The Places to Watch the Sunset at Walt Disney World

Who doesn’t love a sunset? The colors in the sky that offer the perfect backdrop to building and landscape silhouettes, and the stunning reflections in water that lays underneath, as another day comes to an end. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? So much so that you don’t think it can get any better… until you experience a Walt Disney World sunset.

When you’re fortunate enough to be able to visit the Disney Parks regularly, then you’ll know that you have time to pause and watch the sunset. But where are the places to enjoy it? Let us share with you some of our favorite places to take a moment out of your day and look to the sky to enjoy golden hour.

Sunset Times in Lake Buena Vista 

When planning to watch the sunset in the Walt Disney World Resort, we recommend checking online for the most up-to-date sunset times. However, as a general guide, sunset times by month are as follows:

• January – between 5:41 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.
• February – between 6:05 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. 
• March – between 6:26 p.m. and 7:43 p.m. (taking into account clock shift due to Daylight Saving Time beginning)
• April – between 7:44 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• May – between 8:01 p.m. and 8:18 p.m.
• June – between 8:19 p.m. and 8:27 p.m.
• July – between between 8:17 p.m. and 8:27 p.m.
• August – between 7:48 p.m. and 8:16 p.m.
• September – between 7:13 p.m. and 7:47 p.m.
• October – between 6:41 p.m. and 7:11 p.m.
• November – between 5:29 p.m. and 6:41 p.m. (taking into account clock shift due to Daylight Saving Time ending)
• December – between 5:29 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.

California Grill

Sitting atop of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a signature dining experience known as California Grill. Guests dining here can enjoy the finest Californian cooking with stunning views of Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon. It’s the perfect spot to finish your day with Disney fireworks after enjoying a delicious meal. But there’s another reason why you should dine at California Grill – the sunset.

With floor-to-ceiling windows, Guests can enjoy sunset views from any location within the restaurant, and let us tell you that they are something else. Not only will you get to enjoy stunning colours but will get to experience the sun setting behind Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s an experience that you don’t want to miss. When making an advanced dining reservation at California Grill, we recommend securing a time at least 30 minutes before the expected time of sunset on the day of your visit. This will allow you to settle in, order your drinks and browse the menu before enjoying the view.

Polynesian Village Beach

If you’d prefer to experience the sunset from outside, or are unsuccessful at securing a reservation at the extremely popular California Grill, then you should definitely take a visit to Disney’s Polynesian Village. Find a spot on the beach around 30 minutes before sunset, and enjoy the views across Seven Seas Lagoon. The sun will set behind Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, resulting in stunning photos with the Disney Resort silhouette. 

Why not stay a little longer, and watch Disney Enchantment from Disney’s Polynesian Village beach too? Stopping by to watch the sunset should mean that you’ve been able to secure beach chairs. As such, you’ll have the perfect spot to enjoy Disney fireworks over Cinderella Castle without the crowds on Main Street USA. You won’t miss out on the fireworks soundtrack either, as the music is pumped through the speakers that line the beach path. Whilst you’re waiting for the fireworks to start, treat you and the rest of your party to a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai, just outside of the Great Ceremonial House, the lobby of the Disney Resort hotel.

Disney Springs

Whilst Disney Springs is the place to enjoy world-class shopping and dining, it’s also the perfect spot to watch the sun set on a perfect Disney day. It’s also the place that offers multiple viewing spots, so seek out the one that suits you and your family best.

If you’re looking to dine whilst watching the sunset, you can’t go wrong with The Boathouse. You will need to secure an advanced dining reservation though to ensure you get a table at this popular Disney dining location. Make a request when checking in, for a table outside on the decking, to ensure you have an unobstructed view of the sky over Village Lake.

If you’d prefer to watch the sunset with a Ghiradelli ice cream in hand, then be sure to join the line a little ahead of the time of sunset so you can admire the colorful sky and beautiful view whilst tucking into a delicious frozen treat. Find a spot along the walkway close to the shore of Village Lake. Alternatively, stop along the walkway that crosses from one side of the Marketplace to the other. It offers unobstructed views across Village Lake. You can even watch the Sassagoula River boats pass along in front of Saratoga Springs, creating beautiful silhouettes in front of the sunset sky.

Disney’s Beach Club

You don’t have to be a Guest staying in Disney’s Beach Club Resort to enjoy the sunset over Crescent Lake. In fact, this Disney Resort can offer the perfect spot to pause after a day in EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you don’t mind getting your feet a little sandy, then the beach in front of Disney’s Beach Club offers a great view of the sun setting over Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. The lighthouse will make a stunning silhouette against the sunset-colored sky, with a stunning reflection in Crescent Lake below. Just a short walk from International Gateway and the Disney Skyliner station at EPCOT, the beach has chairs to sit on in the sand, and swinging benches. It’s the perfect spot to rest your feet, and take in the stunning views.

Disney’s BoardWalk

Instead of following the path straight ahead to Disney’s Beach Club when leaving International Gateway or the EPCOT Disney Skyliner station, turn right and cross the bridge onto Disney’s BoardWalk. With plenty of benches and beautiful lights strung overhead, this is a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunset views over Disney’s Yacht Club. Once the sun has set, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to stopping for dinner or an evening beverage. We love to grab a Mickey Pretzel and margarita from BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas, whilst taking in the fun entertainment that takes place along the BoardWalk after sundown.

Magic Kingdom Ferry Boat

When entering the Magic Kingdom during the evening, taking the ferry boat across Seven Seas Lagoon, rather than using the Disney Monorail can offer stunning views of the sunset behind Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You’ll just need to make sure that you take a seat to the left-hand side of the boat as you board. 

Likewise, if you’re leaving Magic Kingdom around sunset, the ferry boat offers a great place to sit and rest your feet after a magical day. You’ll want to head to the right-hand side of the boat as you board if you are returning to the Transportation & Ticket Center. 

You may be thinking that the Disney Monorail could offer you these views as well. Whilst you’re absolutely right, you won’t get as long to view the sunset using the Disney Monorail as it passes through Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You may also pass by another Monorail whilst travelling to the Magic Kingdom which will obstruct your view of the sunset. 

Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you’re spending an evening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then you can experience stunning views of the sunset across Echo Lake. Located to the left of Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake is home to Dinosaur Gertie and the Dockside Diner boat. The best place to view the sunset will be close to Dinosaur Gertie. Get ready to enjoy a stunning view, with silhouettes of palm trees, Dockside Diner, the Chinese Theatre and maybe even the Hollywood Tower Hotel, depending on the time of year and where the sun is setting. 

Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

You may be thinking that Disney’s Animal Kingdom couldn’t get any more beautiful than it already is, and honestly, we feel ya! That being said, you’re also wrong! Sunset takes the Disney Park’s beauty to the next level, and it’s something that you don’t want to miss. It also means that you’ll also experience the serene and wonder that Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers after sundown.

We love to watch the sunset across the Discovery River from Asia, or more particularly near Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to time a ride on the Disney thrill ride, you’ll catch a stunning view as you travel down the main drop, but this is a little more tricky to time right than you may think!

With Rivers of Light no longer being show in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you should be able to grab a spot in the seating area that used to be where Guests sat for the night-time show. You can even treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage from the Thirsty River Bar, or an ice cream from the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck to enjoy whilst admiring the sunset behind the Tree of Life across Discovery River. 

If you’re running a little behind schedule and are entering Disney’s Animal Kingdom around the time of sunset, don’t be disappointed. You will catch a gorgeous view of the sun setting behind the Tree of Life as you cross over the bridge from the Oasis to Discovery Island. 

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom

Who doesn’t love a ride on the PeopleMover in Tomorrowland? But just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you ride it around the time of sunset and catch the most gorgeous view of Cinderella Castle with a backdrop of stunning sunset colors? It calls for a second trip round, don’t you think? Be ready with your camera if you want to take a picture! Instead though, why don’t you live in the moment and enjoy the view through your own eyes rather than from your phone screen.

Bay Lake Water Taxis

Whether you’re a Guest of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or just visiting Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue at Pioneer Hall, enjoy the views from the water taxi when travelling across Bay Lake. You could say that you should time it so that you are travelling to the Magic Kingdom from either of these Disney Resorts at the time of sunset to get the best views. You may just even be thankful of a little wait on the boat landing for your water taxi, to watch the sky change colors as the sun sets.

Germany Pavilion, EPCOT World Showcase

Okay, we know what you may be thinking; the Harmonious barges get in the way of the once-incredible view of the sun setting over World Showcase Lagoon. Whilst we somewhat agree, we still pause to see the multicolored sky when passing the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT. Whilst the photos may no longer be the Instagram-worthy posts that they once were, it’s still a special time of day to enjoy, especially if you’re a World Showcase traveller. 

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort

A stroll along the Sassagoula River, on the same side as Magnolia Bend is a wonderful thing to do when the sun is setting on another Disney day. Whether you time it right to head to the pool for an evening dip, or just ‘need a refill’ from the beverage station, or just want to browse Fulton’s General Store, we know that it’s really to admire the view and peaceful time of day that sunset brings. An even better idea is to take a seat on one of the benches along the walkway, and simply admire the view!

Where are you going to watch the sunset from during your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort? We hope that you’re feeling inspired to plan for this stunning time of day at least once during your next Disney vacation. It may even become a tradition that you plan into all future Disney experiences to come.