A trip to Disney World wouldn’t be complete without visiting Magic Kingdom at night. The ambiance of Main Street USA and Cinderella’s Castle illuminated with fanciful colors is spellbinding, but you’ll also find a host of other treats awaiting you after dark.
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Visiting the Magic Kingdom Lands After Dark
The Magic Kingdom is divided into multiple themed lands, and when nighttime falls, each offers its own brand of charm. Here is what to expect across Magic Kingdom at night.
Fantasyland: A Fairytale Wonderland at Night
During the day, the crowded pathways of Fantasyland can make it difficult to appreciate the details that bring this section of the park to life. Under the illumination of night, however, this original Walt Disney creation sparkles with new life.
The iconic Cinderella Castle takes center stage. Seen from behind, the castle’s facade shimmers and dances with vibrant colors, while illuminated windows on the nearby storefronts spotlight special Disney characters. These are sights that are easily overlooked during the drabber hues of a Magic Kingdom day.
Nighttime Rides and Attractions in Fantasyland
When visiting Magic Kingdom at night, you’ll find that most Fantasyland rides and attractions remain open. One exception is Enchanted Tales with Belle. This immersive stage performance allows guests inside the Beast’s Castle, but to respect his privacy, the ride does often close earlier than the park during the evening. Consult the Disney My Experience App for current timings during your visit.
A few Fantasyland rides really stand out at night. One is Cinderella’s Carousel, where the extra wattage of artificial illumination really brings the colors of Cindy’s ride to life. Mad Tea Party also glimmers with extra shine once the sun goes down and the lights come on. The last attraction to add extra special magic at night is Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Fly your elephant high, and you’ll get a new view of the Magic Kingdom at night.
Since all other rides are located indoors, the experience at these attractions remains similar to daylight hours.
A Rootin’ Tootin Good Time Awaits at Frontierland After Dark
Frontierland is one of our favorite lands to visit as the moon rises in the sky. We used to love to see Splash Mountain illuminated in the dark. Now that the ride has been reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, there is still plenty of magic to be found when visiting Frontierland at night.
One hint is to skip the main path as you enter Frontierland from Liberty Square and head off to the right along the river. Since most guests avoid this route in the dark, the pathway offers a serene respite from the crowds as well as a beautiful glimpse of the Mark Twain Riverboat docked at harbor and lit with thousands of sparkling lights.
As you continue forward, old fashioned light posts illuminate the way, reminding you that you are indeed entering the frontier.
Nighttime Rides and Attractions in Frontierland
There is only one ride in Frontierland that can be heralded as the wildest ride in the wilderness, and this one packs a punch at night. As you careen around turns and plunge down drops, be sure to look at the various buildings in the old mining town. Many are lit, displaying surprises you won’t see during the day. Plus, there’s just something about riding an outdoor coaster at night. The wind on your face is cooler and the trains seem to run faster.
When you leave Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, be sure to travel back toward Liberty Square using the main travel path. It’s fun to see the old-time frontier buildings lit up at night.
Liberty Square: The Colonial Light Still Burns
Entering Colonial Square after dark, you can just imagine the clip-clop sound of horse hooves as Paul Revere gallops through town. The building windows seem to be illuminated with delicate candlelight, while the atmosphere remains poised for a great revolution.
Across the street, an abandoned mansion emits a different kind of light. Some call it ghostly as haunting sounds drift forward on the nightly air. Astute observers swear that they’ve seen the ghost of a former inhabitant drifting from window to window in the old derelict manse.
Only the brave venture forward to enter the cemetery where gravestones come to life. Only the bravest are still around when the mansion doors open and welcome you inside.
Tomorrowland’s Futuristic Glow Glows Bright After Dark
Tomorrowland, that bastion of once futuristic insight, continues to shine bright as the sun sets, calling to mind nostalgic remembrances of how we used to view the future. With rides like Astro Orbiter perched high above the land and lit with vibrant illumination, this is one of the most happeningest places at night.
Nighttime Rides and Attractions in Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland’s rides offer some special treats at night. Space Mountain seems all the more dark, making star trails and meteors all the brighter, while Astro Orbiter’s planets glow with otherworldly light. For a special treat, rev up your engines at Mickey’s Speedway. The darkness certainly adds a new dimension to this go cart raceway.
Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin also remain open and ready to welcome guests after dark.
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Adventure Awaits: Adventureland After Dark
If any of Disney’s themed lands calls out for a nighttime experience, it’s Adventureland. Home to attractions that take guests off the beaten track, darkness here lends an added air of mystique. You’ll find the lighting dim, often accented only by burning tiki torches, as you wind your way through paths with hidden delights.
Nighttime Rides and Attractions in Adventureland
Most rides and attractions remain open in Adventureland after dark, and that’s exciting news. We recommend that guests take a tour down “de Nile” on Jungle Cruise both during the day and again at night. Each experience offers something different in ambiance and that adventurous feel.
The same holds true for Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride really hits different at night. Somehow, colors seem to glow brighter after dark, making each scene more vibrant and alive.
Moving further along into the Arabic town of Agrabah, Aladdin’s Flying Carpets offer a high-flying view of the land as softly glowing light tends to highlight different scenes you might not pick out during a daytime adventure.
Main Street USA at Night
If you’re into history and nostalgia, there’s no better place in the Magic Kingdom to visit at night than this recreation of an early 1900s town. Festive lights glow brightly, and storefronts bustle with life often reminiscent of early 20th century America.
All of the shops and eateries located along Main Street are open after dark and remain so until around an hour after park closing. One area along Main Street that isn’t well lit is the firehouse, so it’s best to explore this location during the day.
For an added bit of nostalgia, take some time to explore the train depot. Trains won’t usually run after dark, so it’s a great time to see the memorabilia here without distracting crowds.
Later in the night, Main Street USA becomes the central gathering place for guests who want to see the nightly fireworks show.
Nighttime Entertainment at Magic Kingdom
Visiting Magic Kingdom at night offers some spectacular entertainment opportunities beyond rides. While stage shows have shuttered performances for the evening, you’ll find that some of the most thrilling events take place at night.
You’ll want to check the My Disney Experience app for timing and availability during your trip, but you can generally expect to see a slated line up of events.
Evening Character Meet and Greets
Guests can meet up with Cinderella and a rotating gathering of her princess friends for most of the evening over at Princess Fairytale Hall. Likewise, Princess Tiana maintains a similar schedule until roughly about an hour before park closing.
Mickey and pals will usually hang out a bit longer at the Town Square Theater, not closing doors until about a half hour before park closing.
While these scheduled meet and greets are a guaranteed way to interact with Disney stars, be on the lookout for impromptu appearances. Winnie the Pooh and friends, a well as others, have been known to gather on the train station platform overlooking Main Street USA, while the country bears and other characters reminiscent of the early west have shown up on the streets of Frontierland. We’ve even spotted rarely seen characters, such as Cinderella’s step sisters arguing their way down Main Street USA.
Seasonal Nighttime Offerings at Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is the gathering place for two of the Disney World’s best holiday extravaganzas.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is billed as one spooktacular event, perfect for children and those who enjoy the lighter side of the holiday. Guests can trick or treat throughout the park, enjoy a multitude of rides after dark and meet with rarely seen characters dressed up in holiday fare.
For those whose fandom trends toward Disney villains, this is the event to commune with the not so nice characters from Disney films. Cruella de Vil and Jafar have both made appearances in the past, a certain treat for villain fans. However, one of the best performances by far goes to Cinderella’s two wicked stepsisters. Drizella and Anastasia can be found roaming the park, often bickering with each other or even with guests.
As Halloween winds down, the Christmas decorations go up and Mickey kicks his after-hours Christmas celebration into gear. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party amps Magic Kingdom at night into high gear, with the sights and sounds of the holiday. The festivities include a 65-foot tall Christmas tree and snow on Main Street USA. Free hot cocoa and cookies are dispensed all night long as well as signature treats for purchase.
Each event also hosts two nightly parades with elaborate holiday floats and special surprises. During Halloween, you watch in complete suspense as the Headless Horseman trots down Main Street.
However, the highlight of the night at both parties is the holiday fireworks spectacular. It’s safe to say you haven’t seen a nighttime spectacular until you’ve seen a holiday display at Magic Kingdom.
Both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party are after hours events and require a special ticket purchase. You can find more information on the Halloween party by reading our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party blog. More information on the Christmas party is available in our Disney Holidays blog.
Magic Kingdom at Night Fireworks Spectaculars
Visiting Magic Kingdom at night offers one compelling reason to stay up late: the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular. Disney bills this as an extravaganza featuring lights, lasers, projections and fireworks, but it’s so much more. Incorporating the magic of Disney storytelling with familiar and heart tugging tunes, this after-dark show is a phenomenon all its own, and one you have to be see to believe.
For a special and more intimate experience, you can reserve a spot on the roster for The Magic Kingdom Fireworks and Dessert Party. Benefits include special pastries and prime seating for watching the fireworks.
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Nighttime Dining and Snacking Options at Magic Kingdom
With so many rides and attractions to experience at Magic Kingdom, it’s easy for nighttime to creep up unexpectedly. Suddenly, darkness has descended, and you still haven’t eaten dinner.
Fortunately, most of Disney’s bigger eateries stay open until close to park closing, allowing you to grab a bite to eat at Magic Kingdom during the night. Please check the My Disney Experience app for current hours during your trip, but the following restaurants are usually open for several hours at night in the Magic Kingdom.
Dining at Magic Kingdom at Night
Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants Open at Night (Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended)
- Be Our Guest
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Crystal Palace
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- The Plaza Restaurant
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Magic Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants Open at Night
- Casey’s Corner
- Cosmic Ray’s
- The Lunching Pad
- Main Street Bakery
- Pecos Bill
- Pinocchio Village Haus
Snacking at Magic Kingdom at Night
When it comes to nighttime snacking at Magic Kingdom, you have a lot of options. Here are some guest favorites:
Cool Down with Dole Whip
While there are a number of places across Disney World to grab a Dole Whip treat, Aloha Aisle is your destination for this creamy pineapple treat at night when visiting the Magic Kingdom.
Serve up Some Sweetness with a Float at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
Here, you’ll find vanilla soft serve paired with a Coca-Cola fountain beverage of choice.
Warm up with Coffee at Main Street Bakery
If you need a jolt to keep you awake during a night at Magic Kingdom, The Main Street Bakery is serving up all manner of Starbuck’s goodness, from hot or iced coffee to specialty drinks.
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
When it’s time for a break, grab a seat and a spoon at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. The All-American sundae, topped with hot fudge and a peanut butter drizzle, is sure to revive your weary senses with a sugary burst.
Dare a Night at Sleepy Hollow
Celebrate everyone’s favorite mouse with an iconic Mickey waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Funnel cakes are also available.
Take Time for Fairytales at Storybook Treats
Storybook Treats serves soft serve right with unique flavors and rotating specials. Looking for a fan favorite? Try the Aurora Cone, Dole Whip Strawberry swirled with Blue soft serve and topped off just right with white chocolate crisp pearls.
It’s Westward Ho
Corn dog nuggets are the favorite at this tucked away eatery on the border between Frontierland and Adventureland. If you’re looking for a bit of heat, opt for jalapeno poppers instead.
Magic Kingdom at Night: Extended Park Hours
If you’ve visited Disney World anytime in the past decade, you may be familiar with a fan favorite called Extra Magic Hours. During Extra Magic Hours, one park either opened early or stayed open late for guests of Disney World resorts.
Unfortunately, Extra Magic Hours met its demise during the COVID outbreak and never returned. Instead, Disney parks introduced Early Theme Park Entry. During the morning, guests of Disney World resorts are allowed to enter the parks up to a half an hour early. However, you’ll need to be a guest at one of Disney’s deluxe resorts to enjoy Extended Theme Park Hours at Magic Kingdom.
The extended hour event allows deluxe resort guests to remain in the parks after hours. Times and duration may change, so you’ll need to consult the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app for particulars during your stay.
All guests to Disney World, regardless of where they stay, may take advantage of Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom. This special ticketed event is a limited entry experience, meaning you’ll encounter lower wait times on attractions. Parks remain open 3 hours after regular closing for ticketed guests.
Magic Kingdom Nighttime Transportation Options
When your night at Magic Kingdom draws to a close, you’ll need to know how to get back to your hotel. If you’re a guest at a Disney World resort, you’ll have convenient and reliable options thanks to Disney’s complimentary transportation system. Guests of other resorts will have a slightly less efficient experience.
Nightly Bus Transportation for Guests of Disney World Resorts
For the majority of guests, bus transportation may be picked up directly in front of the exit gates. You’ll find a convenient light up board listing all resorts and directing you to the bus stop. Transportation departs to the following resorts from this area:
- Disney’s All Star Resorts
- Disney Pop Century Resort
- Disney Art of Animation
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- The Campsites and Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Guests of Magic Kingdom Resorts have access to the monorail as well as watercraft transportation to make it quick and easy to return to your room at night. These resorts include:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney Bay Lake Towers
- Disney Polynesian Village
- Disney Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
- Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney Grand Floridian Villas
Last, guests staying at the Wilderness Lodge area will have access to watercraft transportation. These resorts include:
- Disney Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney Wilderness Lodge
Magic Kingdom Nightly Transportation for Guests of Other Disney World Resorts and Offsite Resorts
Several resorts located on or near Disney property, but not owned or operated by Disney will be required to take the express monorail or watercraft to the transportation ticket center before catching a bus to their resort. These typically include Disney Springs area resorts, the Disney Swan, and the Disney Dolphin.
Guests staying at Good Neighbor hotels or other area properties, will also pick up their hotel shuttle (if provided) from the transportation ticket center.
Guests who stay offsite and drive to Disney World will also need to catch the monorail or watercraft to the transportation and ticket center to access Disney World Parking area.
Ridesharing from Magic Kingdom
Tired feet or families with sleepy little ones may appreciate a more private type of ride from the Magic Kingdom at night. Uber and Lyft provide just that, but catching a rideshare might not be as convenient as you think. When leaving the Magic Kingdom at night, you’ll need to hop on the monorail or steamboat to the Transportation Ticket Center to meet with your ride. Drivers are not allowed to access the bus loop located directly in front of Magic Kingdom park.
To receive a pick up from here, you’ll need to hail a Minnie Van. Minnie Vans are available from the Lyft app, so you can easily compare the cost of Lyft rides versus Minnie Vans when making your choice.
Summing up Magic Kingdom at Night
Of all the Disney World parks, Magic Kingdom remains our favorite to visit at night. As the sun sets and the park’s vibrant lights illuminate the night sky, a captivating transformation unfolds, bringing beloved characters, iconic attractions, and breathtaking displays to life like never before. From the awe-inspiring fireworks extravaganza to the enchanting ambiance that envelopes every corner, the Magic Kingdom at night leaves an indelible impression on the hearts of its guests.
