One of the best parts of a Disney parks vacation is the nightlife! And I don’t just mean your typical nighttime spectacular shows in each park- I mean the different goings on in all areas of the Resort. Here are some of my favorite things to do after the sun goes down at Walt Disney World.
S’Mores and Movies at Walt Disney World
Most of the resort hotels have a fire pit set up and each evening cast members will bring out all of the accoutrements you will need to make delicious s’mores. The activities guide for each hotel (available at the front desk or signs in the lobby) will tell you the time for each evening’s events. And the best part is- the s’mores are free!
Most resorts also have movies on the lawn. A different Disney movie will play every night on a screen that they set up on the grass. You can see the schedule of movies in several places- such as the check in packet or the signage at the hotels. And if the movies at your resort don’t strike your fancy ask a cast member for the schedule at another Disney resort- it might be different and a great way to see your favorite Disney movie and wind down from a long day.
Electrical Water Pageant
The Electrical Water Pageant has been around since Walt Disney World opened in 1971. It consists of 7 or 8 floats that light up to form different animals and symbols to match the music. Starting at about 9:00 PM at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Pageant travels along Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, stopping in front of each resort on the water. You can check with each resort for the time it will be visible, but it’s pretty easy to see all along the water. You can see the Pageant (for free!) every single night (weather permitting). It’s such a whimsical water parade that everyone will love it!
Extra Magic Hours
When you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel (and some of the official good neighbor hotels), you can take advantage of morning and evening Extra Magic Hours. The morning hour starts usually one hour before park opening and can be a great way to get a lot of attractions done early before the crowds come in. But the evening Extra Magic Hours are where it’s at! Resort guests are able to stay in the park 2-3 hours after park closing when most of the crowds thin out.
If you can make it all the way to the end there will be almost no one in the park- this is especially fun in summer and holiday seasons when the Magic Kingdom is open until midnight and then you get to stay until 2 am! It’s a lot of fun to be in the park so late (as long as you don’t have to get up early the next morning. Or even if you do. YOLO!).
Disney’s Boardwalk
Disney’s Boardwalk at night is a ton of fun. It’s more than the shops and restaurants (and ice cream). There are entertainers of all sorts- a traveling piano, magicians, jugglers, and more! Because this area is so easy to get to from two theme parks and several Walt Disney World hotels, it’s a great place to spend a late night after the parks close. It’s easy to grab some food or a drink (and ice cream!) and shop or walk around or anything you might want to do.
Disney Springs
Last on my list (but certainly not least!) is Disney Springs. This area has so much to see and do! Any kind of food you want- they have it! Any kind of clothes or shoes or bags- they have it! Beyond shopping and dining, you can see the brand new Cirque du Soleil show beginning in Spring 2020. You can go bowling at Splitsville- and if you don’t like to bowl, they have some pretty decent food! Or, you can see a movie at the AMC theater there.
Disney Springs has changed so much over the past few years that if you haven’t been in a while, you’re missing out. The main reason I love Disney Springs at night is the energy it brings. There are almost always concerts on the stage in the Marketplace area, and there is almost always live music at the House of Blues or other places on the West Side. This is one place that it is so much different in daytime and nighttime that it’s worth going twice or staying all day!
That’s my list! I love the nighttime at Walt Disney World so much!
