6 Best Nightlife Experiences at Disney World Florida

If you like your music live and loud, there's only one place to head to every night at Disney World Resort, and that's the legendary House of Blues (or HOBs, for short). The huge multi-zoned venue features live bands every night, encompassing a range of genres from blues (obviously) to indie, acoustic, country, folk and classic rock ‘n’ roll. It’s best to check their schedule before coming as they often host big-name acts in their main standing room.

If you’re not in the mood for rocking out all night, grab a seat at the back or next to the bar and enjoy the substantial range of food and drinks HOBs is also well-known for. Find it at the ‘Disney Springs’ area of the park in Downtown Disney.

For a raucous night of live entertainment – minus the kids – there’s no better place at Disney than the much-loved Jelly Rolls, situated at Disney’s BoardWalk. Two pianists take to the stage every night to battle it out with classical takes on all popular hit songs, as well as requests from the crowd. Audience participation is encouraged too, with sing-alongs and even audience members being invited to swap seats with the pianists. There's a cover charge of around $12, but think of Jelly Rolls as more of a live show (this is Disney after all) and you won’t leave disappointed.

Player 1 Video Game Bar is not actually part of the Disney franchise, but it’s very close by, located just outside the resort, off International Drive. The clue with this bar really is in the name: expect video games, plenty of beer and a decent soundtrack to keep the atmosphere cool and trendy rather than geeky and stale. The lineup of consoles is more than comprehensive; they have a PS4, Xbox One, Wii, first-person shooters, gaming PCs and a host of puzzle and family games.

For nature enthusiasts booked into any of Disney’s Animal Kingdom accommodations, the Starlight Safari tour is an absolute must. This immersive safari adventure takes you around in an open-sided safari vehicle. You might be wondering how much you can actually see after-dark, but there is a handy solution: night-vision goggles! These will help you see the array of animals, including zebras, gazelles, ostriches, and deer.

Disney’s BoardWalk may just be the most photogenic and lively spot in the whole of Disney World Resort come nightfall. This is basically a pretty promenade set next to a Crescent Lake, with an eclectic range of cafés, restaurants, bars and boutiques creating a colorful reflection across the water. There are some fun arcade games for the kids, and if you’re planning on heading here for a night out, make sure you check out the excellent Jelly Rolls Bar for the live duelling piano performances and tipsy sing-alongs.