Step on it: Orlando’s theme-park stoops are little escapes

As SeaWorld Orlando celebrates the fifth birthday of its Sesame Street Land, my mind goes to stoops.

Although the whole area has nice immersive details, from the piped-in music to Big Bird’s nest and Hooper’s store. the simple stylings of the steps in front of 123 Sesame Street is a highlight.

I might not be a fan of climbing stairs, but I enjoy moments of peace sitting on steps, and our theme parks offer a few choice settings.

Mind you, I’m not talking about stairs in the flow of traffic (I’m looking at you, folks camped on those wide, angled stairs of Epcot’s Mexico pavilion). These stoop stops are really just for show, frequently leading to doors to nowhere, it appears.

Ah, but the tranquility. I feel invisible, in a good way, there.

Here are a few to check out. Step on it.

Count on it

Let’s start at 123 Sesame. I’m always startled there isn’t a throng of former preschoolers waiting to get pictures made here. It’s a nice replica of the TV show’s meeting place and therefore Instagrammable. But I’ve almost always been able to stand there and absorb the atmosphere.

In addition, this stoop gives good height and has a good amount of standing area. It’s right on the packed parade route. And generally you’re above the fray of double-wide strollers.

One improvement would be the constant visual presence of Oscar the Grouch (his can and voice are there). But that’s a big ask. A former preschooler can dream.

Show time

Delancey Street in the New York area of Universal Studios was built basically for backdrop purposes, but there is a selection of steps where you can cool your heels and think about what it would be like to live on this city street in real life.

The people watching is good with folks making the trek between Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers: The Ride — 3-D. And the steps are good perches for the park’s street shows, including the Blue Brothers, who encourage the audience to shake their tail feathers. You’re also facing the setting for the finale of the new-ish Jardiance commercial.

If you need to escape the music — maybe you’re triggered tail feathers, who knows? — there are more stoops around the corner. One was the site of an ‘N Sync photo shoot back in day, another has been chained off since the post-pandemic reopening. Not that I’m making a list of pet park peeves. Or am I?

Entry sentry

The faux storefront themes continue at Islands of Adventure. At Port of Entry, there’s a stairway just past the Christmas store. You can get in a few steps before a locked gate stops upward progress.

This spot comes with sound effects, seemingly coming from upstairs, perhaps a gathering inside Lost Explorers Hall, if the paint scheme and decor are to be believed. Plus there’s a mix of the ambient music of IOA happening, with the trance-inducing entry music blending with the more upbeat “let’s hit the coasters” tunes of Port of Entry and holiday tunes.

There’s a lot going on here as a prisoner has escaped just down the way, according to the disembodied voices. (There’s a bedsheet hanging from a barred window and the painted SEE YA, basically a port of exit.)

And this spot allows reading of the other side of the sidewalk, which has sight gags you’re unlikely to pause for otherwise.

China groove

It’s quiet back in the cul-de-sac section of Epcot’s China pavilion. And even though I thought there was a stoop there, it was a slight challenge to find because it’s angled toward the dead end.

There’s a red door at the top of the stairs. It’s unmarked. You’ll also see people leaving the CircleVision film (and discussing which part made them seasick), tucked-away telephones, more things to read on the walls but in Chinese characters, and people staring at you wondering why you’d be sitting there.

But there are egg rolls and pot stickers sold around the corner, and it’s a good, uncongested place to designate as a group meeting place.

Main Street jam

There are a couple of options along Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, mostly themed to “businesses” upstairs.

If you sit too high the spaces can kind of close in on you, and you miss a lot of the view. But sitting low means your feet are in the main walkway. The bustle of the turn-of-two-centuries-ago Marceline, Walt’s old Missouri home, is one reason to camp out there.

And the Festival of Fantasy parade and other character cavalcades eventually glide by. But the angle is bad for the taller units, and parade time is when it gets congested anyway. (I’ve got a step in Frontierland I could interest you in?)

Batuu up

Is it comforting that in a galaxy far, far away there are stoops? Built into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a spot near Oga’s Cantina that looks like you could move right in.

Batuu visitors will sit just about anywhere, and this nook is in demand. There is convenience to blue and green milks and other beverages, and there are plenty of passersby, some of whom are doing the PlayDisney thing, which adds to the clamor/local color.

And it’s likely you’ll be in the path of Stormtroopers investigating the situation. Look innocent.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.