Incredible Things To Do Outside Of Walt Disney World Parks At Night

Visiting the theme parks at Walt Disney World is our favorite part of any Disney trip.  However, at times, we appreciate a break from the crowds of the theme parks at night by choosing to do something outside of the parks.  Disney World is more than theme parks, so be sure to schedule some time outside of the parks on your next trip.  Here is our list of the top seven things to do at night outside of the theme parks!

 

1. Resort Hopping

Many of our articles extol the virtues of exploring resorts other than your own across Disney World Resort.  A great time to do this is at night.  Many hotel guests will still be in the theme parks waiting for the fireworks to begin leaving the resorts comfortably devoid of guests.  Our favorite Resort hopping experience is what we call the “monorail crawl.”  The deluxe resorts around the monorail loop at Magic Kingdom offer a dizzying array of nighttime experiences.  These include shopping, dining, and exploring.  Once you’ve finished exploring one resort, just hop on the monorail and travel to the next resort on the loop.   In addition to the “monorail crawl,” riding the newly opened Disney Skyliner is another fun experience for your family at night.  Climb aboard a colorful gondola and travel between a variety of area resorts including the exciting Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century and Art of Animation.  Your family will love it!

2. Lounges

Not every Disney resort has a lounge attached to it, but the resorts that do, it is definitely worth checking out the lounges at Disney World. Visiting one of the lounges allows guests to be able to relax, enjoy a delicious drink, and at many, sample some delicious bar food.  Some lounges have a TV so guests can watch the game, while others feature live entertainment.  Our favorite on-property lounges we recommend guests to check out would be the Trader Sam’s at Disney’s Polynesian, the River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside, and the Crew’s Cup Lounge at the Yacht Club!

 

3. Boardwalk Entertainment

In addition to Disney Springs, Walt Disney World has another entertainment destination at the Boardwalk.  Guests can enjoy a relaxing evening choosing between fantastic restaurants, bars, and other entertainment choices here.  After their meal, guests can choose to dance the night away at the Atlantic Dance Hall or watch a piano duel at Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar.  Regardless of what you choose to do, the Boardwalk is guaranteed to fit the bill for guests!

4. Miniature Golfing

Disney World is home to two magnificent miniature golf courses.  We make it a point to visit one of the golf courses on our trips.  At each golf course, guests will find two courses for guests to choose between, so the repeatability of this activity is high.  Winter Summerland is located near the entrance of Blizzard Beach and features the more traditional and zany miniature golf options.  Fantasia Gardens can be found near the Hollywood Studios and has a fairway course without obstacles, as well as a traditional miniature golf course.

5. Carriage Rides

Guests visiting Walt Disney World who are celebrating an anniversary or are just looking for a romantic evening may find a carriage ride a great option.  Various resorts offer carriage rides around the grounds — Port Orleans French Quarter takes guests around the resort to see the Sassagoula River and the cobblestone streets across the resort.  At Fort Wilderness, guests can climb aboard a carriage and see the wonderful scenery around the resort!

6. Disney Springs

Perhaps the most popular nighttime destination at Disney World is Disney Springs where guests can find an array of delicious restaurants, wonderfully themed bars, diverse shopping, and live entertainment.  With so many choices, it is easy to see why Disney Springs is popular. Between having dinner and drinks, shopping, and enjoying the entertainment, make sure you plan plenty of time for a nighttime to visit to Disney Springs – you’ll always want to spend more time there!

7. Explore Your Resort

Sometimes we stay at a resort because we are just looking for a place to sleep, shower, and store our stuff, but skipping out on exploring your own resort would be a mistake.  Hanging out at your resort can allow you to discover new areas or experiences to make your vacation more memorable.  Additionally, guests can also enjoy the entertainment options at their resort, too — our favorite is checking out the movie that is presented every evening.

Having fun outside of the parks is not a challenge at Disney World. What is your favorite way to spend an evening outside of the parks at Disney World?