Things to Do at Night at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort

Planning a trip to Florida and in need of some evening inspiration? While it’s easy to figure out how to spend your days at Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, we’ve got your nighttime activities covered in this article.

Whether you’re looking for a Disney date night, something to keep the kids occupied once the Parks close, or a place to enjoy some evening fun, there’s plenty to do at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Universal Orlando Resort.

Here are some of the best things to do at night in Orlando.

Things to do at night at Walt Disney World Resort

When the sun goes down, the fun isn’t finished at Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy spotting animals on a safari game drive, watching the magical fireworks, and a campfire singalong. There’s something here that every member of the family will love.

Summary – things to do at night at Walt Disney World Resort

• Watch one of the nighttime shows
• Dance the night away at Disney’s BoardWalk
• Go on a Starlight Safari
• Gather around the campfire
• Watch an outdoor movie screening
• Visit Disney Springs

Nighttime shows at Walt Disney World Resort

Of course, one of the best things to do at Walt Disney World Resort at night is to watch one of the nighttime shows or fireworks displays. Three of the Theme Parks have shows that you can watch at the end of the day.  

Here’s where to catch the shows:

Please note: valid park admission is required to attend any of the nighttime entertainment.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort during a holiday like Halloween or Christmas, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience  some of the seasonal events or  nighttime shows*.

* require a separate ticket for entry.

Dancing at Walt Disney World Resort

If you love to dance, head to the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk for a night of fun and great music. This art deco-style ballroom comes alive after dark with tunes from the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, and today on select evenings until 1 am.

Please note: entry is not included with your Park Ticket and may incur an additional cost. Guests must be 21 or over to enter.

Go on a Starlight Safari

If you or someone in your family loves animals, don’t miss a Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Feel like you’re on a nighttime game drive in Africa as you climb aboard an open-sided vehicle and explore the lush scenery.

See over 30 species of wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, antelopes, and ostriches. Your guide will provide a night vision device to help you spot the animals in the dark.

Please note: The Starlight Safari is a separate experience and incurs an additional cost beyond your Park Tickets.

Gather around the campfire

There’s nothing more wholesome than cosying up with your family around a campfire for a sing-along and marshmallow toasting. It’s a fun, fresh-air activity that helps tire the kids out before bedtime.

Campfire experiences are available exclusively for guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, such as Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Here, you can even join Disney Characters like Chip ‘n’ Dale for a magical sing-along under the stars.

Catch an outdoor movie screening

Extend the fun after the campfire with an outdoor movie screening, available exclusively for guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Watch a classic Disney movie on the big screen in the fresh evening air and soak up more Disney magic before bedtime.

Both the campfire and movie screenings are complimentary for Disney Resort hotel guests.

Visit Disney Springs

You’ll find everything you need for a fun-filled evening for the whole family at Disney Springs. With shops, activities, live music, and restaurants, there’s so much to do here, you might struggle to fit it all in!

There are over 100 shops at Disney Springs, so it’s the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs – or maybe get yourself a little treat! There’s also regular live entertainment and music at some of the restaurants and bars, including Irish music at Raglan Road, street performers in Riverboat Square, and live music at House of Blues Orlando, Stargazers at Planet Hollywood, and Paradiso 37.

Like your fun with a competitive edge? Why not challenge the family to a game of 10-pin bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes? There’s also a billiards table and a big screen showing sports. The loser buys dinner!

And speaking of dinner, there’s loads of choice here. With everything from fine dining to casual sports bars and cuisines from around the world, rest assured that no one is going to go hungry.

Things to do at night at Universal Orlando Resort

It’s not just Walt Disney World Resort where you can spend your evenings in Orlando, there’s lots to explore after dark at Universal Orlando Resort, too.

Summary – things to do at night at Universal Orlando Resort

• Universal Orlando Resort night shows
• Ride the attractions after dark
• Halloween Horror Nights
• Dance the night away at the Red Coconut Club
• Universal CityWalk
• Dine at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel restaurant

Universal Orlando Resort night shows

There are some spectacular nighttime shows at Universal Orlando Resort. There are currently two evening shows – one at Universal Studios Florida and one at Universal Islands of Adventure – so you can tick both off during your holiday.

Ride the attractions after dark

Riding the attractions after dark is a completely different experience from the daytime. Enjoy the views over the lights of the theme parks from the tops of roller coasters, and prepare to be surprised by twists and turns that you can’t see in the dark!

Some of the best attractions to ride at night include:

Halloween Horror Nights

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando Resort during September or October and you’re a fan of scary stuff, then you can’t miss the Halloween Horror Nights! With haunted houses, scare zones, thrilling live entertainment, and the chance to experience some of Universal Studios Florida’s most exhilarating attractions, it’s a must-visit for scream queens and pumpkin kings.

The event is award-winning, but be warned – it’s not for the faint-hearted!

Dance the night away at the Red Coconut Club

If you fancy a good old boogie, then get yourself down to the Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk. It’s free to get in, and there are different spaces to enjoy – a chilled-out lounge bar and a dancefloor with a full-on party vibe! 

Enjoy signature drinks, mocktails, wines, beers, and soft drinks until midnight, plus there’s live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays.

Universal CityWalk

Once the parks close, head to Universal CityWalk, a vibrant entertainment complex featuring shops, restaurants, and various activities. The whole family can enjoy movie screenings at Universal Cinemark or compete to get a hole-in-one at Hollywood Drive-In Golf™️.

If you fancy a date night, there are plenty of romantic restaurants to choose from:  

• Vivo Italian Kitchen
• Bigfire
• The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
• Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

Dine at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel restaurant

As well as the restaurants in the theme parks and at Universal CityWalk, many of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels have their own restaurants offering top-quality food. Most restaurants allow bookings up to six months in advance, so you can plan ahead if it’s a special occasion or if there’s one you really don’t want to miss. 

Here are some of our favourites:

So, there you have it – our favourite ways to spend the night at Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. If you’re ready to book your unforgettable trip to Florida, check out our Orlando combination attraction tickets now.