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I love Walt Disney World at night.
When we were down this last time, we got in Tuesday afternoon and got settled then we went to dinner at the Kona Café in the Polynesian and got caught in a thunderstorm, so we went back to our resort. Wednesday night we had a dinner reservation in Epcot at Le Cellier and the park was closed, whenever we were done eating. Thursday afternoon it hit me that I had been at Walt Disney World for three days and hadn’t seen anything lit up at night!! It was killing me. I usually like taking in one of the parks the first night or two we are there just to walk around. This is a very enjoyable thing that some people might miss, so for first time visitors, our Unknown Magic today is Disney At Night. (Kind of sounds like a show that will be coming to your town in November doesn’t it?)

Disney At Night is different from Disney in the daytime for a few reasons. Heat, crowds, and anxiety are all lower, and people seem to be moving slower. These factors make a trip to any of the parks a little nicer.

When the sun goes down, the heat is somewhat less in Disney, but that does not mean the humidity will be less. If there hasn’t been the afternoon/early evening rain storm, it may be even more humid than it was during the day, but without the sun beating down
on you, it will be a little cooler. The crowds will be somewhat smaller in the evening and night, but watch for the crowds getting ready for fireworks and parades (especially

in the Magic Kingdom) and leaving the Parks after the fireworks is always crowded, but this would be the perfect time to take a walk around the park and enjoy the night. When the sun goes down, people’s anxiety levels seem to lower also. It is like they have a new outlook being where they are. If they didn’t get to the attraction they wanted to, they are okay with getting to it now, and everyone seems to be moving a little slower after dark. That isn’t to say you’re not going to run into the Disney Commandos, but you may run into fewer of them.

But none of these are the reason Disney At Night can lead to Magical Experiences. No, the Magic here is caused by the lights. Because of the way the parks are lit up, they are fantastic to experience at night. From the Fountain of Nations in Epcot, to the

entrance to Tomorrowland, the lights add to your enjoyment and excitement as you tour the parks. Even when the Fireworks or the Magic Kingdom’s nighttime parade is presented, the lights play a part, as they are dimmed to let you enjoy the lights on the floats or the spectacle in the sky.

Main Street USA itself is a beautiful sight at night. When all the lights are lit the buildings seem to be more alive. But this isn’t the only area of the Magic Kingdom that is lit up and exciting, Fantasyland is covered with millions of lights to lead you and your family to Magical Experiences. The eerie
lighting around the Haunted Mansion adds to the delight as it seems to beckon for you to come and join the 999 residents that are all ready there.

Over in Disney Hollywood Studios, the Tower of Terror is lit in an eerie way also that makes that ride even more chilling. Hollywood Boulevard in the Studios is one of my favorite nighttime places in Disney World. I like walking down the street and seeing all the neon lights and enjoy the excitement from the glow of the signs. I also like walking around the Streets of America in the Studios. The street lamps here are lit and the house lights come on and it seems as if you are walking in the neighborhoods of New York or San Francisco. (A lot of people don’t walk around the Streets of America at night either, so it is a very peaceful place to walk.)

Walking the backstreets of Disney Hollywood Studios is like walking around the World Showcase of Epcot at night. There is little lighting, but you can still see enough to enjoy yourself. It’s very laid back and quiet and enjoyable, especially after a hot day in the sun with big crowds, it is a very nice way to end a day in Walt Disney World.

The Parks aren’t the only places lit up at night to invite you to a Magical Experience. The Boardwalk, Downtown Disney and the Resorts themselves all have lighting that will add to your enjoyment. Downtown Disney comes alive at night and can be very busy, but the air seems to buzz with excitement as you walk around and experience all the different stores and restaurants they have to offer. The Boardwalk is also more alive
at night under the lights, jugglers, sword swallowers and magicians come out to

perform when it gets dark, and the Midway games open. The lights that circle the Boardwalk invite you to stay and enjoy a Magical Experience as you stroll with your family like you would have on an Atlantic City Boardwalk in the 1920’s.

So, now you know, The Lights at Disney World can help you enjoy Magical Experiences during the Unknown Magic of Disney At Night. So, when the sun goes down, go out and play.