The Best Places to Take a Break at Disneyland

During your visit to the Disneyland Resort you are most likely going to need a break at some point during your day. I have scoped out some of the quietest resting spots in both parks as well as the Disneyland Resorts. 

In Disneyland Park there is the:

Main Street Opera House- take a break and watch one of the shows that will be playing in rotation, either Walt Disney- A Magical Life or Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

Main Street Cinema- watch a short film- currently playing The Last Verse about the Sherman brothers and their “It’s a Small World” song.

Baby Care Center- if you are visiting with an infant or toddler, the Baby Care Center can be a lifesaver. They offer a quiet, air conditioned space with rocking chairs for breastfeeding moms or parents who need to rock a fussy child, a feeding area with highchairs, a kitchenette with bottle warmers and a sink, a changing area, a restroom with toddler sized toilets and a vending machine with any essentials that you may need. The center is located at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. behind Plaza Point.

Disneyland Railroad- you can board the train at Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown or New Orleans Square- the train will take you around the park so if you’re at the back of the park and would like to give your feet and legs a rest, take the train to whichever part of the park you would like to visit next.

Snow White Grotto- if you take the pathway on the right side of Sleeping Beauty Castle, you will come to Snow White Grotto. This is a quiet area to get a great view of the castle and listen to the waterfall. There are no seating areas  by the grotto, but if you continue up the path to the castle, there are a couple benches there. 

The Harbour Galley- behind the quick service location is a path with a few spots to sit and several tables which offer waterfront views of Rivers of America

Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree- behind the restaurant, there are plenty of seats and the location is perfect for viewing the activities along Rivers of America

Mint Julep Bar- located on the back side of Tiana’s Palace near the Disneyland Railroad Station. You can grab some delicious beignets and a Mint Julep and relax at the tables under the canopy of Tiana’s Palace

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island- this area has trees for shade, places to sit and nooks, caves and things for children to climb

Tiki Room Area- there is a waiting area for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room behind the Tiki Juice Bar with benches for you to sit on and rest while you learn facts about the Tiki gods.

Pixie Hollow Nooks- located near the Matterhorn and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. You can walk through the Hollow where Tinkerbell and her pixie friends live. There are no places to sit , but it is a quiet area to escape the crowds for a bit. 

Finding Nemo Observation Outpost- at the end of the dock, walk through the exit and ask the Cast Member if you can go to the Observation Outpost

Old Motor Boat Dock- this is a seating area for Edelweiss Snacks and is located behind the building. 

“Secret” picnic area- to the left of the main entrance of the Disneyland Park

California Adventure

Grizzly Peak Pass- there are benches all along the shaded trail to sit and relax. My favorite spot was across from the Grizzly River Run drop where you can watch all of the riders get splashed as they come down the hill.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail- the seating in this area is integrated into the theming decor

Disney Animation Building- This building is host to the Animation Academy where you will learn how to draw a character from one of the Disney artists, the Sorcerer’s Workshop where you can discover how Disney animators bring some of your favorite characters to life and Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Backlot Stage- located near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!. There are lots of benches and it is often quiet. 

Silly Symphony Swings Deck- the deck is below the attraction and overlooks Paradise Bay. Stay on the ground level and follow the curve of the building around the water’s edge to reach the shaded area.

Resorts

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa- the lobby has several places to sit around the fireplace. The third floor also has nice spots to sit and relax and there is an outside patio on the fifth floor that overlooks the pool.

Disneyland Hotel- there are seating areas outside the hotel near the Coffee House, near the resort’s small world Gifts & Sundries and seating by the fireplace across from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.

Pixar Place Hotel- go to the third floor and out the back to the pool area. There are fire pits, a quick service restaurant and lounge chairs.

“Hidden” dining locations that will be less crowded

The Craftsman Grill- Grand Californian Hotel & Spa- you can get to the restaurant from exiting Disney California Adventure at Grizzly Peak or through the hotel entrance from Downtown Disney. In the main lobby when you see the sign for restaurants pointing to the right, you will turn left. Walk past the pool and the Craftsman Bar until you see the sign for the Craftsman Grill.

Red Rose Tavern- when you walk in, turn left and once you walk through the first room, on the right side there is a “secret” room which is usually empty.

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