There’s something special about Walt Disney World Resort at night - the bioluminescence of Pandora land in Animal Kingdom; the oversized Christmas lights hanging across Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios; strolling along Epcot’s World Showcase aglow; and of course, the granddaddy of them all, an illuminated Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. The afterhours undoubtedly elevate the theme and essence of certain attractions at the parks. Today on the blog, we’re having fun with our Five Favorite Attractions to Experience at Night.
The Haunted Mansion outdoor queue at night …. spooky
Haunted Mansion
An opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom, Haunted Mansion is a perennial classic. Beloved by park-goers of all ages, Haunted Mansion isn’t very spooky in the daylight hours. But at night, the fright factor commences immediately as you walk through the outdoor queue with the chilling notes created on the musical crypt, and the leaks and bubbles unexpectedly arising from the sea captain’s tomb.
The spine-tingling continues in the stretching portrait room and as you board your Doom Buggy - is it us, or does the cackling of the Ghost Host seem a bit creepier when experiencing Haunted Mansion at night? We think your chances of picking up one of the 999 Happy Haunts increase exponentially.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Unlike Haunted Mansion’s slow-moving omnimover, Tower of Terror is made for thrill seekers for guests 40 inches and taller. The popular attraction is known for its sudden drops and wide open view of Hollywood Studios when the elevator shaft reaches 13 stories high. We are not embarrassed to admit that our legs shake uncontrollably while we’re being thrust up and down. When you enter the attraction at night, the level of eeriness is enhanced with Disney storytelling at its finest. A story of an abandoned hotel brought to life as you walk through the dark library, see the dusty artifacts, hear the buzzing of the old television set and interact with Disney cast members in complete character. True story - one of our children was so creeped out by the ominous voice and look of a Disney cast member working the attraction, he did a 360 out of there!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
There’s nothing spooky or eerie about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It’s a down-home outdoor roller coaster with twists and turns and bumps along the frontier. What we love about Big Thunder, and any of the outdoor rides, is the incredible view of the parks as you’re enjoying the thrills. And if you time it properly, you can have uninhibited, front-row seats for Happily Ever After. We’ll never forget when we encouraged one of our nephews to board Big Thunder. He had his eyes closed throughout the ride … until the fireworks started. His older cousin nudged him to open one of those eyes, and after seeing the bright colors in the sky, the smile couldn't be erased from his face. Since then, he’s tackled Rock n’ Roller Coaster and other big-boy rides!
Pirates of the Caribbean
When dusk sets in Adventureland, you are truly transported to the life of a pirate. Twilight accentuates the risk you take when walking through the alleyways of a Spanish fortress, the setting for the classic Magic Kingdom attraction. Once you board your own barge onto the high seas, you’ll encounter a grotto of lost pirates, sail under a waterfall and navigate which side you want to take in the middle of a canon battle. The highlight of an afterhours cruise on troubled waters … humming the quintessential pirate theme song in the dark. Yo ho!
Ahoy, matey…. Pirates of the Caribbean at night
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
After a long day touring the parks, there’s nothing better than getting off your feet for a while. Sure, you could choose a film attraction, animatronic production or live performance. But the underrated PeopleMover is the way to go for us. No FastPass+ needed - board your private tram to enjoy a relaxed indoor and outdoor ride through Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Your kids may not be pumped to ride it until they see the behind the scenes access to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain, and you’ll love the beautiful vista of Magic Kingdom at dusk.
What’s your favorite attraction to experience at night?
The sun is starting to set on the PeopleMover