Hi Garvel, and welcome to planDisney!
It sounds like you’ve got an exciting summer trip coming up, and you must be thrilled for your visit during the debut of
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, the first regular nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom in nearly a decade! I have such fond memories of ending our days with the Main Street Electrical Parade when my boys were little, so I can’t wait for this new nighttime spectacular!
You’ve asked a great question, and I’m happy to help. I was in the parks yesterday and took a moment to check in with the helpful Cast Members at the Guest Experiences Team in
EPCOT to get the most accurate information.
Beginning July 20, 2025, Annual Passholders will need a park reservation for Magic Kingdom, even after 2:00 PM, due to the anticipated popularity of the new parade. This is a temporary change to help manage crowds during the initial launch period. Previously, Passholders could enter Magic Kingdom after 2:00 PM without a reservation on most days, but that exception will not apply during this time.
Now, regarding your specific question about starting your day at
EPCOT after 2:00 PM while holding a reservation for
Magic Kingdom: The Cast Member I spoke with explained that since your reservation is for Magic Kingdom, the system will expect your first scan of the day to be there. If you instead scan into EPCOT first, there’s a good chance you’ll see the blue light at the touchpoint, which is a signal that something needs to be addressed. In this case, you may be asked to make a same-day reservation for EPCOT in order to enter.
The good news is that if you do make an EPCOT reservation and enter that park first, you
should still be able to park hop to Magic Kingdom after 2:00 PM, just like before. However, with the debut of the new parade, Magic Kingdom may reach capacity, especially in those early days, so there is a bit of a risk if you arrive later in the day. If seeing the parade is a top priority, I’d recommend starting your day at Magic Kingdom whenever possible to secure your spot.
Speaking of the parade, here’s a quick viewing tip! For a great view of Disney Starlight, consider grabbing a spot along Main Street, U.S.A. near the
Main Street Confectionery at least 60 minutes before the parade begins. This central location offers a classic view of the floats, including the lead float featuring the Blue Fairy. It’s also a great place to enjoy the new Disney Starlight popcorn mix debuting the same night as the parade. Yum!
I hope this helps you wish upon a star, Garvel! If you have any other questions as you get ready for your magical vacation, remember... we’re all ears and always happy to help.
Have a wonderful trip,
Eean