Exciting, fast-paced, on the go, active … if this describes a trip to Walt Disney World for your family, you are not alone. After all, the rush of riding Expedition Everest or the stomach-dropping thrill of a ride on the Tower of Terror is some of the most fun you can have at the World. In fact, after I experience a Disney World thrill ride, I am usually ready to hurry right back to the queue and do it again.
But even though a trip to the World is not complete for me without an adrenaline-charged ride … or two … or three, my Disney trip survivor tip this week is to take a break and rest your senses for a bit in one of the World’s wonderful walk through attractions.
And so, in this week’s column, I am highlighting my favorite relaxing walk through attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. In our next issue, I’ll take on Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom parks.
Magic Kingdom
For me, the Magic Kingdom is the park where I feel the most busy throughout the day. Now that I have been thinking about walk through attractions in the World, I am wondering if the more hectic pace of the Magic Kingdom might be because there are relatively few walk through attractions there.
The Swiss Family Tree House takes some amount of climbing energy, though taking it slow can be a bit of a respite on a cooler day. If you aren’t chasing your children, a stroll on Tom Sawyer Island could fit the bill. But my favorite walk through attraction at the Magic Kingdom is …
… Cinderella Castle!
I love to contemplate the awesome beauty of the castles spires, survey the lush landscaping, and take a rest at the wishing well. Last, my very favorite part of the castle is the detailed and colorful beauty of the mosaics in the castle corridor.
Epcot
In contrast to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot offers a plethora of walk through exhibits, and I think the most restful ones can be found in the World Showcase, including the American Heritage Gallery, the Mexico Folk Art Gallery, the Bijutsu-kan Gallery in Japan, and the Gallery of Arts and History in Morocco. All showcase wonderful artifacts in a cool setting, but I have two favorites.
The Stave Church Gallery in Norway: The smallness of this gallery and—if you can catch it at the right moment—the silence that can be found there are perfect for a short break away from the crowds.
The House of the Whispering Willows in China, in contrast, isn’t small or usually as quiet, but I am mesmerized by its scale reproduction of the famous Terracotta Army. Amazing!
