Many of us are excited to get to Disney as early as possible in the morning. We want to make sure that we have the entire magical experience and we love it when the long day at the park is ahead of us.
When the park is winding down and the sun drops below the horizon, do Disney parks get better at night?
If you stick around the Disney parks after sundown, you will find that they become different in some interesting and awesome ways. Not only do the nighttime crowds thin out, the beauty really comes out with the lights in many areas.
Regardless of whether you are a morning person or a night owl, you likely see the good and the bad in both of those times.
As far as Disney is concerned, however, there are many reasons why the nighttime is the better time.
Here are a few to consider:
Crowds – Many of those who have small children have long since left the parks and gone back to their resort. This leaves an older crowd behind, and there are not quite as many in the parks as there are during the middle of the day.
This makes it an excellent time to get on some rides and wander around and enjoy the sights and sounds. One thing that you will find is true, when the lights come on at the park, the experience changes to something even more magical.
Florida Heat – If you visit Disney World during certain months of the year, you are going to be blasted with the hot Florida sun all day long. It’s quite a relief when the sun goes down and the evening time cools off just a little for some nighttime Disney magic.
Fireworks – One of the most spectacular times to be at Disney parks is when they are closing. That is when the fireworks and light show take place, and it is everything you would hope it would be.
If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the fireworks at Disney, it is really something to enjoy. You can see them from many resorts and other areas on the property but seeing them up close and personal is an experience to treasure.
The only thing that we don’t like about Disney parks at night is the fact that they are getting closer to closing for the evening. That being said, the fact they are closing in the evening just means that you’re that much closer to coming back in the morning again.
Take a look at this YouTube video of Magic Kingdom at night.
Which Disney Park Is Best At Night?
There are many opinions on which of the Disney parks is best at night, but there’s something about the Magic Kingdom that should never be missed. If you happen to be there until they close the park, you will get to enjoy a special event known as the ‘Kiss Goodnight.’
When The Magic Kingdom closes at the end of the day, you will experience a two-minute-long event that very few Disney fans have ever experienced. The Kiss Goodnight begins when Cinderella’s Castle starts to twinkle and you hear the music from When You Wish upon a Star building to a crescendo.
This is the official goodbye from the Magic Kingdom. You can even hear it played more than once if you happen to stick around because it plays every 30 minutes.
There are also some specific rides that seem to get a little better at night. Here are a few to keep on your radar:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – This is an amazing railroad roller coaster ride to be on during the day but at night, the lights make it absolutely beautiful. Take the time to look around and see the sights that this roller coaster allows you to see from a vantage point unlike any other.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – You haven’t visited the Magic Kingdom until you’ve been on the Flying Dumbo ride. It’s amazing during the day and the lines are typically fairly short. At night, the water is on fire with lights and it is absolutely beautiful to see it from your flying elephant.
Is Disney World Less Crowded At Night
The crowds at Disney can be quite intense, especially in the middle of the day. Do things tend to quiet down at night?
As the park gets closer and closer to closing, fewer and fewer people are going to be around. There are some who stick around for the fireworks and just to make the most out of their day, but many of the smaller children are already at their resorts and tucked in bed.
If you want to enjoy some time walking around at the parks with fewer crowds, nighttime is the best choice. You may have an opportunity to enjoy lighter crowds first thing in the morning if you get there early enough, but it’s much easier just to stay a little later.
Can You Go To Epcot Just At Night?
Would you like to experience Epcot in the evening but you can’t be there in the morning? Is this even possible?
The best way to experience an evening visit to Epcot is to get a Park Hopper pass. After you check in at your original park on the pass, you can leave and go to the next park at 2 PM. It’s a great way to make your way around Epcot in the evening and then enjoy the fireworks.
Take a look at the new Beacons Of Magic show at Epcot.
If you are going to make your evening rounds at Epcot, I would suggest that you go in through the main entrance and head to the right around the World Showcase. You have to pick and choose which countries you stop in, but you will end up in Mexico.
Mexico is the best place to watch the fireworks. Grab some nachos and an early seat and sit down for one of the best fireworks shows on Disney property.
The magic doesn’t stop at Disney when the sun goes down. In fact, the lights come on and some of the magic just gets started. Don’t be too quick to leave the parks, you’ll miss out on something beautiful.
