Disney’s Starlight: Dream the Night Away Parade is Disney’s new nighttime parade located at Magic Kingdom. This is the first nighttime parade since Magic Kingdom closed the Main Street Electrical Parade. This parade is so good, and while it can’t ever replace the Main Street Electrical Parade, it does a great job creating magic with the new floats, lights, and characters. There are even a few homages to the Main Street Electrical Parade which is fun to see and hear!

Details:

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away is a parade inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Floats are inspired by Disney and Pixar films, including Peter Pan, Frozen, Pinocchio, Encanto, Moana, and Coco.

Parade Route:

The parade will begin on Main Street and travel along the parade route toward Frontierland.  Disney Starlight travels in the “reverse” direction, up Main Street towards Frontierland for both performances. This reverse route allows for the parade to pass guests closer to the exit, and then those guests to exit the park in an organized fashion.


Times:

Currently, this parade is runs twice nightly at 9 PM and 11 PM. This will change as park hours and sunset times change. Check the Entertainment Schedule or the My Disney Experience app for the performance schedule. Showtimes are subject to change. Note: Disney just announced that beginning August 31, 2025, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will take place earlier in the evening at Magic Kingdom with performances at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM nightly.


Special Event Note:

Disney Starlight will not be available on nights when Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.


Where to Watch:

The first parade will be more crowded because everyone wants to see the first show, stay for the fireworks, and then leave the park. If you want to try and see the parade and fireworks without having to move viewing locations, I suggest watching the parade somewhere on Main Street, in the Hub, or closer to the castle. My favorite spot to watch is across from the Fire Station on Main Street so you can exit the park right after viewing. (This is not the best location if you plan to stay for fireworks after).

If you plan on staying until park close, I suggest watching the second Starlight Parade instead of the first. The crowds are usually double the amount for the first parade and they also get a spot much earlier than those waiting for the second parade. Once Happily Ever After ends, you can get your spot for the second parade.

The parade route really starts filling in about 90 minutes in advance of the first parade on Main Street. The first area to fill up is the Central Plaza Hub in front of Cinderella Castle. This is because these guests will likely be using this as their same spot for the fireworks. Frontierland and Liberty Square are slowest to fill up, as this is the end of the parade route so you do have to wait the longest to see it.

Ready to plan your visit to Walt Disney World to see this beautiful parade? Contact me for a free quote!

 

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly