Nightlife does exist at Disney World — here’s where to find it
As a mom of three, most of my Walt Disney World trips involve waking up early, squeezing in a full day of fun and then heading back to our resort early enough that the kids don’t get thrown too far off their normal sleep schedules. Every so often, though, the grandparents step in and I get to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth sans kids — and, let me tell you, there’s a whole new world of late-night Disney fun just waiting to be discovered.
Here are a few of my favorite late-night hot spots at Disney World.
Dinner, drinks and a show at Disney Springs
After a four-year hiatus, Cirque du Soleil recently made a triumphant return to Disney Springs with Drawn to Life. The spellbinding show combines the magic of Disney animation with the just-as-magical physical feats of the Cirque du Soleil performers. With ticket prices starting at $85 and a runtime of 90 minutes, I prefer this show for a date night or night out with friends rather than a place to take my family of five.
Disney Springs gets bonus points for staying open for dinner and drinks much later than most of Disney’s theme parks. Some nights, you can get dinner reservations as late as 11:30 p.m. My favorites are Wine Bar George for their signature Frozcato – a frosty mix of Moscato, vodka and pineapple Dole Whip, a Kungaloosh draft beer from Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar or the outdoor Stargazers Bar at Planet Hollywood where you can listen to live music on the weekends.
Disney’s BoardWalk
During the day, Disney’s BoardWalk area woos families with classic midway games, delicious dining, shopping and spectacular views of Disney’s Crescent Lake. But when the sun goes down and the boardwalk lights flicker to life it becomes a playground for the over-21 crowd.
On a recent visit, my friends and I began our night at AbracadaBar, a magic-themed bar with a few tricks up its sleeve. In addition to wine and beer, AbracadaBar serves a selection of cocktails named for famous magic tricks and magicians (like the Pepper’s Ghost, which is an oft-used trick of magicians and Disney Imagineers alike). I questioned whether I had been overserved when the magician in one of the posters on the wall disappeared, but after closer inspection, I realized it was a clever trick that played into the bar’s design.
At the nearby Atlantic Dance Hall, there’s a full bar and plenty of seating surrounding a large dance floor where a DJ plays hit tunes from the ‘80s through today. Outside, you can relax on the quiet balcony that overlooks Crescent Lake.
I’m never one to shy away from a dance floor, but, sadly, I was one of only a few people who went with that option. I visited after midnight on a Thursday, but it could be more crowded on weekends — and I’ll definitely be back to find out.
Related: Short stay, great experience: Disney’s BoardWalk Villas hotel review
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If I had to choose a favorite Disney resort (but please don’t make me), it would probably be Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. I love the tropical vibes, the South Pacific-inspired food, the easy access to Dole Whip (sometimes with rum) and the Magic Kingdom views.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, located in the back of the resort’s Great Ceremonial House, is Disney’s version of a traditional tiki bar. It’s small and dripping with tropical decor from floor to ceiling, with just the right amount of sensory overload.
The menu is unsurprisingly rum forward and a few drinks on the menu trigger a bit of Disney magic around the bar. And, yes, you can get your Dole Whip fix in the form of a Spikey Pineapple. Order it “extra spiky” for an added splash of rum.
After 8 p.m., Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto only welcomes guests 21 and older and it can be tough to get a table. During my last visit, the wait was more than two hours, so we chose to sit outside at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace. The food and drink menus are the same and we were treated to a performance by a ukulele player.
Phins Bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Every time I stay at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, I notice how different it feels from any other Disney hotel. It could be that it’s technically a Sheraton (and, therefore, part of the Marriott Bonvoy program), but I think it’s the large lobby dotted with couches and the lobby bar that encourages guests to gather for a drink or two instead of retreating to their rooms after a long day at the parks.
The aptly named Phins bar serves wine, beer and cocktails, including my personal favorite, the Phins and Feathers pale ale that’s specially brewed for the hotel. Because the lobby is so large, there’s plenty of seating where you can relax and enjoy your drinks.
La Cava del Tequila in EPCOT’s World Showcase
La Cava del Tequila is the only spot inside the parks that made this list — and deservedly so. Located in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase, La Cava del Tequila does one thing and does it very well: tequila. After a long day at Epcot, you can pop in for a quick tequila or cocktail (my favorite is the frozen avocado margarita) or grab a table and have some bar snacks with your drink. My low tolerance has kept me from reserving a spot at the La Cava Experience, but if you are into tequila tastings, it would make a great addition to your Disney after-dark vacation.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.