. Lots of parades and loads of attactions.
But – most important – two GREAT places to get a few moments of shut-eye. There are several places in this park actually, but two stand out. And – this is important – they are located quite a bit apart in distance, so you can hit both of them with enough time in between that you get full effect. I plan on doing 1 in the late morning and the second in the early afternoon.
Nap place #1 – The Laugh Floor – which is located in Tomorrow Land. It’s a comedy show set to the Monster’s University Theme. The seats might not be the most comfortable, but that’s not an issue. The backs of the seat are pretty good, you can lean back comfortably. And this is what makes it the best, you have plenty of leg room and plenty of room to your left and right. The lights get dimmed so you can see the show, or, so THEY can see the show. While it is a comedy routine, it’s not too loud to keep you from dozing, but it’s loud enough that should you snore a bit (DO NOT JUDGE ME), you won’t be heard.
The show lasts for maybe 10 minutes, so you have to plan ahead. When you walk in and you are finding your seat, if you have a child that might not be able to sit still or might get fussy, make sure you position yourself so that child sits next to mom. That way, should the child become fidgety, the mom can help with the kids.
And guys, don’t be shy. Fully state your intentions. Tell your wife, “Babe, love of my life, I love you. But I need a few minutes. I might shut my eyes.” She’ll be happy you were honest.
*Sidenote 1 – I’d call this the #3 napping site in Disney
Nap Place #2 – The Tiki Room. Actually formally named, The Enchanted Tiki Room. It’s in Adventure Land, and you kind of have to look for it. But prepare yourself – it’s worth it. The show itself is a Musical Audio-Animatronic display of different sets of birds that sing various songs. This attraction is new to the nap rotation. I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t partake in this attraction for the first 15 or so times we visited this park. Not sure why I didn’t think of it. The Tiki Room is now fully in the rotation. It’s across the park from The Laugh Floor, so if you hit both you’ll have a break in between and you’ll get the full treatment. That’s a Win-Win!
You’ll be sitting on benches, not individual sitting compartments like The Laugh Floor, but they have a back and it’s very comfortable. The leg room is adequate. But again, plan ahead. Don’t sit in the front row. The singing animatronics are all around and placed along the ceilings, so they are no bad seats. If you sit in the back rows, you’re guaranteed the full 5 minutes, longer if you’ve been in training and are no longer a napping amateur. And, being that the “show” takes part above your head, you have to lean back to look up. CHECKMATE !!!
Nap Place #3 – The People Mover, also in Tomorrow Land. It’s a nice leisurely ride in a car where you’ll be with other family members. Seating is okay, a bit hard, but easy to get comfortable. It just moves around the Tomorrow Land area at a nice leisurely pace and it will soothe you and invite you to close your eyes. But beware, for it’s too close to The Laugh Factory. So I only use this in case of emergency. This one is prime for a “rest”, but not really a nap, unless you are unable to work in the Laugh Floor.
Nap Place # ? Mickey’s PhilHarmonic. It’s a 12-minute show in 3D – you know what that means – YES – 3D glasses. I’ve tried it once and it has great potential. It’s a theatre setting, so the chairs have nice backs, and there is plenty of leg room. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to hit this attraction, so I won’t give it a full time slot in the rotation yet – but this is definitely a pinch hitter.
Park 2 – Hollywood Studios
Okay – listen up. This park has the PRIMO napping attraction. Listen very close grasshopper – you’ll thank me later.
Nap place #4 – The Muppet Vision 3D. It’s not to hard to find, it’s a very popular attraction. But plan your day. With careful planning comes a great reward. Plan for this show in the middle of your park visit. To early, and you risk not being tired enough. Too late, and you’re already irritable and grumpy and a nap won’t fix that. If you have to waste a lightning pass on this attraction – DO IT !!!.
You’ll have to stand for a while to get in. I call this ‘nap prep’. It’s vital. You have to visualize your nap. The kids might get irritable having to stand in the preshow corral for a long period – but have patience.
Once you get inside, you’ll find theatre seats that have more than adequate cushioning. Nice backs, that while they don’t recline, they are in good position.
What makes this the PRIMO napping attraction – two reasons. Two VERY IMPORTANT reasons:
#1 – the show is 17 minutes long. ARE YOU KIDDING ME !!!! 17 MINUTES. You play your cards right, and you can pretty much guarantee a full 10 minute nap. Now, personally, I think I’ve had an 18 minute nap in there. Yup, fell asleep before it started and woke up as it ended. 18 minutes – consider it a challenge if you must.
#2 – it’s in 3D. you know what that means…… YES – 3D GLASSES !!! Nice dark glasses that hide your eyes so NO ONE knows you are closing your eyes to nap. Me, I’m not afraid, I know I’m going to take a nap, I’ve planned ahead and my family knows it in advance. But, for you dads that have to keep it on the low down. The glasses will hide your closed eyes so no one knows you’re napping.
*sidenote 2 – this is by far the best napping attraction – #1 place. DO NOT MISS OUT.
Nap Place # 5 – The Little Mermaid Attraction – okay – CURSES – they are on to me, and they closed this attraction down. For now it’s off the rotation – but stay alert, it might open again. It’s not a big loss taking this out of the rotation. It was very close in proximity to the Muppet attraction, so it was hard to get a good nap in both in the same day. I’m keeping it on the list in case it comes back.
Hollywood Studios has several shows, each one might get the job done.
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Park 3 – Animal Kingdom
This park is a bit tougher. The Sumstines don’t do this park as much as the others. We get in a ride or two and then park hop to another park. So it’s best to hit this park in the morning, then head to another park to get the shut eye that DAMMIT – YOU DESERVE.
Now. I can tell you, if you are in serious need of a few minutes of shut eye. You can try the Lion King. It’s a really nice show, great costumes and great set designs. The benches can get a bit crowded and they don’t have backs, so it’s not for the amateurs. Have I shut my eyes there? You bet ‘cha.
Also on the radar is another attraction – Flights of Wonder. It’s an attraction with birds, so there is reason to look up, which means a reason to lay your head back.
Animal Kingdom isn’t great for a rest. I like to hit that park early, then hit another park that has napping options, or hit this park later in the day after you’ve gotten your second wind and you’re ready to go.
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Park 4 – Epcot
Epcot presents it’s own set of challenges. Epcot is quite the park. There is a load of drinking – and I do mean – LOADS OF DRINKING – if you care to. As far as the park goes – there are several places that are definitely in my rotation.
Nap place #6 – Space Ship Earth. ARE YOU KIDDING ME !!! This is a ride that my wife Lisa will even tell you, “I closed my eyes for a few minutes on that ride.”. It gets you from the get go. It tilts you back, puts you in dark surroundings and the soft narrator’s voice just beckons you to close your eyes. It’s also quite cool after being in the hot sun and it has the darkness, AND the gentle rocking motion of your car that just wills you to rest. Don’t fight it – go with it.
Sidenote #3 – this is the #2 napping site in Disney.
Nap place #7 – The American Adventure. This attraction is located in the American Pavillion and it has a strong argument to be the #1 spot. It has comfortable seating, it’s in a dark theatre and the movie presentation is…. Wait for it….. almost 30 minutes long. May as well grab a pillow and a blanket. The problem is, my wife and kids won’t do it with me. So sadly, it’s not in my rotation unless I convince the family to attend.
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Other CAN’T MISS OPPORTUNITIES
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. There are many other places to grab a few minutes of needed shut eye. I’ll list two. There is a third and even a fourth, but I can’t do everything for you – you’ll have to discover these on your own.
SURE THING CAN’T MISS GUARANTEE FOR A FEW NEEDED WINKS
1A – The skyliner. It runs from Hollywood Studies to the back end of Epcot and it’s a great way to rest between parks. It also goes to a few resorts from Epcot or Hollywood Studios. The gentle rocking and the hum of the motor makes it perfect for sitting back and relaxing. And if the kids are old enough, let them take their own skyliner so you and your wife can really just sit back, enjoy the quiet and relax.
*Sidenote 4 – my wife and I have left a park to just ride the skyliner and then gone back to the park
1B – there is a small boat ride that also goes from Hollywood Studios to Epcot and hits a few resorts and the Boardwalk. Now, this might not be for everyone, but in a pinch it’s okay to sit back and relax. It makes a few stops between the two parks at a few resorts making it about a 15-20 minute ride. I only use this in emergencies.
No – the monorail is not in my rotation. It’s often too crowded and you’re not guaranteed a seat. You often have to stand, or give up your seat as any gentleman should do.
Is this a complete list? No. Not by any means. I’ve only listed 9 places. There are others. Be creative. Find places in Disney World to claim as your own.
So – you dads out there – You’re Welcome. And to the moms out there. You are also welcome to take full advantage of this list, but go easy on us dads. We’re not as young as we used to be. And being in the parks can be exhausting. Think how much easier it will be, to be around the dad of the family, if he’s had a few minutes to regroup, close their eyes and gather themselves.
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