Skip to main content

Disney announces opening date for nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom. Here’s when

‘Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away’ to debut July 20

The all-new nighttime parade, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” will debut on July 20, 2025, at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Swirling ribbons of starlight reveal Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck leading a procession of Disney moments that includes Snow White and Dopey in a twinkling minecar, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider floating toward a gleaming lantern on their boat, and Aladdin and Jasmine taking a magic carpet ride, all brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy. (Disney) (Disney Parks)

BAY LAKE, Fla. – For the first time in nearly 10 years, Magic Kingdom guests will be able to cap off a magical day at the park with a regular nighttime parade.

Starting July 20, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” will twinkle through Main Street U.S.A.

Recommended Videos



Powered by the Blue Fairy’s magic, the all-new parade will feature classic and contemporary characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Pixar films – some for the very first time in a Disney Live Entertainment nighttime parade.

According to Disney, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck will lead the procession of Disney moments that includes Snow White and Dopey in a minecar, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider floating toward a gleaming lantern on their boat, and Aladdin and Jasmine taking a magic carpet ride.

The parade will have two showings, 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., and the route will travel in reverse, starting on Main Street, U.S.A., and heading towards Frontierland to improve crowd flow at the end of the night.

Along with the opening date, Disney also revealed its grand finale float, the Starlight Train, inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade float.

Whimsy, seen in an episode of "We Call It Imagineering" is an original character in the nighttime Magic Kingdom parade, ‘Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. (Walt Disney Imagineering)

The iconic nighttime parade had its final run in October 2016 at Magic Kingdom before it returned to Disneyland for a limited time.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse will close out the parade and will be decked out in sparkling new looks.

Art rendering of the nighttime parade “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” at Magic Kingdom. (Disney Parks)

Disney characters featured in the parade include:

  • The Blue Fairy 
  • Peter Pan & Wendy 
  • Asha 
  • La Familia Madrigal (Mirabel, Isabela, Bruno) 
  • Elsa 
  • Aurora and Prince Phillip, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Belle and the Beast, and Cinderella and Prince Charming  
  • Miguel and Pepita 
  • Moana 
  • Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Snow White, Dopey, Rapunzel, Flynn, Aladdin, and Jasmine

Along with new floats, there will also be an original theme that will embody "all the majestic and fantasy feelings you get watching a parade come down Main Street, U.S.A." Disney has also said the theme will feature Disney Parks favorites.

Disney also revealed a collection of Starlight must-haves, including merchandise and a limited-edition popcorn mix, available exclusively at the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom starting on July 20.

With the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” parade expected to draw large crowds, Annual Passholders will need a park reservation to enter Magic Kingdom on July 20, regardless of the time of day.


Recommended Videos