Hi Jen, and thanks so much for stopping by planDisney!
I am right there with you, counting down the days until I’m dancing on Main Street with a Mickey pretzel in one hand and tears in my eyes from the beauty of the brand-new
Disney Starlight “Dream the Night Away” Parade! It’s such an exciting time to visit Magic Kingdom, and I’m so glad you’re planning to be part of the magic!
Now, about your practically perfect parade plan for July 26 as a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, here’s what you need to know!
Because of how in-demand this dazzling nighttime offering is, Walt Disney World has updated its theme park reservation requirements for
Passholders visiting Magic Kingdom Park. Beginning July 20, 2025, all Passholders (yes, even those arriving after 2:00 PM) must have a theme park reservation to enter Magic Kingdom. This is a limited-time update, so I recommend securing your Magic Kingdom
reservation as early as possible to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the magic. For EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the usual no-reservation-needed-after-2:00-PM rule still applies.
Here’s how I’d do it if I were in your Minnie ears:
Book your reservation for Magic Kingdom Park for the 26th, and be sure to scan into that park first. You can spend the morning enjoying classic attractions or hop over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the afternoon once the Park Hopper window opens (typically around 2:00 PM). Later, you’ll be able to hop back to Magic Kingdom in time to grab a spot for the parade. Keep in mind that park hopping is subject to capacity, so I always like to keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app just in case.
And here's a little local tip from me to you: for the best view of the parade, I recommend grabbing a spot near the Partners Statue or by the entrance to Liberty Square. You’ll get a beautiful backdrop of Cinderella Castle that I'm sure will make the parade look even more spectacular!
I’m so excited for you, Jen. I’ve had this parade circled in pixie dust on my calendar for months, and I just know it’s going to be worth the wait. If you need tips on where to watch, what time to arrive, or what snacks pair best with parade magic, I’m only a question away.
Dream big and parade on,
Emille