The 5 Best Resort Crowd Escapes at Walt Disney World

Imagine it’s about 3:00 in the afternoon. You’re visiting Magic Kingdom with hopes to watch the evening fireworks at 9:00 p.m. However, it feels like it’s 100 degrees outside and looks like the only Happily Ever After you’ll see at the end of the night is your bed by 8:00 p.m. What should you do?

It’s possible you have another day planned at Magic Kingdom, and you could resolve to watch the fireworks then. But that’s later in the trip, and chances are you’ll be more worn down then than you are now. You could also hop on the bus back to your resort. But that sounds like a lot of effort. Plus, if you do that, the kids will want to take a dip in the pool. That doesn’t sound too bad, but you already know that you probably aren’t going to return to the parks after a visit to the pool. It’s probably best not to even mention it.

You could take a few long breaks at attractions like the Carousel of Progress and Mickey’s Philharmagic. But honestly, what you really need is a refresher. You’re in luck. Disney’s Contemporary Resort is only a short walk or monorail ride away. You can get there in less than 15 minutes, find a quiet, air-conditioned spot to relax, drink a soda, and maybe do some mild exploring. You might even have dinner before you leave. When you return to Magic Kingdom, you feel a thousand percent better and are excited to see the real Happily Ever After! That crowd escape was the perfect solution.

I’ve spent a good portion of my life touring Walt Disney World and exploring the resorts. I know my limits and have learned that small bites are the best way to tackle the parks. However, as someone who formerly visited around school schedules with limited vacation days, I know that small bites aren’t feasible for most guests. So, I wanted to provide you with a few favorite crowd escapes depending on which parks you’re visiting. I hope you’ll enjoy the list. Toward the end, I’ve added a PDF you can save to your phone for reference during your vacation!

#1 Disney’s Beach Club

Escape From: Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Beach Club is an excellent place to escape the crowds at Walt Disney World. Whether you’re staying at the resort or not, you can always hop over for a visit. Disney’s Beach Club is only a five-minute walk from Epcot’s International Gateway.

Where to Relax: Disney’s Beach Club has plenty of spaces to relax. You can find a swing or a lounge chair on the beach in front of the resort. Or you can find a private spot in the lobby. But our favorite spot is The Solarium! It’s a few steps from the lobby and offers comfy chairs with tables, sofas, and other private seating areas.

Snack Tip: If you’re visiting the Beach Club, you can pick up a tasty snack at Beach Club Marketplace. We love to get a treat and enjoy it at The Solarium. Our current favorite item is the plant-based chocolate brownie! It’s delicious!

#2 Disney’s Boardwalk

Escape From: Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Epcot

Disney’s Boardwalk is only a short walk or boat ride from Epcot’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios. You can explore the Boardwalk’s gift shops, art gallery, and dining options. In the evenings, carnival games and entertainers are available on the Boardwalk.

Where to Relax: If you want to escape the heat, head indoors to Belle Vue Lounge. It’s a few steps from the main lobby on the resort’s second floor. You’ll find plenty of inviting places to sit and cool off. After 4:00 p.m., cocktail service is available. However, you don’t have to order anything to enjoy the lounge.

Snack Tip: We love to pick up a meal or a snack from the Boardwalk Deli and take it to Belle Vue Lounge to enjoy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might pick up an ice cream treat from the Boardwalk Ice Cream Shop. However, you’ll want to be prepared to enjoy it before it melts!

#3 Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Escape From: Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom. This resort is the ultimate place to escape crowds at Walt Disney World and the Florida heat! It instantly feels cooler when you set foot on the resort’s boat dock!

Don’t Miss: When you arrive at Wilderness Lodge from the boat dock, take the long path up to the main lobby. It weaves around the pool past Copper Creek Falls. An outdoor staircase leads up to an overlook with stunning views. After you’re finished, the path continues to the lobby. Once inside, you’ll encounter another bridge where the waterfall begins.

Where to Relax: We love to take the path from the main lobby to Boulder Ridge. There, you’ll find the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room. Sit back and relax in an oversized rocking chair, or check out the train memorabilia in honor of Walt Disney and his love for trains.

#4 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Escape From: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a quick bus ride away from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You could spend an entire day touring the resort and probably not see everything! Fun Fact: This hotel has the most extensive African art collection on display outside of Africa!

Don’t Miss: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an oasis. The hotel is full of nooks and crannies if you’ll take the time to explore. Down each hallway, you’ll find museum-like displays with various African artwork. You’ll also run into private viewing areas of the savanna every so often. We love to find an empty area and watch the animals graze in the distance.

Best Quiet Spot: If you’re visiting the Animal Kingdom Lodge, a smaller room sits off the left side of the main lobby. It’s often empty because most guests have no clue it exists. Bring a book and cozy up for a relaxing afternoon!

#5 Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Escape From: Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a short walk or monorail ride away from Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Once you arrive, feel free to tour the resort’s Grand Concourse (the 4th floor) and check out the mural of the Grand Canyon designed by Mary Blair.

Where to Relax: The Contemporary’s interior is often busy with guests coming and going from the monorail. If you’re looking to relax inside, the resort’s second floor has massive sectionals and seating areas. It’s rare to find them in use. But our favorite spot is the Contemporary’s big backyard. The area offers tons of shaded seating with views of Bay Lake!

Fun Tip: The Contemporary’s backyard offers a fun photo opportunity. It even has a stand where you can place your camera on a timer for a family photo! You’ll find this Mickey sculpture on the immediate left when you walk out of the lobby’s back entrance.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this list of our five favorite resort crowd escapes at Walt Disney World. We love these somewhat hidden spots and hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we do. If you would like to save a copy for reference on your vacation, I’ve created a complimentary PDF. Just click on the button below to save it on your mobile device or computer.

In the Comments

What do you think of these crowd escapes? Are there any you would add to the list? Let us know below in the comments.