When the solar goes down at Walt Disney World, the celebration will get began! Properly, perhaps not the celebration, however nighttime is when the parks are finest skilled, and most out of doors points of interest are enhanced within the evenings. This checklist ranks the ten finest evening rides at Magic Kingdom. (Up to date October 11, 2024.)
Though the celebration half was a joke, it’s completely true that Walt Disney World comes alive with an exquisite power within the night. That is particularly the case on the Magic Kingdom, which has implausible ambiance that simply can’t be replicated in the course of the day. (It’s additionally true in World Showcase at EPCOT, Sundown Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Pandora at Animal Kingdom–actually, nearly in all places!)
The general sensory expertise of the Magic Kingdom is heightened at evening. The background music in Tomorrowland appears louder, the candy scents from the Principal Road Confectionery are extra aromatic, and the Magic Kingdom is each aglow with colour and extra peaceable in its quiet corners.
There are few issues I take pleasure in greater than strolling alongside the picket boardwalk alongside the Rivers of America in Frontierland at evening. From the lighting to the lights of the Liberty Belle reflecting off of the water to the illuminated spires of Cinderella Citadel within the distance, nighttime actually places the magic within the Magic Kingdom.
We’ve already lined the Prime 10 Disneyland Rides at Evening in a separate put up, so we thought it might be enjoyable to try the perfect points of interest are finest at Walt Disney World’s fortress park at evening. Clearly, for the reason that parks share a great variety of points of interest, so will seem on each lists, however a lot of our high picks are distinctive to every park. Let’s have a look…
BONUS: Tomorrowland Speedway Race into the Holidays
Throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together, there’s a trio of Tomorrowland journey overlays. The one one that’s outdoor is Tomorrowland Speedway: Race By way of the Holidays, which is like a drive-through model of the Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights, albeit scaled again significantly.
Even that could be setting expectations too excessive–Tomorrowland Speedway: Race By way of the Holidays is a little more sparse than I’d like, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good. Significantly better than the common Tomorrowland Speedway, which we don’t advocate at evening…or in any respect.
BONUS: Liberty Sq. Riverboat
With its stunning popcorn lights, and the leisurely cruise it gives across the Rivers of America (as famous above, strolls alongside the Rivers of America are one among my favourite issues to do at evening), the Liberty Belle may be close to the highest of this checklist.
It’s not on account of restricted hours, that means that it typically stops working effectively earlier than sundown outdoors of ~4 months of the yr. When you’ve got the prospect to journey the Liberty Belle at evening (the perfect probability is in the course of the winter when sundown is earlier), take full benefit as that is simply high 3 when it’s working at evening!
It’s additionally probably that Winter 2025 would be the final probability anybody has to benefit from the Liberty Sq. Riverboat at evening. Walt Disney World has introduced that Vehicles Land will change the Rivers of America, and it’s probably that the Liberty Belle will completely shut previous to Christmas 2025.
10. Below the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Admittedly, this one is a little bit of an unconventional alternative, however hear me out. I’m of the opinion that the Little Mermaid darkish journey’s queue is superior to the precise attraction. I feel I’m not alone on this sentiment, and whereas the journey expertise isn’t impacted in any respect at evening, this queue is considerably higher at evening.
This isn’t simply true within the out of doors portion the place the waterfalls are superbly illuminated and the rock work stands out, however can also be the case inside, the place you even have an opportunity to cease and recognize the entire little particulars when this line kind of empties out at evening. Nonetheless suppose this one is a stretch? Okay, it most likely is, however I feel it was price drawing consideration to a much less apparent one, even when perhaps one other attraction had been extra deserving of the #10 spot (my various ‘substantive’ choose could be the Walt Disney World Railroad).
9. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
A reasonably easy attraction, however given Prince Charming Regal Carrousel’s location proper within the coronary heart of Fantasyland immediately behind Cinderella Citadel and immediately in entrance of the Citadel Partitions resulting in New Fantasyland, it’s an amazing alternative for some stunning views.
Add to this comparatively quick waits at evening (we usually stroll proper on or wait solely 5 minutes), and it’s a pleasant change of tempo and simple attraction to hit as you cross via Fantasyland.
8. Dumbo
Dumbo makes the checklist not due to its location, which is definitely nonetheless fairly good now, however due to its stunning nighttime lighting.
When Dumbo was moved and its capability doubled, it additionally acquired a superb new lighting scheme that basically provides it added life at evening. Lacking is that iconic view of Cinderella Citadel, however the view remains to be breathtaking with most of Fantasyland seen, plus there’s some glorious lighting, so we think about the “new” Dumbo a greater attraction at evening than the earlier one.
7. Astro Orbiter
Astro Orbiter is increased up this checklist than it was the Disneyland checklist, and that’s for one easy purpose: location. In Magic Kingdom, it stays in its correct place perched atop the Peoplemover platform. Whereas it’s only a easy spinner attraction, there’s one thing about flying all through ‘outer house’ (and the long run?) in that elevated place and the neon of Tomorrowland, it makes the checklist.
Bonus factors in the event you journey in the course of the fireworks. Double bonus factors in the event you pair Astro Orbiter with the #1 entry on our checklist and handle to journey each throughout fireworks. Triple factors in the event you do each of these issues, and stroll below the Add Conduit cover of #4. Phew, that’s loads to do in the midst of ~20 minutes!
6. Jingle or Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is nice at evening as a result of it captures the unique and mysterious Coronary heart of Darkness foreboding really feel {that a} cruise via the jungle ought to have, however juxtaposes the journey’s regular wry and corny humor alongside that. As an added bonus, many skippers deviate from the usual script a bit extra at evening, particularly when there are various youngsters round.
Jingle Cruise is the Christmas-time overlay of the attraction, and it has a completely completely different power. Though the strands of vacation lights are minimal, the entire journey is extra lighthearted and jovial whereas, inexplicably, nonetheless sustaining a few of its foreboding qualities. Suffice to say, we’re massive followers of Jingle/Jungle Cruise at evening irrespective of the time of yr!
5. TRON Lightcycle Run
You could be stunned to see this at #5, anticipating it to take the highest slot. And it wouldn’t shock me if a lot of you might be vehemently disagreeing that TRON Lightcycle Run isn’t #1, however hear me out a minute. TRON Lightcycle Run is superb at evening, and I’d encourage you to attempt that in your second journey. Going below the Add Conduit cover because it illuminates alongside your lightcycle is completely superior.
Nevertheless, the entire expertise is over in mere seconds and the argument could possibly be made that after your eyes have totally adjusted to darkness, the within scenes lose a little bit of their luster as you may see extra element than in the course of the day. (The identical is true of different curler coasters, together with close by Area Mountain and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind–and neither of these provide any upside at evening, save for typically shorter traces!)
Furthermore, the final word TRON Lightcycle Run nighttime expertise is solely standing below the Add Conduit cover and searching on the passing curler coaster trains. If you happen to’re on the bottom, you too can wander round to get completely different angles that embody Tomorrowland Speedway, Area Mountain, Cinderella Citadel, and even the fireworks! None of that is seen whereas on the journey itself until you actually crane your head round, and we most likely wouldn’t advocate that!
4. Tiana’s Bayou Journey
This rating could be one other shock, as Splash Mountain beforehand ranked #1 on this checklist. Since nothing modified in regards to the observe format with the journey reimagining, it thus stands to purpose that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is the rightful inheritor to that throne.
It’s a bit extra difficult than that. Tiana’s Bayou Journey really has an analogous dynamic to TRON Lightcycle Run, however paradoxically sufficient, in reverse. The indoor parts are usually manner too darkish, so your eyes having adjusted to nighttime and thus it being simpler to see inside is definitely a plus. It’s like evening imaginative and prescient for the present scenes, which is an effective factor. (Not precisely ‘good’ for the attraction as an entire, or the overwhelming majority of daytime hours.)
The larger downside is that the scattering of out of doors present scenes are too darkish at evening. These aren’t tremendous essential to the story or something, however it might be good to have the ability to see them higher. The candy spot is doing Tiana’s Bayou Journey at nightfall for the perfect of each worlds, nevertheless it’s inconceivable to time with the digital queue.
At evening, you’re having fun with the vibes and temper of Magic Kingdom, that are implausible as all the time. That is actually the place Tiana’s Bayou Journey shines, similar to its predecessor. My favourite elements of this attraction at evening are on the leisurely starting of the attraction, and the top after the drop if you end up in a decrease space passing via Frontierland. If you happen to can hold your eyes open, the highest of the drop additionally affords a shocking view of Magic Kingdom as an entire, together with Cinderella Citadel. (If you happen to crane your head round, there are good views at different factors of the journey, too.)
3. Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare
Regardless of a bewildering lack of present lighting on the outside of the mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare is one thing particular to expertise at evening. It’s nearly like the alternative of TRON Lightcycle Run–not a lot to take a look at for company on the bottom when it’s darkish, however much better to journey!
Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare’s nighttime energy is primarily for one purpose: location. The coaster has a chief piece of actual property primarily in the midst of Fantasyland, with Cinderella Citadel and the points of interest ‘contained in the Citadel partitions’ south of it, and New Fantasyland north of it.
As you glide across the outdoors of the mountain, you might have stunning views of every little thing Fantasyland has to supply, with actually one thing in each path. It’s actually like being immersed in the midst of the Magic Kingdom, which is admittedly particular. Our solely grievance is that it’s over too shortly! (We’ve been lucky sufficient to journey Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare just a few instances throughout fireworks, which was superb–however good luck getting the time proper on that!)
The opposite purpose why Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare ranks so extremely is as a result of the small print of the finale scene are a lot simpler to see at evening. If Disney decides to higher deal with the present lighting of this mountain sooner or later, it might probably overtake Large Thunder Mountain Railroad for the #2 spot on this checklist!
2. Large Thunder Mountain Railroad
At all times a bridesmaid, by no means a bride. Large Thunder Mountain was #2 in our Disneyland checklist, and it’s #2 on this checklist. It’s this excessive on the checklist for a similar purpose: it completely embodies the “tranquil but alive” ambiance in Frontierland on the Magic Kingdom at evening. Due to the wonderful lighting on Large Thunder Mountain, the attraction’s nighttime temper is an ideal match for what you’d anticipate from a abandoned mining city.
Our favourite a part of Large Thunder Mountain Railroad at evening is the primary lengthy elevate hill. If you happen to look to your proper, you might have a sweeping view of just about your complete Magic Kingdom, and it’s unimaginable. Handle to time this to coincide with the fireworks–which is surprisingly simply, wait instances are often minimal at that hour–and you’ve got a next-level expertise that’s arguably deserving of the #1 spot.
Plus, there are little further particulars that aren’t actually seen within the daylight. Whereas the Imagineers are nice at designing synthetic environments that evoke far-off places, Tumbleweed is a spot that may’t probably be totally ‘evoked’ till the solar goes down and the crickets begin chirping.
1. Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover has seen a resurgence in reputation over the past a number of years, and we couldn’t be happier about that. It was as soon as solely beloved by diehard Walt Disney World followers, however now the key is out about this leisurely journey round Tomorrowland.
Sadly, meaning longer traces and that it may be harder to “loop” the TTA PeopleMover. Oh effectively, can’t win ’em all! We’d additionally think about that some first-timers are dissatisfied by the PeopleMover, since many individuals gained’t care a few leisurely journey via Tomorrowland. It doesn’t provide any thrills or wow moments, to me, it’s “solely” a relaxing transportation journey.
I don’t know the way anybody could possibly be dissatisfied within the TTA PeopleMover at evening, although. You’re handled to superb views of the neon of Tomorrowland, whizzing journey autos below the cover at TRON Lightcycle Run, and Cinderella Citadel within the distance. Plus, you can also higher discover element in Area Mountain and the opposite present scenes since your eyes could have adjusted to the sunshine.
The TTA PeopleMover is one other journey that takes it up a notch in the course of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the large bonus right here is that it’s a protracted journey and you may often do it twice with out a lot problem because the pyro explodes overhead. You actually haven’t skilled the Peoplemover till you’ve skilled it at evening. Heck, we’d even say that you simply haven’t actually skilled Magic Kingdom at evening till you’ve finished the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover!
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Your Ideas
Which Magic Kingdom points of interest do you suppose get higher at evening? Any you suppose are worse at evening? Do you agree or disagree with our any of the picks or ranks on this checklist? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
