Known for adult-friendly entertainment, international culture, and innovative science, Epcot provides an abundance of activities for Walt Disney World fans of all ages. Every year, guests create their personal must-do lists for spending time in this popular theme park. However, when the sun dips below the horizon, many families head back to their resorts without considering what Epcot offers in the evening. The following ten must-do nighttime activities at Epcot will produce memorable experiences that your family will cherish for years to come.
10 – Enjoy The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Epcot after sunset sparks the imagination, making a tour through the park a must-do at night. The buildings assume an almost magical quality as colorful lights tint their walls. In particular, dazzling colors illuminate Spaceship Earth and the Mexico Pavilion wonderfully. During the International Flower & Garden Festival, the scenery increases in beauty as landscaping wonders and character topiaries fill the park. Children and adults alike find themselves amused by the evening displays in Epcot.
9 – Nighttime Photos
Since Epcot lights up with so much color at night, guests should grab their cameras and capture images of the architecture, fountains, and landscapes that transform the park. A portrait in front of Spaceship Earth, tinted in blue, purple, red, and gold, tops the list of must-have photos. PhotoPass photographers stand ready at both of these locations to shoot family portraits. Pictures throughout the park assume a majestic quality in the evening, making your personal photo shoot a must-do while visiting Epcot at this time.
8 – World Celebration Gardens
World Celebration Gardens is now open and a great place to visit at night. The area includes Dreamers Point, where guests can draw inspiration from the new “Walt the Dreamer” statue, which shows Walt later in his life when he was dreaming up the initial concepts for the park and the overall Florida Project. The beautiful greenspaces throughout the World Celebration Gardens feature ample seating and shade, as well as a central planter based on the five rings of the iconic EPCOT logo. Guests are invited to connect with one another and the nature around them in this lush new area. At night, the lighting matches Spaceship Earth’s Beacons of Magic (#2), making it a great spot to hang out!
7 – Date Night
If you’re traveling with children, then designating one evening at Epcot as your “date night” is a must-do during your vacation. Ask an adult family member to watch your kids for an evening or arrange in-room babysitting at your Walt Disney World Resort while you enjoy a date with your significant other. Imagine a date “around the world” with a delicious meal at a world-class restaurant from one of the ten international pavilions. Follow up your meal with cocktails, an entertaining show, and a stroll around the promenade to really enhance your evening.
6 – Drink Around the World
Taking the Drinking Around the World (DATW) challenge requires an all-day commitment from responsible park guests, but slow pacing ensures that you can continue well into the evening. Epcot’s World Showcase features many beverage stations and restaurants that serve drinks of all types, but landing in one of the three premium lounges in the evening is a must-do for avid DATW fans. Check out Rose & Crown Pub, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, or La Cava del Tequila, where you can taste a variety of snacks, meet new people, and enjoy the best beers, wines, and cocktails at Epcot. Naturally, if you aren’t interested in DATW, you can still enjoy a refreshing drink to cap off your day.
5 – Meet Characters
The evening hours present a perfect time for Disney fans to visit characters since the crowds thin out as children tire or families scramble to watch the fireworks. This can result in shorter wait times and longer interactions with your favorite characters. You’ll find Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy in the new Mickey & Friends in CommuniCore Hall, Donald in Mexico, and Anna and Elsa in the Royal Sommerhaus in Norway. Snow White usually appears in Germany in the early evening, so don’t wait long if she’s on your list. In addition to typical meet-and-greets, you can enjoy character dining at The Garden Grill with Chip ‘n’ Dale and friends or Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where a host of Disney Princesses circulate throughout the dining room.
4 – Evening Concerts
Nighttime concerts at Epcot are a must-do for music lovers in your family. During the day, performances pop up all over the World Showcase, but the crowds and the heat can make sticking around unbearable. Evening performances somehow electrify the audience so that Musique Aramenco or British Revolution feels more enjoyable and comfortable. During summer evenings, tribute bands perform everything from Tina Turner to Bruce Springsteen at American Gardens Theatre. However, you’ll find the best concert series during the two seasonal festivals, when musical acts like The Guess Who, Gin Blossoms, Sugar Ray, Chaka Khan, and Boyz II Men entertain you with popular songs.
3 – Candlelight Processional
Technically, this activity doesn’t qualify as a “must-do” for the typical Epcot visit since it only emerges during the winter holiday season. However, the Candlelight Processional draws so many guests to the park that it’s worth mentioning. The performance includes a celebrity narrator sharing the Christmas story, a fully packed orchestra, angelic choirs, and a ton of candles. The American Gardens Theatre fills up quickly for this event, so you’ll need to arrive early to wait in line or purchase a Candlelight Processional Dining Package to guarantee seats for your party.
2 – Beacons of Magic: Spaceship Earth
In the evening, Spaceship Earth transforms at night into a magnificent Beacons of Magic. At EPCOT, new lights shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another like stars in a nighttime sky and creating a mesmerizing symbol of optimism. The show repeats throughout the night, and you don’t want to miss it!
1 – Luminous the Symphony of Us
A brand new nighttime spectacular, “Luminous the Symphony of Us,” brings guests together around the World Showcase Lagoon and shines a light on the shared experiences that connect people across the globe with a dazzling display of fireworks, fountains, lights, and music. Much like a beautiful piece of music, “Luminous the Symphony of Us” is made up of a series of movements representing common themes of the human experience. The new show will be the perfect finale to a memorable day at EPCOT.
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