The Unspoken Rules About Napping in Disney World

A day at Disney World can get long and exhausting. ?

You’ll put on many miles of walking, possibly wake up early, and stay up late. Getting a full day in at the parks is important for many people so they can get in as much as possible before their vacation comes to an end. These long days can lead to you getting very sleepy in the middle of the day. Trust us, this happens to us all the time! So, taking a little cat nap while at the park can be a great way to chill and relax, even for 10 to 15 minutes. There are a few unspoken rules we think are important to follow for napping at Disney World.

When it comes to napping at the Disney World parks, our unspoken rules come down to being courteous to other guests. We’re all tired, but remember there are thousands of other guests around you. Consider these “rules” as you’re resting your eyes in the park.

Don’t Take Up a Table to Nap

There are LOTS of great places to nap at inside the parks. Shows, slow attractions (we’re looking at you, Carousel of Progress and PeopleMover), and even a bit of grass in the Magic Kingdom hub make for good napping spots. But one spot that is NOT a good place to nap is a table at a restaurant.

It can be very challenging to find a table at the quick service restaurants in the parks; the last thing we want to see is an entire table taken up by someone napping instead of eating. Please remember, tables are for eating at, not for napping, so be courteous to those around you trying to find a place to set their food down.

Don’t Take Up an Entire Bench to Nap

Another not-so-great place to nap is taking up an entire park bench for your nap. Park benches should easily accommodate two to three people, but if you’re laying out on a park bench, you’re taking away the opportunity for someone else to rest their tired feet and legs.

We’re all tired, and finding a nice park bench to sit and relax can be difficult anyway. But if someone is taking it up by napping and not leaving space for others, it can be pretty frustrating to someone looking for a place to rest.

Sit at the Back of Attractions

Someone napping at an attraction or in a show can be distracting to others trying to enjoy it. You don’t want to wake up and realize you were accidentally resting your head on the random person beside you!

If you know you’ll be napping in a theater or on an attraction like Carousel of Progress, we suggest taking a seat at the back of the theater if you’re able to so you don’t end up causing a distraction to anyone else around you. We want everyone to enjoy their time at Disney World!

Don’t Leave Kids Alone Outside to Nap

I once took a trip to Iceland around Christmas time and noticed that people left babies napping in carriages outside of coffee shops and restaurants while the parents went in to enjoy their meals. I was caught off guard by this but quickly realized that it is part of the customs there. That is a common practice in several other countries around the world, but we have to caution you that it is NOT something we do in the United States.

It is not considered safe in the U.S. to leave your kids alone outside of a restaurant if they are napping, even if you can see them. It would be horrifying if something were to happen to your child while you are inside and not with them. It might be nice to just let them keep napping where they are, but please take them in with you for their safety.

If You Know You Snore, Go Back to Your Hotel

We get it; some of us snore while we sleep, and we can’t help it. However, snoring can be very distracting to other guests while enjoying the parks. If you know you snore, we kindly suggest just heading back to your hotel room for an afternoon nap.

Honestly, going back to your hotel for an afternoon nap is a great idea, no matter what, especially if you have young kids. You’ll get a much better quality nap and be ready to take on the nightlife of the parks. Plus, if you do tend to snore, you won’t distract those around you from enjoying Mickey’s PhilharMagic!

Napping in Disney World can help you get through your day; we just ask that you consider those around you and these “rules” to ensure a positive napping experience for everyone. We hope you have a great day at the parks, and happy napping!

For more Disney World tips, keep following AllEars!

Nap Time Can Make or Break Your Disney World Day — Here’s How to NOT Miss Out in the Parks!

Where’s your favorite napping spot in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!