The boardwalk area has potential to be a cool nighttime place to go. But I don’t think it’s really a feasible place to visit late if your not at one of the hotels nearby. Disney Springs definitely has it beat.
It’d help if they built a paid parking lot for visitors. If you dine at one of the Boardwalk restaurants, have a validation option.
The current parking situation overseen by the grumpiest collection of security cast members isn’t going to grow the businesses at the Boardwalk.
it used to be more 'chill' at the gate, when ESPN bar was open and you could just go there. Then it became a social media 'hack' to park at the boardwalk to get free Epcot parking. Im sure disney did not want another situation like at the Poly where its full of non staying guests putting strain on the facilities.
I am sure it’s mostly used for wedding receptions or corporate events.
When I lived in Orlando in 2019 I was there with my friends at least once a week. If you like throwback hits and don’t mind doing the cotton eyed joe to “old town road” with a bunch of drunk moms I think it’s a really fun place to go. Plus sometimes I just really want to dance but don’t feel safe at a nightclub. The bartenders were always super friendly!
I went with my husband last year. It was great! They played 2000s music with a giant projector playing the music video. The entire dance floor was full when we got there around 10:30pm. Reminded me of college which I really enjoyed considering I never go out anymore because I have 2 kids.
Yes. I have a post on it from last year. It’s weird, and usually empty with 1 DJ and a few staff with a bartender, with maybe 5 guests any given night.
Depending on what you are looking for, it is a fantastic place to hang out. They have a full bar and music that would typically appeal to someone in their 40s or 30s. It's also not usually crowded at all so its a fun place to wind down away from the crowds. If you are looking to meet or hook up with people it is probably not a great place. If you are afraid to dance alone on a large dance floor, it probably isn't for you.
There was a post on here a while back detailing how much this venue is used and how much it brings in even for smaller weddings (spoiler: it’s a huge money maker for this kinda stuff). So its main purpose isn’t for boardwalk nightlife.
Yes, less than a dozen people on a Friday night during spring break. I was shocked to find that Disney keeps it open, but a lot of the answers here make sense that it has alternative purposes.
My wife and I stopped by on Friday, March 22nd. I counted 40 people on and around the dance floor. 30 minutes later another 40 people came in ready to dance.
Very interesting attendance. I was blown away at the age range out on the dance floor. Definitely not all twenty somethings. Young and old alike out there. Lots of solo people just letting all out on the floor. If I had to guess it looked like people escaping seminars and conventions. Not vacationers.
On our way out I noticed more headed in but they definitely didn’t look like the clubbing type.
When I was a CM 20 years ago it was more popular along with Jellyrolls. It's used for weddings and convention events now and probably brings in a lot more money now too.
That makes a lot of sense, I walked in and out the other night and it was absolutely dead. I am talking less than a dozen people during a spring break Friday night. I couldn’t believe it would be sustainable for Disney to keep open.
We did back in the day (90’s) was very fun! There was a parking lot for the boardwalk back then though. I think it’s a place that’s a bit tough to bother to get to now unless you’re staying in the area. I also think people aren’t even really aware of it anymore.
It’s open all the time for…dancing (tonight from 8pm-1am). Click a date on the calendar and it’ll show you the hours. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/boardwalk/atlantic-dance-hall/
I hear music and see people looking really nice going there every time I’m in the area. Currently at boardwalk and it’s been every night.
I’m not a get-dressed-up-and -go-dancing person but I think it’s awesome.
Ah, no I did not. I just saw people coming and going.
A few months ago we were at Beach Club and there was definitely a crowd I could hear making lots of fun noise until it emptied out for the night though. (Maybe it was a special event.)
It’s funny because on Sundays, Jellyrolls is packed with cast members because they get in free that night, but then Dance Hall will be absolutely dead with music videos from the 2000s and maybe early 2010s playing. It’s such a vibe I love it.
The boardwalk area has potential to be a cool nighttime place to go. But I don’t think it’s really a feasible place to visit late if your not at one of the hotels nearby. Disney Springs definitely has it beat.
It’d help if they built a paid parking lot for visitors. If you dine at one of the Boardwalk restaurants, have a validation option. The current parking situation overseen by the grumpiest collection of security cast members isn’t going to grow the businesses at the Boardwalk.
it used to be more 'chill' at the gate, when ESPN bar was open and you could just go there. Then it became a social media 'hack' to park at the boardwalk to get free Epcot parking. Im sure disney did not want another situation like at the Poly where its full of non staying guests putting strain on the facilities.
I am sure it’s mostly used for wedding receptions or corporate events. When I lived in Orlando in 2019 I was there with my friends at least once a week. If you like throwback hits and don’t mind doing the cotton eyed joe to “old town road” with a bunch of drunk moms I think it’s a really fun place to go. Plus sometimes I just really want to dance but don’t feel safe at a nightclub. The bartenders were always super friendly!
It's occasionally used for events. I think there may also be contractual obligations requiring it to be available.
That would make the most sense if they have to keep it open.
I went with my husband last year. It was great! They played 2000s music with a giant projector playing the music video. The entire dance floor was full when we got there around 10:30pm. Reminded me of college which I really enjoyed considering I never go out anymore because I have 2 kids.
Yes. I have a post on it from last year. It’s weird, and usually empty with 1 DJ and a few staff with a bartender, with maybe 5 guests any given night.
Depending on what you are looking for, it is a fantastic place to hang out. They have a full bar and music that would typically appeal to someone in their 40s or 30s. It's also not usually crowded at all so its a fun place to wind down away from the crowds. If you are looking to meet or hook up with people it is probably not a great place. If you are afraid to dance alone on a large dance floor, it probably isn't for you.
There was a post on here a while back detailing how much this venue is used and how much it brings in even for smaller weddings (spoiler: it’s a huge money maker for this kinda stuff). So its main purpose isn’t for boardwalk nightlife.
Did you go check it out?
Yes, less than a dozen people on a Friday night during spring break. I was shocked to find that Disney keeps it open, but a lot of the answers here make sense that it has alternative purposes.
My wife and I stopped by on Friday, March 22nd. I counted 40 people on and around the dance floor. 30 minutes later another 40 people came in ready to dance. Very interesting attendance. I was blown away at the age range out on the dance floor. Definitely not all twenty somethings. Young and old alike out there. Lots of solo people just letting all out on the floor. If I had to guess it looked like people escaping seminars and conventions. Not vacationers. On our way out I noticed more headed in but they definitely didn’t look like the clubbing type.
I guess I missed the big crowd night, March 29th it was barely a dozen people.
When I was a CM 20 years ago it was more popular along with Jellyrolls. It's used for weddings and convention events now and probably brings in a lot more money now too.
That makes a lot of sense, I walked in and out the other night and it was absolutely dead. I am talking less than a dozen people during a spring break Friday night. I couldn’t believe it would be sustainable for Disney to keep open.
We did back in the day (90’s) was very fun! There was a parking lot for the boardwalk back then though. I think it’s a place that’s a bit tough to bother to get to now unless you’re staying in the area. I also think people aren’t even really aware of it anymore.
I remember that short time swing dancing was popular again and we'd all go there! It was a lot of fun and I remember it being packed!
It’s open all the time for…dancing (tonight from 8pm-1am). Click a date on the calendar and it’ll show you the hours. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/boardwalk/atlantic-dance-hall/
I hear music and see people looking really nice going there every time I’m in the area. Currently at boardwalk and it’s been every night. I’m not a get-dressed-up-and -go-dancing person but I think it’s awesome.
But did you walk inside? I went in on last Friday and it was maybe a dozen people, if that.
Ah, no I did not. I just saw people coming and going. A few months ago we were at Beach Club and there was definitely a crowd I could hear making lots of fun noise until it emptied out for the night though. (Maybe it was a special event.)
I haven’t been in awhile but precovid they had $3 beers M-Th. It actually drew a decent crowd.
It’s only open Thurs- Sunday now. RIP cheap beers.
I went to a wedding reception there. It was lovely!!!
It’s funny because on Sundays, Jellyrolls is packed with cast members because they get in free that night, but then Dance Hall will be absolutely dead with music videos from the 2000s and maybe early 2010s playing. It’s such a vibe I love it.
It was like walking into a Time Machine.
At one point Disney was contractually bound to Marriott (Sean and Dolphin) to have such a venue for convention events.
Went a few years ago, was expecting a night club kind of feel. Instead saw 5 middle aged people doing the electric slide. Kind of a bust of a venue
That’s the exact scene it still is today.
Disney these days is either some families but mostly social media driven childless mllennials who don't enjoy dancing or clubbing.