Disney nighttime parade - Begins July 20, 2025!!

[scrappinginontario]

This is adding some complexity for our one-day park hopping trip! The original plan was to start at MK and hop to EPCOT. we're trying to maximize our LLMPs for some harder to get MK options, otherwise we'd start in EPCOT. I know it's speculation, but if they were to discontinue park hopping to MK on that day, is there a typical time they enact that?

Park hopping rarely is stopped. When it is, it tends to be when the park reaches maximum capacity and it’s only for a period of hours and then it reopens.

That being said this is completely different because the main attraction will be happening in the evening, so if they should stop hopping at some point (one or more days), I would fully anticipate that it won’t reopen until after the parade if it all. Thus is purely a guess on my part.

 

[ExcitedForWDW]

Is this nighttime parade temporary or ongoing for the foreseeable future

 

[vinotinto]

Is this nighttime parade temporary or ongoing for the foreseeable future

Ongoing. They just spent quite a bit to develop a new parade, for the first time in forever.

 

[ExcitedForWDW]

Ongoing. They just spent quite a bit to develop a new parade, for the first time in forever.

I see what you did there

 

[stace1214]

I love getting a reservation at Tony's and watching the daytime parade from the patio. I would assume the new parade will follow the same route? If so, an 8:50 reservation (the latest one) for a 9pm parade would be perfect!

 

[Leigh123]

Well, after many emails, I’m not getting a clear answer. They advised me to call annual passholder services which I did this morning. You do indeed have to have your reservation at Magic Kingdom starting in the morning at your first park if you wanna enter at night.

 

[Dave006]

Well, after many emails, I’m not getting a clear answer. They advised me to call annual passholder services which I did this morning. You do indeed have to have your reservation at Magic Kingdom starting in the morning at your first park if you wanna enter at night.

That does not sound correct that you need a specific Park reservation for MK. You only talked to a CM on the AP line. Let's wait for more information.

In the best information published only states a park reservation. There is no specific or indirect language that indicates that you need a Park reservation for the MK. Just that you need "a" park reservation for that day.

By requiring a MK specific Park reservation for ant day of the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” when you visit means MK will be swamped with Guests at Park open for all tickets that require reservation. Any one with a MK Park reservation can't start their day at any park but MK or enter another park after 2 PM.

If Guests don't have the Park Hopper Feature they are stuck with MK as their only option for the entire day/evening.

Links:

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/n...-starlight-parade-crowds-park-hopping-impact/

https://blogmickey.com/2025/05/new-annual-passholder-park-reservation-rules-disney-starlight-debut/

How close to July 20th are you planning to visit?

Dave

 

[Leigh123]

That does not sound correct that you need a specific Park reservation for MK. You only talked to a CM on the AP line. Let's wait for more information.

In the best information published only states a park reservation. There is no specific or indirect language that indicates that you need a Park reservation for the MK. Just that you need "a" park reservation for that day.

By requiring a MK specific Park reservation for ant day of the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” when you visit means MK will be swamped with Guests at Park open for all tickets that require reservation. Any one with a MK Park reservation can't start their day at any park but MK or enter another park after 2 PM.

If Guests don't have the Park Hopper Feature they are stuck with MK as their only option for the entire day/evening.

Links:

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/n...-starlight-parade-crowds-park-hopping-impact/

https://blogmickey.com/2025/05/new-annual-passholder-park-reservation-rules-disney-starlight-debut/

How close to July 20th are you planning to visit?

Dave

We arrive September 5. I’m hoping this hoopla is done by then, but who knows

 

[Dave006]

We arrive September 5. I’m hoping this hoopla is done by then, but who knows

I doubt the hoopla will be over by then but we should have a clear, and confirmed answer before July 20th or on that day.

Dave

 

[DebbieB]

I love getting a reservation at Tony's and watching the daytime parade from the patio. I would assume the new parade will follow the same route? If so, an 8:50 reservation (the latest one) for a 9pm parade would be perfect!

People will get there earlier and request those tables.

 

[Minnie1222]

Tony's used to have the Parade Dining Package. I wouldn't be surprised if they bring them back.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I’m surprised they haven’t released the parades times for opening day yet.

 

[stace1214]

People will get there earlier and request those tables.

Good point! What time do you think would be better?

 

[DebbieB]

Good point! What time do you think would be better?

I’d say 7:30 and say you will wait for an outside table.

 

[magicmountainmama]

Tony's used to have the Parade Dining Package. I wouldn't be surprised if they bring them back.

We did the parade dining package for the Christmas parade in 2019 & it was amazing! I would love it if they did that again!!!

 

[Joanna71985]

I’m surprised they haven’t released the parades times for opening day yet.

my guess is it will be available next month

 

[buzzrelly]

I feel like I've gotten myself in a pickle having booked a DVC stay 11 months ago for July 20-23 at the Poly. I truly thought the parade would have started in June and been well-established by the time I got there and boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So as an AP, I have MK booked for 7/20, 7/21, and 7/22. I'm going to try to catch the parade on the 20th with the full knowledge that it will be a madhouse. I have since made a Geo82 fireworks reservation for 7/21 so I will change that park reservation, and then I again have MK booked for 7/22 just in case I want to see the parade again. I also have Tony's booked for 8pm on 7/22 so with some luck I will be able to see this dang parade without too much fuss! But all the uncertainties are making me anxious! I do not like being the guinea pig and not knowing what all the tips and tricks are! For example, my DD and I were at opening day of Rise of the Resistance...again, totally coincidental...and that was such a stressful morning!

Anyway, I'm sure this will all be fine and will be a memorable experience one way or another

I will be sure to report back after my trip and let you know how it goes!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Starlight, the new nighttime parade debuting at Magic Kingdom on July 20, will run twice nightly at 9pm and 11pm. The parade will begin on Main Street U.S.A. and travel along the parade route towards Frontierland.

Disney says the route will allow for better guest flow at the end of the night. The timing will be Starlight at 9pm, Happily Ever After at 10pm, Starlight at 11pm.

Scott Gustin

 

[vinotinto]

Exciting!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/magic-kingdom/starlight-dream-night-away-parade/

 

[Leigh123]

It took at least 7 emails and 2 phone calls but I finally got a clear answer….,,
Leigh,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort and for being one of our valued Annual Passholders!

We appreciate your persistence in ensuring you have complete and accurate information, and apologize for the sometimes conflicting information you received while inquiring about this matter. The information provided by Lynn Marie is correct. As she advised, if you have a park reservation for any of our theme parks, and visit that theme park, you can park hop to Magic Kingdom, same as a Guest with any other ticket type.

To clarify what changed, our rule for the other 3 Theme Parks is after 2:00pm, you can visit the park with no need for a park reservation. So if you wanted to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios after 2:00pm, and that was going to be the first park of the day for you, you could just come in without setting up a park reservation at all. Though a park reservation would still be necessary if visiting earlier in the day. The exception to this was Magic Kingdom, where on weekends you would require a Park Reservation to visit. However the option was available to either have a Park Reservation for Magic Kingdom, or to a different Theme Park and park hop to Magic Kingdom later in the day.

The recent change brought about in response to the debut of our new Nighttime Parade modifies that further. Where previously you needed a Park Reservation to visit Magic Kingdom only on weekends, now it applies any day of the week. So if you wish to visit Magic Kingdom, you must have a Park Reservation that day. However if you have a Park Reservation for a different theme park, park hopping is still allowed as normal. The restriction only applies to visiting Magic Kingdom after 2:00pm with no Park Reservation.

I hope that this clears up any lingering confusion. If you still have questions about this policy, I would be happy to discuss it with you further directly by phone. If so, please provide me with a phone number and the best time to reach you, I would be happy to reach out.

Sincerely,

Dayton
V.I.Passholder eCommerce Coordinator