Hi Mary!
Happy New Year and a very warm welcome to planDisney! Now that the calendar has turned to 2026, the countdown to your Walt Disney World Resort vacation is going to start flying by - almost as if it were sprinkled with a bit of Tinker Bell's pixie dust!
Mary,
Magic Kingdom Park is home to many of my favorite attractions and shows. Each time I visit, I must take to the sky with
Dumbo the Flying Elephant and visit my favorite feathered friends in
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. However, nothing quite caps off my night like watching fireworks light up Cinderella Castle during
Happily Ever After, so I certainly understand wanting to make sure that you can catch this magical experience during your visit!
It sounds like you're planning a visit to Magic Kingdom on a night that the park is hosting a
Disney After Hours event. This special-ticketed event offers Guests a chance to explore the park after it typically closes while enjoying snacks, attractions, and even special entertainment. The
Hours & Events Calendar was just updated through March 2, 2026, so I was able to check the posted information for Magic Kingdom that day. It looks like Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close at 9:00 PM for Guests with regular park tickets and then remain open for those with event tickets from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Happily Ever After is scheduled for 9:00 PM that night, and I chatted with a friendly Cast Member this morning who confirmed that you should have no problem enjoying the fireworks, but would need to leave promptly after they finish. Currently, there is no schedule posted for
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, but I would check back closer to the time, as parade schedules are sometimes a bit delayed in showing on the Hours & Events Calendar. Usually, Disney Starlight runs before Happily Ever After, so I'm hopeful that you'll be able to view both!
Mary, I hope you find this information helpful as you start thinking about your plans! You might also want to keep in mind that Guests with Disney After Hours tickets can enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 7:00 PM, so you may see increased crowds later in the evening. I’d suggest prioritizing your must-do attractions earlier in the day for this reason. I’d also recommend considering the
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Pre-Party. When the park is filling up, you can enjoy sweet treats and a selection of beverages at Tomorrowland Terrace and then head to a reserved viewing area for a picture-perfect view of Happily Ever After. It’s one of my family's favorite ways to enjoy the show!
If you have any other planning questions, remember that you've got a friend in us here at planDisney. We're always happy to help you, Mary - to infinity and beyond!
Happy New Year!
Kristi