Sometimes, you just have to dance like nobody’s watching.
A Disney World vacation is a time to cut loose. It’s a place where kids can be kids and adults can wander public streets wearing mouse ears, eating a cinnamon roll the size of your face. It’s a land where imagination is king, wonder is the elixir of the hour, and every step is punctuated by an omnipresent soundtrack. It’s a place that can make even the most humdrum guest want to dance.
Fortunately, Disney has you covered with dozens of different opportunities for guests to cast propriety to the wind, hike up their garters, and get footloose. What’s your favorite place to get your dance on at Disney World?
1. Magic Kingdom dance parties
Magic Kingdom’s “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party” is more than just a mouthful to say. It’s seriously good fun, especially if you’re visiting with kids.
Unlike normal parades which gently pass down Main Street, the “Move It!” Street Party manages to fuse the pageantry of a Disney parade with the interactive elements of a street show. Giant birthday presents and resplendent stages roll out and assemble around the courtyard in front of Cinderella Castle with a full cast of Disney characters, ranging from Mickey and Minnie to Phineas and Ferb, all dancing to the thump of popular dance tunes. A Disney DJ hypes up the crowd as characters dance, take cell phone pictures, and cheer kids on from floats. The audience even gets a say in what songs play, including hits like “Happy” by Pharrell or “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
Image: Thomas_Jung, Flickr (license)
While The Incredibles Dance Party ended its run in April of 2017, it looks like the long tradition of street parties and live music in Tomorrowland will continue with a Cosmic Dance Party to be launched this summer. If the previous success of the Incredibles Dance Party (as well as “ElecTRONica” at Disney’s California Adventure) are any indicators, guests can definitely look forward to another fun dance opportunity at Tomorrowland in the very near future.
2. Epcot – Germany and Morocco
Image: Spablab, Flickr (license)
Long for the French Horns of the old country rather than the thrum of Top 40 hits? Epcot’s World Showcase houses several dancing opportunities for guests looking for something a bit more eclectic.
Most people might not think of Germany’s Biergarten restaurant as a place to dance (more as a place to eat and drink until you can’t feel your toes), but if you’re looking for a charming opportunity to engage in a Viennese Waltz with your beloved, look no further. During its regular Oktoberfest shows, the Biergarten keeps a large dance floor open where guests can slow dance or even practice their Schuplattler while the Bavarian band plays traditional German folk tunes. Kids flock to the dance floor in droves, and joining them can be an adorable time for parents, grandparents, and little ones to bond.
Looking for something a little more upbeat? The Morocco pavilion has you covered. The new band, Matbouhka Groove, plays a wide range of world music so catchy that it almost feels wrong not to dance. If you’re a fan of more traditional Moroccan music, Restaurant Marrakesh hosts regular family-friendly belly dance performances. The belly dancers often invite kids to come join them on the stage, and they also have a sharp eye for guests who look like they’re barely keeping the shimmies to themselves as the doumbek tek-tek-tek-ka-teks. I got invited up with her once, and it was a blast!
3. Animal Kingdom Street Parties – Africa and Asia
Like World Showcase, Animal Kingdom offers plenty of ways for guests to cut loose and dance, albeit with far more cardiovascular intensity. The Africa pavilion’s Harambe section hosts dance opportunities throughout the day, including performances by the Afro-pop band, Burudika, and the nightly Harambe Wildlife Parti. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing African dance, you are in for a treat (and a workout).
My personal favorite dance-stop at Disney World is the Bhangra Dance Party in the Asia pavilion. Anyone who has seen a Bollywood film knows that Indians can move it like no one’s business. It’s tricky to pin down when this street party takes place, but if you’re lucky enough to catch it, it’s an absolute don’t-miss experience. With Bhangra music thumping, traditional dancers pull guests from the crowd to join them in the Indian cinema equivalent of a flash mob. The dance moves are easy, the music is crazy catchy, and the whole experience really feels like something straight off a movie screen. While I’ve raved in the past about taking part in The American Idol Experience as a personal vacation highlight, the Bhangra Dance Party definitely comes in at a close second.
Also, it’s a fantastic way to burn the calories from that giant cinnamon roll. Just saying.
4. Resorts – Dinner shows and pool parties
Image: Disney
Disney offers a wide range of dinner shows, and several include opportunities for guests to join the performers to dance. The Spirit of Aloha show at the Polynesian includes a segment where kids can come to the front to join the hula dancers. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness also gives guests a chance to join Mickey and Minnie in a traditional hoedown. Kids especially love these shows, and it’s a great chance for families to make memories to last a lifetime.
Many of Disney World’s resorts also offer regular pool parties. You can check with the concierge at your hotel to see if one will be taking place during your stay. The Boardwalk Inn also occasionally hosts dance parties on the Boardwalk itself. Speaking of which…
5. Atlantic Dance Hall
Image: D.K.Peterson, Flickr (license)
For guests looking for a more traditional dance experience, The Boardwalk’s Atlantic Dance Hall is the last mainstay from Disney’s late nightclub scene. With no cover charge, a spacious dance floor, and a range of dance hits from the 80’s, 90’s, and the 2000’s, Atlantic Dance provides the perfect opportunity for adults visiting Disney to dance the night away. Generally, the club tends to be fairly empty until about 11pm, but the DJ takes requests, the staff is friendly, the bartenders are sharp, and there’s no dress code. If you’re travelling with kids and need a night off, consider checking out Disney’s amazing childcare centers. They may not want to leave when you come pick them up! Either way, if you looking for a cool evening out, Atlantic Dance may be just the place for you.
