If you’re visiting Walt Disney World with a family member or friend who has special needs, you probably have some questions. Where can we go for a sensory break? Will the Disability Access Service (DAS) come in handy for us? My son uses DAS for disabilities of his own, and as we visit the parks weekly we are familiar with the answers to many of these questions! Just a note, the information below is based on our family’s experience, and what works for you may be completely different – and that’s okay!

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DAS – A Brief Overview

First, DAS is a service offered by the Disney parks for those with disabilities who have trouble waiting in a line. It’s up to Cast Member discretion as to whether or not you’ll be granted DAS, but you can register for it before your arrival so you don’t have to wait in line to register when you arrive. If you’re granted DAS, you’ll receive a return time for attractions based on their current wait time. You can read more about the program here! Note that guests needing wheelchairs for a physical disability often do not qualify for DAS, because most queues at Walt Disney World are designed to accommodate wheelchairs. As always, it’s best to speak with a Cast Member about your specific needs to see what accommodations are offered for you!

Where to Take a Break at Magic Kingdom

As with any theme park, Magic Kingdom can be loud, crowded, and overstimulating for anyone, let alone someone who has sensory sensitivities. If you need to take a break, there are many places to get away. Check out the info below, land by land, as well as the corresponding map – check the numbers on the map for specific locations!

Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A. is typically pretty busy as it is the main thoroughfare to access the rest of the park. However, First Aid and the Baby Care Center (1) are always available to those with special needs looking for a place to rest. The Baby Care Center may be a little busier than First Aid due to the nature of it being designed for younger kids, but there is a small area with a TV playing Disney movies, so it’s suitable for those who are comfortable being around little ones!

Another spot near Main Street, U.S.A. is on the walkway toward Tomorrowland, at the Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant (2). Most of the time, Tomorrowland Terrace isn’t open. In fact, lately it has only been open during the busiest times of the year, and at the end of the day for fireworks dessert parties. Most of the time, it is open for guests to take a seat outdoors in the shade and put your feet up to relax. If there’s a parade going on, it won’t be the quietest area to relax, but it will be away from the crowds and out of the sunlight, giving everyone in your party a chance to get away for a few moments. And – there is a small bathroom up there in the back, in case anyone needs to go!

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland has a really nice area in the back between Space Mountain and Carousel of Progress (3). There are restrooms over there that are not very busy, and underneath the Peoplemover tracks there are a few places to sit down. This area isn’t frequented by too many guests as most people only head back there to visit the restroom. The downside to this spot is that it is entirely outdoors and not very well shaded, unless you can find a good spot under a tree or the Peoplemover tracks.

Unfortunately there aren’t any great indoor places in Tomorrowland to take a break, but if Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (4) isn’t crowded, head towards the back of the restaurant where you’ll find some windows facing Cinderella Castle. It’s quieter back there and you’ll be treated to a nice view. There are bathrooms conveniently located back there as well! You’ll want to avoid the main dining area of the restaurant on the lower level, as Cosmic Ray puts on a little concert and it can get pretty loud. In the back, near the windows facing Cinderella Castle, you won’t be able to hear Cosmic Ray.

Fantasyland

Next up is Fantasyland. In the area near Big Top Souvenirs (5), across from Dumbo, there are a few areas to take a break, both inside and outside. If you don’t mind resting in a souvenir shop, there are sometimes a couple places to sit down inside Big Top Souvenirs, as it also sells caramel apples and other treats. The downside to this location is that your family members may be tempted by souvenirs or food! There are areas outside the store as well. Seating in this general area is limited, and depending on the position of the sun, shade may be sparse.

Another area that can be a nice spot to take a little break is near Gaston’s Tavern (6), between Be Our Guest and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. There are restrooms nearby, and a couple places to grab a snack. The line at Gaston’s can get a little long, but generally there are a couple tables where you can grab a seat and relax. Shade may be sparse depending on the position of the sun.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square is a busy land due to it acting as somewhat of a thoroughfare between Fantasyland & Frontierland, and Main Street USA & Frontierland. However, a very quiet respite is behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe (7). This shady walkway isn’t used very often, although sometimes there is a character meet & greet back there. Another okay spot that might work for your family is actually on board the Liberty Square Riverboat (8)! It’s about a 20 minute ride, so you need to be prepared to be on a boat for 20 minutes. However, it does get you away from crowds, and you can roam around the ship as you please.

One thing to note about Liberty Square is that crowds can build up as this is part of the parade route – watch the times in the My Disney Experience app or check with a Cast Member. If you see crowds forming, that’s a clue the parade is coming by soon. Also, the Liberty Square Riverboat has a loud whistle that may be alarming to those with sensory sensitivities!

Frontierland

In Frontierland, the walkway along the Rivers of America (9) can be a nice place to get away for a brief moment, although if it’s a busy day in the park, it may receive a lot of foot traffic. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn (10), which is a quick service restaurant near Splash Mountain & Pirates of the Caribbean, is a large restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Even if it’s busy, you can generally find a table to sit down at. I recommend heading to the far back of the restaurant closest to Pirates of the Caribbean for a quieter option.

For a different place to get away, check out Tom Sawyer Island (11)! You’ll need to take a raft to the island, which boards near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but the island itself has a lot of places to explore and it is a nice escape from the crowds.

Just like with Liberty Square, Frontierland is along the parade route, so if you see crowds gathering on either side of the walkway, that’s your cue that a parade is probably about to start. You can also hear the whistle from the riverboat prominently along here, so if you have sensory sensitivities, be prepared!

Adventureland

In Adventureland, to the left of the queue entry for Pirates of the Caribbean (12), there is an outdoor area just adjacent to stroller parking. It is completely outdoors, but it doesn’t receive a lot of foot traffic, so it’s a nice spot to take a little break.

Another good location is near the exit to Jungle Cruise (13). Although the Jungle Cruise attraction is pretty much always busy, the exit area is generally wide open. Just like with the area next to Pirates, there is no seating and it’s entirely outdoors.

Finally, when you enter Adventureland from Main Street U.S.A., there is a merchandise cart on the left side. Around that merchandise cart and just past it are a couple of small areas (14) to get away from the crowds for a moment. Seating is limited and shade depends on the position of the sun.

Outside the Park

Don’t be afraid to head outside the park to take a break – catch a ride on the Monorail (15), or a ferryboat (16), and get away from the crowds. The ferryboat offers fresh air, while the Monorail offers a speedy ride with comfortable seating, although if it’s crowded you may be asked to stand.