Hello, Rebecca! The Disney Theme Parks are exciting, magical, wonderful, and amazing -- but did you know that they can also be kind of relaxing, too? I recently helped another Guest find some places to enjoy a bit of
downtime at Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and I'd be happy to help you find some great places to take a break at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well.
At Magic Kingdom Park, make sure to stop by Tom Sawyer Island. It's a great spot to sit out and enjoy nature, but it's also really fun to explore. My family and I also really enjoy taking a spin on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, especially at nighttime. This slow ride will take you through a tour of Tomorrowland, and even offer some behind-the-scenes looks at several popular attractions. It lasts about 10 minutes. If you're looking for a bench, you may have the best luck in the Tomorrowland section of the park, as well as Fantasyland (near the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station).
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, my family and I tend to head toward Echo Lake. The surrounding walkway provides a quieter space to unwind than the busy Streets of America. There are also several great stage shows that you will be able to sit down to enjoy. Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage and Voyage of The Little Mermaid are two great performances that you can enjoy while you take a break from walking. I will caution against the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure for two reasons: this play area can get quite crowded with children running around and it can be very difficult to keep an eye on your own children because of this. It is, however, an excellent spot for children to run off a little energy!
I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Walt Disney World vacation, Rebecca! Happy planning!