How To Handle Noise & Crowds At Disney World

Did you know you can really enjoy a Disney World vacation even if you don’t like noisy crowds? It is absolutely possible when you know how to prepare for and handle the noise and crowds at Disney World. You just need to know what to take with you, where to stay and how to escape when you need to regroup.

Loving Disney World Vacations Despite The Noise & Crowds

Walt Disney World is a favorite destination for so many families, couples, adult friend groups and even solo travelers from all over the world and for good reasons. It’s a wonderfully exciting place to visit and the enthusiasm of other Disney lovers is contagious. However, the noise level and crowded spaces in the parks, restaurants and even hotels is often a little too much for many…me included.

Even with all the chaotic energy, crowds and noise I still LOVE Walt Disney World. How is that possible, you ask? I’ve found the right gear to take on vacation. We’ve researched the quiet spaces and less crowded places and paths in every park. Most importantly, we’ve found the quietest hotel rooms and the quietest places to eat on Disney’s property.

Happy Sounds Are A Good Thing

The happy music and ambient ”world” sounds of various areas is awesome. When you walk through Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios, you hear sounds of the Star Wars Universe. Head over to Pandora in Animal Kingdom and you’ll get to experience the sounds of that planet’s native animals according to the imaginations of Disney’s genius sound effect imagineers.

Kids laughing, friends enjoying conversations, people oohing and ahhing at the castle or whooping and hollering in joy on the rides is all part of the fun. These are sounds I’m grateful to hear no matter where we are. Cheering at character sightings, people singing along off key to the harmonies of the Dapper Dans and the piano players outside of Casey’s Corner are wonderfully happy sounds. These are the things I look forward to every time I go.

Crowds And Noise Are Sometimes Too Much

Though we hear lovely happy sounds, we simultaneously endure the dissonant tones of screaming toddlers, impatient ride goers, frustrated parents and throngs of humans moving about in mass. Sweaty, overheated people stop right in front of us, bump, push and apologize…or don’t as we all maneuver through the resort.

Crowded parade routes, ride standby lines and the fireworks show crowds are a lot when you’re not good with crowds. Pair that with the combination of happy and other noises and suddenly you’re a meltdown just waiting to happen. For many of us, it’s just a serious case of overstimulation and we need to escape the chaos and recovery our joy so we don’t become part of the problem.

Be Prepared To Handle The Noise & Crowds At Disney World

Know Before You Go

The best way to deal with the stress of noise and crowds is to set realistic expectations about what you’ll encounter. I’ve found Instagram videos and TikTok Live with creators like @disneyparksdiy to be the most helpful way to see what it’s really like in the parks at different times of the day. This gives you a good walking visual of the crowds, the noise level, the wait times and general vibe of the parks.

Other options include watching Youtube videos and following Instagram creators or Facebook groups that specialize in planning Disney vacations. When friends or family members go on Disney World trips, ask them to send you short videos or photos so you can see the real deal and not just the edited ”pretty” close up photos that magically remove all the background people people and noise.

Plan Your Vacation With a Crowd Calendar

There are several crowd calendars for Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks out there, but have repeatedly found Undercover Tourist’s to be the most accurate. They use data from previous years and also information from the current park reservation system to analyze the crowd level at each of the parks in Orlando.

Helpful Gear To Handle Noise & Crowds At Disney World

Let’s start with the things that are just musts in general. Ice cold hydrating beverages, like Gatorade, Sqwincher or water. Cooling towels, personal fans, sunscreen, hats, ponchos and sunglasses help you stay cool and/or dry which improves your overall mood.

Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones are incredibly useful to have on hand for fireworks shows, live music performances and night time shenanigans of teenagers running up and down the hall at your hotel. We like to keep a few extra pairs on us just in case someone in the parks needs a break from the noise.

Choose The Best Hotel At Disney To Handle Noise & Crowds

Quiet Places To Stay

In general, if you prefer quiet spaces, ask your travel agent to put in a special request to be on a top floor, away from pools, lobbies and transportation drop off areas. These are repeatedly the loudest spaces at any hotel. You’ll find the further you are from elevator and heavy foot traffic areas, the fewer occurrences of rowdiness you’ll experience.

Armed with that general knowledge, take a look at the quietest hotels and rooms on the Walt Disney World Resorts property. Not all properties are created equal when it comes to soundproofing. We’re sharing the hotels and room tested scientifically (with sound meters) and experientially that have proven to be the least noisy.

Best Of The Best Quiet Hotels

Bay Lake Tower Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort has the quietest rooms in all of WDW according to several evaluations from companies like The Unofficial Guide. The soundproofing between rooms, interior access and carpeted hallways help dampen noise above and on three sides of your room. The most exposure you’ll have to noise here is on the theme park side of the building where you can hear and see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom quite clearly from your balcony.

The Bay Lake Tower is home to the deluxe studio, one & two bedroom villas which comes with a higher price tag, but also with all the glam and luxury Disney’s deluxe resorts afford. My favorite thing about the Contemporary Resort is the Monorail connection. The Monorail runs through the middle of the Main Tower which is accessed via a walking path from Bay Lake Tower.

Grand Floridian

When I think of the Walt Disney World resorts, one stick out to me as having the most serene, adult feeling:the deluxe Grand Floridian Resort. The Victorian charm and endless elegance of the Grand Floridian inherently command a quieter, more adult feel. Some of the loudest areas of the resort are far away from the rooms because the main pool area is removed from the midst of the resort.

If you are looking for a luxurious indulgence, the Grand Floridian is also home to the Grand Floridian Spa. You can book a variety of massages, body treatments or nail treats for some ”me time” away from the hustle and bustle of the parks. If you’re planning on Disney Bounding, you can even have a hair or makeup Magical Make Over (think Bibbibidi Bobbidi Boutique for adults) to create a character inspired style!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Our favorite resort and one that feels quietly secluded is Animal Kingdom Lodge, if you choose a savannah-view room. You’ll hear sounds of exotic animals meandering about outside your balcony as they graze and play within in these rooms are of exotic grazing animals outside your window as they meander, graze and play. 

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has the same sense of grandeur as any other deluxe resort on Disney property, but also feels more family oriented in my opinion. The zoo like component and African inspired decor probably have a lot do with that. Unlike the Grand Floridian, the main pool is in the heart of the resort. Accordingly, if you are seeking solitude and serenity, opt for the Savannah View Rooms.

Saratoga Springs Resort: Treehouse Villas

If you are seeking absolute privacy for a larger group, you may want to try the Treehouse Villas at the Saratoga Springs Resort. These cute 3-bedroom houses are sprinkled like fairy houses amidst the woods along a creek. They are very much removed from the main activity hubs of the resort and offer a cabin atmosphere in the treetops of a little forest.

Something to note about the Treehouse Villas is that they are not handicap accessible. Getting into the treehouse requires walking up a flight of stairs. Lugging suitcases, groceries and kids up and down the steps can be tiring so just keep that in mind when considering this option.

Coronado Springs: Gran Destino Tower

Coronado Springs is one of Disney’s most artsy resorts. It falls into the moderate resort category but has a lot of really cool features and amenities beyond the traditional pool. It’s a lakeside property with campfire activities and art experiences that are fun even for those of us who are less than artistic.

The Gran Destino Tower is a great peaceful retreat and offers several room and suite options. The best spot for a reasonably priced quiet retreat is a water view room in the Gran Destino Tower. You’ll pay between $300-$450 a night for these rooms, which is $200-$300 less for similarly situated rooms in the Deluxe Resorts.

How To Handle Noise & Crowds At Other Disney Resorts

Remember the quietest times at the resort pools, dining areas and lobby will be mid day. Guests leaving have already checked out, guests arriving won’t be coming in until later in the day and most people have already headed to the parks and won’t return until later in the afternoon. So splitting your time up at the parks between early morning and late afternoon means that you can enjoy the calmer midday lull at the pools, game rooms and dining spots.

Choosing the right resort for the type of vacation you wish to have is super important. Additionally, making the right room choice at any of the properties is key to finding a reprieve from the masses. Here is our list of the best quieter room options in every budget category. If you are booking with a travel agent, ask them to request these specific areas if you are staying at one of these Disney properties.

• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: Choose a room at the back of the property near the end of the big parking lot.
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: Choose a building at the back of the property facing the end of the parking lot.
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Choose building 35 or 38 with a lake facing room.
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-Riverside:Choose building 26 or 28 with east facing rooms.
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter: This is a great choice for those seeking quiet and serenity in general. Even with the New Orleans feel, it is a smaller resort. A room here on the river side, away from the Doubloon Lagoon Pool, is particularly quiet.
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Woods view or Crescent Lake view rooms
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: Choose a courtyard facing room
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Choose a woods view room

How To Handle Noise and Crowds At Disney World Parks

The parks are where people tend to feel the most anxiety, frustration and overwhelmed. Organizations who research Disney trends to analyze economic trends say that between 30,000 and 55,000 visit each of the parks every day. So if you thought you might be overreacting to the crowds, you’re definitely not.

According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, people typically only have 12 social encounter a day. That includes everyone from family to coworkers to the lady at the grocery store. Now, take that same person who interacts with less than 20 people a day and throw them in the middle of 30,000+ people for 8-10 hours and see what happens.

You’ll encounter 20 people between the time you wake up to the time you get on the first ride in a park. Your travel party, the shuttle driver, the chatty guy sitting next to you on the shuttle, the security guard, turnstile operator will require your acknowledgment before you even get into the park. The cast members, PhotoPass photographers, people waiting in line with you and enthusiastic guests who just say hello to every person they see will also be part of your social interactions for the rest of the day.

How To Be Prepared For the Noise and Crowds at Disney World Parks

Having the right gear and mind frame are very important to maintaining your sanity in the parks at peak times. Part of being prepared is keeping an eye on typical ride wait times on similar days to when you’ll be in the park. That will help you plan your day with some reasonable expectations.

Set reasonable goals for your park day. Remember to pace yourself according to the slowest member of your travel party. You might be able to run from the gate to that ride you really want to be on in the first five minutes the park opens, but others in your group may not. Placing yourself in the middle of the chaotic crowds first thing in the morning is going to lead to frustration.

Choose less crowded walking paths to traverse the parks. Remember to be speak kindly to others and extend grace to those who aren’t as polite as you think they should be. Not everybody has that good southern upbringing to know you’re supposed to say excuse me before running somebody off the path or apologize for running all over somebody’s heels.

Be aware of your surroundings and step to the inside of a crowded walkway if you need to stop. Smile and nod at people who do the same to you and remember that you are here to have a good time. It’s not a competition to get somewhere first and if you get irritated early in the day, it’s going to take a while to recover.

Where To Take Breaks In Each Disney World Park

You can take a look at Disney’s Resource Guide for information about dealing with Cognitive Disabilities in the parks. This is particularly useful if you or someone in your travel party has autism. I found it useful to locate places to get away from crowds for those of us who just don’t deal with tons of people well.

Handling Noise and Crowds At Disney’s Epcot

As a general rule, I feel like Epcot’s open walking paths make it a quieter and calmer park than its counterparts. The lakefront and bridges are great places to stop and take a break to enjoy the serenity of the water.

My favorite place to get away from people in Epcot is a little waterfall down the path to the right of Le Cellier in Canada. The waterfall mists you as you pass by. It’s not particularly quiet because of the waterfall, but it is relaxing and overlooked by most people because it’s tucked away near Canada Far and Wide.

Another of our Epcot favorites is the patio area outside the China Pavilion. While others are bustling about trying to ride Frozen or Soarin, we like to grab an egg roll and soda and sit in the open air area the Lotus Blossom Cafe.

The aquarium is another great spot to escape the heat and noise during the earlier part of the day. In the afternoon, it is a bit more crowded with families oohing and aahing over the marine life. Still, the carpeted floors muffle the sound so it’s a pleasant experience.

Disney Recommended Break Locations

• World Celebration: Courtyard and restroom area outside Imagination pavilion; First Aid (part of Odyssey Center building next to Test Track)
• World Nature: Area between Seas entrance and Coral Reef Restaurant
• World Discovery: Common area near Mission: Space and Test Track
• World Showcase: Mexico – Outside area to the right of the pavilion near the backstage gate; Germany – Garden area next to Glaskunst; Japan – Garden area; Morocco – Village Corridors; France – To the right of the buildings along the water’s edge; International Gateway; United Kingdom – Garden area at back of pavilion (when shows not running at gazebo

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is full of great places to chill. Although it’s incredibly busy, Galaxy’s Edge feels quieter than other areas of the park. Most of the attractions are indoors in this area, so the outdoor areas are not very loud and the walking paths are wide.

You may encounter some storm troopers who engage you in confrontation but just answer that you are a ”friend of the empire” to keep the role play going and the encounter fun. The Black Spire Outpost has shops, restrooms, shade and a round bench to relax if you don’t mind people watching. It isn’t particularly quiet, but is a good place to duck out of the sun or rain for a few minutes.

Another really quiet area is on the long metal benches outside Tower of Terror just beyond the line queue. It’s shaded, rarely populated and a great location to get away from the crowds. This is a fairly unknown spot so you don’t see many people trying to hang out here.

Disney Recommended Break Locations

• Hollywood Boulevard: First Aid
• Echo Lake: Walkway surrounding Echo Lake
• Animation Courtyard: Any outdoor area
• Sunset Boulevard: Courtyard area by Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Commissary Lane: Outside ABC Commissary
• Toy Story Land: Pathway between Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Grand Ave/Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Tunnel between Grand Ave and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Animal Kingdom

With safaris, wide open spaces and meandering paths, Animal Kingdom has so many wonderful areas to relax that it’s hard to pick a favorite. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails is a great calm walk through some great animal habitats and it is often a quiet respite after a show or ride. Take a moment to enjoy the zebras, hippos and Gorillas and walk through the Aviary while others are rushing about getting onto rides.

You can also head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and hug a goat or hang out with some cute fluffy animals at the Affection Station. While you’re there, head over to the Conservation Station and watch veterinarians take care of the routine needs of the Animal Kingdom animals.

Of course, the shaded walkways through Pandora are an incredible place to slow down and breathe. The floating mountains provide an excellent backdrop to sit and stare off into space for a few minutes. The ambient sounds of otherworldly creatures have the cadence of white noise for sleeping. It’s soothing when you tune into it and allow yourself to be immersed in the experience of being in a different world.

Disney Recommended Break Locations

• Discovery Island®: First Aid (next to Creature Comforts); Discovery Island Trails Africa: Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Africa/Pandora: Bridge between Africa and Pandora
• Asia: Maharajah Tiger Trek

Magic Kingdom

This is the big dog park with the largest crowds and most enclosed walkways at the entrance. I have been to Magic Kingdom quite a bit and I can still become overwhelmed here. The bicycle wheel design of the park allows for easy access from one side of the park to the other, but also results in some very crowded pathways.

Magic Kingdom is full of people who may only be coming to Disney World for one day and this is the place they want to see. The castle, the fireworks, iconic rides and shows all make Magic Kingdom awesome but loud and crowded.

I find that after being shoved, kicked and run into by strollers of people checking ride wait times on their phones, I tend to be less than agreeable. The first time I went to Magic Kingdom as an adult, I had a full blown crying meltdown because of the sensory overload within the first 10 minutes in the park.

How I Learned To Deal With Crowds and Noise at Disney World Parks

Not everybody has the same hygiene standards that my family does and the body odor of sweaty people bumping into you quickly becomes offensive to your senses. Throw in there screaming children, angry parents, background music and the Dapper Dans trying to sing overtop of the background music and I am fit to be tied. That plus being tired, hot and hungry made for my first Disney meltdown.

With tears involuntarily rolling down my face, I quickly walked towards the first clear opening I could find, took several deep breaths and began walking away from the crowds heading to rides. This is when I discovered my favorite Magic Kingdom calm spot, Tom Sawyer’s Island.

Natural Attractions To Help Deal With Noise and Crowds in Magic Kingdom

To get to Tom Sawyer’s Island, take the little raft from Liberty Square and then just walk around listening to the distant sounds of the river boat and the wind moving through the trees around you.

The riverboat itself also offers a great quiet ride around the park. Grab a churro and a drink, jump aboard and find a seat to really enjoy the riverboat experience. Usually, the upper deck and back of the boat are the least crowded spots to stand and people watch from a distance.

When you return to Liberty Square, there is a little boardwalk style walkway that few people use next to the river. This is another quiet nature spot to sit and watch the ducks or the riverboat. This area is on the parade route, so you can sit by the water and wait until the parade starts to head up to the main path to watch the floats.

If you don’t mind climbing treehouse stairs, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse is an amazing place to escape. If you aren’t a climber, you can always lean against a fence rail outside the attraction to enjoy people watching and a little shade.

Other Less Crowded Attractions and Pathways

Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress and People Movers all offer nice breaks from the heat and crowds as well. These are slow moving attractions that thrill seekers ignore. We have often gone to these attractions more than once just to escape for a little while.

As you travel around the outer part of the “wheel”, the pathway between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland provides a path less traveled. This is a spot where I can often slow down and just enjoy the walk without worrying about being trampled.

Disney Recommended Break Locations

• Main Street, U.S.A.: First Aid; Side Street by Crystal Arts
• Adventureland: Swiss Family Treehouse; Corridor to the left of Pirates of the Caribbean
• Liberty Square: Behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
• Frontierland: Tom Sawyer Island (NOTE: You must take a raft ride to/from the island and some waiting may be required); Splash Mountain garden area
• Fantasyland: Pathway leading from Cinderella Castle to Fairytale Garden; Pete’s Silly Sideshow area; pathway behind The Barnstormer
• Tomorrowland: Near Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Pro Tip When in doubt, ask a cast member. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the crowds or noise, you can always ask a cast member for the best location to get a break from people. Remember that many guests suffer from social anxiety, ptsd, and other conditions that create frustration and discomfort when encountering large crowds and intense noise levels. Cast members know the best spots to help guests escape the excitement.

Our Quietest Lunch/Dinner Restaurant Experiences

As a general rule, restaurants offering character dining, quick service, or large open dining rooms are loud. There are options with outdoor seating areas that are quieter than the echoing dining rooms of many quick service restaurants. However, our goal is to get out of the heat and enjoy a calm, relaxing meal. For that purpose, these are the quietest restaurants we’ve found at Walt Disney World Resorts.

Magic Kingdom Quiet Dining Location

• Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Victoria & Albert’s

Animal Kingdom Quiet Dining Locations

• Tiffins
• Yak & Yeti (bar seating is quieter than main dining)

Hollywood Studios Quiet Dining Locations

• Hollywood Brown Derby (second level)
• Mama’s Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Epcot Quiet Dining Locations

• Le Cellier- Canada
• Monsieur Paul- France
• Nine Dragons Restaurant- China

Resort Hotels and Disney Springs

• IL Mulino New York: Swan Hotel (ask for private dining in a smaller room)
• Jiko: Animal Kingdom Jambo House
• STK Orlando: Disney Springs (ask for upstairs)
• Turf Club Bar & Grill: Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Wine Bar George: Disney Springs (ask for upstairs)

Now You Know How To Deal With Noise & Crowds At Disney

As you plan your Walt Disney World vacation, remember that the magic is what you make it. You can enjoy every park, hotel, restaurant, shop and activity by remembering why you are there…to make amazing memories! Be prepared, enjoy the moment and try to be patient and considerate.

If you find yourself feeling frustrated, take a break. Grab a treat and snag a bench in one of the quieter places in the park. Take advantage of park rides and attractions that are less popular. Plan to have a meal in a restaurant that caters to a quieter crowd by making reservations in advance. Choose a resort that offers a quieter atmosphere and try to request a room away from the crowds.

In the end, try to enjoy the happy noises and tune out the negative ones. The sounds of exuberant youth running down a hallway or children squealing with excitement over bubbles and characters are joyful noises. Focus on the joy of the moment and relax. If all else fails, throw on some noise cancelling headphones and mull about enjoying the sounds of your personal playlist.

Most importantly, don’t let strangers ruin your day. Try to have an attitude of gratitude while you’re at Disney World. Always remember that it is a delightful privilege to be able to travel to this wonderful southern destination.