If you’re looking for Disney low stimulation rides, you have come to the right place! It can be stressful to plan a Disney World trip for someone who needs low simulation rides, or need experiences for those with sensory sensitivities. And we know that it can be hard to figure out what would be the best options. Disney is overall loud, bright colored, and crowded all year long. A lot of the rides can also be overwhelming, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
There are some great options for Disney low-stimulation rides, and there are several you can actually relax on. Whether you need these rides and experiences for sensory issues, or just want to be able to relax in a bustling theme park, these rides are for you.
Low stimulation can mean a lot of things but for us, we are looking for Disney rides that are calmer when it comes to noise, flashing lights, motion, and crowds. We know those things can be overwhelming, even for us. For people with sensory sensitivities, Disney World can be a lot due to crowds, noises, and overstimulating rides.
These rides and experiences we recommend will be the best options for Disney lower stimulation rides, and give you some calmer moments within a crazy day. Also, note that what is overstimulating to one person might not be the same for the next, so they are on a person-to-person basis.
Tips for Visiting Disney with Sensory Sensitivities
If you or someone you’re traveling with has sensory sensitivities, there are several things you can do to make your day go a lot smoother. We recommend going early in the day, like rope drop, or going at night to ride when others are lining up for nighttime shows.
You can also get DAS (Disability Access Service) Pass at Disney. This allows those who cannot wait in traditional lines for a long time to be able to enjoy the park, and be able to pick return times for the rides. But, DAS is very stringent right now, and can be difficult to get. So this isn’t the best option for everyone.
You can also bring things like noise-canceling headphones/loops headphones, sunglasses, and cooling towels to make yourself more comfortable. It’s also smart to schedule breaks throughout the day and to know where quiet spaces are within the parks.
Best Low Stimulation Rides at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom has some good options for Disney low stimulation rides, especially because a lot of the rides here are for all ages. We recommend Jungle Cruise, People Mover, Carousel of Progress, and Peter Pan’s Flight.
Jungle Cruise is slow moving and outdoors, and the jokes are fun and distracting. People Mover is the ultimate relaxation ride and so calming. Carousel of Progress is a calm show with no bright lights or sounds. Peter Pan is also slow moving and in the dark. Unfortunately Peter Pan can have a very long wait, and it would be good to use DAS or Lightning Lane on it.
Possible Options Depending on Person
Haunted Mansion could be a very good options for Disney low stimulation rides, because it is slow moving and in the dark. Personally, this is a favorite amongst us with sensory sensitivities. But if you struggle with crowds or tight spaces, ask a cast member if you can skip the pre-show room.
It’s a Small World can also be a great option because it’s a comfortable, slow-moving boat ride. But just note that the repetitive song can be a bit much for some, and could possibly be triggering.
Calmer Attractions and Rides at EPCOT
EPCOT has some of the calmest rides and experiences in all of Disney, and have great options for those who need low stimulation rides. We recommend Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth, the Seas with Nemo and Friends, and Gran Fiesta Tour.
Living with the Land is one of our personal favorites, and is extremely calming and relaxing, just riding through the greenhouses. Spaceship Earth is dark, calm, and quiet, and is slow-moving as well. The Seas with Nemo and Friends takes you on a slow-moving dark ride and you end at the aquarium, which is another calming place to be. Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexican pavilion is another calming boat ride, and is a fun little ride to decompress on.
Possible Options that Could Go Either Way Depending on the Person
Journey into Imagination with Figment could be a good option for Disney low stimulation rides because it’s mild, but note that there are some loud moments that may not be good for everyone.
Frozen Ever After isn’t a thrilling ride, and is actually a fairly calm boat ride in the dark, but there is a drop near the end. If drops aren’t an issue, this could be a very good option.
Gentle Experiences and Rides at Hollywood Studios
Being completely honest, this is the hardest park to find Disney low stimulation rides. Most of the rides here are thrilling and overstimulating, and you may have to decide if a ride is low stimulation here on a person-to-person basis.
Our best recommendation would be the Walt Disney Presents experience in the park. This is a quiet area with a film about Walt Disney at the end. It’s not thrilling or exciting, but this is a very calm option.
Possible Options Depending on the Person
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway could be a good option for those who just need a slow and smooth ride. There are lots of sounds, songs, and visuals though.
Toy Story Mania is also not truly low stimulation, but is very fun and smooth, and could still be enjoyable for some.
Shows like The Little Mermaid and Beauty & The Beast could be possibilities as well. If you find music calming and relaxing these could be great, and The Little Mermaid is also in a darkened theater, and that could be good for some.
Lower Stimulation Rides at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom does have some fairly thrilling rides, but does still have good options for those with sensory sensitivities. Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey, and Wildlife Express Train/Conservation Station are our picks for Disney low stimulation rides.
Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fun truck ride seeing animals, and we do suggest sitting on the end of the row to not feel trapped though. Na’vi River Journey is another slow-moving dark boat ride, and the visuals are so beautiful. The Wildlife Express Train and the Conservation Station are very peaceful and educational, and are a great escape for those who don’t want to be near crowds.
Where to Take Breaks in Each Park
We know that when you feel overstimulated, you need to have a plan in place for somewhere to take a break. It’s good to have a few options in each park, so that you can get there and decompress.
Magic Kingdom has a few calm areas for breaks, like the behind the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square, the hub grass areas near Main Street, and the Tortuga Tavern area connected to Pecos Bill Tale Tall Inn & Cafe.
EPCOT has some of the best quiet areas, like the gardens in the Japan pavilion, the Land pavilion downstairs (near Sunshine Seasons and Living with the Land), and also within the aquarium in the Seas.
Hollywood Studios has some great quiet areas in the Echo Lake area, like near Gertie the dinosaur and around the lake. Also the lobby area of Walt Disney Presents.
In Animal Kingdom, you can relax in the trails near the Tree of Life, and also the areas near the Nomad Lounge (and in Nomad Lounge too!). There’s also lots of benches at the empty and unused open air theater in front of Expedition Everest.
We hope that our tips for visiting Disney with sensory sensitivities has helped you out. Disney World can be a lot, and it’s good to know where you can take a quiet break, as well as know which rides are the least stimulating. Make sure these rides and experiences are on your list for Disney low stimulation rides for your next visit.
Which of these rides are your favorites when you need to relax at Disney? Do you have a favorite place to escape noise and crowds? Let us know in the comments.
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