Hi Cheryl, and thanks for visiting us at planDisney! My family loves the convenience of the fireworks dessert parties. I mean, what’s better than delicious treats followed by a great view of Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular?! It’s such a magical way to end a fun day in the park.
Now, let’s chat about the best way to watch both
Happily Ever After and the
Disney Starlight parade! Next week, Happily Ever After is currently scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Since check-in for the
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Desert Pre-Party is 90 minutes before showtime, you’ll need to get to
Tomorrowland Terrace at 8:00 p.m. If you’re doing the Dessert Pre-Party on a night with two showings of Disney Starlight, you can catch the second parade. Disney Starlight runs at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. most nights next week, which means you’ll already be in the dessert party area when the first parade is headed down Main Street, U.S.A. I’d recommend checking the
My Disney Experience app to double-check the exact showtimes for the night of your Magic Kingdom visit.
Your best option is likely to watch the second showing of Disney Starlight, which is also my preferred viewing since the later parade is usually less crowded! Once Happily Ever After is over, you can head to a spot to watch the parade. My favorite viewing area is in Town Square, right in front of the
Main Street train station. If you get there early enough, you can sit on the curb and stake out a front row seat for the parade! It also makes for an easy exit once the floats go by, and it’s time to head back to your resort hotel for the night.
If you have a
MagicBand+, be sure to keep it charged so you can enjoy some extra pixie dust during both nighttime spectaculars! Sometimes I’ll throw a MagicBand+ charger in my park bag and use my portable battery to give it a little extra boost during the day. That way, the battery makes it to the evening, and I don’t miss any of the fun lights and vibrations. It really makes you feel like you're a part of the show!
I’m wishing you the best day ever in Magic Kingdom next week! And if you have any other questions, we’d love to have you back at planDisney.
JoAnna