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

[Touchdown]

Excellent I’ll be in DL over the 4th, means all the Uber fans and bloggers won’t be there. I had a choice of the 4th or the week of the 17th, which I knew would be bad. Between the tourism downturn, and the new parade debut might be the quietest 4th in a while (which will still mean crowded but maybe not insane.)

 

[ToTBellHop]

AP or DVC previews are a challenge because when would they happen? The park already closes at 10 pm in the summer. They’d need to close then, get everyone out to ensure the parade is limited to the listed group, and run it at like 12 am. It’s one thing to run that for CMs. For guests, it requires MUCH greater in-park staffing. You can’t just have everything in the park closed until parade time. And they aren’t charging these groups the DAH prices normally associated with such a late closure.

A media preview probably makes more sense.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Wow, so it's probably going to be jammed when I'm there July 8-15 since it will be new. I guess we'll have to aim for the 11pm showing if we don't want to camp out.

 

[Comped]

AP or DVC previews are a challenge because when would they happen? The park already closes at 10 pm in the summer. They’d need to close then, get everyone out to ensure the parade is limited to the listed group, and run it at like 12 am. It’s one thing to run that for CMs. For guests, it requires MUCH greater in-park staffing. You can’t just have everything in the park closed until parade time. And they aren’t charging these groups the DAH prices normally associated with such a late closure.

A media preview probably makes more sense.

Only preview I'm expecting is for them to play the music too loudly while testing so I end up hearing it from several miles away like I do sometimes with other music from MK...

 

[ToTBellHop]

Only preview I'm expecting is for them to play the music too loudly while testing so I end up hearing it from several miles away like I do sometimes with other music from MK...

I’m sure…something…will be visible and audible from the Contemporary by June.

 

[jrhwdw]

I’m sure…something…will be visible and audible from the Contemporary by June.

IDK, Parade Floats are hard to spot at Contemporary..

 

[Gusey]

Just from experience at DLP, whenever a new festival's entertainment launches, they run a soft opening the day before for guests that are unannounced until that day. That'll be the most likely scenario, a soft opening

 

[TheMaxRebo]

In case anyone wondering, Happily Ever After is still set for 10pm on July 7th, so wasn't a one time thing for the 6th

 

[jrhwdw]

In case anyone wondering, Happily Ever After is still set for 10pm on July 7th, so wasn't a one time thing for the 6th

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Thank You!!!!!! I didn't check yet myself and I was kind of afraid! LOL!!!!

 

[Brer Panther]

Hey, since Family Guy is owned by Disney now for some inexplicable reason and the name of the parade is "Starlight"...

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[ToTBellHop]

IDK, Parade Floats are hard to spot at Contemporary..

I’ve been able to see Boo to You testing in years past from BLT. Obviously not a good view or anything. Lightning effects can be seen. And, of course, audio can be heard.

 

[jrhwdw]

Great Write-Up Today Steve!!! Is MK really thinking about AP Previews? Those sounded rare form what I saw on here yesterday.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Great Write-Up Today Steve!!! Is MK really thinking about AP Previews? Those sounded rare form what I saw on here yesterday.

it would definitely be costly to pull off. But, if they want to spend, anything is possible. They are increasingly calling on APs to save their butts each summer, so it’s possible.

Perhaps AP-exclusive viewing areas for a period of time could be an option?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney knows where the local APers live. Then can send a parade preview to go past their houses.

 

[monothingie]

it would definitely be costly to pull off. But, if they want to spend, anything is possible. They are increasingly calling on APs to save their butts each summer, so it’s possible.

Perhaps AP-exclusive viewing areas for a period of time could be an option?

Why not just charge extra to get an after hours preview of the parade?

Give the guests suckers a button or sticker to make it seem like they got something special.

 

[TTA94]

Great Write-Up Today Steve!!! Is MK really thinking about AP Previews? Those sounded rare form what I saw on here yesterday.

So when Disney announces an opening date it very likely won’t be the very first performance. That means APs and vloggers wanting to be at the very first performance might have to wait longer for Disney to announce preview dates lol.

 

[jrhwdw]

So when Disney announces an opening date it very likely won’t be the very first performance. That means APs and vloggers wanting to be at the very first performance might have to wait longer for Disney to announce preview dates lol.

If we get those kind of Previews.

 

[Andrew25]

How exactly does an AP preview of a night parade operationally work?

Close MK at 10PM, clear entire park + Main Street by 11:00-11:30PM, and then start it off then? Doesn't sound feasible to me. Especially with people still lined up an hour plus at Tron, Seven Dwarfs, etc.

 

[ToTBellHop]

How exactly does an AP preview of a night parade operationally work?

Close MK at 10PM, clear entire park + Main Street by 11:00-11:30PM, and then start it off then? Doesn't sound feasible to me. Especially with people still lined up an hour plus at Tron, Seven Dwarfs, etc.

That’s what I’m wondering. The showing would be VERY late. They do that for CMs but they can better control where CMs go. Normal guests would need the whole park open.

The math works for MNSSHP because they charge a fortune and close the park to the poors at 6 pm. Can’t do that here.

And then if there is lightning that night, it’s a wash. Imagine charging APs $100 for an “exclusive” party and having to cancel the parade. At least MNSSHP lasts five hours so they can USUALLY find a window to run a parade and avoid refunds.

 

[TTA94]

That’s what I’m wondering. The showing would be VERY late. They do that for CMs but they can better control where CMs go. Normal guests would need the whole park open.

The math works for MNSSHP because they charge a fortune and close the park to the poors at 6 pm. Can’t do that here.

And then if there is lightning that night, it’s a wash. Imagine charging APs $100 for an “exclusive” party and having to cancel the parade. At least MNSSHP lasts five hours so they can USUALLY find a window to run a parade and avoid refunds.

How does CM previews work for parades? Do they restrict it to only MK CMs and offer them one night to come and see the parade? For attractions I think they do previews for multiple days and basically have cast members reserve a time and day in advance for them and sometimes family members. They could do similar for Starlight if it will be offered to more than just MK cast.