As much as we love visiting Disney World, sometimes it can just be too much.

It’s easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed by all the crowds, noise, lines, and more, even if you’re a Disney World pro, and it helps to know a few key spots that are great for decompressing in each park. We’ve already shown you where to go in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, and now we’re tackling one of Disney World’s most chaotic parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

We’ve all been there. You’re shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd, you can hear the sounds of everyone talking at once, the noise of a nearby ride, and you can smell 10 different food items. Suddenly, it’s all too much and you NEED to get away. We get it! So next time you’re feeling like that in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, here are the BEST places to escape when your anxiety is screaming at you.

Star Wars Launch Bay

The Star Wars Launch Bay doesn’t look like much but it’s one of the BEST hidden spots to escape in Hollywood Studios. It’s open daily from 9AM to 5PM, and inside you’ll find air conditioning as well as Star Wars memorabilia, costumes, models, props, and more, and it tends to be a very low-key and quiet place to rest.

Even with characters now meeting guests inside, there are still plenty of places to walk around or sit down and take a breath, and there’s also an open-air courtyard if you prefer fresh air. You can distract and ground yourself by browsing Star Wars items, which can be extra soothing on those particularly stressful days.

There are always exceptions to the rule but we typically don’t find a ton of crowds inside the Launch Bay, which makes it an ideal escape. Just note that it does close at 5PM, so you’ll need to find a different spot after that.

Pixar Place

When it’s open, Pixar Place is another calm place to sit down and rest for a bit! Located just down the stairs next to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and on the way to Toy Story Land, this area is typically a quiet spot, with possibly just a few guests taking photos in front of Incredibles murals.

The catch is that this area isn’t always open, so you can’t necessarily assume it’s a guaranteed spot. Plus, it has little shade, so it won’t really help if the Florida heat is bothering you or if it’s raining. But if you need a quick moment while heading over to Toy Story Land, this might be a good option!

Walt Disney Presents

Walt Disney Presents is home to one-of-a-kind photos, models, sketches, costumes, and more, documenting Walt Disney’s journey from birth to Disney World. It’s not only an interesting gallery for fans of Disney history, but it also tends to be quiet and not super crowded. Did we mention it’s also air-conditioned?

If Pixar Place isn’t open or it’s raining, you can turn around for a quick walk over to Walt Disney Presents, where you can catch your breath and calm down while browsing artifacts. At the end of the gallery, you can typically catch a 15-minute screening of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, a documentary about Walt Disney, or you might be able to catch upcoming Disney film trailers or sneak peeks that occasionally screen there.

Muppets Courtyard

Another quiet gem tends to be the Muppets Courtyard, where very few crowds seem to gather on an average day. In fact, if you head back toward Mama Melrose’s, you’ll typically find even fewer people over there! There are a few benches for seating and it can also be a shady area depending on the time of day.

If it’s not too crowded, catching a screening of Muppet*Vision 3D might also be a good idea! Just be warned that the pre-show room can get crowded at times, and if your anxiety is triggered by visual things, it’s probably not the best idea.

PizzeRizzo

Hear us out! We know we often have a lot to say about PizzeRizzo, but the restaurant itself can be an excellent spot to get some rest and take a break from crowds, especially on the second-floor balcony. Because it’s a quick service restaurant, you don’t have to order anything to sit there, although you can visit for the opportunity to take an anxiety break AND grab some food. Stay outside on the covered balcony for some fresh air or head inside for some needed air conditioning.

Also, as much as we love the nearby BaseLine Taphouse, the seating there is extremely limited and it can be anxiety-inducing trying to find a spot to chill. Instead, take your drink (or giant pretzel) over to the second-floor balcony of PizzeRizzo’s!

So next time your anxiety is skyrocketing in Hollywood Studios, we hope this helps you find places to escape and decompress! Whether this helps you or maybe someone in your family, it’s not a bad plan to keep these spots in mind just in case. After all, everyone needs a break once in a while, especially during a busy theme park day!

If you’re interested in more Disney World and Hollywood Studios planning tips, we recommend visiting the following links:

• How to do Disney World on a budget in 2023
• How you should spend your money in Hollywood Studios
• The ultimate guide to eating in Hollywood Studios

And if you want to read our other posts on anxiety in Disney World, check out the following links:

• 7 Places to Escape in EPCOT When Your Anxiety Is Through the Roof 
• 5 Places to Escape in Magic Kingdom When Your Anxiety Is Through the Roof 

Keep following DFB for more Disney World tips and news!

Have you ever felt anxious in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Tell us your solutions in the comments!