If you’re traveling to Disney with a family member or friend with special needs, you know the importance of needing to take a break. Whether it’s sensory overload, impending meltdown, or you just need a few minutes to gather yourself before heading back out into the crowds, taking a sensory break can help!

Before we go over the top spots for sensory breaks at Hollywood Studios, check out my other blog posts in the series, below:

Sensory Breaks at Magic Kingdom
Sensory Breaks at Epcot

Where to Take a Break at Hollywood Studios

Just like I did for Magic Kingdom and Epcot, I’m going to break this down land by land! Hollywood Studios can feel like the most crowded park, and features a lot of entertainment, shows, and nighttime spectacular with loud noises. Don’t be afraid to venture outside the park for a few minutes to take a break. Refer to the map below for a visual representation of top spots for sensory breaks!

Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard is pretty much the “Main Street” of Hollywood Studios, and it is generally a busy area. The shops on either side of the street are also frequently crowded. Be warned that occasionally characters will roll down the street in their cavalcades, so if you need to avoid that, duck into a shop, First Aid, or the Baby Care Center until it passes.

First up, First Aid and the Baby Care Center (1) are located right next to each other just inside the park entrance on the left! These are fantastic spots to take a break away from the crowds.

The next spot in this area is right around Keystone Clothiers (2). Although the shop itself is busy, if you go around the backside of the shop, you’ll find some quiet spots overlooking Echo Lake. There are a couple benches here, and a snack cart. It can be shady depending on time of day, but it is outside.

Echo Lake

Around the lake (3), in Echo Lake, there are a few benches that provide a decent spot for a quick stop. Some may be shaded depending on time of day, trees, and umbrellas in the area. If you’re on the side of Echo Lake facing the Frozen Sing-Along show, the character cavalcades will roll right by here and can be loud for a couple of minutes.

If you’re close to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show while the show is going on, you may hear loud explosive noises from the amphitheater. However, a generally good spot to escape for a few minutes is just to the right of 50s Prime Time Cafe (4). This is one of the exit routes for the Indiana Jones show, so after the show finishes there will be crowds in this area, but other times of the day, there is nobody back here.

Another spot where you can get away from the crowds is right between Star Tours and Backlot Express (5). Since the Jedi Training Academy has not returned from the parks’ COVID closure, this area is usually quiet. It is outdoors, but not shaded, and there aren’t any benches or chairs, unless you can find an empty table outside Backlot Express. The character cavalcade ends its route here, so be prepared to see that depending on time of day.

Backlot Express (6) is a quick service restaurant serving typical theme park food like chicken tenders, salads, and more. Dining here during off-hours is a good option for a break, especially sitting in the outdoor section. The outdoor section is covered and shady, a nice and cool break from the heat. This restaurant can get busy during peak dining hours.

Commissary Lane

Commissary Lane is a small outdoor courtyard with a couple of restaurants and a meet & greet. There are a couple outdoor tables in this area that generally have good shade coverage, and this area can become somewhat of a wind tunnel if it’s a windy day. This is also a great area to escape from the noisy character cavalcades. Specifically, the area to the left of the exit of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (7) is a great spot.

Just to note – during nighttime fireworks, this is not the best option!

Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue features Muppet Vision 3D, a quick service restaurant, and a table service restaurant. The best spot to take a break is just outside the exit for Muppet Vision 3D (8), as there are small walkways throughout this part of the park that generally don’t see a lot of foot traffic. There may be a slight increase in traffic every 15 minutes or so as the show lets out, but is generally a nice place to take a break.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

If you’ve been to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland, you’ll find the layout here very familiar! The land is typically one of the busier areas of the park, but there are a couple good break locations.

First, near the marketplace area at the Rise of the Resistance end of the Marketplace (9), you’ll see a big open spot. There aren’t any benches here and shade is limited, but since there isn’t anything to do in this spot, there’s hardly ever anyone here, save for people taking pictures with their lightsabers!

Opposite the Milk Stand, there’s an open area next to a stage (10). Again, not many people hang out here unless they are taking pictures, so it’s a good spot to relax for a bit. There are no chairs or benches in this area, and limited shade.

Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land is also a busy land in this park, and two of the rides are outdoors and clearly visible, meaning there is a lot of visual and audio stimulation going on. There are a couple places here that are good spots to take a sensory break.

First, the exit path for Toy Story Mania (11)! It’s quiet, off the beaten path, and offers a bit of shade here and there thanks to some trees. There aren’t many places to take a seat, but it is one of the quietest areas in the land.

Secondly, the walkway into Toy Story Land from Animation Courtyard (12) – if you’ve reached the giant Woody statue, you’ve gone too far! This walkway is nothing more than a thoroughfare, with a snack cart, bathrooms, and DVC kiosk on one end, and giant Woody statue on the other. In between that, although there are a lot of people walking by, it is a good spot to take a break because there isn’t anything going on in this area. There are a couple corners off the side of the walkway where you can pull off to take a quick break. There are no seats here and it’s entirely outdoors.

Finally, just to the left of Alien Swirling Saucers is a big open area (13) that dead-ends into a Cast Member only zone. Shade and seating are limited, but it is usually a very quiet area.

Animation Courtyard

Animation Courtyard has quite a few spots to take a break – in fact, it’s probably the best place in the park to find a quiet spot.

First, there is an Incredibles-themed area (14) just past the Joffrey’s Cart around the corner from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This area isn’t always open, but when it is, you’ll find several nooks and crannies to take a break in. There aren’t many benches in this area, but thanks to some overhangs and trees you can more than likely find shade despite this area being outdoors!

Next, step inside Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (15). This is a museum exhibit and film where guests can learn about Walt Disney and see exhibits relating to his life and career. There is also a Monsters Inc. meet and greet inside. It generally isn’t too busy, and you can more than likely find a little corner to take an air conditioned break in. There really aren’t any places to sit (besides the theater itself) but the building is air conditioned and quiet.

Between the Little Mermaid show, Star Wars Launch Bay, and Disney Junior Play and Dance, you’ll find a large outdoor open courtyard (16). This area is not heavily visited and is a great spot to take a break. The downside to this area is that shade is limited, as is seating. But if you need to escape the crowds this is your place to go! There are some character meet & greets next to the Disney Junior Play and Dance that can attract small crowds, but the lines are generally small and it’s very easy to find a quiet spot over here. Additionally, Star Wars Launch Bay (17) has many quiet areas – both inside and outside – where you can take a sensory break! It generally operates on limited hours, so check the My Disney Experience app or with a Cast Member for its operating hours.

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard is another loud and busy land, especially because two of the park’s most popular rides are here, along with the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! The best spot to take a sensory break is near the exit for Tower of Terror, outside, inside, and around the gift shop (18). If you go inside, you’ll be treated with air conditioning. If you hang around outside, you may be able to find a couple benches, although that area is entirely outside of course.

Another outdoor spot in this part of the park is behind and around Sunshine Ranch Market (19), where you’ll find several tables. It may be a little loud, but it is off the beaten path behind food offerings, so it’s a good spot to take a breather away from the crowds.

At night, Sunset Boulevard hosts Fantasmic! This is a nightly fireworks extravaganza with music, water effects, pyrotechnics, and more! If you’re in the area when the show is going on, you will hear loud sounds. If you find yourself in a bind, duck inside a gift shop on Sunset Boulevard to avoid the loud sounds.

Outside the Park

Just outside Hollywood Studios there are a few areas that are great for sensory breaks. First, you could take the Skyliner which provides a one way trip (20) to the main hub at Caribbean Beach Resort. While you must get off at the only stop on this line, you could hop right back on and ride again, or go a different route to continue the relaxation!

There is also a walking path (21) that connects Epcot’s International Gateway to Hollywood Studios. The walkway itself is generally quiet, and it’s a pleasant walk. Along the way, you’ll pass through Disney’s Boardwalk, which has some benches and quiet areas to enjoy.

Finally, you could take the Friendship Boat (22) over to Epcot’s International Gateway or any of the other destinations in between. It can be crowded depending on time of day, but the boat ride is a peaceful one when it’s not too crowded.

I hope this helps you and your family find a good spot to take a sensory break while you visit Hollywood Studios. Refer to the map above if you’re a visual learner! Pin this post if you find it helpful!