From Indiana Jones-themed bars to dueling pianos, the beloved parks might be even better after dark.
stroll through the Magic Kingdom , weave through strollers and princess parade , you ’d never opine thatWalt Disney Worldgets hoppin ’ after dark . At the Most Magical Place on Earth , the captivation does n’t discontinue at sundown — it just hits different . Most kinfolk still see Disney World as a place for kids and kin , where Mickey Waffles and fulfil - and - greets are the norm . But as a identity card - carryingDisney Adult , I can attest that not only is Disney World a place for grown - ups , but it ’s got its own magical mark of nightlife .
Granted , nightlife by Disney standards is quite a bite different from night life in most city . While you believably should n’t expect Jessica Rabbit burlesque or clubs that stay on open until 5 am , there ’s still a ton to do , see , exhaust , and drinklong after It ’s a Small World After All has gone dormant for the sidereal day . From late - night live music and theatrics to terpsichore , drinking , and after - hours parties in the parks , this is the ultimate nightlife guide to Disney World .
Live entertainment
When it comes to go medicine at Disney World , you do n’t necessitate to settle for the Country Bears Jamboree . Beyond the folksy musicals and earworm animatronics that populate the park by sidereal day , entertainment bring a different cast at night , including at adults - only venues where Disney character are replaced by dueling pianist and DJs .
See pianists duel
It ’s not every day that a major publication names a Disney World bar one of thebest in the nation , but Jellyrolls is a lawful entertainment anchor on Disney ’s BoardWalk , where 21 - plus crowds convoke to watch dueling pianoforte in a cavernous , spirited space that feels more like New Orleans than Orlando . At once entertaining and hilarious , with piano player doubling as musicians and comics , Jellyrolls does n’t even get started until 8 pm , with euphony die hard until nearly 2 am . If you ’re a imbiber , look for speciality cocktail and seasonal drinking , like Champagne biff and Cranberry Mules , plus beer , wine , and seltzers aplenty .
Travel to the French Quarter via Disney
For more New Orleans vibes , the obvious place to go is Disney ’s Port Orleans Resort . Divvied into two unlike hotels , French Quarter and Riverside , the former is home to a especially toe - knock right time in Scat Cat ’s Club . The late - night iteration of Scat Cat ’s Cafe , known for its Mick - form beignets , the foetid parlor sport live jazz until midnight in a dark , cosy room with faux brick walls . truthful to its French Quarter influence , the bar swash a New Orleans - inspired menu of Sazeracs and Hurricanes , plus some of the wildest collation in all of Disney World — for example Baton Rouge Beignets drench in Kahlúa and Oyster Beignet Po’Boys that taste as audacious as they sound .
Party like it’s 1940
From New Orleans to New Jersey , another recent - night haunt is Atlantic Dance Hall , an Atlantic City - exalt nightclub on the BoardWalk that transports guests back in time with its ‘ 40s - way frontage and eras - spanning euphony . unfastened from 8 autopsy to 1 am , the sprawl club harkens to yesteryear with an Art Deco - stylus inside , while the roof blink with makeshift stars . Simultaneously preserved in time yet timeless , the terpsichore hall is an prevail mainstay for adults looking to shimmy to DJ melodic line .
Disney Springs
Formerly bed as Downtown Disney , Disney Springs is the quintessential Disney World finish for nightlife . Once home to Pleasure Island , which was fundamentally Disney ’s edition of Sin City , the free - to - visit shopping and amusement epicentre features an array of club , bars , and nighttime offering that go well beyond the standard Disney pyrotechnic display .
Watch animation take the stage at Cirque du Soleil
On the westerly edge of Disney Springs , a huge theater contains Disney ’s very ownCirque du Soleil show , Drawn to Life . A singular originative partnership between Cirque du Soleil and Disney , the show takes inhalation from classic Disney animation , transforming the stage into a giant creative person ’s pallet where acrobats spin out , thumb , and soar through disingenuous set piece and a score inspired by sacred Disney harmonies . Most shows are at 5:30 and 8 pm , and last around 90 minutes .
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Go on a Disney-centric bar crawl
Home to nearly 70 dining and drinking establishment , there ’s no shortage of taproom crawling cannon fodder at Disney Springs . While mostlynotadult - single , many bar and waiting area skew decidedly mature , like the Edison , a ‘ 20 - style spot that blends cocktails , pocket-size plates , and live entertainment in a place specifically design to resemble a steampunk factory . The immense , bi - level ginmill — opened until 11 pm on weekend — comes alive at night , when random stilt plover - baby-walker roam the lofty dining room and patron sip “ High Roller Cocktails ” like Silk & Lace ( a Manhattan season like cherry cake with chocolate nib- and vanilla extract - infused port wine ) .
Elsewhere , Disney Springs ’ bars descend in all manner of root and flavors . oenophile will rule a surprising bounty at Wine Bar George , where Certified Master Sommelier George Miliotes manage a card of more than 200 esoteric bottles , while adventurous drinkers can immerse themselves at Jock Lindsay ’s Hangar Bar , a mistily Indiana Jones - themed lacrimation gob where Safari Sangrias and Singapore Slings are pour until 11:30 pm . Then there ’s Stargazers Bar , where beer , wine , and cocktails take the stage in a celestial space with even live music . Other bar at Disney Springs let in Lava Lounge , speakeasy - panache Enzo ’s Hideaway , and Raglan Road Irish Pub .
Hit the lanes
Feeling competitive ? Head to Splitsville Luxury Lanes , a swank bowling alley ( open until 11:30 pm ) that boasts two floors of contemporary lane , live music , and billiards . The bill of fare is also right smart better than it needs to be , with thing like elote - fashion nacho , sushi curl , Anguilla sucklandii poke , and tropic cocktail .
Disney Parks after dark
Just because the parks close to the oecumenical public does n’t think of the merriment has to halt . For nighttime owls hoping to extend their Disney experience into the gloam hour , select after - minute events proffer magic by moonlight .
Explore the parks after closing
unremarkably , being in a Disney park after hour would amount to a serious fine and banishment . But on blue-ribbon evenings , the commons extend their hours for ticketed late - night events and party , offering the same environments and attractions in a whole new light — or lack thereof . Available at all ballpark except for Animal Kingdom ( the fauna need to sleep , too , you know ) , Disney After hour extend three extra late - nighttime hours on select dates . During these events , ride are open , and strong suit snacks and drinks are frequently offered . Around the vacation , attend for particular themed After Hours issue , like Jollywood Nights at Disney ’s Hollywood Studios , or Mickey ’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom . ticket are n’t brassy ( they start around $ 165 for Magic Kingdom ) , but you may find them well deserving it for the shortened lines and the opportunity to experience these magical farming in an exclusively newfangled style .
Embark on a safari
Even though Animal Kingdom does n’t offer Disney After Hours , there ’s still an opportunity to have the commons after darkness in its own unequalled way . Starlight Safaris , carry sporadically at Disney ’s Animal Kingdom Lodge , is basically the nighttime adaptation of the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction in the park , but the whole experience is way more intimate and thrilling . Available to all Edgar Albert Guest staying at any Disney World refuge , excursions part after sunset from the African - inspired lodge , embarking along the makeshift wooded savanna in opened - melodic line safari vehicles reminiscent of something out ofJurassic Park . But instead of dinosaur , you ’re probable to see 30 + different African species , all of them thankfully herbivorous , like zebras , Struthio camelus , wildebeest , and antelope . tag are $ 89 .
Go hotel-hopping
With more than 25 lavishly themed resort hotel on belongings , Disney World has no deficit of dreamy hotel bar — many of which are undetermined lately . Dahlia Lounge , the Spanish Surrealist parlor at Disney ’s Coronado Springs Resort , extend rooftop views , tapas , and real - deal Gin & Tonics . And one of the most pop bar in Disney World , Trader Sam ’s Grog Grotto ( which is 21 + after 8 pm ) , is a bastion of tropic tiki vibes hidden off inside Disney ’s Polynesian Village Resort , with Rainforest Cafe - like theatrics , billowing drinks , and even occasional body of water guns from the Cast Members . An underrated favorite of mine is Crew ’s Cup Lounge , a nautical watering pickle in Disney ’s Yacht Club Resort , where the motive looks like the hull of a ship and the menu sacrifice space for Scotch whisky , cognacs , and boozy coffees .
Family-friendly nightlife
Not all night life is for the 21 + set . For families with nocturnal short one , Disney World offers some fun and festive fresh fish deserving stay up late(r ) for .
Movies Under the Stars
With widespread offerings throughout the resorts , Movies Under the Stars is an on-going series of nighttime screenings held on lawns and beach . costless to touch and undecided to anyone , covering take place on various engagement and times but always feature Disney liveliness , from classics likeThe Princess & the Frogto deeper cut likeHerculesandOnward . Even if it ’s not on your travel plan , you never know when you might stumble across something fun , like that meter I caught the opening tear - jerker fromUpon the front lawn at Disney ’s BoardWalk Inn . For screenings , cheep the schedule at any fall in resort hotel front desk , or call ( 407 ) 939 - 2273 .
Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
The most frugal place to stay in Disney World , Disney ’s Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort also has its own set of sunset shenanigans . By which I mean that timber critters Chip ‘ N ’ Dale horde their nightly Campfire Sing - A - Longs mightily before Movies Under the Stars at the Meadow Recreation Area Outdoor Theater . Each event features ululate campfires and guitar - strung melody , with marshmallow - roasting and dancing . greenback : Edgar Guest must land their own marshmallows and sticks , but s’more kits are available for purchase .
Flickr/steven van
Jellyrolls Orlando
Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil & Disney
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World
