Cinderella Castle Stage Is Set for Dave Matthews Band Tonight at Magic Kingdom

May 13, 2026 in "Magic Kingdom"

Cinderella Castle Concert Stage Setup — Dave Matthews Band, May 13, 2026
Posted: Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:47pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Concert production for tonight's private SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference event is fully taking shape at Magic Kingdom, with the Cinderella Castle stage now loaded with equipment ahead of the Dave Matthews Band performance.

Black-draped equipment covers are stacked across the castle stage, with additional gear visible through the archway. Scissor lift platforms have been positioned on either side of the castle, and large speaker towers with moving spotlights remain in place around the hub. 

The castle forecourt area is roped off from regular guests today as the production crew finalises the setup for tonight's show.

Magic Kingdom closes to the public at 5:30pm today to make way for the private event. If you're in the park today, plan around that hard stop.

Today's Magic Kingdom hours:

  • Early Entry (resort guests): 8:30am – 9:00am
  • Park open: 9:00am – 5:30pm

The other three Walt Disney World parks are on normal hours today:

Animal Kingdom

  • Early Entry: 7:30am – 8:00am
  • Park open: 8:00am – 6:00pm
  • Extended Evening Hours: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Hollywood Studios

  • Early Entry: 8:30am – 9:00am
  • Park open: 9:00am – 9:00pm

EPCOT

  • Early Entry: 8:30am – 9:00am
  • Park open: 9:00am – 9:00pm
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HauntedPirateMay 18, 2026

monothingieMay 18, 2026

Yeah but can AI give you a massage like I do? $50

monothingieMay 18, 2026

MisterPenguinMay 18, 2026

Nothing to see, no matter what he does, I have him /blocked.

EricsBiscuitMay 18, 2026

I wonder if to see the pricing you have to sign an NDA.

danlb_2000May 18, 2026

That 180k number has been floating around since at least 2016, so if that number was true, it certainly isn't now... https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/rent-magic-kingdom-wedding/

nickysMay 18, 2026

Maybe that’s per hour? 🤷‍♀️

PiebaldMay 18, 2026

They had food and drinks set up every 20 feet it seemed. Crab cakes, shrimp skewers, orange chicken, lo mein, cheeseburger bao bun thingies, salads and sandwiches. Beer, wine, seltzers and bourbon lemonade. Unlimited ice cream, popcorn, sodas and pretzels. There were special meet and greets throughout the park. Pretty much everything open except storybook circus and the back half of fantasyland. They did the fireworks show and had DJs and live bands. If 180k is like the bare minimum this has to cost way more. Dave Matthews booking fee alone is like $1million if not more.

Figments FriendMay 17, 2026

As my original post noted, the price increases dramatically depending on several factors. So yes, the price is typically MUCH more. In many cases insanely high. -

TrainsOfDisneyMay 17, 2026

It was a leased bus from a Nashville based company. That’s the norm for almost all concert tours.

Tom P.May 17, 2026

That is literally every tech conference in existence right now. Much as it was ten years ago with the word "cloud."

Captain BarbossaMay 17, 2026

Main event will be Hell in a Cell in front of the castle, penguin vs Raleigh

Tha RealestMay 16, 2026

Oh Lord. Imagine the fights.

EricsBiscuitMay 16, 2026

If that’s the price the WDW Magic forum should rent out the park! We all chip in

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