Listen, Disney World can be a lot. Sure, it’s endlessly magical and enchanting and pure joy, but sometimes you just need a little break, you know?
And guess what? That’s ok! Not all rides need to be an adrenaline rush. Sometimes, what you really need is a ride that’s basically the opposite.
Fortunately for Disney World-goers, the parks are filled with just as many slow-paced rides as there are roller coasters, falling elevators, and speeding cars.
Perfect for when you need a little break without leaving the parks, we’re talking about the kinds of rides that are relaxing, slow-moving, and dark. In other words, they’re downright nap-worthy!
Here are 8 Disney World rides that are ideal for a quick five-minute snooze.
Magic Kingdom
Liberty Square Riverboat
When it comes to slow-moving rides (both indoors and out), Magic Kingdom is pretty much king, and reigning at the top of this group is Liberty Square Riverboat.
Maybe it’s because it moves as slow as molasses, or maybe because it’s an oft-overlooked attraction that some folks might deem boring, but this old-fashioned boat is a great option for a scenic siesta!
It’s huge, so there are plenty of shaded nooks and crannies for you to cozy up while drifting off to sleep for a few relaxing moments of peace and quiet.
The Haunted Mansion
Not that this iconic Magic Kingdom is boring or overrated by any means, but The Haunted Mansion easily meets our napping needs for the mere fact that it’s so dark inside.
The ride is long enough, slow enough, and dark enough to guarantee some peaceful shut-eye, should you need it.
Plus, for all the ghostly shenanigans on the ride, none of it is too loud so as to wake you from your slumber, though you’ll probably look pretty silly in the on-ride photo…
Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid
No offense to Ariel, but her “journey” is a bit of a snooze fest.
Her namesake ride, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, is a Fantasyland fave for kids, but considering we know the story like the backs of our hands, it makes it easy to clock out for a few.
The format of the ride seems like it was specifically designed to optimize napping, with its dark indoor environment, relative quiet, slow pace, and a temperature that’s darn near perfect sleeping temperature.
EPCOT
Spaceship Earth
Despite having the fastest ride in Disney World, EPCOT is another park that’s mostly known for slow-paced attractions through various dark environments that seem designed to lull you to sleep. Case in point: Spaceship Earth.
The park’s iconic attraction is pure nostalgia and an epic tour de force of human history narrated by Dame Judi Dench. There’s a lot to love here, but let’s face it: it’s also the perfect ride for a nap.
As you maneuver ever so slowly through time, in a mostly dark environment, with the soft narration of Dame Judi Dench hitting like a lullaby, it’s all too perfect for a few Zzz’s.
Gran Fiesta Tour
Although a little more lively and animated than Spaceship Earth, Gran Fiesta Tour is another indoor attraction that inches along at just the right pace to put us to sleep.
Sure, the Three Caballeros are a hoot, and the atmosphere can be colorful, but the whole ride feels like being on a giant water bed, and it’s tempting to just pass out for a couple minutes.
The American Adventure
If five minutes just doesn’t cut it, look no further than The American Adventure, which despite the action-packed name, is actually the ideal setting for an extended nap.
Housed inside a huge theater with comfy theater seats this is the ideal environment to sink into your plush chair and disappear for several minutes of temperature-controlled bliss, while Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain chatter in the background at a moderate volume.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Muppet*Vision 3D
Home to adrenaline-fueled rides like Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster, and Smugglers Run, none of which are great for naps at all, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is slim pickings for a midday snooze. Thankfully, the Muppets are here to save the day!
One of the longest running attractions in the park, Muppet*Vision 3D is basically the same thing as The American Adventure, but instead of American history and Ben Franklin, it’s a theater attraction with Muppet antics and Gonzo.
Don’t worry about the 3D glasses. Just let them rest in your lap as you shut your eyes to the sweet, soothing sounds of Miss Piggy being tricked into waterskiing.
Animal Kingdom
Na’vi River Journey
Animal Kingdom is another park that’s sort of lacking in the nap-worthy department (unless you find the idea of Yetis or unnervingly realistic dangling spiders to be relaxing), but one ride that’s always good for a break is also one of the most divisive rides in the parks.
We’re talking, of course, about Na’vi River Journey, the much more slow-paced attraction in Pandora, where boats carry riders along on a tranquil journey through fictional lands and ambient music. It’s like going for a ride through your sound machine.
So the next time you need to hit the reset button in Disney World, look no further than these adrenaline-free rides for the perfect little nap!
Three Ways to Take a Break in the Middle of Your Magic Kingdom Day
What are your favorite Disney World rides for a nap? Let us know in the comments!
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It used to be the Ellen ride at Epcot. Could get in a really good nap!
Classic snooze feats for my family have included the following: Tiki Room in MK, Hall of Presidents in MK, Its a Small World in MK, American Adventure in Epcot, Nemo Seas in Epcot, Muppets in HS, and Tough to be a Bug in AK.
Peoplemover is another great one!
You forgot pirate of carabean
The Carousel of Progress is another good spot for a climate-controlled nap. Great ride, but once you’ve seen it dozens of times, it’s a prime spot for shuteye.
Two other attractions I like to catch a nap on, besides HM are the WedWay and CoP. I love all of them. But have been know to close the eyes for a few.
No Carousel of Progress or Hall of Presidents? Living with the Land? Could you just ride the monorail around over and over, too? Asking for a … friend. Yeah, that’s it.