Does anyone else miss Pleasure Island? The original scene for Disney World nightlife, Pleasure Island has since been absorbed into the greater area of Disney Springs. The good news is that if you’re still looking for a late-night shindig, don’t let Animal Kingdom’s closing at 8 p.m. fool you. There are plenty of places to get your party on.
Nightlife at Disney World has changed over the years, but that doesn’t mean it has disappeared. You’ll just have to look for it elsewhere. Here are your best options for Disney nightlife.
Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) is still a great place to find nightlife. Disney has many bars and lounges sprinkled throughout Disney Springs, and many of them are open late.
House of Blues is a popular option with live entertainment every evening. Hours vary, but it generally closes at 11 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on weekends.
If you want something more bar-like for your Disney World nightlife experience, Raglan Road is an Irish-themed pub with tons of character. Featuring live music and live dance shows, Raglan Road Irish Pub generally closes about 11:30 p.m. The entertainment usually starts about 5 p.m.
The Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk is a Disney nightclub for those 21 and older. It plays popular music from the ’80s, ’90s and today, and it opens at 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Although the nightclub opens late, it stays open until 1 a.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to get your groove on. The BoardWalk, as a whole, is a great place for Disney World nightlife.
It’s also home to Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar that’s so popular Disney’s website recommends that you head in early.
Jellyrolls’ pianists accept requests for any song you can think of, making this a great location to bring a bunch of friends with varied musical tastes. There is an admission fee. Members of the Disney Vacation Club receive a 10% discount.
Jellyrolls is one of the best spots for adult nightlife because the bar is available only to those over 21. The bar opens at 7 p.m. daily, and guests can enjoy the music and entertainment until 1:45 a.m.
Disney After Hours may seem like a strange suggestion when it comes to Disney World nightlife for adults, but have you considered trying it? This separately ticketed event is available at a few Disney theme parks and promises late-night access after the parks close.
There are four locations where you can experience Disney After Hours:
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
While this event isn’t exclusive to adults, it takes place quite late, which means a lot of children may not be up for the task. Event start times vary per park, but at Hollywood Studios, for example, the event starts at 9:30 or 10 p.m. and ends at 12:30 or 1 a.m., respectively. If you’ve purchased a ticket for this event, you can maximize your time by entering the park starting at 7 p.m.
Along with exclusive entertainment and shorter wait times for rides, Disney After Hours events include snacks with the cost of your ticket. At Hollywood Studios, this means you’ll get ice cream, popcorn and select bottled beverages for free during the event.
At Epcot (where all the good alcohol is located), you’ll get the same, but you’ll also get to take advantage of bars such as Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom pavilion.
Even if you’re staying off property, it’s worth heading over to some of the Disney resorts to take advantage of these amazing nightlife options.
There are many Disney resorts, but you’ll find the best lounges and bars at the higher-end options — such as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Featuring a variety of tiki drinks served in collectible cups, this lounge opens every day at 3 p.m. However, from 8 p.m. until close about midnight, visits are limited to those 12 and over.
Finally, the Enchanted Rose at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is an elegant affair that’s open until about 11 p.m. and serves food and drinks.
Disney nightlife, recapped
Disney isn’t full of nightclubs or saloons, but it does have some good options for visitors who want to stay out well after dark. If you’re searching for somewhere to hang out and have a good time, head to Disney Springs, the BoardWalk or one of the resorts for a great late-night adventure.
Otherwise, consider Disney After Hours for a midnight experience at the theme parks — with unlimited ice cream included.
(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)
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