Tips for Watching Disney Starlight
Disney World finally has a nighttime parade once again! Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away lights up Magic Kingdom every evening with dazzling floats featuring some of your favorite characters. Where is the best spot to see the parade, and which showing works best for you? Here’s what to know before catching Disney Starlight.
There Are Two Parade Times
You have two chances to see Disney Starlight each day. It is shown at 9pm and 11pm with Happily Ever After taking place between the two parades. The 9pm showing is likely better for families with young children who cannot stay out late, but the flip side is that this parade tends to be more crowded. If you are able to wait for the 11pm parade, you’ll have a much easier time finding a spot, even within the prime viewing areas along Main Street. You also won’t need to stake out a spot as early with the 11pm parade.
There Are Plenty of Great Views
Speaking of viewing areas, there are lots of great options for viewing Disney Starlight. Unlike most parades, Disney Starlight starts in the front of Main Street and weaves its way back to Frontierland. With the floats being so tall, you can get a clear view anywhere along the parade route even if you are not at the very front of the crowd.
However, there are some particularly great spots. Main Street is always popular with the backdrop of Cinderella Castle off in the distance. Some of the very best spots are at the corners where the floats turn and offer a straight on view, such as the corner by the Confectionery or by the end of Main Street closest to the hub. Plus, being near the hub for the 9pm parade means you’ll have a great spot for Happily Ever After at 10pm.
If you prefer a less crowded viewing area, go closer to Frontierland. For a unique vantage point, try going to the train station on Main Street where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the sparkling spectacle.
Passholders Will Need a Park Reservation on Weekends
Passholders who want to catch Disney Starlight on Saturday or Sunday just have to be sure to have a park reservation. On weekdays, annual passholders are able to enter any theme park without a park reservation after 2pm. However, Magic Kingdom still requires a park reservation on Saturdays and Sundays even after 2pm. Note that the park reservation can be for a different park (i.e., EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom), and you can then park hop to Magic Kingdom.
Enjoy Familiar Sights and Sounds
Throughout the parade, you’ll find fun little references to Disney Starlight’s predecessors, Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic. There’s the snippet of Baroque Hoedown from Main Street Electrical Parade that plays during the welcome announcement or the remixed version that plays as the finale float passes by. There’s also a glimpse of Jiminy Cricket waving goodbye that is a nod to SpectroMagic and the grand float with the princesses and princes that feels reminiscent of Main Street Electrical Parade. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the old parades, Disney Starlight carries forward a lot of their spirit.
Keep an Eye Out for Surprise Moments
Watch closely as the parade passes by. There are some fun surprise moments like when the manta ray representing Gramma Tala rises up on the Moana float or when Pepita blows smoke on the Coco float. You may even get to say hello to Tinkerbell as she engages with the audience ahead of the Peter Pan float.
Delight in the whimsy and twinkling lights of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away during your next Disney World vacation! Get started on planning that trip by renting DVC points. Browse the confirmed reservations or request a free quote.
