The last few weeks when I leave the office I have felt a bit like Madam Leota. Cue spooky music here. It takes my internal clock at least three months to get acclimated to daylight savings time. In the fall and winter The Sunshine State seems more like a Doom Buggy, but that also means cooler, longer nights. Nighttime at a Disney Park is a horse of a different and magical color.
Evenings at Walt Disney World Resort offer nocturnal fun for the whole family. What better way to celebrate the holidays than with fireworks, lights and parades? Moms Panelist Krista Curtis loves visiting the theme parks at night. In fact, several of her family traditions are held while Disney is dark.
At Magic Kingdom Park, Krista and her family set aside time to watch their favorite nighttime shows including Main Street Electrical Parade. With its twenty-three illuminated floats, over eighty performers and lively Disney theme songs, this parade is a perfect companion to Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. “Whether we watch from Main Street, U.S.A., one of the great spots inside Magic Kingdom Park or from a resort beach, ‘Wishes’ is a must-see for my family,” Krista says.
Another long-time family favorite is the Electric Water Pageant. This quaint, nostalgic floating parade takes place on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. “Watching the ‘Electric Water Pageant’ from the shores of Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a lovely ritual for us along with dining at Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue.”
On starry nights she suggests viewing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you definitely need to stay for Fantasmic! said Krista. For cooling off and spending quality time, the Curtis crew takes in a game of golf. That is, mini golf at Fantasia Gardens. “After the sun goes down the courses are cooler and my family loves a good game with friendly competition.”
My favorite “Disney After Dark” attraction is the holiday version of Cinderella Castle. Princess Mini-Me and I had a girls-only night a few weeks ago and attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Arm in arm, we walked down Main Street, U.S.A. Actually it was less like walking and more rushing, as her long, coltish legs speed toward SpaceMountain with me dangling behind her like a Mickey balloon. That child hates gym but can move like greased lightening toward a thrill ride.
The castle glowed like a pixie-dusted sugarplum. It was truly larger than life. I know that I looked ridiculous holding her hand and intermittently placing kisses on her cheek. She was in full-scale “tween mode” and viewing me with embarrassment and horror. I don’t care. That castle, those kisses and the memory of the wafting scent of hot chocolate and cookies is a moment I will treasure forever.
What are your after-dusk customs?
Tagged: DHS, MK, Moms Panel, WDW
Filed: Walt Disney World Resort
