Off the Beaten Path

Good day!

As a local with annual passes for over 20 years of his life, I’ve obviously spent a lot of time in the parks. I’ve probably passed through those turnstiles over 1000 times. Due to spending so much time in the parks, I have had more time than many people to explore all the little nooks and crannies and hidden spots. I’ve found quiet corners, beautiful spaces, air-conditioned places, and spots to just change my camera gear or wait for a friend to get to the parks.

My friend Jenna saw a random one of these photos which I feel are never worthy of blogging and fell in love with it. She suggested I pull together a post about all these out-of-the-way places that non-locals who hustle through the parks never get to see. So, I took her advice and can finally share all of these “throwaway” pics in a cohesive blog post. I’ve captioned each picture with the location – but see if you know it before you click to read it. Let me know any of your favorite spots I’ve left out… I’d like to visit them.

Enjoy the pics, and I hope you can enjoy some of these spaces in person sometime,
-ADA
@AtDisneyAgain

In Harambe, as you pass the big white Mombasa Marketplace building, look to your left. There’s a tower here. Inside the tower are a couple of benches and sometimes a table. It’s calm and cool.

I always use the waterfront path in Frontierland and Liberty Square. It is less crowded, more meandering, and has better scenery than walking on the concrete street just ten feet away. You can’t beat it.

Tutto Gusto. Literally a dark cave that serves cheese and wine. There’s absolutely nothing better.

There’s a tent in Storybook Circus full of empty seats and charging stations. Visit it next time you’re at Magic Kingdom and need to relax.

Pirates of the Caribbean has this courtyard that’s often chained off. I usually ask a CM if I can go back there, and they’ve always obliged. It’s such a lovely spot.

The Canada Pavilion. From the Victoria Gardens to the quiet overlook upstairs. Just lovely and peaceful through and through.

Tom Sawyer Island. There’s no better place to fit the definition of off the beaten path, is there?

The Canada Pavilion. From the Victoria Gardens to the quiet overlook upstairs. Just lovely and peaceful through and through.

Wave Lounge. Off to the right of the bar at The Wave in the Contemporary Resort. So calming, so dark, so cold. Love this spot. You’ll find me here many nights or mid-afternoons.

The Canada Pavilion. From the Victoria Gardens to the quiet overlook upstairs. Just lovely and peaceful through and through.

In Harambe, as you pass the big white Mombasa Marketplace building, look to your left. There’s a tower here. Inside the tower are a couple of benches and sometimes a table. It’s calm and cool.

Captain’s Grille. Seriously a forgotten restaurant I never see anyone talk about. I love grabbing breakfast here and boating to EPCOT in time to rope drop World Showcase.

An ode to wall carpet in the waiting room of The Circle of Life – an Environmental Fable in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion.

Shutters at Caribbean Beach Resort. Walk another 30 feet from the hustle and bustle of the food court and enjoy this quiet, out-of-the-way spot for wonderful food. I often eat here when I’m with people who are incredibly recognizable who don’t want to be recognized. You know who you are.

You may be confused at the inclusion of City Hall. However, this was my home base during One More Disney Day (the real one!) for the helpfulness of CMs who’d give anyone water and charge phones in a perfect example of going above and beyond. Also, as most people only visit this spot while they’re complaining, I suggest you do what I’ve done: Stop by, appreciate the detail, and thank a CM for a great day in the park. You wouldn’t believe the smile that gets you.

Paths off to the side just before you cross the bridge from the Animal Kingdom entry into Discovery Island. You’ll be alone and relaxed in no time.

The lobby of Old Key West Resort has a relaxing sitting room where I’ve shared many a cooler of beer with friends.

The Grand Floridian DVC Villas have probably my favorite fountain at all of WDW. And this lobby is calm, quiet, and the classiest of classy. Spend some time sometime.

The Wilderness Lodge has this beautiful spring in its lobby, there are chairs right nearby it and nobody seems to head to the back right of this lobby. It’s a beautiful spot for engagement photos, too.

More Morocco Pavilion. I can’t say enough about disappearing into it.

Sure, you’ve been in the Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House lobby, but have you ever just hung out on that bridge up top, where nobody really goes? It’s a perfectly secluded place to watch the world go by.

East Center Street. There used to be a West Center Street, but it’s no more after an Emporium expansion. Grab your Starbucks and find this nook just off Magic Kingdom’s Main Street.

In New Fantasyland, there is a DVC Kiosk that has an amazing level of detail which nobody ever seems to see or occupy. This is a wonderful shelter from sun or rain. Look for King Triton out front.

The pathways behind Flametree BBQ are full of statues and ruins. Explore them for a moment away from the crowd.

Territory Lounge is often just considered a waiting room for Artist Point. I assure you it isn’t. It is a lovely, wonderful place to recharge and share some time with friends.

Tom Sawyer Island. There’s no better place to fit the definition of off the beaten path, is there?

You can’t visit here anymore, but you probably remember it. The little Norwegian town after exiting the Maelstrom boat before heading to the theater. On a hot or rainy day, this was my jam for quite awhile.

Second floor, left rear of Jambo House. Sometimes they’re hosting cultural exchanges here with CMs from all over Africa, but it is usually empty and secluded. And always beautiful. Great spot for blogging.

Seating behind Drinkwallah. A perfect little waterfront haunt.

Just off East Center Street at Magic Kingdom, there’s a glassblower hard at work most of the day. Stop and enjoy this ancient art and get out of the crowds for a bit.

Seating behind Drinkwallah. A perfect little waterfront haunt.

The Tune-In Lounge. This isn’t super out of the way, but any chance I have to give this place a shout out is good.

Hotel. China Pavilion. EPCOT.

Coronado Springs. So many beautiful courtyards and fountains dot this Moderate Resort. They’re a reason it’s a favorite place of mine to stay.

A greenroom at Yellow Shoes. Don’t ask.

The Tune-In Lounge. This isn’t super out of the way, but any chance I have to give this place a shout out is good.

Upstairs at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. There’s also a balcony worth visiting in this Magic Kingdom staple.

One of the many paths in and around Animal Kingdom.

Restaurant Marrakesh. It’s strange to call a restaurant an out of the way place, but this truly is a hidden gem at the rear of the Morocco Pavilion. It’s never busy, it’s breathtakingy beautiful, and utterly delicious.

In New Fantasyland, there is a DVC Kiosk that has an amazing level of detail which nobody ever seems to see or occupy. This is a wonderful shelter from sun or rain. Look for King Triton out front.

East Center Street. There used to be a West Center Street, but it’s no more after an Emporium expansion. Grab your Starbucks and find this nook just off Magic Kingdom’s Main Street.

The rear of the UK Pavilion holds a wonderful spot to hang out while the band isn’t playing… So very peaceful.

Bay Lake Tower has an elevator lobby in which I’ve never seen anyone. I sat here once and just meditatively watched the castle twinkle in the distance. It was Dreamlights season.

In New Fantasyland, there is a DVC Kiosk that has an amazing level of detail which nobody ever seems to see or occupy. This is a wonderful shelter from sun or rain. Look for King Triton out front.

Coronado Springs. So many beautiful courtyards and fountains dot this Moderate Resort. They’re a reason it’s a favorite place of mine to stay.

Port Orleans Riverside. Exit the food court and head away from the main building and wrap around the boardwalk. You’ll be alone with the calming sounds of this waterwheel churning for as long as you need to relax.

East Center Street. There used to be a West Center Street, but it’s no more after an Emporium expansion. Grab your Starbucks and find this nook just off Magic Kingdom’s Main Street.

The hot tub at Jambo House is wonderfully hidden in the trees. The lush plants keep the sights and sounds of the main pool at bay while you enjoy some solitude or conversation without kids.

Wave Lounge. Off to the right of the bar at The Wave in the Contemporary Resort. So calming, so dark, so cold. Love this spot. You’ll find me here many nights or mid-afternoons.

You probably haven’t looked right as the line heads into Tower of Terror to notice this beautiful terrace.

Second floor, left rear of Jambo House. Sometimes they’re hosting cultural exchanges here with CMs from all over Africa, but it is usually empty and secluded. And always beautiful.

East Center Street. There used to be a West Center Street, but it’s no more after an Emporium expansion. Grab your Starbucks and find this nook just off Magic Kingdom’s Main Street.

Melissa first introduced me to this nook at Old Key West. The Gurgling Suitcase is never a quiet place to be, but sure is out of the way!

Tortuga Tavern is often closed, but has a lovely inside dining area with the cleanest and quietest bathrooms in the entirety of Walt Disney World. Nobody would ever visit during closed hours if not for the Sorcers Portal found in this fireplace.

Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT. A Muslim friend visited here during what happened to be prayer time and a CM provided him and his family with prayer mats and an area in which to pray peacefully. It doesn’t get more off the beaten path than that.

Port Orleans Riverside has serene grounds with plenty of tiny courtyards with spaces to sit and relax and catch up with friends.

The Turtle Pond (as I call it because of the foreground statues) is on the paths behind Flametree BBQ and is worth a moment of quiet and beauty.

In New Fantasyland, there is a DVC Kiosk that has an amazing level of detail which nobody ever seems to see or occupy. This is a wonderful shelter from sun or rain. Look for King Triton out front.

Captain’s Grille. Seriously a forgotten restaurant I never see anyone talk about. I love grabbing breakfast here and boating to EPCOT in time to rope drop World Showcase.

This is Scat Cat’s Club at Port Orleans French Quarter. Duck left off the lobby.

You can’t visit here anymore, but I loved sitting on any of the many stoops on the Streets of America, unnoticed and unbothered. Just enjoying what the Imagineers built out of a swamp.

New Harambe. There’s nothing else I need to say about it.

A cozy fireplace anchors this room in EPCOT’s UK Pavilion.

Tom Sawyer Island. There’s no better place to fit the definition of off the beaten path, is there? The Magnetic Mine even more so.

I’m not saying the Electrical Water Pageant is an out-of-the-way place. But watching it from the beach at Fort Wilderness will make you feel like you’re one of the only people on Earth. A few close friends and a six-pack can make this a truly wonderful experience.

The corner table at Gaston’s. Face the fireplace and look left. That last table in the corner is where my fiancée and I had our first talk and I first heard her laugh. Had to include this one.

The Muppetvision queue is full of details and hardly ever fully in use. Find some shelter and enjoy all the small touches… While they last.

Wave Lounge. Off to the right of the bar at The Wave in the Contemporary Resort. So calming, so dark, so cold. Love this spot. You’ll find me here many nights or mid-afternoons.

Pirates of the Caribbean has this courtyard that’s often chained off. I usually ask a CM if I can go back there, and they’ve always obliged. It’s such a lovely spot.

Cross the bridge from Discovery Island into Anandapur. At the very end of the bridge, on the right, you’ll find Drinkwallah. This is a tiny little soda shop with a quiet seating area behind it. It’s so quiet and refreshing.

More Morocco Pavilion. I can’t say enough about disappearing into it.

Echo Lake. I shouldn’t need to say more, but I will: Tables and chairs overlook this lovely spot of old Hollywood and provide a great place to kick up your feet and recharge.

A favorite place to rest and recharge in Morocco.

More Morocco Pavilion. I can’t say enough about disappearing into it.

The bathroom just off of Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. There’s no real way to explain how much I love this bathroom, so I won’t.

More Morocco Pavilion. I can’t say enough about disappearing into it.

In Harambe, as you pass the big white Mombasa Marketplace building, look to your left. There’s a tower here. Inside the tower are a couple of benches and sometimes a table. It’s calm and cool.

In New Fantasyland, there is a DVC Kiosk that has an amazing level of detail which nobody ever seems to see or occupy. This is a wonderful shelter from sun or rain. Look for King Triton out front.

You probably haven’t looked right as the line heads into Tower of Terror to notice this beautiful terrace.

Victoria Falls Lounge above the hustle and bustle of Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

DVC lounge above Imagination Pavilion. EPCOT.

Literally all of the shelters behind Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom are some of my happy places.

Tom Sawyer Island. There’s no better place to fit the definition of off the beaten path, is there?

Territory Lounge is often just considered a waiting room for Artist Point. I assure you it isn’t. It is a lovely, wonderful place to recharge and share some time with friends.

Head into the Grand Floridian Resort and go upstairs and all the way to the right rear. There’s a balcony up there with a few tables and chairs for each. It’s such a wonderful spot nobody knows about.