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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.