Best places to relax in Disneyland

Disneyland is fun. But it can also be tiring. Since Disneyland and California Adventure parks are so close together, and also so close to surrounding hotels, you end up walking... EVERYWHERE. You walk to the park and stand in line to get in, you walk around the park and stand in line for each attraction, you walk from one park to the other park, and then when you leave, you stand in YET ANOTHER line to board a shuttle or tram, or end up WALKING back to your hotel. That is a lot of standing and walking.

Sometimes you just need to rest those feet! Here's a list of the places to take a load off:

BEST PLACES TO REST IN DISNEYLAND & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

Attraction Resting

There are plenty of attractions that let you rest for more than just 4 minutes at a time. Here are some of my favorites:

(1) Mark Twain Riverboat - Frontierland

This is a rather underrated ride in my opinion. As an original attraction of opening day, it is full of history, and its tranquil float along the Rivers of America is the perfect way to recharge your batteries. If you're hoping to relax your feet, be sure to be in front during boarding and stay on the "ground" level. There are limited number of chairs in the front, and benches under the shade of the upper levels. The views on the Rivers of America offer quiet waters, and Frontierland's scenes of adventure. Your kids can explore many different levels while you take a load off.

(2) Disneyland Railroad

This is probably the only attraction at Disneyland that you can ride continuously without getting off. With four different stations throughout the park, cast members will most likely not be able to tell if you've stayed on for 2 or 3 go-arounds. For all they know you're getting off at the next station. The best station with typically the shortest line is in the back of Tomorrowland, because it does not have the most obvious station. You have to sneak past the Autopia line and it is hidden behind it. Be warned: You will encounter dinosaurs. But my favorite part of the Railroad circle tour is riding through Splash Mountain. (Stations also on Main Street, New Orleans Square, and Toon Town)

In the same vein, you could ride the Disneyland Monorail. There are just a few setbacks. Because it only has one entrance in the park (Tomorrowland) it is not as convenient to ride purely to rest, especially if you're way over in Critter Country. It is also enclosed and can get a little stuffy.

(3) Pirates of the Caribbean 

Easily one of the best rides in the park. Even with a long line, this ride tends to load pretty quickly because there are several boats that hold many guests. Since most of the ride is underground (oops, did I ruin the magic?)... I mean since most of the ride is floating on the Caribbean, it is usually well air-conditioned (naturally). This ride from start to finish is roughly 12 minutes. Which is 4 to 6 times longer than the average Disneyland attraction (and 24 times longer than Gadget's Go-Coaster in Toon Town). 

Similarly, although Jungle Cruise is a nice long ride, the line is deceivingly long on a crowded day, and a bit claustrophobia-inducing in the heat. 

Main Street Transportation

Although Main Street Transportation is actually slower than walking, and the ride itself is fairly short, trust me when I say that when your feet are tired, any chance you get to actually sit down is a welcome convenience. 

(4) Omnibus

You can catch the Omnibus at the hub next to the entrance of Tomorrowland, or at Town Square near the stairs to the Main Street Railroad station. Sit on the top level and get a new view of Main Street as you enjoy the sights and smells (mmm... waffle cone).

(5) Horse-drawn Trolley

Clang-clang-clang goes the trolley! And there's a wonderful clip-clop of the horse's hooves on the pavement as you saunter down Main Street. Like I said before, walking may be a faster way to get you to Fantasyland, but when you're riding on a trolley, you actually get to look around and enjoy the homey sweetness of Main Street. Tourists often overlook it in their rush to do everything. I know I have before, but never will again!

The Fire Engine and Horseless Carriage are not covered - which may be too hot on a sunny day.

(6) Sit-and-watch Attractions

There are several of these kinds of attractions in both parks, so I'm going to list them all in this category:

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - Town Square

History and Incredible Animatronics... Plus air-conditioning.

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room - Adventureland

Golden Horseshoe - Frontierland (comedy shows occasionally)

Currently not running in Disneyland:
Big Thunder Ranch used to have entertainment, but now it's only on special occasions.
Captain EO (Tomorrowland) is supposedly under refurbishment, but I don't know what will be returning to this theater or when.

Muppet Vision 3D - Hollywoodland, DCA 
(Currently a Frozen sing-along "For the First Time in Forever," but should be returning in May.)

It's Tough to be a Bug - A Bug's Land 
(Also currently showing a Cinderella sneak peek, but should be returning soon.)

Entertainment

Different from the sit-and-watch attractions, these are scheduled shows that you will have to check your entertainment schedules for and make sure you get there on time (aka 10 minutes early).

(7) Mickey and the Magical Map - Fantasyland

If music and dancing is your thing, you'll enjoy this show. It's a great mash-up of diverse Disney characters (some classic, some new), with excellent costuming and singing/dancing.

(8) Aladdin Musical Spectacular - Hollywoodland 

Don't be driven away because it's a musical. Genie is a comedic genius and there may or may not be a magic carpet flying above your head. Oops, spoiler alert. (This does tend to draw a large crowd and a long line... and if you don't get there early, you may have to climb stairs for balcony seating.)


(9) Royal Theater - Princess Fantasy Fair

This might be better categorized in the sit-and-watch category since these performances run most of the day, but there are a few different shows that you may want to schedule a specific one.  

Actual places to just SIT

(10) Animation Building - Hollywoodland

This is actually my number one favorite spot to just chill out. Air conditioned, plenty of cushy-seating available, and screens surrounding you with beautiful animation and music. You can also stop in at Animation Academy while you're there and learn to draw a Disney character. While sitting. In air conditioning. Are you picking up on the subtle hints??? (The animation building has been recently Frozen-fied and is more crowded than normal, so it is possible that it is not as tranquil as it used to be.)

(11) The Wizard of Bras Porch - Main Street

Now I've lost you. Wizard of what?! You read that correctly, BRAS. I would explain, but this video does it best (Thanks to LiveFastDiePoor's youtube channel): 

This porch is located just across from the Penny Arcade on Main Street. When you find it unoccupied, sit and people-watch. FreshBakedDisney snagged this sweet footage:

(12) ANY OLD BENCH

Truly. I shouldn't have to tell you where and when to sit down. By all means, if you are tired, SIT! Because no matter where you are in Disneyland, you are sure to happen upon some sort of magic. On Main Street, it may be the Dapper Dans serenading you, or maybe you'll catch a game of musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter. In Tomorrowland, you might be tempted to the dark side by Darth Vader, or rock out to a nighttime concert. At the Hungry Bear restaurant in Critter Country, you can just sit and watch the boats float by. In fact, you might just have that genius idea, that grand epiphany that you have been waiting for.

After all, that's where Walt Disney first came up with the idea for Disneyland. If any old bench is good enough for Walt, then it's good enough for you.

What's YOUR favorite place to rest in Disneyland? Leave a comment below!





P.S. Where NOT to sit:

(1) Topiaries
These are fenced off for a reason, you hooligan!

(2) ON Main Street
Seriously, there's a lot of traffic on Main Street, so watch out! (Especially when Goofy's driving)

(3) In a stroller
Found this dude sitting in a stroller in the background of one of my pictures. Don't be this guy. Find a better place to sit.

(4) While waiting in line

 And lastly, please do not sit on the chains and ropes that surround you while in line for attractions. They are not meant to support any kind of weight. Please discourage your kids from playing on them and hanging off of them if you can. Just a way of being courteous to the 60 year old park.