Every night when the sun goes down at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, a whole new world of magic lights up. Beneath an inky black sky or a bright full moon, iconic landmarks across the 45-square-mile resort glow with colorful lighting, live stage performances get underway, and guests sit down for culinary adventures at a Michelin-starred restaurant and other award-winning dining destinations.
Capping it all off are nighttime spectaculars that seem to light the skies everywhere guests look. And, this summer, there’s a sky full of new fun with a recently debuted fireworks spectacular at EPCOT and a new drone show at the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex.
But that is just the beginning of the nighttime excitement. Here’s a glimpse at what awaits guests visiting Walt Disney World this summer…
Nighttime Entertainment Lights Up the Skies
The buzz this year is not one, but two new nighttime shows. The recently debuted “Luminous The Symphony of Us” brings together fireworks, fountains and spectacular lighting effects all choreographed to moving arrangements of beloved Disney music. Celebrating shared experiences that connect people across the globe, the show takes place nightly. Great viewing is available all around World Showcase Lagoon.
Also new is “Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T,” a limited-time drone show presented twice each night at Disney Springs. Eight hundred cutting-edge drones dance in the night sky to create more than 30 beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Star Wars movies. Set to an original soundtrack of new music and memorable quotes, figures soar to heights of 400 feet. Stunning visuals include a 213-foot Death Star, Peter Pan taking flight and Tinker Bell appearing to spread pixie dust. The show runs now through September 2.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, forces of good and evil battle in “Fantasmic!” The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises. The elaborate 29-minute show takes place nightly – a kaleidoscope of entertainment featuring thrilling stunts, dazzling special effects and a rousing score based on classic Disney animated films.
In Magic Kingdom Park, fan favorite “Happily Ever After” features twin fireworks displays, state-of-the-art projections on Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A., lasers, and dramatic lighting. It is all set to a soaring musical score that captures the heart, humor and heroism of favorite Disney stories. A highlight of the 18-minute show is Tinker Bell setting off from Cinderella Castle to fly over the park. No visit to Walt Disney World Resort is complete without experiencing the pure joy of “Happily Ever After.”
Evenings at Disney Resorts Collection Hotels
Summertime fun isn’t limited to the theme parks and Disney Springs. There are endless options for summer nights at Disney Resorts Collection hotels. In the EPCOT Resort Area, the colorful Disney’s BoardWalk comes to life with shopping, dining and live entertainment. There’s dancing at the stylish Atlantic Dance Hall, culinary experiences of all kinds and amazing street performances along the colorful boardwalk. Guests can even rent surrey bikes that seat up to four and pedal along the waterfront promenade that connects surrounding resort hotels.
For a truly unforgettable dining experience, there’s the opulent Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Recipient of a coveted MICHELIN star and other similar accolades, its multi-course experience dazzles with extraordinary flavors and the highest quality ingredients from across the world. The restaurant has also curated a world-class wine collection featuring more than 500 selections.
In the mood for a campfire or a movie under the stars? More than 20 Disney Resort hotels offer complimentary campfires and marshmallow roasts nightly. Resort guests can also enjoy complimentary screenings of Disney movies. Whether watched poolside or on beaches or lawns, this relaxing evening entertainment is fun for the whole family.
For a more rustic adventure, set off for Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. In addition to getting photos with the famous chipmunks, guests can croon along with a guitar-playing cowpoke, toast s’mores and settle in for a movie under the stars.
Elsewhere, Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge takes guests out to explore “the nightlife of wildlife” across the expansive savanna surrounding the resort. Aboard open-air safari vehicles they don night-vision goggles while on the lookout for more than 30 species of African wildlife.
One of the longest-running and most-cherished nighttime experiences at Walt Disney World Resort is the Electrical Water Pageant that makes its way to all the resorts lining Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Whimsical sea creatures sail across the water to classic Disney tunes during this floating nighttime parade that takes place multiple times nightly. The procession also includes a stirring and inspirational medley of patriotic songs while stars and stripes float along the shimmering water.
This is just a sampling of the nighttime fun that awaits guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Guests can check individual hotel activity guides to discover more.
Disney After Hours – Extra Park Time and Extra Magic
Disney After Hours events allow a limited number of guests to enjoy Disney theme parks or Typhoon Lagoon water park after they officially close for the day. Guests can also indulge in complimentary ice-cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages.
This summer Disney’s Hollywood Studios will offer Disney After Hours events from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on select nights now through August 29. Guests will find shorter wait times for select attractions and character experiences. And, with the ability to access the park starting at 7 p.m., guests have even more time to enjoy Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and other favorite experiences.
Glow ahead – make your night…at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Throughout the summer it will host Disney H2O Glow After Hours. This limited-capacity event takes place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on 18 select nights through August 31. Guests can add up to two more hours of fun with the ability to enter the park as early as 6 p.m. Nighttime brings a whole new illuminated look to the tropical water park, along with shorter wait times for popular attractions. The entire water park becomes a beach-bash extravaganza with special lighting effects, vibrant décor, a high-energy DJ dance party and surprise character appearances.
Find Happily Whatever You’re After at Disney Springs
In its own corner of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs offers an entirely different epicenter of nightlife. The charming setting, inspired by Florida’s large natural springs and small hometowns of the 19th and 20th centuries, belies the exciting dining, entertainment and retail options in store.
Dinner and a show? Here guests will discover an incredible collection of restaurants helmed by celebrity and award-winning chefs. After a sumptuous meal, guests can head to the towering theater that is home to “Drawn to Life,” the first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney. This creative tour de force blends the beauty of Disney animation with the thrilling spectacle of Cirque du Soleil for an experience like no other.
“Drawn to Life” takes place on one of many stages found throughout Disney Springs. When the sun goes down, the stages come alive with musical performances of all kinds – everything from acoustic sounds to bands to marquee-name talent.
Other entertainment options literally encompass land, sea and air. The new limited-time drone show “Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T” wows as its 800 drones take to the skies creating towering versions of favorite characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar and Star Wars movies.
Guests can set sail in a vintage amphicar for a tour of Lake Buena Vista, soar sky-high on a tethered adventure in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon, take in a movie, bowl on luxury lanes, and much more.
Between it all, guests can simply stroll the streets, promenades and bridges that connect this charming destination of more than 100 retail establishments – from top brands to one-of-a-kind boutiques – more than 60 eateries, and dozens of attractions, shows and events. This is the place where sidewalks become stages that hum to the sounds of live performances. It is where walls are canvases filled with inspiring works of art. And it is where guests will discover something new and unforgettable every time they visit.
To learn more about all the exciting fun happening at Walt Disney World Resort this summer and special offers available, contact me at FirenzetravelMedia@gmail.com