A visit to the Tangled rest area at Disney World's Magic Kingdom

"Restful" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think about a day at the Magic Kingdom.

© Steven Liebman

"Hot," "crowded" and "exhausting" seem more likely.

But there are a few spots at the Magic Kingdom where you can take a breath. One old favorite is the little corner of Tom Sawyer's Island where a couple of rocking chairs face across the water toward Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Now there's a new spot where you can recharge, both figuratively and literally: the Tangled rest area near Peter Pan's flight at the edge of Fantasyland.

You can certainly expect this area to be crowded -- new restrooms? yes, please! -- but you still can snag a brief respite here. The area is highly themed to resemble the island city that is home to the castle where Rapunzel was born. In the evening, the lanterns glow, evoking the town's moving memorial to its lost princess.

Recharging station

What you'll find here:

• Restrooms: Business first. The restrooms are what this spot is all about. They're what you've come to expect from Disney World restrooms -- large and pleasant enough, for public potties.
• Rapunzel's tower: High on the hill behind the restrooms, you'll spot Rapunzel's familiar tower from the movie "Tangled" (no blonde tresses in sight). 
• Seating: If you're lucky, you can pull up to a shady spot at a bench or barrel table to take a break and ... 
• Recharging stations: Tucked away in the tree stumps are electrical sockets so you can recharge your electronics while you rest your feet.
• Hidden Pascals: For a change of pace from hunt hidden Mickeys, take a few minutes while your gear charges to find the chameleon's hidden friends.  

© Mary Liebman