If you or someone in your travel party needs to take a sensory break while at Walt Disney World, there are many spots to do so, without needing to leave the park! Keep reading for the top spots for sensory breaks at Epcot, and to check out where to take a sensory break at Magic Kingdom, read that post here!

For the Hollywood Studios edition of this article, click here!

Before we dive into this post, check the map below to find specific spots to take a break!

World Celebration

World Celebration includes the main entrance area, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival.

There are a few spots here that are good for sensory breaks! First, just inside the main entrance (1), there are several benches scattered about that make for a good spot to take a break. Depending on time of day you may be able to find shade, and it is generally not very noisy here, as other guests are heading into the park or exiting. The monorail passes overhead, but typically does not honk its horn. The background music here is soothing. The main entrance is wider than the main entrance at the other parks, so if you head to the extreme right or left you’ll find open space that isn’t too crowded.

Another good spot is Connections Cafe & Eatery (2). This complex consists of Starbucks and a quick-service eatery. Depending on time of day, you may be able to find a quiet corner of the restaurant where there aren’t too many other people. I highly recommend this as a spot to go first thing in the morning! As an added bonus, it’s air conditioned, has its own restrooms, and offers food for sale. However, it can be crowded in there during peak meal times.

Finally, to the right of Journey Into Imagination with Figment, you’ll find an open outdoor area (3) that dead-ends into a Cast Member only zone. There is also a restroom back here that is never too busy. It is generally pretty uncrowded back here, and a good spot to take a break from the busy Epcot crowds. However, there is very little shade and only a couple benches.

World Discovery

World Discovery is the area to the left of the main entrance, past Spaceship Earth and includes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Mission: SPACE, and Test Track. There are lots of outdoor paths (4) in this area that aren’t too busy, and some of them offer shady bench seating.

This area also includes the Baby Care Center and First Aid (5), which is past Test Track, just before the Mexico Pavilion. Both options are great if you have sensory sensitivities and need a quiet, air-conditioned spot to take a break from the parks.

World Nature

World Nature is to the right of the main entrance just past Spaceship Earth and includes the Land Pavilion and the Seas Pavilion. These two pavilions are both pretty loud and busy most of the time, so the best place to take a break is outside, and I recommend outside the Seas Pavilion. There are two areas for this: first, right outside the Coral Reef Restaurant (6), and the second is outside the exit for the aquarium (7). There isn’t too much shade or seating in these areas unfortunately, but if the weather isn’t too bad, it’s a pleasant place to take a break.

World Showcase

World Showcase is the back half of the park and consists of 11 country pavilions. There are various locations to stop here and take a break if need be! Starting in Mexico and moving clockwise, here are some of my favorite places to stop and take a little break. If you’re visiting World Showcase during the nightly fireworks show, be advised that it’s going to be difficult to find a quiet place, as the fireworks are launched in the middle of World Showcase Lagoon! You’ll find better options in the front of the park.

Between Norway and China, you’ll find an alleyway on the left (8). There are no benches and limited shade here, but there isn’t much going on back here unless the line for Frozen Ever After is excessively long. If you need to take a quick break, it’s a good stopping point.

At the China Pavilion, on the left side there’s an outdoor alleyway (9) leading to the gift shops. Towards the right side there are a couple of alcove areas that are nice and quiet. Although this area is outside, it often feels cool due to the air conditioning from nearby shops. There aren’t many benches over here, but it is quiet!

In Italy, go past the gift shop building and you’ll find a little alcove on the left side (10) just before the Tutto Italia Ristorante. There aren’t any areas to sit back here, but with this being tucked in the corner, it’s nice and quiet. It may be shady depending on time of day.

At the American Adventure Pavilion, head inside the main building and stick to the ground floor (11). There is plenty of space in here to move around, and some seating is available. However, sometimes the Voices of Liberty perform in here and it can get a little loud – check showtimes on the My Disney Experience app!

In Japan, head towards the Katsura Grill past the koi pond on the left side and you’ll find outdoor seating areas (12) for this quick service restaurant. Outside of peak meal times it is generally not too busy here, and it is nice and shady! If the Matsuriza drummers are performing at the front of the pavilion, it can be loud – check showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.

In Morocco, there are lots of little spots to tuck away in the back of the pavilion (13). Keep wandering as far back as you can go, and you’ll find quiet corners. Seating and shade may be hard to come by, depending on time of day.

Between France and the UK, stick to the water side opposite the pavilions and you’ll find a seating area right on the water (14). Sometimes this area is closed off for private events like weddings, and it is a prime spot for the nightly fireworks show, but generally it is nice and open. There is very little shade here, so be prepared to be out in the sun.

In the back of the UK, there is a nice garden area (15) which is generally pretty shady with some spots to sit. Later in the day, there are bands that perform back here so it can get very loud, but during the morning and early afternoon it is a great spot to take a break. Sometimes Mary Poppins or Alice in Wonderland host an informal meet & greet back here, but they don’t attract too big of a crowd.

In Canada, there are lots of outdoor walkways that aren’t ever really too busy, especially on the upper level of the pavilion near the gift shop (16). Down below, at the O Canada Circlevision show (17), the lobby is dark, quiet, and air conditioned. There are a few seats here, and you don’t have to go into the show – it’s a nice spot to relax and escape the crowds for a bit!

In addition to all these places in World Showcase, many pavilions have a small museum exhibit. The museum exhibits are free, indoors, and air conditioned, and generally aren’t too crowded or loud! There aren’t usually places to sit – maybe just a small bench or two – but they are a great respite from the parks. Check the park map or ask a Cast Member about the museum exhibits!

Outside the Park

Epcot is a unique park because there are many ways to enter and exit the park! Consider a lap on the Monorail, located just outside the main entrance. Or, take the International Gateway exit to the park (18) and visit the Boardwalk area. Another option is taking a ride on the Skyliner, which is also located just outside the International Gateway exit. Outside of peak times, each party generally gets their own Skyliner cabin.