Ok, so it’s 10 pm, you’ve had dinner and the theme parks are now closed. Time to head back to the hotel room, crawl into your PJs and hit the sack, right? WRONG! Just because the parks are closed doesn’t mean the fun is over! Walt Disney World is FULL of exciting night time fun. From bars, to clubs, shows and shops, there is something for everyone after the fireworks end.
When I am on vacation, my great nights usually begin and end with a cocktail. Bottles of wine and beer, as well as small bottles of liquor, are available for purchase at any time of the day, at every hotel convenience store, snack/food court and of course, through room service. So if the day has been really crazy and you aren’t into getting dressed and going out, you can enjoy some wind-down time, and a nice drink, in the privacy and comfort of your hotel room. If you do have enough energy to get out of your room, but not quite enough to venture out of your specific resort, every deluxe and moderate resort hotel is equipped with at least one full service bar or lounge. Some of the lounges even offer nightly live entertainment.
Not a drinker? Want to spend more time with your kids? No worries. Many of the resorts offer family friendly night time entertainment such as movie nights, sing-a-longs or story time. Each hotel is different, so make sure you check with the concierge at your hotel to find out exactly what kind of special nightly entertainment is offered. And of course, EVERY resort has at least one awesome pool that is usually open until midnight.
Well, you’re happy to find out that your specific resort hotel offers some fun. But you’re dressed and ready for a night on the town, Disney style. Then hit the Boardwalk!! Literally!! Disney’s Boardwalk Hotel is the center for night time fun. Modeled after the turn of the century Atlantic City beach resorts, the Boardwalk is chock full of places to eat, drink and let loose. Three highlights of this resort are: The ESPN Club; Jellyrolls; and the Atlantic Dance Hall. Here is a basic break down of each establishment. The ESPN Club is a sports bar with non-stop airing of all major sporting events, beer, burgers, wings and other sports related fun. The Atlantic Dance Hall is a dance club hosting live musicians and DJs. This club only allows admission to guests 21 years old and older. Jellyrolls is a piano bar complete with dueling pianos (no, the instruments don’t actually fight each other- the musicians try and out play each other) and a whole lot of fun. Jellyrolls is also only open to guests 21 years old and older. You can also find traditional boardwalk style games (complete with prizes) and entertainment at this resort. The best part about this resort? Location! Disney’s Boardwalk property is connected to Disney’s Yacht and Beach club resort as well as Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts and is also a short walk from both EPCOT’s World Showcase and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Want to EXPAND on the fun? Once the sun goes down, Downtown Disney is brimming with entertainment. Disney is currently hosting a special production of Cirque du Soleil. This show can only be seen at Disney; you can purchase tickets through the hotel concierge. So if you’re into this exciting alternative art, I would recommend checking it out. You can also sit down and see a blockbuster at AMC Theatres. This is a full functioning movie theatre showing Hollywood’s most recent blockbusters. The coolest thing about this theatre- it is one of AMC’s new Dine-In Theatres. These theatres offer full service restaurant and bar menus with wait staff bringing you your order during the movie. I’ve been to one of these theatres before and it’s a cool novelty. They are a bit pricey - not something for every Friday night - but hey, you’re already in Disney! For more information about these theatres, check out http://dinein.amctheatres.com/.
Downtown Disney is also home to DisneyQuest. An interactive virtual reality theme park, DisneyQuest is a super cool way to keep the family friendly theme park fun going all day and night. Here you can even design your own virtual reality roller coaster and then RIDE it! Entrance to DisneyQuest is additional (and can be expensive) so you may want to investigate this more before you tell you kids about it. Some other fun places in DD: House of Blues, which is a restaurant/club that hosts live music and fancy Southern food; and Raglan Road. Raglan Road is an Irish pub style bar complete with food, drink and live entertainment. Musicians play fun, traditional Irish music while a beautiful Irish step dancer entertains the crowd. Live musicians and stage shows are also constantly going on all over the grounds at Downtown Disney, so you don’t have to be inside in order to get a show.
Of course, Downtown Disney is a host to great shops and restaurants throughout the Marketplace and the West Side. It is also a really great place to just walk around!
Speaking of walking around, the majority of these resorts have beautiful grounds; many of which come with beaches or other water views. So if it is late and you are looking for a nice quiet way to unwind, take a stroll around your resort or explore the resort adjacent to yours (if there is one of course). It is easy, relaxing and can be very romantic.
In addition to all this information please let me offer two bits of advice. The first: don’t worry about transportation. Disney buses will take you anywhere you want to go, even if it is after hours. You also don’t have to “bus hop”. When it is late and your party is one of only a few on the bus, ask the driver if he will take you directly to your hotel. Even if it isn’t technically on their route, they will do it. Now, if the bus is packed, and routed to go to The Yacht Club don’t try and bully the driver into taking you to Coronado Springs. But if it is late, the staff won’t make you sit at the bus stop waiting for your designated bus.
My second bit of advice: Disney has a strict carding policy. “21 and older” means 21 and older. If you are underage and try to get served alcohol and you get caught, you will not only be kicked out of the establishment, you may be denied entrance to all the parks for the remainder of your vacation. I’ve seen it happen to people- it’s embarrassing and quite frankly, a complete waste. Don’t try and screw with these guys either. These security guys have seen and heard it all. It may be Disney, but a club bouncer is still a big, mean, angry dude whether he has to wear Mickey Mouse ears or not!
Want an example of the great prizes at the Boardwalk? Meet Chauncy....
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