Disney Releases New Details on Magic Kingdom's Starlight Parade

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Disney Starlight Parade Concept Art

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Posted: Friday May 23, 2025 3:10pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney released a new update today on Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, the new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom, offering additional insight into the creative vision, featured characters, and overall experience — but still no official opening date.

Disney Starlight Parade Concept Art

The latest details focus on how the parade uses the Blue Fairy’s magic to connect guests with characters from across Disney and Pixar’s animated films. Disney describes the parade as a continuation of its legacy of nighttime entertainment, with nods to Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic through lighting, music, and choreography.

Disney Starlight Parade Concept Art

Confirmed Parade Units So Far:

The Blue Fairy opens the parade
Peter Pan and Wendy
Asha from Wish
The Madrigal family from Encanto (Mirabel, Isabela, and Bruno)
Elsa from Frozen
Disney Royals: Aurora and Prince Phillip, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Belle and the Beast, Cinderella and Prince Charming
Miguel and Pepita from Coco
Moana, joined by Pua, HeiHei, and a manta ray representing Gramma Tala

Disney says more characters will be included, with these floats appearing in the order listed.

Despite the growing list of details, Disney continues to hold back a confirmed opening date. The latest post ends with: “It won’t be long before the music swells and the twinkling lights flicker,” but stops short of announcing when guests can expect the parade to begin.

With entertainment schedules shifting, signs continue to point to a summer debut, likely in July. But for now, the exact date for Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away remains unannounced.

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Starship8243 hours ago

I've never understood why they made the opening float ugly.

AxolotlTales5 hours ago

The parade has gone downhill since the reopening in 2022. They made the opening float ugly and it was very obvious whatever maintenance was going on before had been cut down too. Not to mention everything else that got cut. I think it's time they invest in a new daytime parade considering the age of FoF alone. Hopefully Starlight will be a way for them to fill in parade entertainment at MK.

Starship8246 hours ago

It's so frustrating that the pirate ship sing effect has been broken for years. And that we've never gotten the Brave unit back.

Squishy7 hours ago

Funny enough on top of the current performer state of FoF, every float apart from the balloon float currently has a some show element broken or something wrong with it.

jrhwdw7 hours ago

MK never cut down MSEP or Spectro! Also, Spectro Floats didn't deteriorate while Spectro was Running! If MK really returns to 1977-2016 Form in 11 Days, IDK if we need to worry right now......... Of course, we don't need Costume Problems like PTN eiter.......

ToTBellHop7 hours ago

You don’t need to hope for that. Rest assured, they won’t. See it during year 1!

Drew the Disney Dude7 hours ago

This is valid. I think the Guest satisfaction will be so high that they will. Walt Disney World needs this parade to deliver and leadership is aware of that.

TTA947 hours ago

I just hope they maintain it and keep it full of life.

jrhwdw8 hours ago

Thanks! Lets us know if you can! I know working till the last second isn't the worst thing in the world but Sigh! LOL!

Drew the Disney Dude8 hours ago

They should be hitting another major milestone this week, but that’s to be expected right before the debuts. 😅

jrhwdw8 hours ago

Thank You!!!!!!! Now all we need to hear is All the Work is Done!!! :) :) :)

Drew the Disney Dude8 hours ago

This parade is going to be nothing like the current state of FoF. Starlight is going to be full of life, with the main floats and their lighting and the number of performers connected to some of the units. Every time I find out something new for this one, my excitement has increased.