Nightlife

For those of who you actually have the energy after a day at the parks and simply can't call it quits, Orlando has plenty of after-dark venues suitable for a night out on the town. That said, even if you're Orlando veterans, and not first-timers (the ones most likely to overdo it), if you try to go-go-go from morning until night, you will be completely exhausted after only a few days and will end up needing a vacation after your vacation.

Admit it; some of you know the feeling. You're hard-core partiers who aren't willing to give it up after a long day in the parks. You want the after-hours adventure as well. The good news: Orlando's certainly willing to accommodate you, offering a wide array of entertainment options to satisfy your cravings.

The success of Universal's CityWalk, a district filled with a variety of clubs, shops, and themed restaurants, shows that many visitors have the pizzazz to withstand life after a day of schlepping around the House of Mouse. But don't think Downtown Disney West Side, Pleasure Island, and The Marketplace (each filled with their own unique lineup of shops, themed restaurants, and attractions) are hurting for business. The clubs may have closed (while a re-imagined Pleasure Island, slated to include upscale shops and trendy eateries, is under construction in order to widen its appeal); the shops and restaurants found throughout Downtown Disney are typically filled to capacity as well.

Check the "Calendar" section of Friday's Orlando Sentinel for up-to-the-minute details on local clubs, visiting performers, concerts, and events. It has hundreds of listings, many of which are online at www.orlandosentinel.com. The Orlando Weekly is a free magazine found in red boxes throughout Central Florida. It highlights the more offbeat and often more spur-of-the-moment performances. You can see it online at www.orlandoweekly.com. Another good source on the Internet is www.orlandoinfo.com, operated by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Dinner Theater

Disney does not turn into a pumpkin when the sun goes down, offering plenty of nighttime entertainment, including laser-light shows, fireworks, IllumiNations, and Fantasmic!. There are also two distinctly different dinner shows worthy of special note, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, and a third show that's an occasional player.

Note: While they offer family-friendly entertainment, don't expect haute cuisine. The food, though good, takes a back seat to the show.

If You're Lucky . . .

Mickey's Backyard BBQ (tel. 407/939-3463; www.disneyworld.com) is offered at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn allow you onto their home turf to have a thigh-slapping time and a feast in a covered, outdoor pavilion. Expect Mickey and his pals to join you for a meal that includes barbecued pork ribs, barbecued chicken, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, watermelon, beer, wine, lemonade, iced tea, and dessert. Meals are served at 6:30 and 9:30pm and cost $44.99 for adults, $26.99 for kids 3 to 9, including tax and tip. It happens only on Thursdays and Saturdays, generally from March through December, but the weather plays a big factor and shows are canceled at times, so call ahead. Payment in full is expected at the time of booking; cancellations may be made up to 48 hours in advance without penalties.

It All Adds Up, Up, Up . . .

If you expect to dine with your favorite Disney character during the holidays, expect to pay a bit extra. Holiday pricing, first instituted in 2007, is now the norm during peak seasons and the days (even weeks) surrounding most major (and even some minor) holidays (among them, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day). At press time, holiday pricing was running approximately $5 more per person. For details and exact dates, go online to www.disneyworld.com. To make Advance Dining reservations call tel. 407/939-3463.

Lounging Around

Some of Orlando's most unique nightlife is located in its hotels. Even locals head to some of these after dark. Consider any of the following and their parent hotels:

Rix at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (tel. 407/939-3806; www.disneyworld.com), a surprisingly sophisticated un-Disney-like lounge, serves up gourmet appetizers and signature drinks in a chic and trendy Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere. Todd English's bluezoo bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin (tel. 407/934-1111; www.thebluezoo.com) serves up classic cocktails in a hip and chic atmosphere. At Disney's Grand Floridian (tel. 407/824-3000), a pianist and band alternate playing time from 3 to 9:45pm in the lobby.

Tip: Unsportsmanlike Options

Disney's BoardWalk has a few options for folks searching for off-the-field nightlife. Street performers sing, dance, and do a little juggling and magic most evenings on the outdoor promenade.

Atlantic Dance (tel. 407/939-2444 for limited recorded information) features top-40 and '80s dance hits Tuesday through Saturday. It's open to everyone 21 and older (though most of the clientele tend to be of the business traveler variety). Hours are from 9pm to 2am, and admission is free.

The rustic saloon-style Jellyrolls (tel. 407/939-5100) offers dueling pianos and a boisterous crowd. Strictly for the over-21 set, it's open daily from 7pm to 2am, though it's busiest on weekends. There's a $10 cover.

If you're looking to hoist a pint, the Big River Grill & Brewing Works (tel. 407/939-5100) serves microbrewed beer as well as steaks, ribs, chicken, fish, sandwiches, and salads. Prices range from $9 to $27. It's open Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 1am; Friday through Sunday from 11:30am to 2am. It's near Atlantic Dance.

Disney's BoardWalk can be a cheap night out if you enjoy strolling and people-watching (and if you stay out of the restaurants and clubs). It has something of a midway atmosphere reminiscent of Atlantic City's heyday.