MK All-New Nighttime Parade Disney Starlight Set to Debut at Magic Kingdom in 2025

[SoFloMagic]

Sadly those are the ballroom dancers. All that detail they went on and on about with "custom printed fabric with the swirl pattern" and hand applied crystals is all wasted on dark navy outfits in the dark. Why did they even bother?

My recommendation is that nobody judges this over video. A parade on an unlit route is never going to work on video. I could see these costumes in person. I dont know if i noticed swirls, but i saw fabric with some parterns and pulsing lights. I thought they looked good. Just werent enough of them.

The butterflies looked cool and the performers were somewhat hidden - an intentional effect, im sure.

This is never going to be the same as a parade from the 90s/00s. They would never run that budget on performers. The floats look great in person. Overall PTN/Magic Happens are much more my style, but families and infrequent guests will love this.

 

[drew81]

Dear, David Duffy.

Where are Chip and Dale at?

 

[SoFloMagic]

There were a variety of issues with Harmonious including people complaining about the barges out during the day but I think the big thing was it was negatively impacting people staying in the park later, booking restaurants that have viewing areas, booking firework cruises, booking the private viewing areas, etc

So if the same happens here and everyone rushes out after HEA/2nd parade is deserted, etc - probably won't see a major overhaul

Does seem like there was a rush to get it done so hopefully they are aware of some touch ups/plussing that could elevate it though

Yeah but harmonius was both hideous during the day and a pretty terrible show (if you disagree thats fine, but you cant tell me the lion king portion was anything but cruise ship slop).

This parade is beautiful but way under staffed. Not sure that leaving the park will result in more staffing.

 

[Stupido]

Isn't she the main character, at least of the first movie? They weren't expecting Elsa to be more popular, right? Anna exists solely as a desperate attempt to cash in on the success of Rapunzel - they were expecting HER to be the marketable character everyone wants a doll of. So to have her (and Kristoff and Olaf) nowhere in the parade is a headscratcher.

Oh no, we won't be slandering Ms. Anna around here. It's definitely a duel lead series. But I would even say Anna is the main lead.

Sure, Elsa gets all the flashy ice powers and the big musical number, but the whole franchise happens because of Anna's choices. Elsa runs off, Anna chooses to climb a mountain in an ice storm to find and comfort her. Anna's about to die and has someone who can save her, but without hesitation chooses to walk away from that safety to try and protect her sister. In the sequel, Anna once again chooses to follow her flighty sister who's clearly having another episode. And when she thinks Elsa is dead, Anna chooses to keep pushing forward because she now has a kingdom to rule. She also chooses to break down the damn trapping everyone in the forest, knowing that the flood would decimate her kingdom. She restores the balance to Arendelle, and actively walks the path of a hero and leader.

Elsa only changes her dresses, runs headfirst following her own whims, and rides a water horse.

Anna is the main character and if anyone from the franchise deserves their own parade float it's her.

 

[seabreezept813]

I have vague childhood memories of Spectro and love its music. And our fam enjoyed MSEP before it went down. This looks lovely, it seems to have that magic I remember as a kid. My kids also love Asha so no complaints there.. the classics are still present—Peter, princesses, etc. it’s a nice blend. Excited to see it in person next month. Bring back Wishes and I might reconsider giving more of my vaca dollars to universal next year lol

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

Oh no, we won't be slandering Ms. Anna around here. It's definitely a duel lead series. But I would even say Anna is the main lead.

Sure, Elsa gets all the flashy ice powers and the big musical number, but the whole franchise happens because of Anna's choices. Elsa runs off, Anna chooses to climb a mountain in and ice storm to find and comfort her. Anna's about to die and has someone who can save her, but without hesitation chooses to walk away from that safety to try and protect her sister. In the sequel, Anna once again chooses to follow her flighty sister who's clearly having another episode. And when she thinks Elsa is dead, Anna chooses to keep pushing forward because she now has a kingdom to rule. She also chooses to break down the damn trapping everyone in the forest, knowing that the flood would decimate her kingdom. She restores the balance to Arendelle, and actively walks the path of a hero and leader.

Elsa only changes her dresses, runs headfirst following her own whims, and rides a water horse.

Anna is the main character and deserves her own parade float

I agree, but I’d honestly settle for something like a sleigh float with her and Kristoff (shove Olaf in the back popping up every couple seconds for some extra credit).

Realistically though, I really thought Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf would be on the street infront of the float!

 

[Casper Gutman]

It’s really underwhelming. Compared to Spectro, it’s awful.

It gets a bit better from Moana on, but overall it just feels profoundly lifeless, lacking in kinetic energy - or any energy, really.

I hate the turn towards big, lighted objects rather then objects created by strings of lights.

Honestly, I’ve found all the information and images released in the lead up to the debut to be unimpressive but I’ve largely kept out of this thread because there was so much positivity I hoped I was just being overly pessimistic. Sadly, I don’t think I was.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

I hate the turn towards big, lighted objects rather then objects created by strings of lights.

It’s hard to balance for sure. I was actually somewhat impressed by the lack of screens and LED strips (and the LED strips used didn’t seem to replace any light but instead add more detail).

Honestly, for these are my only big critiques:

1. Parade soundtrack will definitely grow on me and I like the vibe, but I think it could have been a little catchier.

2. Street performers were few and far between (and by the time the parade made it to me most of the props were broken, although as a rehearsal I can’t really complain)

3. Looked like the castle spotlights turned on for the parade, and there might have been some lighting in the hub, but some parade route lighting would have been cool

4. If they did face scope cuts, I’m happy it was performers and not the floats. Adding performers is a whole lot easier than trying to improve already made floats!

5. Would have liked a starting title float

Positive thoughts:

1. I thought the parade floats were really well done, with the lights showing pretty stunning animations.

2. The blue fairy float was impressive and the Pinocchio effect was really unexpected and creative even if it could blend in a little better. There were other small effects that were similarly creative even if many went unnoticed!

3. Coco float was pretty stunning, especially with Pepita!

4. Royals float was AMAZING and the float “transforming” for each featured movie (similar to the Fantasmic! boats) was really fun!

5. Watching it in person, it felt like a parade that will grow a strong fan base. I don’t know if “grand” is the perfect word to describe it, but it felt like a lot of love went into it.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Having watched @wdwmagic 's 4K video of this, I feel I've seen enough to say this: this is a whiff.

As @Castle Cake Apologist said earlier, we all wanted a night parade so badly, I think a lot of people are settling here.

This is inferior to Paint the Night, and isn't even in the same realm as MSEP or SpectroMagic.

I heard a electric drum beat through the whole thing with very little orchestra, so that "nod" to Spectro is bupkis. Jiminy Cricket doesn't speak, and is relegated to a tiny little half-float at the end. He should have been the host.

The frozen fractals on sticks are like the ice hallway—total filler that isn't even pleasant to look at. Same with the leaves on sticks or whatever they are.

I'm really disappointed in this, as I thought it was going to be a return to SpectroMagical glory. Instead, it feels like we got half of a parade.

There is NOTHING uniquely Magic Kingdom about this at all. And honestly, the MSEP tribute in the score actually annoys me, since that melody is more associated with Disneyland. SpectroMagic continues to languish in the trash bin of Disney's current consciousness. If they thought this would make it better, they're wrong.

 

[Squishy]

9pm & 11pm previews today just announced.

 

[jrhwdw]

Starlight at 9&11 Tonight!!!!!! MK is So Back!!!!

What a weekend this has been!!!!!

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

9pm & 11pm previews today just announced.

Woohooo!

 

[wdwmagic]

Disney Starlight Parade Returns for Second Preview Night at Magic Kingdom July 19​

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...nd-preview-night-at-magic-kingdom-july-19.htm

 

[James Alucobond]

I'm not as down on the floats themselves as others. I think they all look good to great, and I've never had a problem with single-character floats as someone who cares minimally about sightings. The problem is definitely what comes between. Move the logo to the front and a simple lighted banner to the rear, and then add a good number of additional characters to fill space. Characters associated with the floats would probably be simplest in terms of needing minimal choreo, like the Lost Boys with Tinkerbell, or extra dwarves trailing the train. The butterflies and ice crystals also need a rethink; the operators look incredibly silly shuffling around, and there are way less cumbersome and more reliable means of producing similar effects. They seem overengineered and fragile for zero payoff.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

It’s really underwhelming. Compared to Spectro, it’s awful.

It gets a bit better from Moana on, but overall it just feels profoundly lifeless, lacking in kinetic energy - or any energy, really.

I hate the turn towards big, lighted objects rather then objects created by strings of lights.

Honestly, I’ve found all the information and images released in the lead up to the debut to be unimpressive but I’ve largely kept out of this thread because there was so much positivity I hoped I was just being overly pessimistic. Sadly, I don’t think I was.

I give it some love because I see a good blank canvas. It needs work and additions but it could really be a great parade and I hope they give it love and add more to it every year to bring guests back. I also hope that there’s stuff we haven’t seen yet.

 

[GhostHost1000]

Needs:
a title float
more street performers
much more costume and lights for them
smaller filler floats like MSEP and Spectro
at least 1 or 2 more large floats
Some kind of special effect (fire?)
A nod musically to Spectro as well
Maybe an intro announcing the parade electronically like MSEP?

 

[ToTBellHop]

I'm not as down on the floats themselves as others. I think they all look good to great, and I've never had a problem with single-character floats as someone who cares minimally about sightings. The problem is definitely what comes between. Move the logo to the front and a simple lighted banner to the rear, and then add a good number of additional characters to fill space. Characters associated with the floats would probably be simplest in terms of needing minimal choreo, like the Lost Boys with Tinkerbell, or extra dwarves trailing the train. The butterflies and ice crystals also need a rethink; the operators look incredibly silly shuffling around, and there are way less cumbersome and more reliable means of producing similar effects. They seem overengineered and fragile for zero payoff.

Luckily, things like this are pretty easy to adjust. These costumes need replacement from time to time, easily allowing design changes on a rolling basis.

To be fair, many of the adjustments we are complaining about were in response to CM discomfort or injuries. Hopefully, we can have happy performers while still finessing this a bit. I don’t blame the designer for steering away from performers lit up like a Christmas tree. The lights we do see on the characters in particular are in locations that make a bit more sense here.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Needs:
a title float
more street performers
much more costume and lights for them
smaller filler floats like MSEP and Spectro
at least 1 or 2 more large floats
Some kind of special effect (fire?)
A nod musically to Spectro as well
Maybe an intro announcing the parade electronically like MSEP?

That “ladies and gentleman, boys and girls” opening and the clunky ways they’ve tried to replace it have led to its excision here altogether.

That “Baroque Hoedown” opening leading to lights out did cause enormous cheering, though. It’s a great moment.

 

[Jedi14]

I see we’ve reached a similar point to the Test Track forum.

 

[James Alucobond]

To be fair, many of the adjustments we are complaining about were in response to CM discomfort or injuries. Hopefully, we can have happy performers while still finessing this a bit. I don’t blame the designer for steering away from performers lit up like a Christmas tree. The lights we do see on the characters in particular are in locations that make a bit more sense here.

I honestly don't personally mind if they just go for largely lighted apparatuses instead of the costumes themselves. That's a fine direction. However, I'm with @MerlinTheGoat on the hoods being a bit odd. Those can't actually be comfortable in the heat, and it just makes them look like they stumbled in from a green screen performance.