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4. Withdraw to a quiet place and get grounded

Morocco fountain courtyard

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega

Quiet places in Walt Disney World are treasures. Sometimes the best solution to stress is to find a peaceful place to settle down and have some time to yourself. During peak season, these can seem impossible to find, but they do exist.

In Magic Kingdom, our favorite quiet place is Tom Sawyer Island. Unfortunately, it can prove a bear to get to and is currently under refurbishment. Other alternatives include the upstairs of Columbia Harbour House and Pinocchio’s Village Haus. The Main Street station for the Magic Kingdom Railroad is another popular choice.

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we already mentioned Star Wars Launch Bay, but alternatively, you can take a tour through Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. Sometimes this exhibit swaps out with something related to a newer film, but this walking tour zone is almost always more peaceful than the rest of the park.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, find refuge in the walking trails. The Discovery Island Trails, in particular, are largely ignored by many guests. The Maharajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail are uniquely peaceful, and even the courtyard outside of Dinosaur can provide rest to the weary parent.

In Epcot, we used to like the area near the usually-closed Odyssey restaurant, but this is becoming better known to visitors. Instead, find hidden refuges in World Showcase like the gardens in Canada, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan. We also especially love the deep interior courtyards of the Morocco pavilion with their intricate tilework, benches, and peaceful fountains.

Butterfly on a purple flower

Image: Disney

If you find a peaceful place and still can’t reclaim your nerves, throw on some of those headphones we mentioned and take some time to get grounded. You can use a quiet, guided meditation in an app like Calm or Headspace (or Relax Melodies, which we mentioned earlier—no, they aren’t paying us, we just love this app) to get centered and settle your mind. You can also take a more freeform approach and put on some of those relaxing sounds we mentioned to enjoy the quiet or pray. Take your focus off the crowds and put it on things of beauty. Watch the waters ripple or the ducks swim. Embrace nature. As one wise man once said, “Listen to the birds—they are the messengers of God.” Take time to separate yourself from the craziness for a bit, then rejoin the parks.

If you are having trouble finding a quiet place or are experiencing a panic attack that won’t relent, take advantage of Walt Disney World First Aid. It would seem like the last place you want to head during an anxiety attack, but all Disney First Aid locations have a quiet room where guests can recover from exhaustion or anxiety if need be. On top of this, if you need to leave the parks for a time, do so! Take a break and return later.

5. Don’t pack your day full

Bird in front of Bay Lake and Contemporary Resort

Image: Disney

While a tight routine can make for a very fulfilling Disney day, it can also tax the emotional equilibrium of those who need a more leisurely pace. This partially comes down to trip planning—a four-day, four-park Walt Disney World trip is going to be very difficult to pull off and see everything. Instead, plan a minimum of 6-8 days when possible.

No matter the length of your trip, find a balance in planning your trip itinerary. Don’t pack your days so full that you have no breaks running from reservation to reservation. If you are an annual passholder, this is easier, but for a once-in-a-decade Disney trip, this takes some deliberate planning. Experts agree that mid-day is one of the best times to take a break and leave the parks, particularly if you arrived at opening gate. If you are staying on Disney property or near it, head back to your resort for a refresher or for the kids to enjoy a nap. Even if you don’t have a resort room, take some time to explore the quieter parts of the Most Magical Place on Earth. Take a hike near Old Key West or relax on the beach around Epcot’s lagoon. Return later on when mid-day crowds have settled into queues. When you see anxiety rising in your party, take breaks and be willing to flex the schedule if it seems like your family is freaking out.

6. Accept the craziness

Family in Pandora

Image: Disney

We mentioned this in our guides for Introverts and for dealing with panic attacks, but the truth is, one of the best things you can do to calm down is to accept that Walt Disney World is a bonkers place. This ties together with our suggestions about breathing and taking time to rest and get centered.

You cannot please everyone and there are things you cannot change. Accept that guests will run into each other and that some are rude—it doesn’t mean all are. Accept that crowds are unpleasant and be willing to go with their flow at times. Accept that kids sometimes get cranky or sick or stressed—they’re growing and developing and learning. Accept that you may bump into someone or make a mistake in choosing a direction. Give yourself the gift of grace. You cannot please everyone, nor should you try to.

If something goes wrong during your trip, remind yourself that bad things feel bad, but that’s all right. It’s temporary. Life hasn’t stopped. Be courteous to others, but don’t bear the shackling weight of their pleasure or displeasure. Your trip does not have to be perfect, and that is perfectly normal. It’s okay.

How do you calm down and relax at Walt Disney World when stress rises?

 
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