Best Areas in WDW (based on ambiance)

[mdk010]

I just saw the title of the new WDW Radio Podcast, Top Ten Restaurants in Walt Disney World with the Best Ambiance. It intrigued me to ponder my favorite locations in WDW that really pour on the ambiance. Disney's strength is pulling you into the story, and they are able to do it all over.

Which areas in WDW have the ambiance that really pulls you in? Why?

For me:
PotC Queue - You can't help but feel like you're about to pillage and plunder, in a romantic Treasure Island kind of way.
Mexico Pavillion - The mariachis, the pyramid, the vendors all make you feel like your at a Mexican market.
Asia in AK- The hanging flags near EE. The strung lights over the pathway. The degraded concrete.
WL - (I predict this will be a common response) The hight ceiling, wood burning smell, and "frontier" music really make me feel like I'm in the Pacific Northwest.
ToT - The old music and dusty lobby make you think you are in an early century hotel. The music is some of my favorite to hear on the Subsonic Radio.

There are many many more, but those are my favorites.

Here is a link to that podcast:
http://www.wdwradio.com/2011/06/top-ten ... e-12-2011/

[ctrain2281]

Polynesian at Night - Wonderful with the torches providing a gentle light to the night and generally quiet atmosphere
Boardwalk Area at Night - Almost the exact opposite reasons of the above location. Very lively and bright.
World Showcase in Morning - If you go there before the official opening of that section, it is so quiet and nice to walk around. You can take some great pictures without people in it.
Magic Kingdom at Night - Feels like a totally different experience at night, compared to the business of the day

[Len90]

Hmm I really think most of mine are actually at night during EMH or after the crowds have left. I always love EPCOT EMH. It seems like most people gather around Future World for the attractions and you get to walk around World Showcase alone. It's one of the only times you can actually enjoy hearing the background loops transition between countries. Another great night time thing is MK once the first night parade and fireworks are over. Main Street turns quiet and it really gives off a magical feeling. My resort choices are YC and WL. I definitely think WL benefits a lot by being kind of isolated and set back. The massive lobby is another great feature since it always feels empty and quiet. The YC seems to benefit thanks to the Boardwalk and Beach Club. For some reason both those resorts around it give people the feeling as if the YC is for older families. I don't know why it has that reputation but it makes it a very quiet resort. The lobby is always very peaceful and relaxed and the CMs there are fantastic.

[bravetaylor]

Tower of Terror queue at night.
World Showcase during extra magic hours at night when it's quieting down.
Everywhere in Asia in AK.
Discovery Island trails around Tree of Life during park closing. Shadows and distant voices of park emptying out, peaceful.
Boardwalk area before sunrise for a run or late after dark for a quiet stroll.
Sorry I've never been to AK lodge, Wilderness Lodge, or Polly

[jacobcary1]

Just about anywhere at night is best.

[laurie5658]

Mine is Studios at Christmas. The background music and The Lights are the ultimate.

[Amy]

Mine is Studios at Christmas. The background music and The Lights are the ultimate.

You really can't beat the Osborne lights around the holidays!

[kcarts]

I'd have to go with Innoventions Plaza. Kind of the hub of Epcot. Love the music and the atmosphere.

Liberty Sq. in the MK is also great. For the hotels, I'd say Polynesian and AKL take it for their lobbies. But the whole Epcot resort area (Beach and Yacht Clubs and the Boardwalk) is the best for outdoor hotel atmosphere. Day or night.

[rphillips14]

Oh my gosh...I sit around and think about this all the time so for me, it can't be a small list...

MK: I think when you get to MK and walk up Main street and you see all the people in a trance because it's the first time there for many of them. There are the photographers, the balloon people, the characters, the music and in the background is the unbelieveably beautiful castle against a pure blue day.

Epcot: (I know this has already been said) but walking around the lights of Epcot during EMH's is really magical. It's like your on some faraway space station.

Hollywood Studios: Walking down sunset at night toward Tower of Terror, bathed in the neon lights and the wonderful surroundings I can honestly feel like I'm back in 1930's Hollywood.

Animal Kingdom: Africa or Asia either one is fantastic and really transports my imagination to those places.

I could go on and on and on

It's funny, you can name almost any place in DW and I have some little memory associated with that place.

[disneylizzy]

There are so many....tough to choose!

Germany in Epcot
Mexico in Epcot
Morocco in Epcot
Boardwalk area
Harambe Village in AK
Tough to be a Bug queue in AK
Frontierland
Adventureland
Toy Story area of Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Wilderness Lodge
Sanaa restaurant
Tusker House restaurant
Restaurant Marrakesh

Also many of the stores have great theming. Some of my favorites are the shop by Splash Mountain (w/ the rocking chairs inside) and Le Chapeau on Main Street, also most of the shops in AK are really well done.

[Mark86]

Haunted Mansion at night is probably my favorite. You never know what comes out at you

[mindflipper]

Haunted Mansion at night is probably my favorite. You never know what comes out at you

They do have 999 happy haunts there, Mark86, but there's room for a thousand. Interested in volunteering for the final spot? You can put in an application at Ghost Relations, where a charming ghostess will be hand to help...


...welcome back to the Subsonic Forum, foolish mortal. We've missed you around here, Mark86.

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

Here are some of my favs:

Thunder Mountain during Wishes- there's something truly magical while riding the twists and turns and and looking up to see bright fireworks in the night sky explode around you

Maharajah Jungle Trek(?) - where the tall, slender bamboo stalks seem to follow you everywhere

Anywhere in the Showcase at night during the summer - the sounds of people, the lights, the warm weather with cool breeze

Magic Kingdom very early morning without guests - something that most people don't experience, but it's wonderful; still, quiet and calm yet expectant.

Main St. after the park is closed and the guests are leaving or making their final purchases. I love to sit on the sidewalk and just take it all in before I leave.

Studios - Sunset Blvd at night with the music and the old style buildings and the screams at Tower

[jacobcary1]

Mine is Studios at Christmas. The background music and The Lights are the ultimate.

You really can't beat the Osborne lights around the holidays!

The lights are really nice.

[Soarin08]

Every single INCH of World Showcase. Especially at dusk. I could pretty much stay there forever.