For the first time in nearly 10 years,
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” takes place at
The new parade made its big debut along the park’s Main Street U.S.A. on July 20, and we were there opening week to check it out. Here’s everything you need to know about the new parade and how best to see it.
What is Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away?
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” is the newest evening parade at
The brand-new parade features sparkling floats carrying Disney characters, a sweeping original musical theme and a team of performers dancing to all-new choreography. The floats (and some of the performers’ costumes) shimmer with millions of LED lights that are synchronized with the music, creating an immersive, magical experience.
Must-See Moments in Disney World’s New Nighttime Parade
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” features 10 glittering floats, in addition to dancers and characters that help enhance the parade’s storyline.
Some of my favorites were the parade’s opening float that pays homage to the Main Street Electrical Parade, featuring the Blue Fairy from Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio; a float featuring Asha beneath the wishing tree from Disney’s 2023 film Wish; and a gorgeously detailed float depicting Moana (from Disney’s 2016 film) sailing on her boat.
A special treat is the parade’s final float: a whimsical train (another nod to the Main Street Electrical Parade), pulling carriages filled with Disney characters.
Characters in Disney’s New Evening Parade
Disney characters featured in the parade include:
- The Blue Fairy (Pinocchio)
- Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell (Peter Pan)
- Asha (Wish)
- Mirabel, Isabela and Bruno (Encanto)
- Elsa (Frozen)
- Aurora and Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)
- Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen (The Princess and the Frog)
- Belle and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
- Cinderella and Prince Charming (Cinderella)
- Miguel and Pepita (Coco)
- Moana (Moana)
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald and Daisy Duck
- Snow White and Dopey (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
- Rapunzel and Flynn (Tangled)
- Aladdin and Jasmine (Aladdin)
SheBuysTravel Tip: The only character who interacts directly with guests from the ground is Tinkerbell (the others are riding on floats) – so if you have a particular favorite character whose attention you want to catch, be ready to wave big so they see you. My daughter got a huge wave from Asha on the Wish float, which made her evening.
Best Viewing Spots for Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
The parade’s route begins on Main Street, U.S.A. and travels along Disney’s parade route towards Frontierland.
Because many guests plan to leave after the first nightly parade or fireworks show, the spots along Main Street, U.S.A. and in front of Cinderella Castle fill up quickly. When we were there, the area in front of the castle was packed with parkgoers staking out their spots 90 minutes before the start of the first parade.
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We found the best spots were farther down the parade route. We found great seats in front of The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square, and I spotted other uncrowded spots outside of Country Bear Musical Jamboree in Frontierland.
How to Plan for Disney’s New Evening Parade with Kids
When deciding how to watch the parade, first decide between the two parade times. The 9 p.m. parade allows for earlier bedtimes, but it also means larger crowds and a long wait for prime seats.
If you opt for the first parade, claim a spot along the parade route early and make sure to have plenty of snacks (I highly recommend the new Starlight-themed popcorn mix available at Main Street Confectionary). There are also vendors selling themed merchandise to keep kids occupied, such as light-up bubble wands.
Our family stayed up for the second parade, and I’m glad we did; the 11 p.m. parade had plenty of open seating and no crowds.
When and Where to Watch the New Parade at Magic Kingdom
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” takes place at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. each night, with the nightly “Happily Ever After” fireworks show scheduled for 10 p.m.
One exception is during special ticketed seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (which have their own parades); inclement weather can also affect the schedule.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The parade itself is only 12 minutes long, though its start time will depend on where you’re sitting. At our spot in Liberty Square, the parade began about 15 minutes later than those watching it from the start of the parade route. So if you’re hoping to catch one more ride before the parade starts, plan to watch it from Liberty Square or Frontierland.
Where to Stay
One of my fondest childhood memories is of camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground and spending the day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, then watching the SpectoMagic parade at night. It was unforgettable, and I decided to recreate the experience with my own family.
We got a great summer rate at the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort: the posh new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The cabins are gorgeous, and we spent our time at the resort roasting s’mores at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long, swimming at Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and exploring the resort by golf cart.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Since the timing of the parades is late, the ease of Disney transportation is a huge plus. By staying at a
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