Can Disney Really Be Relaxing?
Sure, Disney can be exactly what you picture in your mind: running between parks, trying to get on as many rides as possible, and grabbing something quick to eat somewhere in between.
Some people LOVE doing Disney this way, and if that is what lights your fire, I am all for it!
But that does not have to be how Disney is.
In fact, I think the idea that Disney has to be nonstop is what turns a lot of people away from having a truly magical Disney experience.
Because Disney can be… relaxing.
I know. It almost seems wrong to put Disney and relaxing in the same sentence. But it is absolutely possible. You just have to be intentional about slowing things down.
So, if you love Disney but don't love the idea of coming home from vacation needing another vacation, here are 9 of my favorite ways to make a Disney trip feel a whole lot more relaxing.
1. Set Aside Time for the Pool
It may not always be the case, but let's be real: Disney is often HOT.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with heading back to your resort after lunch and spending a couple of hours, or more, at the pool. It gives everyone a chance to reset, cool down, and get away from the crowds for a little while.
Disney Resort pools also have activities throughout the day for kids, so they can stay entertained while the adults get a chance to relax.
Staying in a park from open to close can be daunting. Breaking up the day completely changes the pace of your trip.
Plus, the pool drinks are to die for (check out my Instagram for how to make my favorite at home - the Pina CoLAVA!).
2. Book at Least One Great Sit-Down Dinner
Disney has absolutely fabulous food and an incredible lineup of restaurants, both inside the parks and at the resorts (and don’t forget Disney Springs).
One of my favorite things to do is book dinner at a resort I'm not staying at. Not only do you get a great meal, but you also get an excuse to explore another Disney Resort. I often stay at either the EPCOT resorts or the ones on the Magic Kingdom monorail line, so booking dinner at Jiko’s in the Animal Kingdom Lodge is such a treat!
And if you have kids, don't feel like you have to avoid the nicer restaurants. This is Disney! With very few exceptions, you will absolutely not be the only people bringing children.
I still remember going to California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort with my family when I was a kid. I appreciate the food in a very different way now, but as a kid? I remember the views of the castle, watching the fireworks, and being able to draw all over the table.
It was special. And now, looking back, I realize those dinners were part of the Disney memories I built with my parents and sister as I was growing up.
Not every memorable Disney experience has to be a ride.
3. Check Out a Lounge
Disney World has an incredible assortment of lounges throughout the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs, and they are some of my favorite places to slow down.
The Enchanted Rose at the Grand Floridian is one of my favorite lounges anywhere. It is inspired by Beauty and the Beast, it is absolutely beautiful, and wow, does it have some fantastic drinks and food.
I find it to be the perfect place for a nightcap, or a cappuccino and dessert, at the end of a long Disney day. Pair it with dinner beforehand at Citricos or Narcoossee's and in my mind, you have a perfect relaxing Disney evening.
Not everything has to move at 1,000 miles per hour. You can intentionally create little moments throughout your day where you simply stop and enjoy where you are.
4. Go for a Walk
In my very humble opinion, one of the best places to go for a walk is literally anywhere on Disney property.
Walk around your resort. Explore another resort. Wander through a park without having anywhere you need to be.
One of my favorite walks is between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian (which I just did this week on my visit to the Magic Kingdom!). It's beautiful, peaceful, and gives you a completely different Disney experience than rushing through a park.
Even walking around the parks can be relaxing when you aren't running from ride to ride.
Disney is the king of small details, and if you're moving too quickly, you can miss so much of what makes the parks special.
Take a walk. Look around. Slow down.
5. Make a Spa Appointment
Yes, you can have an actual spa day at Disney!
The Grand Floridian, Four Seasons Resort Orlando, and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin all have spa offerings.
Want a massage? Book one. Need a manicure or pedicure? Do that too.
If you're traveling as a couple, or you happen to have someone who can watch the kids for a few hours, you can even make it part of a date day by booking a couples massage!
There is no rule saying every minute of a Disney vacation needs to be spent inside a theme park.
6. Make Your Daily Coffee an Experience
I personally find my daily coffee to be one of the most relaxing parts of my day, and Disney has some amazing and fun places to get one.
Instead of grabbing the first coffee you see and immediately moving on to the next thing, make it part of the experience.
Try a specialty drink from Joffrey's. Stop at Starbucks. Or seek out one of the resort coffee shops.
Le Petit Café at Disney's Riviera Resort is a favorite for a reason. Grab a coffee, find somewhere beautiful to sit, and give yourself 20 minutes where you don't have anywhere else you need to be.
Sometimes relaxation at Disney really can be that simple.
7. Take Advantage of Early and Extended Park Hours
If you're staying at a Disney Resort, take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry. And if you're staying at an eligible Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa Resort, look for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours during your trip.
These quieter park hours can completely change the experience.
There are fewer people, the temperatures can be more comfortable, and everything just feels a little less hectic.
Since I am not a big fan of big rides anyway (see my previous blog post about this!), I love these times simply because I get to enjoy the parks when they feel calmer.
Less crowded + less hot = a much more relaxing Disney experience.
8. Actually Take a Break Inside the Parks
Disney Parks are beautiful places. They really are.
Magic Kingdom lives up to its name. EPCOT is stunning, especially during festivals like Flower & Garden. Animal Kingdom might be one of the most beautiful theme parks anywhere.
So slow down and actually enjoy them.
Sit somewhere for a while. Wander through a shop. Bring a book and find somewhere to read (I have done this, and it is actually wonderful).
And every park has its own version of "relaxing."
At Animal Kingdom, spend some time watching the animals. At Magic Kingdom, hop on the PeopleMover and enjoy the breeze. At Hollywood Studios, go see a show. At EPCOT, grab something to eat or drink and wander through World Showcase without an agenda.
The rides do not have to be the focal point of every park day.
Your time is yours. Use it however you want.
9. MAKE A PLAN
I truly believe this is the biggest secret to having a relaxing Disney vacation.
Do the homework before you go.
I know that planning doesn't necessarily sound relaxing, but having a plan means you don't have to constantly figure things out once you're there.
Whenever I plan a Disney trip, I look at park hours first and build the days around them. Then I intentionally add things like pool time, restaurant reservations, resort visits, and downtime.
And notice that I said I add downtime to the plan.
If relaxation is important to you, it deserves a place on the itinerary just as much as a dining reservation or Lightning Lane.
Once you stop trying to do absolutely everything, Disney starts to feel very different.
Disney can be fast-paced. It can be rides from morning until night. It can be rope dropping, Lightning Lanes, quick-service meals, and racing to the next attraction.
But it doesn't have to be.
Disney can also be a morning coffee at the Riviera. A long lunch at Sanaa in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. An afternoon by the pool at the Yacht and Beach Club. A slow walk through World Showcase. A cocktail at the Grand Floridian. Twenty minutes on a bench doing absolutely nothing except taking it all in.
Disney can be relaxing. You just have to give yourself permission to let it be.