Disney nighttime parade - Begins July 20, 2025!!

[SwanVT2]

I just saw this article

It is exciting to think that when we are at MK on July 8 the parade will be taking place. However, does this mean there is a potential for larger crowds?

 

[Dave006]

However, does this mean there is a potential for larger crowds?

Yes you can expect additional larger crowds whenever the Parade debuts, and likely for a long time after it's debut if it is any good. The timing of revised fireworks and the second parade is after the other parks have closed for the evening to further drive crowds.

Dave

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I was hoping for July 1st... like bring it in for all of us Holiday peeps!

 

[SwanVT2]

Yes you can expect additional larger crowds whenever the Parade debuts, and likely for a long time after it's debut if it is any good. The timing of revised fireworks and the second parade is after the other parks have closed for the evening to further drive crowds.

Dave

So currently crowd calendar on Touring Plans says 5. Would that be park hoppers that could impact crowds in evening? Hope it isn’t super crazy in the day.

 

[Joanna71985]

I just saw this article

It is exciting to think that when we are at MK on July 8 the parade will be taking place. However, does this mean there is a potential for larger crowds?

It is still just speculation (as Disney hasn't announced a date yet). However, whenever it does open, there will be crowds (especially in the evening)

 

[HopperFan]

It's been RUMORED for second week of July. Theory comes from fireworks moving to later, CM having block out dates past July 4 and reports that extra hours for deluxe are being moved to AK that week. We'll see.

I would anticipate HUGE crowds! and honestly I expect a cluster of a mess getting and keeping the parade path clear ... they can't keep order during fireworks, can't keep paths open ... and now they add the parade. CMs will need combat pay.

 

[CarolynFH]

honestly I expect a cluster of a mess getting and keeping the parade path clear ... they can't keep order during fireworks, can't keep paths open ... and now they add the parade. CMs will need combat pay.

I agree. I thought maybe they weren’t bringing back the nighttime parade for that reason. It’s a mess! Hopefully, they’ll open the Main Street bypasses when the parade is over so that people who don’t want to see fireworks can exit without fighting their way down Main Street.

 

[BethC]

While I'm anxiously awaiting this new parade, I'm not excited at all for the crowds it will bring. When there's been nighttime parades in the past, evening at the Magic Kingdom would get pretty hairy. Not looking forward to having to deal with that again.

 

[japanese maple]

We know whatever night we choose will be crowded because we will be there during party season, so less nights to see parade.

We will be at MK a few times, so our plan is to pick a night specifically just to watch parade. We will pick a spot early, get some snacks, people watch and wait!

 

[Mle8308]

I'm excited for a new night time parade, but disappointed that it puts an end to the extra evening hours at the MK. Moving them to DAK is not the same, especially since quite a few attractions are closed and the safari doesn't operate at night. Tom Bricker is reporting that the MK extra evening hours will not happen through at least January 2026. Ugh.

 

[japanese maple]

I'm excited for a new night time parade, but disappointed that it puts an end to the extra evening hours at the MK. Moving them to DAK is not the same, especially since quite a few attractions are closed and the safari doesn't operate at night. Tom Bricker is reporting that the MK extra evening hours will not happen through at least January 2026. Ugh.

This is all just speculation for now. I think only two dates have been moved? No one knows where (or even what nights) the extra hours will be, especially with party season coming.

 

[Mle8308]

This is all just speculation for now. I think only two dates have been moved? No one knows where (or even what nights) the extra hours will be, especially with party season coming.

A few other reliable bloggers have reported this, too. I think it's going to happen. They already shift the evening extended hours in September due to MNSSHP, I expect it to happen. Unfortunately I don't really see much value at moving it to DAK.

 

[kylenne]

Tom Bricker is reporting that the MK extra evening hours will not happen through at least January 2026. Ugh.

He himself said that was pure speculation because the calendar doesn't go out past the 2nd week of July yet.

I'm pissed that it's happening on 7/2 because I structured my arrival day around MK EEH and but I'm not ready to get the torches and pitchforks out quite yet. I just don't see the point in complaining until it's officially confirmed.

 

[Mle8308]

He himself said that was pure speculation because the calendar doesn't go out past the 2nd week of July yet.

I'm pissed that it's happening because I structured my arrival day around MK EEH and but I'm not ready to get the torches and pitchforks out quite yet. I just don't see the point in complaining until it's officially confirmed.

Same! Arrival day is on a Wednesday and normally we relax then go to the MK at night. I know he is just speculating, but he is not the only one. I think he may be right. I would be okay with it if it were moved to DHS, but DAK is a no go for me. Hopefully both Tom and I are wrong!

 

[japanese maple]

I'm quietly happy if it's AK all the way through October/November.

 

[kylenne]

Same! Arrival day is on a Wednesday and normally we relax then go to the MK at night

We loved doing that so much last September at the GF that we're doing it again on our resort switching day next month. Heading from BWI to Typhoon Lagoon for the day before we check in at Poly and then head over for EEH. And I was doing it for my Island Tower trip. It really sticks in my craw if they're right and the parade debuts after the holiday because then it's like I lost MK EEH for nothing. I'm really glad I didn't bother to schedule my arrival day for Wednesday for my Labor Day trip.

Honestly, this may actually get me to finally try After Hours at HS. We have yet to do it because they always put it on the night with MK EEH and I could never justify giving up the "free" benefit for a paid event.

I'm quietly happy if it's AK all the way through October/November.

I love AK to death but it objectively sucks doing this in July when the park isn't even dark enough to enjoy Pandora at night. Half the appeal of that place is walking around chilling looking at the animals but that's not available, so in the summer you're looking at like 4 rides...and that's it. And FoP isn't practical to do a ton of re-rides on because of the preshow. Meanwhile we knocked out close to 10 rides including all of the heavy hitters at MK last time we were down and did EEH.

 

[japanese maple]

It looks like last October it was at DHS instead of MK and then in November (if the calendar was correct) - only one a week on Mondays at Epcot. That's kind of lame for November people.

I think we will find out when we learn how many parades MK will do at night. If it's two, probably no extended hours. If it's one, then I don't see why not.

 

[kylenne]

It looks like last October it was at DHS instead of MK and then in November (if the calendar was correct) - only one a week on Mondays at Epcot. That's kind of lame for November people.

I think we will find out when we learn how many parades MK will do at night. If it's two, probably no extended hours. If it's one, then I don't see why not.

It switched to HS in Sept (I remember bc we were at the very last MK EEH before our cruise).

Jollywood Nights is why they don't do it at HS for the whole fall/winter season iirc.

 

[Mle8308]

We loved doing that so much last September at the GF that we're doing it again on our resort switching day next month. Heading from BWI to Typhoon Lagoon for the day before we check in at Poly and then head over for EEH. And I was doing it for my Island Tower trip. It really sticks in my craw if they're right and the parade debuts after the holiday because then it's like I lost MK EEH for nothing. I'm really glad I didn't bother to schedule my arrival day for Wednesday for my Labor Day trip.

Honestly, this may actually get me to finally try After Hours at HS. We have yet to do it because they always put it on the night with MK EEH and I could never justify giving up the "free" benefit for a paid event.



I love AK to death but it objectively sucks doing this in July when the park isn't even dark enough to enjoy Pandora at night. Half the appeal of that place is walking around chilling looking at the animals but that's not available, so in the summer you're looking at like 4 rides...and that's it. And FoP isn't practical to do a ton of re-rides on because of the preshow. Meanwhile we knocked out close to 10 rides including all of the heavy hitters at MK last time we were down and did EEH.

Same! We do arrive the Wednesday after Labor Day, actually get in on Tuesday late night, so staying with family for the first night. Starting out at the WL then moving over to the Poly the next week. Did it the opposite last year and decided we wanted to end at the Poly this time. Timing last year was great, we had EMH at the MK our first week and the next week it moved to DHS because of MNSSHP. I enjoyed the DHS extra evening hours, but DAK right now doesn't offer much appeal, for the reasons you state. And I don't do FoP anymore, for some reason, I now get claustrophobic on it. I don't like not being able to move my legs. I can still do Tron, I think because it is over so quickly and I don't have time to think about my legs being held in. Anyway... I am looking forward to the new parade, but not losing MK extra evening hours - if it happens.

 

[SwanVT2]

He himself said that was pure speculation because the calendar doesn't go out past the 2nd week of July yet.

I'm pissed that it's happening on 7/2 because I structured my arrival day around MK EEH and but I'm not ready to get the torches and pitchforks out quite yet. I just don't see the point in complaining until it's officially confirmed.

It is odd that this website has the park hours but they are not on the Disney website yet