Summer is finally here but with that also comes bigger crowds and hotter temps! Disney World is armed with quite a few hidden places where you can find a seat to relax for a few moments, and get some cool air conditioning but sometimes they’re hard to spot for the novice Disney World visitor.
Spaceship Earth
But lucky for you, you’ve got the experts on your side and we’re ready to let you on one of the BIGGEST secret places we’ve been keeping from you for a while (it can be our little secret)!
EPCOT has become a bustling place full of life in the most recent months as the construction walls have started to come down. While we’re still waiting for the last of EPCOT’s major glow-up to be complete, that hasn’t slowed down the crowds!
EPCOT crowds
You might think your best places to take a breather while inside the park could be found by hopping on a relaxing ride like Living With The Land or Spaceship Earth, walking through the wet path of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, or even just sitting for a spell in the newly opened World Celebration Gardens, taking in the sights and sounds. However, there’s an even BETTER ideal place that comes to mind!
Chairs
A lot of those places we mentioned don’t have a fan blasting over top of you and are pretty exposed to the elements. So after some thinking, you’ll probably think of a few lounges that we’re quite fond of too!
DVC Lounge in EPCOT
The problem with the lounges like the Disney Vacation Club lounge over ImageWorks or the recently opened Annual Passholder lounge in the former Restaurant Marakesh building is that they’re pretty exclusive and not made available to just anyone looking to take a break. Plus, they’re not always the most reliable to be open since we already knew the AP lounge is just open for a limited time and the DVC Lounge is expected to be temporarily relocating soon!
Annual Passholder Lounge refreshments in EPCOT
So where do you turn to when you just need a moment away from the hustle and bustle (and intense heat) of EPCOT? Our best-kept secret hiding spot, of course! Most people don’t realize this spot even exists, making it an ideal place to stop by for a break.
Race Against The Sun is about to be your next “go-to” spot. If you’re not totally familiar with Race Against the Sun, it’s located in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase. It’s one of the first exhibits you’ll find near the entrance of the pavilion and is a fun, interactive (but informative) exhibit.
Race Against the Sun
Here’s why we love it so much! There’s only one entrance into the exhibit and it is hidden behind the Cast Member that’s stationed in the KidCot stop. We get it, this is pretty hidden and it’s going to feel illegal to go around the Cast Members to get inside, but think of them like the guard to your kingdom.
The trick is to go around the KidCot stop
Not too many folks are willing to walk around to find its entrance doors and reach your final destination on this adventure. Once inside, you’ll find a couple of padded benches that each feature a nearby outlet.
Several outlets inside
Don’t get us started on how great that AC feels as it’s blasting around you! Even with as much praise as we give this place, it does have its downfall, though. Inside the exhibit, there is a racing simulator that runs on a loop which can be loud so this might not be your best option for napping little ones.
Padded bench seats
Here’s our hot take on this spot — although the Passholder lounge is nice (and features a few complimentary snacks) it’s mere steps away from this spot, and THIS one doesn’t have a line to get in. Plus, it’s also accessible to anyone visiting EPCOT (not just passholders) and is a permanent fixture that won’t be running on a limited-time engagement so you won’t have to find a new spot to chill so quickly like the lounge.
We’re always sharing our best-kept tips and tricks to help you have the best time while visiting Disney World! Be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for the latest!
4 HUGE Ways EPCOT Will Change on June 10th
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever stumbled upon this hidden gem in EPCOT? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Maybe many years ago, when the room housed Moroccan jewelry and crafts. The “Race against the sun” exhibit is definitely a step backwards. Then again, “MO-rockin'” was the best band ever to play that pavillion. Guess nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.
The Bijutsu-Kan Gallery at the back of the Japan pavilion is another excellent place to get out of the heat and enjoy a cultural exhibit, though I don’t know if there are outlets there for charging phones.
That is my go to dpot as well to sit & cool off – add a frozen mint iced tea from across the way & it is fantastic.