Hey there, Libby! Welcome to planDisney!
You sound like someone after my own Disney planning heart. I'm planning a visit to my happy place next month, and I also plan to start one day at Animal Kingdom and then hop to Magic Kingdom for an enchanting evening. As a fellow Walt Disney World
Annual Passholder, I also needed clarification on the limited time change in
theme park reservation requirements for Magic Kingdom, and I'm more than happy to share the news.
I think you will be happy to hear that no changes have been made to the
park hopping privileges or rules for Passholders at this time. If you have a theme park reservation at Animal Kingdom, you can absolutely start your day at Animal Kingdom and then hop over to Magic Kingdom using your Annual Pass. As always, you just have to make sure you tap into the park where you have a reservation before park hopping.
Before the debut of the new
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade, Passholders were able to visit Magic Kingdom on weekdays after 2:00 p.m. without a theme park reservation. However, that has changed at this time. For a limited time, due to high demand for the parade, Passholders must have a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom to
start their day in Magic Kingdom, even if it is after 2:00 p.m. If you have a theme park reservation for another park and plan to hop to Magic Kingdom, this change won't affect you at all!
Libby, if I have your arrival date correct, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away is scheduled to run at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. that night. I am hearing that this nighttime parade is incredible and not to be missed. I recommend keeping an eye on the
Hours & Events Calendar to make sure that there have been no changes and finding a great spot along the route early. Enjoy!
I hope this was helpful, Libby, and I hope you have the most magical time! Please feel free to stop by any time with any questions you have.
You've got a friend in me,
Mandy