Royal Greetings Kathy!
I'm so glad you brought your question to planDisney. I'm a huge
Tangled fan and just love this beautiful nighttime Fantasyland photo op. As you may know, this fan-favorite experience was temporarily unavailable as the parks began resuming normal operations post-COVID. I believe this was done to ensure guest safety, although I do wonder if maybe it was just Mother Gothel selfishly keeping all the light for her own use.
I had a dream of taking an updated lantern photo with my family when we visited in 2021, but alas, it was hidden out of sight. Even without having magic hair that glows when I sing, Magic Kingdom Park did indeed "make the clock reverse and bring back what once was mine." I'm happy to share that the fog has lifted and the lost princess' lantern has once again returned! This experience is subject to availability and often weather-dependent but you can expect Cast Members to begin setting up once the sun goes down.
A group of my fellow panelists posed for this iconic
Disney PhotoPass offering last fall and the pictures are some of my most cherished memories of that trip. All at once everything looked different and Fantasyland truly felt warm and real and bright, as we stood together in that special moment. I visited again a few weekends ago and once again spotted the gleaming and glowing lantern perched safely in guests' hands as they posed for photos near the Tangled restrooms.
You can check availability on the day of your visit by selecting "PhotoPass" from the drop-down menu in your
My Disney Experience Mobile App. You'll find this by navigating to the map icon (second from left) at the bottom of your screen. I did a quick search and Rapunzel's Lantern appears on tonight's schedule from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You may find different available hours during your visit this spring but you can always check with a nearby Cast Member if you need clarification. I've seen a decent line form on past visits but Cast Members are usually pretty good about keeping the queue moving. Unless you are really pressed for time, I'd recommend waiting since the photo is truly unique and beautiful.
I hope this helped! No more wondering and wondering (and wondering and wondering) when your lantern PhotoPass opportunity will begin. Before you know it, you'll be running and racing and dancing and chasing your way through
Magic Kingdom Park thinking to yourself, "Best day ever!" If you really want to have a terrifically
Tangled day, be sure to stop by
Princess Fairytale Hall to see if Rapunzel is greeting guests. I had the chance to chat with her and Princess Tiana together last year and it was such a great interaction.
Kathy, please come back and see us again with more planning questions. We're always here to help.
Now go, live your dream,
Amy