Club Reports: Rising Star, Red Coconut Club, Atlantic Dance Hall

Not a lot going on in Orlando last night so we made our way out to Universal's CityWalk complex to see what's going on. Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and Bob Marley's A Tribute to Freedom both had live bands playing but we began the evening at Rising Star.

As the name would indicate, it's primarily a karaoke bar but between sets, this DJ booth is rolled-out onto the stage and Top 40 hits get played. In the booth, the mysterious DJ Mr. X (USA).

It was just 10PM and there was already a growing crowd in the club although no one was dancing just yet. We heard the floor got crazy later.

Songs last night during our visit included some Back Street Boys (USA) and Queen (GB). 

It was only last night we learned that the "MR." in his DJ name stands for his real name Matt Rothlein and the "X" stands for his former DJ name XCON. Who knew? He's pictured above leading last year's St. Patrick's Day party from the balcony overlooking the CityWalk Promenade.

While there is dancing between sets at Rising Star, CityWalk's real DJ dance club is Red Coconut Club but it was unfortunately dark last night. 

Renovations are in progress, turning the venue into "Koven" at the Dead Coconut Club.

DCC opens in conjunction with Halloween Horror Nights on Friday, August 29th. But please be aware that while parking in the Universal garages is currently free nightly after 6PM, that's not the case during HHN when normal parking charges apply. Please also note that CityWalk closes at 1AM on weekend nights, midnight on weekday nights. We might seem them go later during HHN.

We next headed from Universal Studios to Walt Disney World and Disney's Boardwalk Resort, home to Atlantic Dance Hall. Since Jellyrolls next door closed permanently a few months ago, ADH is now open nightly from 8PM to 1AM.

You never know what kind of crowd you're going to find at Atlantic Dance Hall but we walked into this.

The music delivered by DJ Ryan (USA).

Nearly all songs with accompanying music videos.

The music is mostly old and new Top 40 including a lot of Classic Hip Hop and Rap. We heard some Usher (USA), Ludacris (USA) and Sean Paul (JA).

Atlantic Dance Hall is cavernous so even when it looks jammed on ground level, it might not actually be.

I told DJ Ryan that his set gave me "cruise ship sail-away party" vibes. I mean, we did hear "Conga" with a real conga line and "The Wobble". 

It's not often you get anything free at Walt Disney World but both admission and parking are free here so come check it out. A good time was had by all.