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Top 10 Disney World Rides That Might Put You To Sleep

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Credit: Disney

Let me start this article with the following announcement: I love these rides. This is not even remotely a jab at any of them, but merely an assessment of the napping opportunities associated with them.  I mean, maybe that line for Mickey was just a bit too long, or you were forced to be the first ones in the park at 9. If this is you, I highly recommend grabbing a coffee ahead of time and enjoying each of these attractions.

10. Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Located next to the Imagination Pavilion, guests will find the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. This is an especially great spot to stop and take a breather (or a nap!) on a hot day with lots of walking. Be seated in a theater that offers a 4D experience of three fantastic Disney-Pixar short films. In total, plan to spend 18-minutes enjoying this attraction. While this the Short Film Festival does offer a FastPass, it’s rarely crowded so you may want to use your FastPass on something else. 

9. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

This one is a bit of a long shot, but it could work. This ride is a dark, slow-moving boat ride. The gist is that José Carioca and Panchito are searching for the missing Donald Duck. The noises of the Mexican highlights might be a bit distracting, but hey, it’s a break nonetheless. Plus, your brain will probably already be in sleepy mode because of how dark the Mexican Pavilion is.  You may not feel super refreshed afterword, but this is definitely worth the siesta.

8. Railroads

Okay, to be honest, I didn’t think these counted as rides but evidently they do. The most famous railroads in the parks are in Magic Kingdom. The Main Street, USA, Frontierland, and Fantasyland Railroad stops are classic Disney essentials. Walt Disney loved trains, so it’s only fitting that they are featured in the parks. These trains loop the park, providing a scenic tour of the Magic Kingdom or simply a handy way to quickly get around. There is also the Wildlife Express Train in Animal Kingdom that travels to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and gives the passengers behind-the-scenes looks at the inner workings of the animal conservation in the park. These are fun and really convenient but let’s be honest: they are an absolutely beautiful way to take a catnap.

7. The American Adventure

Here’s an attraction that is perfect for napping purely because of the dark theater aspect. However, before the actual movie, make sure you come early to listen to the Voices of Liberty; they are amazing and will keep you alert for sure. In the actual theater, animatronics and film footage and songs present the story of how America came to be, narrated by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. You are taken to the landing of the Mayflower to the Boston Tea Party to the Civil War to the Great Depression, all of which stirs the patriotism within you, if you are awake, that is.

6. Carousel of Progress

For a true Disney geek, this attraction is a historical gem. Being the original idea that Walt Disney presented at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, it holds a dear place in the hearts of Disney fanatics. This attraction is a 20 ish minute long show in a revolving theater that was revolutionary for the time. An animatronic family takes the audience through technological evolution of the 20th century.  We see how this family adapts to the ever-changing world and the challenges they face like having to change the blown fuse every time they turn it on to paint mixers going awry. While the story is cute and fun, the theater is dark and moves, making it incredibly easy to slip into temporary oblivion as my grandpa used to do when he wasn’t singing along to the theme song. On the plus side, the Carousel of Progress gives you a great, big, beautiful nap.

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For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

5. Impressions de France

This one needs an extra warning: I LOVE this movie and I never fall asleep in it. However, this is the perfect contender for a nap. Since it is in fact a movie, the theater chairs are comfortable and perfect after walking the EPCOT march. As the room darkens, the soft, beautiful music begins. The movie takes you through a tour of the highlights of France.  The score lulls you as the melodies of well-known French masterpieces fill the room. Comfy chairs plus a dark room plus gorgeous music equals a glorious nap. Impressions de France is 18 minutes of happiness.

4. Spaceship Earth

Here’s another great ride for entertainment but also for resting. Spaceship Earth takes you on a journey through time-in the dark…on a slow-moving vehicle. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to get sleepy. If you do stay awake, a great history lesson can be learned! You and your fellow time-travelers will be introduced to the cavemen and the early Egyptians to those in the Renaissance era and even Bill Gates not too many years ago. If you can zone out Dame Judi Dench’s narration, this ride provides a great 16-minute snooze.

3. Living with the Land 

Okay, I don’t really know how to say this nicely: this ride is slow. It is very educational, but definitely don’t expect “thrills and chills” on this one. Living with the Land is a slow cruise around the behind-the-scenes part of The Land pavilion in EPCOT. On this cruise, you can see how certain foods are generally grown and how EPCOT is producing them using innovative techniques. This ride can be fascinating to those who are interested in agricultural history and the methods that follow. I would certainly give it a chance, but you are not alone if you find yourself studying the inside of your eyelids.

2. The Hall of Presidents

This one is great for the history buffs. However, I am not one of them. So for me, it’s a perfect snooze opportunity. The story line of this attraction is very similar to American Adventure except all 43 Presidents narrate it. These Audio-Animatronics are incredible; they are the finished product after the 1964 New York World’s Fair Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln that Walt Disney worked exceptionally hard to perfect. While this is all extremely historically fascinating to some, others might find it a bit dull, in which case a declaration of dozing might be in order.

1. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

This ride was made for napping. Just kidding. But it really is perfect. It is meant to be an informative behind-the-scenes look at some of Tomorrowland’s popular rides such as Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain. A very cool aspect of the PeopleMover is a look at Walt Disney’s original architectural model of EPCOT. But even that only takes about twenty seconds of the tour. The ride as a whole is pretty slow and easy-going. Half of the ride is in the dark and often you can literally not see a thing, so you might as well just close your eyes…right? While this is my top choice for napping, any opportunity to sneak in some z’s at Disney is an achievement so if you’ve mastered it, well done, my friend.

About Molly Elias

Molly Elias has been a dedicated Disney fan since she was 18-months old. She has grown up with and learned from Disney her whole life. As her family's main vacation spot, Disney World is a place of love and laughter and magic for her. Her family also prides themselves on their Disney Cruise Line knowledge and would rather be on the high seas with Mickey than anywhere else in the world. Molly plans to keep Disney in her life forever, while also pursuing a writing career. She recently completed a master's program in creative writing in the hopes that someday she will be able to be a writer for the Happiest Company on Earth. Molly keeps Walt's famous quote at the forefront of her life: "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."