Why We're Anxious About the New Nighttime Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom This Year

A new nighttime parade called Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away is coming to Magic Kingdom this year and we couldn’t be more excited!

Magic Kingdom

However, along with all the other changes that are hitting the park soon — Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat closing to make way for the new Cars-themed land, the new Villains Land being built behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (and therefore Big Thunder’s closure for at least a year), the new Pirates Tavern coming to Adventureland, and more — we’re starting to realize that there’s a lot more to this new parade that meets the eye. Honestly, we’re a little nervous — here’s why.

With all the construction on the way to the park, we’re highly anticipating that construction walls around the parade route will leave certain spots less than desirable. Right now, Frontierland is where the parade kicks off, and it’s a popular spot for families and guests who don’t want to be in the madness of Main Street.

Festival of Fantasy

Construction walls are going to make finding places to stand in Frontierland and Liberty Square far more difficult than before. While we usually recommend getting a good parade spot near the castle at least an hour before show, the same will soon apply to Frontierland — especially when taking into account how nighttime parades are typically more crowded than daytime ones.

©Disney

We also don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news…but a new nighttime parade with a different theme than what we see in the parks right now could mean some changes for the Festival of Fantasy Parade as we know it. Now, this isn’t guaranteed at all, and we’re HOPING it won’t happen, but we are trying to prepare ourselves, and you all, for the possibility.

Ariel in the Festival of Fantasy parade

Finally, if you thought evenings and nights were busy in Magic Kingdom already, a new nighttime parade will bring that to the next level. Depending on the times of the shows, people may stay after fireworks instead of leaving like many of them do now, which typically results in lower wait times all over the parks. Although, whether Disney has one before fireworks and one after or both after fireworks, the first one will always be more crowded, so keep that in mind when you’re planning!

©Disney

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest news we hear, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB!

Your 2025 Disney World Trip Is Going To Look DIFFERENT

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

How do you feel about the new nighttime parade? Tell us in the comments!