Things to do at night after parks

[Skysmommy]

We are not getting park hoppers, staying 1 full week. Because of when we could get our ADR's and fast passes, we have to break up Universal. So our week looks something like this-

Saturday- arrive, Disney Springs
Sunday- Animal Kingdom
Monday- Universal
Tuesday- Magic Kingdom
Wednesday- Hollywood Studios
Thursday- Epcot
Friday- Islands of Adventure
Saturday- breakfast at Chef Mickey's, off to airport

We aren't sure we will do any of the nighttime shows this trip, except the fireworks at MK. So we will probably skip Illuminations & Fantasmic. We plan on being at the parks early, and not sure DD can handle that long a day. We would rather leave the parks around 5 PM, do dinner, and be free by 7, what are some things we can do for a couple of hours? We are staying at Bay Lake Towers. I was thinking night swimming, exploring the Poly & Grand Floridian, do the resorts do poolside movies? Places to grab ice cream after dinner? TIA!

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I think you have the right idea.

At the Polynesian you can get Dole Whips. If you have dinner in the Boardwalk/ Beach Club area, Beaches & Cream has a walk-up “window” for ice cream to go, and there’s Ample Hills Creamery on the Boardwalk. It’s nice just to walk around that area at night. Even without dinner plans, take the bus to HS and then take a boat or walk over to the Boardwalk/ Beach Club.

Night swimming is a great idea and yes, the resorts do show movies at night. There will be a calendar available (and many people post them here as well) so you can see what the movie is. I love just staying at the resort and doing that some nights because then when you’re tired you’re right there not too far from your room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are not getting park hoppers, staying 1 full week. Because of when we could get our ADR's and fast passes, we have to break up Universal. So our week looks something like this-

Saturday- arrive, Disney Springs
Sunday- Animal Kingdom
Monday- Universal
Tuesday- Magic Kingdom
Wednesday- Hollywood Studios
Thursday- Epcot
Friday- Islands of Adventure
Saturday- breakfast at Chef Mickey's, off to airport

We aren't sure we will do any of the nighttime shows this trip, except the fireworks at MK. So we will probably skip Illuminations & Fantasmic. We plan on being at the parks early, and not sure DD can handle that long a day. We would rather leave the parks around 5 PM, do dinner, and be free by 7, what are some things we can do for a couple of hours? We are staying at Bay Lake Towers. I was thinking night swimming, exploring the Poly & Grand Floridian, do the resorts do poolside movies? Places to grab ice cream after dinner? TIA!

Swimming at night might not be possible because they usually close the pools around 9 or so. I just depends on what time you plan on swimming.

 

[cmorris303]

We had fun riding the monorail and hopping off at each resort and looking around a little. My kids love gift shops so we checked out the gift shop at each resort. We listened to the band for a little at Mizner's Lounge in GF. We had only ever been to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary so we just looked around a bit there and then hopped on the monorail back to the Poly where we were staying. We had a lot of fun.

 

[snappy]

I recommend the Bellevue lounge at the boardwalk for a drink. Great vibes and a great bartender, Alan. Been there for years.

 

[DeanDoug]

First, love BLT! Since you're on the monorail, you have lots of options. Yes, resorts have nighttime movies. You can get Dole whip in the Poly at Pineapple Lanai. From BLT and/Contemp you will also get to the the Electric Water Pageant which is iconic Disney. And you can always see the MK fireworks from the BLT club! Enjoy!

 

[Sparkly]

Swimming at night might not be possible because they usually close the pools around 9 or so. I just depends on what time you plan on swimming.

Depends what time of year they're going- even if they close at 9 you could still get an hour or so in the pool before it closes.

 

[cruisin5]

There is entertainment on the Boardwalk during the evenings. Jugglers, magicians ... very entertaining especially for kids. Ample Hills is an ice cream shop with the BEST ice cream just about anywhere. Either walk or boat from HS or Epcot. Walking from Epcot is faster than the boat. You can rent a surrey bike and ride around the Boardwalk (I'd skip this if it's crowded or close to crowded).

BLT has a community hall, definitely check it out. Board games, ping pong or pool (different community halls have different amenities). Inexpensive arts and crafts such as bracelet making.

From BLT is an easy boat ride over to Fort Wilderness which has a nice playground. There are horse stables, pony rides, trail rides and wagon rides which are all surprisingly reasonably priced.

There's also a nightly campfire at BLT and boat rentals at the marina.

You've got a lot packed into six full days! Have a great trip.

 

[Micharlotte]

Fort wilderness does a campfire sing along with chip and dale. Super cute, a bit out of the way but you’re already pretty close at BLT.

 

[Happy Art Teacher]

We love to resort shop for our next vacation. It is fun to tour the resorts and spend time in the lobbies!

 

[Hi Pluto]

You can also cruise on over to Disney Springs if you're not too exhausted by then. And Universal has their City Walk.

 

[Silvermist999]

We love to go to Disney Springs at night. We will go there at least a couple times each trip, to dine or to just shop. During the time we usually go to WDW, it is way too hot to walk around there during the day. We always stay at the monorail resorts and love to resort shop too!