
Walt Disney World Resort guests should brace themselves for some operational changes at Magic Kingdom Park this month.
While some Disney fans might be reconsidering a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth this year—especially with the number of large-scale refurbishments and indefinite closures taking place (or maybe even choosing to visit Universal Epic Universe instead)—many will still be making their way to Orlando, Central Florida, to experience all that Disney has to offer.
Disney World isn’t just about the major e-ticket attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests flock to the resort for its impressive lineup of entertainment, from stage shows like Festival of the Lion King to nighttime spectaculars such as Happily Ever After.
The Disney parks maintain a fairly consistent entertainment lineup year-round, but offerings can change based on seasonal trends, crowd levels, and special events. And now, Magic Kingdom is set to see a shift in its entertainment schedule, with some big changes coming very soon.
The first major update? The Festival of Fantasy parade will soon increase its daily showings. Beginning Sunday, February 9, guests will no longer be limited to just one 3 p.m. parade; instead, they can catch the show twice daily at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. However, to accommodate this change, Disney will be reducing the Disney Adventures Cavalcade from two showings a day (10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.) to just one at 5:10 p.m.
Additionally, Happily Ever After, Magic Kingdom’s iconic fireworks show, will be pushed back due to Daylight Saving Time. On March 9, the start time moves from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and later, on March 30, it shifts again to 9 p.m.
But that’s not all—there’s even bigger magic on the horizon. In summer 2025, Magic Kingdom will introduce an all-new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight. Announced at D23 Expo 2024, this brand-new spectacular will carry on the legacy of the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade, blending cutting-edge technology with classic Disney magic.
As Disney Parks Blog describes it:
“Disney Starlight will continue the nighttime spectacular legacy started by the Main Street Electrical Parade using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love. All of this is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, in addition to beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more.”
With all these updates coming soon, what do you think about the changes at Magic Kingdom? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!