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Disney Starlight Parade Shines Bright with Soft Opening Tonight at Magic Kingdom
Excitement is building at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom as Disney has officially confirmed the soft opening of its highly anticipated new nighttime parade, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” tonight, July 18. This marks the first opportunity for guests to experience the magical procession before its official debut on July 20.
Related – Disney Starlight Parade Music Coming to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” represents a significant return for Magic Kingdom, bringing a nighttime parade back to the park after a nearly decade-long hiatus. The parade promises a breathtaking spectacle featuring floats inspired by beloved Disney stories, including Encanto, Disney Princesses and Princes, Moana, Coco, Wish, Peter Pan, and Frozen.
Further details, revealed in an episode of “We Call it Imagineering,” highlight an original character joining the Disney family: Whimsy, a charming train engine that will serve as the parade’s grand finale float. The creative team has also woven in nostalgic elements, with new animation of Jiminy Cricket paying homage to the classic “Spectromagic” parade. Guests can also look forward to brand-new costumes for all performers and a captivating musical score that incorporates references to past Magic Kingdom nighttime parades. Even Mickey Mouse and his pals will be sporting fresh, starry blue costumes for the occasion.
Tonight’s soft opening, scheduled for 9 p.m. in Magic Kingdom, is described as a full dress rehearsal with an audience, indicating that guests can expect to see the complete parade with all floats and performers. The procession will follow its announced route, commencing at the front of Main Street, U.S.A., and concluding in Frontierland.
While the official release does not explicitly mention a second performance tonight, “Disney Starlight” is slated to have two nightly performance times upon its official debut. To accommodate this, Magic Kingdom’s closing time will be extended to 11:00 p.m. starting July 20, 2025.
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