Which DVC Resorts Should You Visit at Night?

The beauty of the Disney Vacation Club program is that every resort is impeccable. They’re all in the Deluxe Tier of Disney hotels, making them the best of the best. 

As you’d expect, every resort has its pros and cons, with the pros vastly outnumbering the cons. Since I’m a night owl by nature, there’s one pro that matters dearly to me. Which DVC resorts should you visit at night? I have strong opinions on this one…

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

I consider the new Cabins a massive upgrade for DVC members. It’s an entirely different style of vacation option than we’ve experienced in the past. 

When dusk falls, vacationers have two very different options for how to spend the evening. The Fort Wilderness campus is overflowing with nighttime entertainment amenities, including the ever-popular campfire. 

Since it’s a vibrant community, even your neighbors could provide you with some entertaining options like a cookout. Then again, you can just grill outside your own Cabin.

Should you prefer seclusion, the new Cabins are ideal and, in fact, borderline unprecedented in the DVC program. You can shut the door to your Cabin and lock out the entire world for the evening. 

Your standalone facility is just for you. Even the Treehouse Villas cannot really claim that, as they’re more for larger traveling groups. So, when you head home to Fort Wilderness, you can either be a social butterfly or an island unto yourself. 

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas 

At Walt Disney World, most tourists think of Disney Springs as the primary entertainment option beyond the parks. DVC members know better, though.

Disney’s BoardWalk is like our private playground that we thoughtfully share with strangers. At the BoardWalk, you can dance, drink, eat, and shop to your heart’s content. 

Live entertainment is on the menu as well. Several performers, from acrobats to buskers to dance troupes, light up the evening with their spirited shows. Meanwhile, Disney illuminates the BoardWalk to give it an unforgettable, almost otherworldly glimmer. 

When you stay at BoardWalk Villas, you can book a room that looks over these performances. Even if it doesn’t, you’re a short walk down the stairs away from one of the most vibrant nighttime options in the DVC library. 

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Here’s my DVC pro tip for the day. In case you’re one of the few who doesn’t know, the Polynesian is secretly THE best place to watch the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks outside the parks. Yes, I know that California Grill and Top of the World Lounge are popular options as well.

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

For my money, nothing tops the Polynesian, though, and the explanation is simple. You can feel the sand under your toes while you watch the fireworks. Disney created an entire beach beside South Seas Lagoon, and it’s such a breathtaking place at night. You can stand on the beach and gaze upon the beauty of Magic Kingdom at night.

Of course, you’ll find plenty more to do at the hotel. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a staple of DVC vacations, as are monorail pub crawls. So, the Polynesian is an ideal place to visit as twilight approaches. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort

The Riviera merits a mention due to its inimitable logistics. Various parts of this hotel, including the rooftop restaurant, provide views of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

When you come here at night, you can eat and drink at some of the best restaurants and lounges at Walt Disney World. Even better, the hotel faces inward with its unique design. So, you’ll look over the gorgeous hotel campus, especially the pool area. 

Imagineers innately understood the appeal of a 1930s-1940s vacation for the Disney family. Remarkably, they created a modern version of the experience that’s every bit as captivating. 

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort 

At the Polynesian, you can feel the sand beneath your toes, but there’s a reason why Disney ropes off the area. Alligators live in those waters. Sometimes, you’d rather experience the magic of a romantic walk on the beach and maybe even dip your toes in the water.

Disney Vacation Club Vero Beach Hotel

Vero Beach is ideal for these evenings, as the beach is just beyond the hotel. And there’s a reason why tourists flock to the Treasure Coast. It’s one of the most scenic locations east of the Mississippi. 

At night, you can stroll around the campus and gaze upon the ocean’s majesty. It’s among the most tranquil nighttime experiences in the DVC program. Also, Vero Beach is a somewhat sleepy town at night, at least compared to other Disney options. So, you’ll savor the rarity of a secluded experience during a DVC trip. It’s similar to the Cabins in this regard.  

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel

Real talk: My brother came back from Disneyland Resort, cornered me at Christmas dinner, and demanded that I include this hotel on the list. So, please consider this a family member’s testimonial. 

When Disney constructed this expansion tower, it used a previous success story as a prototype. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa provide a mesmerizing view of the park. Imagineers took this idea and elevated it with the Disneyland Hotel expansion.

Villas at Disneyland Hotel - Exterior

While staying at this hotel, you can return to your room at night and relish the unique view. You bear witness to the electric glow of Disneyland Resort and the monorail slides of the hotel pool. Even better, Disney added lighting specifically to accentuate the beauty of the property and especially the many trees at the resort. 

Also, you’re a short walk from Downtown Disney, which can make your nights even better. I didn’t include Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa on this list, but the advantage is the same at both. During the evening, these hotels’ proximity to entertainment districts will elevate your hotel stay. 

Check out all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.

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