Downtown Disney

For information about nighttime activities throughout Downtown Disney, call tel. 407/939-2648.

Pleasure Island

This 6-acre complex, once home to an array of nightclubs and bars, is currently in the first phase of a major redesign; all of its nightclubs were shut down in September 2008. Re-imagined in an effort to widen its appeal (in order to attract more than the 21-and-over clubbing set), the island will, after completion in mid-2010, bring with it an array of new themed restaurants (starting with the addition of T-Rex -- think Rainforest Café with a prehistoric twist), upscale shops, and unique attractions (including a tremendous tethered balloon ride) that will mix with the island's current lineup -- including, among other things, a multiscreen movie theater, a high-end surf shop, and a handful of eateries. The most notable of the latter include Raglan Road, Tuscan Country Trattoria -- the Portobello Yacht Club in a previous life -- and Planet Hollywood, which is just a few steps way, adjacent to Disney's West Side. In addition, updates and enhancements to existing shops and restaurants are in the works as well, ensuring that those in search of an exciting, though more family-friendly night on the town will not be disappointed. Guests will be able to walk the grounds and enjoy the sights, sounds, and surroundings, making their way from one end of Downtown Disney to the other (all the way from the Marketplace to Pleasure Island to the West Side) with ease (and without having to worry about bringing along the kids).

For more information on Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney, call tel. 407/827-2281 or surf over to www.disneyworld.com. Pleasure Island's existing shops and restaurants are currently open daily from 11am to midnight or later (and will remain operational throughout the reconstruction). There's free self-parking, but as the evening wears on (generally after the parks begin to close) spots can become very hard to find.

The Luck of the Irish

The Great Irish Pubs of Florida, Inc. (the company that created the Nine Fine Irishmen pub in Las Vegas's New York-New York Hotel & Casino) brought the luck of the Irish to Downtown Disney in the form of Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. The pub is an impressive and inviting member of Disney's collection of unique eateries, immersing guests in a wholly Irish environment that includes custom-made furnishings direct from the Emerald Isles, incredibly high ceilings, rich woodwork, and leaded glass. The spirited atmosphere, where singing, dancing, and clapping are all encouraged, is enhanced by the live nightly entertainment. And the food's pretty good, too, thanks to the culinary creations of Kevin Dundon, one of Ireland's most celebrated chefs. If you choose to eat here, main courses at dinner will run you about $16 to $36 a person.

Disney's West Side

This area adjoins Pleasure Island and offers additional shops, restaurants, and a 24-screen AMC Theater. But the two most popular entries are Bongo's Cuban Café and House of Blues.

Not Your Ordinary Circus

Lions and tigers and bears?

Oh, no. But you won't feel cheated.

This Disney partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the famous Montreal-based, no-animals circus, is located in Downtown Disney West Side. The eye-popping La Nouba (derived from the French for "to live it up"), set in a custom-built, state-of-the-art theater, is a Fellini-style amalgam of live music, dance, theater, and acrobatics that will have your jaw dropping in no time at all. Highlights include a cyclist who does things with a bicycle that would make an X-Gamer jealous, a spectacular coordinated trampoline performance, and a pint-sized troupe of Chinese acrobats who do tricks with diabolos (Chinese yo-yos) that bring the house down. I rank this one just beneath Las Vegas's Mystère, though the comedic interludes in this production are the best of all the permanent Cirque shows.

That said, though La Nouba is a ton of fun, it's also one of the priciest shows in town, so you need to decide if your budget can take the hit. Ticket prices vary according to location (don't feel you must spend extra for the expensive seats -- nearly every spot in the theater offers a good view) and range from $65 to $114 for adults, and $52 to $91 for children ages 3 to 9 (plus 6.5% sales tax). Yes, it's an expensive 90 minutes, but prices here are among the cheapest of all the Cirque productions in the U.S. Shows are at 6 and 9pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays, though the show is dark 6 weeks each year. There are occasional matinees, so call ahead (tel. 407/939-7600) or check the show's website (www.cirquedusoleil.com) for information and tickets.