Disney Starlight Evening Parade is drawing colossal crowds to Magic Kingdom within the evenings, with Principal Avenue packed ~2 hours early for prime areas. Our information covers finest & worst views, so you’ll be able to spend much less time ready, see the parade and Fortunately Ever After fireworks, make a fast exit, or {photograph} it from the #1 location. These field-tested ideas & tips allow you to present up half-hour or much less and nonetheless rating a spectacular last-minute spot for Starlight.
That is Walt Disney World’s first night time parade in roughly a decade, and first new night time parade since I used to be a child. And I’m not younger. Consequently, the parade route is full of individuals. We can not overstate simply busy Principal Avenue in Magic Kingdom is within the evenings for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away and the Fortunately Ever After fireworks.
Let’s begin with a warning: this isn’t going to vary anytime quickly. When you’re pondering you’ll be able to “wait out” the crowds and go to in October or December 2025, and even someday in Winter 2026, you might be mistaken. As a vacationer vacation spot, Walt Disney World has a gradual stream of first-timers and rare guests. Needless to say one third of holiday makers to Walt Disney World nonetheless haven’t seen Pandora: The World of Avatar and it’s been open for almost a decade.
Suffice to say, Starlight goes to have that “new parade odor” for a very long time. This shouldn’t actually come as a shock to followers, as even the mediocre Disney Enchantment was nonetheless drawing huge crowds in direction of the tip of its run as Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary wound down. Starlight is significantly better than that. For the very best view, company are at the moment tenting out roughly two hours prematurely to see Starlight’s earlier showtime.
One factor we do anticipate to see change to some extent is how early company stake out spots. Proper now, locals and hardcore followers are arriving very early–sooner than crucial. Against this, consciousness of Starlight amongst common company nonetheless isn’t excessive and many individuals nonetheless don’t even know there’s a nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom (which may sound asinine given the PR push, however in the event you’re studying this, you’re not the typical visitor).
That is an odd dynamic and it’s exhausting to say the way it’ll play out. Diehards will cease exhibiting up as early, whereas common company will arrive earlier. Not a full ~2 hours, as a result of their trip time is effective, but additionally not final minute. We noticed this again when Principal Avenue Electrical Parade returned to Magic Kingdom, in addition to with the debuts of Fortunately Ever After and Disney Enchantment, in addition to the return of the previous.
This isn’t meant to scare you out of watching Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. The night time parade is totally price it, and as we talked about above, you don’t want to point out up 2+ hours prematurely to pre-claim after which camp out. Nice spots may be simpler to get if you recognize what you’re doing, which is the entire level of this information.
In actual fact, I’ve already seen Starlight over a dozen occasions from greater than 10 completely different viewing areas. This information has been devised primarily based on my firsthand experiences with seeing Starlight in-person at Magic Kingdom on some very busy nights early in its run (even in excessive crowds, motivated company can catch Starlight as much as 4 occasions per night time). These experiences had been likewise knowledgeable by watching Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic lots of of occasions again within the day. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know…
Showtimes for Disney Starlight Evening Parade
Earlier than we dig into viewing ideas, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Disney Starlight is offered twice nightly, and at the moment rolls down the parade route beginning at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Right here’s the total Magic Kingdom nighttime schedule:
- Starlight Parade: 9 pm
- Fortunately Ever After: 10 pm
- Starlight Parade: 11 pm
- Park Closing: 11 pm
These occasions do shift all year long primarily based on sundown and park ops, so you should definitely verify the each day leisure schedule in the event you’re visiting lengthy after that is revealed.
The remainder of the ideas ought to stay kind of correct–timing is the massive one which’s topic to vary, and can most likely change as quickly as August or September 2025, and once more in November 2025.
Reverse Parade Route for Starlight
Starlight begins on Principal Avenue U.S.A. and travels alongside the parade route in direction of Frontierland to permit for higher visitor circulation on the finish of the night time. That is in step with what Magic Kingdom beforehand did for Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic, and in contrast to most different parades.
Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away travels within the “reverse” path, up Principal Avenue in direction of Frontierland for each performances. The rationale for this reverse route is fairly easy: it permits for the parade to move company nearer to the exit, after which these company to exit the park in a orderly trend.
There’s a regular stream of company in a position to depart their spots as Starlight passes, which means crowd circulation regulates itself naturally. That is significantly better than the choice, which is how the primary Paint the Evening performs out at Disneyland, with a visitor cavalcade trailing the parade that’s so full of people who it appears a bit unsafe!
Starlight + Fortunately Ever After
The above hour gaps between nighttime leisure plus journey time of Starlight means it’s roughly 10:30 p.m. as soon as the parade clears the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress. Because of this, many company strategically choose Starlight spots that may even be good for Fortunately Ever After.
That is logical, and it leads to the Hub/Central Plaza being far and away the busiest viewing space for Starlight. That’s since you aren’t tenting out 90 minutes to 2.5 hours for simply Starlight, however a mixed 2-3 hours for each. Whereas that is definitely one choice, it’s not essentially what we advocate.
As an alternative, we’d advise staking out a lower-demand spot in direction of the entrance of the park and following Starlight up alongside the route. You’ll not be swimming upstream on this case as long as you’re pretty near the again of the parade. That is the best way the gang instantly behind Starlight will circulation.
The exodus within the different path happens with a little bit of a lag, so you’ll be able to “draft” on the parade deeper into the park and safe a main spot for Fortunately Ever After with relative ease. (See Greatest & Worst Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots.)
You may think about taking this a step additional, securing a spot in City Sq. close to Principal Avenue Theater and instantly heading up the parade bypass hall as soon as Starlight passes. You may then arrive deeper onto Principal Avenue close to the Plaza earlier than the parade even passes, and pretty simply work your method into the Central Plaza.
Sooner or later, this bypass does convert to one-way site visitors out of the park, however that shouldn’t be the case at this level. An identical strategy works on the opposite facet of City Sq. and going by means of the Emporium (now you recognize why that hall was widened).
What I can not overemphasize with any of those approaches is that it’s essential to be prepared to maneuver as quickly because the parade passes. Don’t spend 5-10 minutes gathering your group. That can end in combating the gang as you may be swimming upstream.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a good higher strategy…
Earlier vs. Later Starlight
The primary efficiency of Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is all the time busier than the second efficiency. It’s not even a remotely shut name. This could make sense, as Magic Kingdom’s core demographic is households with babies, and staying till after 11 p.m. is a giant ask for a lot of of them. Even many company with out children don’t notice that the second parade is considerably much less crowded.
When you solely take away one factor from this viewing information, it’s that you need to watch the second Starlight Evening Parade as an alternative of the primary if in any respect attainable. That’s the #1 tip, as that’s the single best and best choice for spending much less time tenting out. Not solely are the crowds simply twice as massive for the primary parade (though that would change over time), however additionally they arrive twice as early.
So as an alternative of watching Starlight after which Fortunately Ever After, flip the script and watch Fortunately Ever After after which Starlight. (The most important draw back of this strategy just isn’t doing an end-of-night experience, a minimum of with the present 9-10-11 schedule, except you’re actually aggressive!)
The parade route hits capability for the primary parade and company are a number of rows deep, whereas that doesn’t occur for the second Starlight. Even already, there have been occasions the place you would rating a entrance row spot for Starlight because the parade is stepping off, particularly in Liberty Sq. and Frontierland.
Whereas many company arrive 90 to 120 minutes earlier than the primary efficiency, that isn’t even attainable for the second. There isn’t that a lot time on the clock as soon as Fortunately Ever After ends. Which means that the ‘mud settles’ on the parade route round 10:30 pm, which is concerning the earliest individuals will begin tenting out for the second exhibiting.
One factor to notice right here is that the imbalance between the primary and second parade will change over time. It will happen as showtimes transfer ahead because of earlier sundown occasions in winter. It additionally occur as phrase will get out concerning the second efficiency being much less crowded–in some unspecified time in the future, Walt Disney World will virtually definitely begin making parkwide bulletins with this information at round ~8 p.m. Lastly, the dynamic will change throughout Get together Season, as demand spikes and the parade route hits capability for the primary efficiency.
What Time(s) to Stake Out Starlight Spots
The parade route actually begins filling in about 90 minutes prematurely of the primary efficiency, and that is at the moment the ‘candy spot’ if you’d like a spot on Principal Avenue. It will change over time as crowd ranges lower and improve, particularly as soon as Magic Kingdom is open late fewer nights per week throughout Get together Season.
The primary space to refill is the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress (nearer to 120 minutes), adopted by up and down Principal Avenue USA (90 minutes), after which City Sq. (a minimum of an hour). Frontierland and Liberty Sq. are slowest to refill, with spots accessible for the primary parade 45 minutes earlier than Starlight steps off.
Simply remember that it takes longer for the parade to get to Tiana’s Bayou Journey than it does Principal Avenue Theater, so 60 minutes in City Sq. vs. 45 minutes in entrance of Pecos Invoice finally ends up being about the identical. And people earlier viewpoints additionally permit extra time to place for Fortunately Ever After or, alternatively, beating the post-parade crowd out of the park or to points of interest with shorter waits.
For the second parade, you’ll be able to arrive a lot later. The preferred spot will refill instantly after Fortunately Ever After and Principal Avenue will develop into busy ~half-hour prematurely, however City Sq. typically has a scattering of entrance row spots after that, typically up till quarter-hour earlier than the second parade steps off. Over in Frontierland and Liberty Sq., you may discover a prime spot shortly earlier than the parade arrives.
In actual fact, I’ve been capable of finding a spectacular location ~10 minutes earlier than the parade arrived. This isn’t irregular, particularly in the event you’re keen to face. You may stroll as much as an excellent view pretty final minute on many nights for the second performances, whereas you’ll be a number of rows deep and have your view obstructed in the event you strive that with the primary efficiency.
It isn’t troublesome in any respect to have an honest view even in the event you arrive proper because the parade does. It most likely gained’t be entrance row in the event you’re on Principal Avenue, however it may be in Liberty Sq. or Frontierland. I’ve scored nice spots arriving after 11:15 p.m. on the finish of the parade route.
Greatest & Worst Images Spots for Starlight
My all-time #1 spot for just about any parade is correct behind the flagpole with a view up Principal Avenue (aka Christmas Tree Level). That is hardly a secret, and is the popular vantage of 9 out of 10 photographers. And there are quite a lot of Disney fan photogs on the market. That is nonetheless one of many first stops to refill, although Christmas Tree Level is an objectively terrible spot for Starlight because of the reverse parade route.
The underlying thought is similar for Starlight, it’s only a completely different spot because of the reverse route. My ‘secret’ hack for securing parade spots has lengthy been to camp out off to the facet the place a rope will go up in some unspecified time in the future to create a viewing space on the road. This occurs in each City Sq. (in entrance of the Emporium) and the Central Plaza (Crystal Palace facet) as a result of Starlight loops round each, creating viewing areas in what would in any other case be road.
This hack usually works nicely at tourist-centric Walt Disney World, however locals and photographers are nicely conscious of this trick. Consequently, the road part fills up early, too. Under is how this appears within the Central Plaza:
Except you’re a photographer, we don’t advocate this spot within the Central Plaza. Sure, it affords an image good view with Cinderella Fortress within the background. However it comes with severe downsides.
The primary is that its the quickest to refill for the primary parade, as house is extraordinarily restricted on this space. This implies arriving a minimum of 2 hours prematurely, after which doing this awkward tune and dance. If the rope isn’t up but (it gained’t be), you’re simply standing on the street like a dummy, impeding crowd circulation. This annoys different company.
That’s assuming Solid Members assist you to stand there 2 hours prematurely. In the event that they don’t (and so they most likely gained’t), you might be then doing a distinct (however equally awkward) tune and dance with different company who’re additionally “competing” for this spot. We’ve already seen tensions flare right here and company trade heated phrases, which then turns into doubly awkward as they’re presumably camped out subsequent to 1 one other for a pair hours. Not precisely the perfect vibe for having fun with a parade!
It’s no higher after the fireworks. Whereas the spot is objectively simpler and fewer time-consuming to safe, the larger downside is the Magic Kingdom mass exodus. There’s a regular stream of company attempting to exit the Central Plaza…and this wall of company attempting to fortify their positions, riot police model.
We’ve additionally seen tensions flare between common company attempting to exit and this line of photographers, however I assume the upside is that the road is unified and never adversarial with each other, and the upset company are nonetheless exiting the world. Both method, don’t trouble with this except you’re a severe photographer.
I might argue that it isn’t even crucial for many photographers (save for these wanting most or all of Cinderella Fortress). I actually like this spot when utilizing a large angle lens, however wouldn’t trouble if utilizing something above 35mm. There are simpler alternate options.
Greatest & Worst Viewing Spots for Starlight
Whereas the Cinderella Fortress view within the Central Plaza is the only best spot for seeing Starlight, the whole thing of Principal Avenue is a detailed second. The excellent news is that there’s rather more house up and down Principal Avenue, so there’s each extra capability and decrease demand.
The unhealthy information is that it’s nonetheless extremely popular. And actually, the hall of Principal Avenue is a bit overrated for viewing Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. It’s the primary part to refill and even in the event you put within the exhausting ‘work’ for a entrance row spot, you nonetheless might need your view obstructed.
It is because the parade just isn’t coming straight in direction of you on Principal Avenue. The parade is just approaching you in the event you flip sideways, by which case you’re trying previous different company who’re in step with you. This creates a doubtlessly awkward dynamic the place company reaching out with their telephones or cameras, and even simply leaning out, can partially block your view.
Because of this, in the event you should watch from the Principal Avenue curb, we advocate placing a trash can between you and the Prepare Station. It’s an imperfect answer, however offers you a little bit of a buffer. Clearly, this additionally means sitting/standing subsequent to a trash can, which may be annoying in the event you’re there for an hour-plus and individuals are continuously throwing away their trash. Except your title is Oscar.
In relation to Principal Avenue viewing, my favourite spots are both behind Companions (mainly Starlight’s model of Christmas Tree Level, besides with the Prepare Station as a background as an alternative of Cinderella Fortress) or close to Casey’s Nook (behind a trash can).
Each have the benefit of lengthy approaches and the parade then curving previous the route. Behind Companions is unquestionably higher from this attitude, however it’s additionally in larger demand for the primary parade on account of Fortunately Ever After viewing.
I might solely advocate these areas for the second parade; they refill too quick for the primary. Since Starlight debuted, I’ve been in a position to rating each of those spots lower than half-hour earlier than showtime. I’ve tried earlier than the primary parade, and each had been whole nonstarters even 2 hours prematurely.
My #1 viewing suggestion for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is across the bends in City Sq..
I might strongly advocate being on the outer perimeter of City Sq. versus the inside circle. You additionally need to be at one of many curved sections, versus the straightaway immediately below the Prepare Station. That is necessary as a result of the parade curls round City Sq., so most spots alongside the outer perimeter will provide you with an extended view of the parade. You see it approaching and crossing immediately in entrance of you. Higher for having fun with and for images.
Along with seeing the floats as they not far away and are available in direction of you, offering facet and entrance angles of the floats from a distance, additionally, you will see one other ‘layer’ of floats on the opposite facet of City Sq.. This provides larger depth to the parade and makes it extra gratifying.
When you watch Starlight from the Principal Avenue Theater facet, this additionally makes for a fast exit to beat the mass exodus, in the event you so need. Or, as talked about above, you’ll be able to take the bypass within the different path and end up deeper in Magic Kingdom earlier than issues get chaotic.
Though technically a part of Principal Avenue versus City Sq., this suggestion consists of the ultimate ‘bend’ that’s immediately in entrance of the Emporium. This spot may be busier for the primary parade, however it ought to be simple to seize a Fortunately Ever After fireworks in the course of Principal Avenue again by the Emporium after which shifting to the curb for the parade.
This makes for a decrease stakes 1-2 punch of the fireworks adopted by the parade, versus the opposite method round. Maybe most significantly, this makes for a fast and straightforward exit after the parade passes at park closing. You must be capable to beat the frenzy and be on a bus, boat, or monorail by round 11:30 p.m., which is troublesome from spots additional down Principal Avenue or in Frontierland and Liberty Sq..
All through the parade route, I favor areas the place the curvature of the parade route is such that the floats are heading directing in direction of you and move in entrance of you. For probably the most half, this identical thought really applies within the Central Plaza–I simply wouldn’t advocate it for the primary parade because it fills up so quick.
One other great place like that is in Liberty Sq. in entrance of the previous Riverboat Touchdown, or on the alternative facet throughout from Corridor of Presidents. Many of the spots on this space are fairly good–you simply don’t have an ideal backdrop.
There are additionally just a few sections of this route that solely permit a pair rows of viewing. It’s an identical story in areas of Frontierland; there are additionally spots there that permit for elevated viewing. Simply make sure the place you’re standing is definitely parade viewing and never a crowd circulation hall (search for tape on the bottom).
You’ll most likely discover quite a lot of recommendation elsewhere that Liberty Sq. and Frontierland are the very best Starlight spots as a result of they’re the least crowded. That is technically true, however once more, you’re ready longer for the parade to reach.
Which means that you can’t beat the mass exodus. You additionally can not safe a great spot for Fortunately Ever After. Lastly, you can’t beat the gang deeper into Magic Kingdom to experience Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, TRON Lightcycle Run, or different headliners (besides Tiana’s Bayou Journey, however that isn’t high-demand at night time within the first place).
These are all issues to present important weight to in the event you’re watching the primary Starlight efficiency. It’s not simply how lengthy you wait earlier than the parade steps off, it’s whole time dedication and the way your parade spot units you up for what comes subsequent. When you’re watching the second Starlight, there’s actually no level settling for a subpar spot given the convenience of securing higher spots.
A method that Frontierland or Liberty Sq. could make sense for the second parade is in the event you race to a experience instantly after Fortunately Ever After after which seize a final minute spot for Starlight.
You may be capable to knock out Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, at which level it’s too late to return to Principal Avenue. Scoring a spot in Liberty Sq. is less complicated at that time, each when it comes to navigating the parade route and being purchased a bit of additional time till the floats arrive.
I’m additionally a giant fan of a pair particular spots in Frontierland and Liberty Sq.. The primary is immediately reverse Sleepy Hole, proper on the opposite facet of the bridge. This can provide you a clear shot of the parade coming throughout the bridge with Cinderella Fortress within the background (see above).
The opposite is anyplace in Frontierland that’s elevated. There are a number of such spots, together with in entrance of Nation Bear Jamboree. As an added bonus, these views behind the primary row of individuals present sufficient clearance which you could watch the parade strategy from a distance, and take pictures which have Cinderella Fortress within the background (see beneath).
Lastly, a few suggestions. The primary is that you simply don’t have to sweat Starlight an excessive amount of. If all of this sounds overwhelming, or in the event you’re not a parade particular person however nonetheless need to test it out, you will get a “unhealthy” again row spot with ease on the final minute and never miss a lot.
As coated in our Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Assessment, this parade has a horrible floor recreation. This partly appears purposeful, as many of the floats are massive and elevated, permitting for an ideal view even from a distance. So even ~5 rows deep, you’re seeing 95% of what issues simply positive.
My final piece of recommendation could be grabbing one thing to eat whereas ready for Starlight. Everybody goes to advise sending a runner to Casey’s Nook or Sleepy Hole for warm canines or waffles. And that’s sage knowledge–I’d advocate likewise. However this weblog is all about deeper cuts, and zigging after they zag. So my recommendation is doing that, but additionally sending a runner over to Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland for Salted Caramel Smooth Serve. This ice cream hits the spot, and the brief line plus the strolling will nonetheless take much less time than Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Principal Avenue.
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Your Ideas?
Have you ever tried watching Starlight Evening Parade at Magic Kingdom? Do you’ve gotten favourite and least favourite viewing spots? Like or dislike those we’ve advisable? First versus second exhibiting Starlight? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation on crowds and the trouble of securing spots for the primary parade? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
Disney Starlight Evening Parade is drawing colossal crowds to Magic Kingdom within the evenings, with Principal Avenue packed ~2 hours early for prime areas. Our information covers finest & worst views, so you’ll be able to spend much less time ready, see the parade and Fortunately Ever After fireworks, make a fast exit, or {photograph} it from the #1 location. These field-tested ideas & tips allow you to present up half-hour or much less and nonetheless rating a spectacular last-minute spot for Starlight.
That is Walt Disney World’s first night time parade in roughly a decade, and first new night time parade since I used to be a child. And I’m not younger. Consequently, the parade route is full of individuals. We can not overstate simply busy Principal Avenue in Magic Kingdom is within the evenings for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away and the Fortunately Ever After fireworks.
Let’s begin with a warning: this isn’t going to vary anytime quickly. When you’re pondering you’ll be able to “wait out” the crowds and go to in October or December 2025, and even someday in Winter 2026, you might be mistaken. As a vacationer vacation spot, Walt Disney World has a gradual stream of first-timers and rare guests. Needless to say one third of holiday makers to Walt Disney World nonetheless haven’t seen Pandora: The World of Avatar and it’s been open for almost a decade.
Suffice to say, Starlight goes to have that “new parade odor” for a very long time. This shouldn’t actually come as a shock to followers, as even the mediocre Disney Enchantment was nonetheless drawing huge crowds in direction of the tip of its run as Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary wound down. Starlight is significantly better than that. For the very best view, company are at the moment tenting out roughly two hours prematurely to see Starlight’s earlier showtime.
One factor we do anticipate to see change to some extent is how early company stake out spots. Proper now, locals and hardcore followers are arriving very early–sooner than crucial. Against this, consciousness of Starlight amongst common company nonetheless isn’t excessive and many individuals nonetheless don’t even know there’s a nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom (which may sound asinine given the PR push, however in the event you’re studying this, you’re not the typical visitor).
That is an odd dynamic and it’s exhausting to say the way it’ll play out. Diehards will cease exhibiting up as early, whereas common company will arrive earlier. Not a full ~2 hours, as a result of their trip time is effective, but additionally not final minute. We noticed this again when Principal Avenue Electrical Parade returned to Magic Kingdom, in addition to with the debuts of Fortunately Ever After and Disney Enchantment, in addition to the return of the previous.
This isn’t meant to scare you out of watching Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. The night time parade is totally price it, and as we talked about above, you don’t want to point out up 2+ hours prematurely to pre-claim after which camp out. Nice spots may be simpler to get if you recognize what you’re doing, which is the entire level of this information.
In actual fact, I’ve already seen Starlight over a dozen occasions from greater than 10 completely different viewing areas. This information has been devised primarily based on my firsthand experiences with seeing Starlight in-person at Magic Kingdom on some very busy nights early in its run (even in excessive crowds, motivated company can catch Starlight as much as 4 occasions per night time). These experiences had been likewise knowledgeable by watching Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic lots of of occasions again within the day. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know…
Showtimes for Disney Starlight Evening Parade
Earlier than we dig into viewing ideas, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Disney Starlight is offered twice nightly, and at the moment rolls down the parade route beginning at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Right here’s the total Magic Kingdom nighttime schedule:
- Starlight Parade: 9 pm
- Fortunately Ever After: 10 pm
- Starlight Parade: 11 pm
- Park Closing: 11 pm
These occasions do shift all year long primarily based on sundown and park ops, so you should definitely verify the each day leisure schedule in the event you’re visiting lengthy after that is revealed.
The remainder of the ideas ought to stay kind of correct–timing is the massive one which’s topic to vary, and can most likely change as quickly as August or September 2025, and once more in November 2025.
Reverse Parade Route for Starlight
Starlight begins on Principal Avenue U.S.A. and travels alongside the parade route in direction of Frontierland to permit for higher visitor circulation on the finish of the night time. That is in step with what Magic Kingdom beforehand did for Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic, and in contrast to most different parades.
Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away travels within the “reverse” path, up Principal Avenue in direction of Frontierland for each performances. The rationale for this reverse route is fairly easy: it permits for the parade to move company nearer to the exit, after which these company to exit the park in a orderly trend.
There’s a regular stream of company in a position to depart their spots as Starlight passes, which means crowd circulation regulates itself naturally. That is significantly better than the choice, which is how the primary Paint the Evening performs out at Disneyland, with a visitor cavalcade trailing the parade that’s so full of people who it appears a bit unsafe!
Starlight + Fortunately Ever After
The above hour gaps between nighttime leisure plus journey time of Starlight means it’s roughly 10:30 p.m. as soon as the parade clears the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress. Because of this, many company strategically choose Starlight spots that may even be good for Fortunately Ever After.
That is logical, and it leads to the Hub/Central Plaza being far and away the busiest viewing space for Starlight. That’s since you aren’t tenting out 90 minutes to 2.5 hours for simply Starlight, however a mixed 2-3 hours for each. Whereas that is definitely one choice, it’s not essentially what we advocate.
As an alternative, we’d advise staking out a lower-demand spot in direction of the entrance of the park and following Starlight up alongside the route. You’ll not be swimming upstream on this case as long as you’re pretty near the again of the parade. That is the best way the gang instantly behind Starlight will circulation.
The exodus within the different path happens with a little bit of a lag, so you’ll be able to “draft” on the parade deeper into the park and safe a main spot for Fortunately Ever After with relative ease. (See Greatest & Worst Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots.)
You may think about taking this a step additional, securing a spot in City Sq. close to Principal Avenue Theater and instantly heading up the parade bypass hall as soon as Starlight passes. You may then arrive deeper onto Principal Avenue close to the Plaza earlier than the parade even passes, and pretty simply work your method into the Central Plaza.
Sooner or later, this bypass does convert to one-way site visitors out of the park, however that shouldn’t be the case at this level. An identical strategy works on the opposite facet of City Sq. and going by means of the Emporium (now you recognize why that hall was widened).
What I can not overemphasize with any of those approaches is that it’s essential to be prepared to maneuver as quickly because the parade passes. Don’t spend 5-10 minutes gathering your group. That can end in combating the gang as you may be swimming upstream.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a good higher strategy…
Earlier vs. Later Starlight
The primary efficiency of Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is all the time busier than the second efficiency. It’s not even a remotely shut name. This could make sense, as Magic Kingdom’s core demographic is households with babies, and staying till after 11 p.m. is a giant ask for a lot of of them. Even many company with out children don’t notice that the second parade is considerably much less crowded.
When you solely take away one factor from this viewing information, it’s that you need to watch the second Starlight Evening Parade as an alternative of the primary if in any respect attainable. That’s the #1 tip, as that’s the single best and best choice for spending much less time tenting out. Not solely are the crowds simply twice as massive for the primary parade (though that would change over time), however additionally they arrive twice as early.
So as an alternative of watching Starlight after which Fortunately Ever After, flip the script and watch Fortunately Ever After after which Starlight. (The most important draw back of this strategy just isn’t doing an end-of-night experience, a minimum of with the present 9-10-11 schedule, except you’re actually aggressive!)
The parade route hits capability for the primary parade and company are a number of rows deep, whereas that doesn’t occur for the second Starlight. Even already, there have been occasions the place you would rating a entrance row spot for Starlight because the parade is stepping off, particularly in Liberty Sq. and Frontierland.
Whereas many company arrive 90 to 120 minutes earlier than the primary efficiency, that isn’t even attainable for the second. There isn’t that a lot time on the clock as soon as Fortunately Ever After ends. Which means that the ‘mud settles’ on the parade route round 10:30 pm, which is concerning the earliest individuals will begin tenting out for the second exhibiting.
One factor to notice right here is that the imbalance between the primary and second parade will change over time. It will happen as showtimes transfer ahead because of earlier sundown occasions in winter. It additionally occur as phrase will get out concerning the second efficiency being much less crowded–in some unspecified time in the future, Walt Disney World will virtually definitely begin making parkwide bulletins with this information at round ~8 p.m. Lastly, the dynamic will change throughout Get together Season, as demand spikes and the parade route hits capability for the primary efficiency.
What Time(s) to Stake Out Starlight Spots
The parade route actually begins filling in about 90 minutes prematurely of the primary efficiency, and that is at the moment the ‘candy spot’ if you’d like a spot on Principal Avenue. It will change over time as crowd ranges lower and improve, particularly as soon as Magic Kingdom is open late fewer nights per week throughout Get together Season.
The primary space to refill is the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress (nearer to 120 minutes), adopted by up and down Principal Avenue USA (90 minutes), after which City Sq. (a minimum of an hour). Frontierland and Liberty Sq. are slowest to refill, with spots accessible for the primary parade 45 minutes earlier than Starlight steps off.
Simply remember that it takes longer for the parade to get to Tiana’s Bayou Journey than it does Principal Avenue Theater, so 60 minutes in City Sq. vs. 45 minutes in entrance of Pecos Invoice finally ends up being about the identical. And people earlier viewpoints additionally permit extra time to place for Fortunately Ever After or, alternatively, beating the post-parade crowd out of the park or to points of interest with shorter waits.
For the second parade, you’ll be able to arrive a lot later. The preferred spot will refill instantly after Fortunately Ever After and Principal Avenue will develop into busy ~half-hour prematurely, however City Sq. typically has a scattering of entrance row spots after that, typically up till quarter-hour earlier than the second parade steps off. Over in Frontierland and Liberty Sq., you may discover a prime spot shortly earlier than the parade arrives.
In actual fact, I’ve been capable of finding a spectacular location ~10 minutes earlier than the parade arrived. This isn’t irregular, particularly in the event you’re keen to face. You may stroll as much as an excellent view pretty final minute on many nights for the second performances, whereas you’ll be a number of rows deep and have your view obstructed in the event you strive that with the primary efficiency.
It isn’t troublesome in any respect to have an honest view even in the event you arrive proper because the parade does. It most likely gained’t be entrance row in the event you’re on Principal Avenue, however it may be in Liberty Sq. or Frontierland. I’ve scored nice spots arriving after 11:15 p.m. on the finish of the parade route.
Greatest & Worst Images Spots for Starlight
My all-time #1 spot for just about any parade is correct behind the flagpole with a view up Principal Avenue (aka Christmas Tree Level). That is hardly a secret, and is the popular vantage of 9 out of 10 photographers. And there are quite a lot of Disney fan photogs on the market. That is nonetheless one of many first stops to refill, although Christmas Tree Level is an objectively terrible spot for Starlight because of the reverse parade route.
The underlying thought is similar for Starlight, it’s only a completely different spot because of the reverse route. My ‘secret’ hack for securing parade spots has lengthy been to camp out off to the facet the place a rope will go up in some unspecified time in the future to create a viewing space on the road. This occurs in each City Sq. (in entrance of the Emporium) and the Central Plaza (Crystal Palace facet) as a result of Starlight loops round each, creating viewing areas in what would in any other case be road.
This hack usually works nicely at tourist-centric Walt Disney World, however locals and photographers are nicely conscious of this trick. Consequently, the road part fills up early, too. Under is how this appears within the Central Plaza:
Except you’re a photographer, we don’t advocate this spot within the Central Plaza. Sure, it affords an image good view with Cinderella Fortress within the background. However it comes with severe downsides.
The primary is that its the quickest to refill for the primary parade, as house is extraordinarily restricted on this space. This implies arriving a minimum of 2 hours prematurely, after which doing this awkward tune and dance. If the rope isn’t up but (it gained’t be), you’re simply standing on the street like a dummy, impeding crowd circulation. This annoys different company.
That’s assuming Solid Members assist you to stand there 2 hours prematurely. In the event that they don’t (and so they most likely gained’t), you might be then doing a distinct (however equally awkward) tune and dance with different company who’re additionally “competing” for this spot. We’ve already seen tensions flare right here and company trade heated phrases, which then turns into doubly awkward as they’re presumably camped out subsequent to 1 one other for a pair hours. Not precisely the perfect vibe for having fun with a parade!
It’s no higher after the fireworks. Whereas the spot is objectively simpler and fewer time-consuming to safe, the larger downside is the Magic Kingdom mass exodus. There’s a regular stream of company attempting to exit the Central Plaza…and this wall of company attempting to fortify their positions, riot police model.
We’ve additionally seen tensions flare between common company attempting to exit and this line of photographers, however I assume the upside is that the road is unified and never adversarial with each other, and the upset company are nonetheless exiting the world. Both method, don’t trouble with this except you’re a severe photographer.
I might argue that it isn’t even crucial for many photographers (save for these wanting most or all of Cinderella Fortress). I actually like this spot when utilizing a large angle lens, however wouldn’t trouble if utilizing something above 35mm. There are simpler alternate options.
Greatest & Worst Viewing Spots for Starlight
Whereas the Cinderella Fortress view within the Central Plaza is the only best spot for seeing Starlight, the whole thing of Principal Avenue is a detailed second. The excellent news is that there’s rather more house up and down Principal Avenue, so there’s each extra capability and decrease demand.
The unhealthy information is that it’s nonetheless extremely popular. And actually, the hall of Principal Avenue is a bit overrated for viewing Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. It’s the primary part to refill and even in the event you put within the exhausting ‘work’ for a entrance row spot, you nonetheless might need your view obstructed.
It is because the parade just isn’t coming straight in direction of you on Principal Avenue. The parade is just approaching you in the event you flip sideways, by which case you’re trying previous different company who’re in step with you. This creates a doubtlessly awkward dynamic the place company reaching out with their telephones or cameras, and even simply leaning out, can partially block your view.
Because of this, in the event you should watch from the Principal Avenue curb, we advocate placing a trash can between you and the Prepare Station. It’s an imperfect answer, however offers you a little bit of a buffer. Clearly, this additionally means sitting/standing subsequent to a trash can, which may be annoying in the event you’re there for an hour-plus and individuals are continuously throwing away their trash. Except your title is Oscar.
In relation to Principal Avenue viewing, my favourite spots are both behind Companions (mainly Starlight’s model of Christmas Tree Level, besides with the Prepare Station as a background as an alternative of Cinderella Fortress) or close to Casey’s Nook (behind a trash can).
Each have the benefit of lengthy approaches and the parade then curving previous the route. Behind Companions is unquestionably higher from this attitude, however it’s additionally in larger demand for the primary parade on account of Fortunately Ever After viewing.
I might solely advocate these areas for the second parade; they refill too quick for the primary. Since Starlight debuted, I’ve been in a position to rating each of those spots lower than half-hour earlier than showtime. I’ve tried earlier than the primary parade, and each had been whole nonstarters even 2 hours prematurely.
My #1 viewing suggestion for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is across the bends in City Sq..
I might strongly advocate being on the outer perimeter of City Sq. versus the inside circle. You additionally need to be at one of many curved sections, versus the straightaway immediately below the Prepare Station. That is necessary as a result of the parade curls round City Sq., so most spots alongside the outer perimeter will provide you with an extended view of the parade. You see it approaching and crossing immediately in entrance of you. Higher for having fun with and for images.
Along with seeing the floats as they not far away and are available in direction of you, offering facet and entrance angles of the floats from a distance, additionally, you will see one other ‘layer’ of floats on the opposite facet of City Sq.. This provides larger depth to the parade and makes it extra gratifying.
When you watch Starlight from the Principal Avenue Theater facet, this additionally makes for a fast exit to beat the mass exodus, in the event you so need. Or, as talked about above, you’ll be able to take the bypass within the different path and end up deeper in Magic Kingdom earlier than issues get chaotic.
Though technically a part of Principal Avenue versus City Sq., this suggestion consists of the ultimate ‘bend’ that’s immediately in entrance of the Emporium. This spot may be busier for the primary parade, however it ought to be simple to seize a Fortunately Ever After fireworks in the course of Principal Avenue again by the Emporium after which shifting to the curb for the parade.
This makes for a decrease stakes 1-2 punch of the fireworks adopted by the parade, versus the opposite method round. Maybe most significantly, this makes for a fast and straightforward exit after the parade passes at park closing. You must be capable to beat the frenzy and be on a bus, boat, or monorail by round 11:30 p.m., which is troublesome from spots additional down Principal Avenue or in Frontierland and Liberty Sq..
All through the parade route, I favor areas the place the curvature of the parade route is such that the floats are heading directing in direction of you and move in entrance of you. For probably the most half, this identical thought really applies within the Central Plaza–I simply wouldn’t advocate it for the primary parade because it fills up so quick.
One other great place like that is in Liberty Sq. in entrance of the previous Riverboat Touchdown, or on the alternative facet throughout from Corridor of Presidents. Many of the spots on this space are fairly good–you simply don’t have an ideal backdrop.
There are additionally just a few sections of this route that solely permit a pair rows of viewing. It’s an identical story in areas of Frontierland; there are additionally spots there that permit for elevated viewing. Simply make sure the place you’re standing is definitely parade viewing and never a crowd circulation hall (search for tape on the bottom).
You’ll most likely discover quite a lot of recommendation elsewhere that Liberty Sq. and Frontierland are the very best Starlight spots as a result of they’re the least crowded. That is technically true, however once more, you’re ready longer for the parade to reach.
Which means that you can’t beat the mass exodus. You additionally can not safe a great spot for Fortunately Ever After. Lastly, you can’t beat the gang deeper into Magic Kingdom to experience Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, TRON Lightcycle Run, or different headliners (besides Tiana’s Bayou Journey, however that isn’t high-demand at night time within the first place).
These are all issues to present important weight to in the event you’re watching the primary Starlight efficiency. It’s not simply how lengthy you wait earlier than the parade steps off, it’s whole time dedication and the way your parade spot units you up for what comes subsequent. When you’re watching the second Starlight, there’s actually no level settling for a subpar spot given the convenience of securing higher spots.
A method that Frontierland or Liberty Sq. could make sense for the second parade is in the event you race to a experience instantly after Fortunately Ever After after which seize a final minute spot for Starlight.
You may be capable to knock out Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, at which level it’s too late to return to Principal Avenue. Scoring a spot in Liberty Sq. is less complicated at that time, each when it comes to navigating the parade route and being purchased a bit of additional time till the floats arrive.
I’m additionally a giant fan of a pair particular spots in Frontierland and Liberty Sq.. The primary is immediately reverse Sleepy Hole, proper on the opposite facet of the bridge. This can provide you a clear shot of the parade coming throughout the bridge with Cinderella Fortress within the background (see above).
The opposite is anyplace in Frontierland that’s elevated. There are a number of such spots, together with in entrance of Nation Bear Jamboree. As an added bonus, these views behind the primary row of individuals present sufficient clearance which you could watch the parade strategy from a distance, and take pictures which have Cinderella Fortress within the background (see beneath).
Lastly, a few suggestions. The primary is that you simply don’t have to sweat Starlight an excessive amount of. If all of this sounds overwhelming, or in the event you’re not a parade particular person however nonetheless need to test it out, you will get a “unhealthy” again row spot with ease on the final minute and never miss a lot.
As coated in our Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Assessment, this parade has a horrible floor recreation. This partly appears purposeful, as many of the floats are massive and elevated, permitting for an ideal view even from a distance. So even ~5 rows deep, you’re seeing 95% of what issues simply positive.
My final piece of recommendation could be grabbing one thing to eat whereas ready for Starlight. Everybody goes to advise sending a runner to Casey’s Nook or Sleepy Hole for warm canines or waffles. And that’s sage knowledge–I’d advocate likewise. However this weblog is all about deeper cuts, and zigging after they zag. So my recommendation is doing that, but additionally sending a runner over to Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland for Salted Caramel Smooth Serve. This ice cream hits the spot, and the brief line plus the strolling will nonetheless take much less time than Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Principal Avenue.
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Your Ideas?
Have you ever tried watching Starlight Evening Parade at Magic Kingdom? Do you’ve gotten favourite and least favourite viewing spots? Like or dislike those we’ve advisable? First versus second exhibiting Starlight? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation on crowds and the trouble of securing spots for the primary parade? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
Disney Starlight Evening Parade is drawing colossal crowds to Magic Kingdom within the evenings, with Principal Avenue packed ~2 hours early for prime areas. Our information covers finest & worst views, so you’ll be able to spend much less time ready, see the parade and Fortunately Ever After fireworks, make a fast exit, or {photograph} it from the #1 location. These field-tested ideas & tips allow you to present up half-hour or much less and nonetheless rating a spectacular last-minute spot for Starlight.
That is Walt Disney World’s first night time parade in roughly a decade, and first new night time parade since I used to be a child. And I’m not younger. Consequently, the parade route is full of individuals. We can not overstate simply busy Principal Avenue in Magic Kingdom is within the evenings for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away and the Fortunately Ever After fireworks.
Let’s begin with a warning: this isn’t going to vary anytime quickly. When you’re pondering you’ll be able to “wait out” the crowds and go to in October or December 2025, and even someday in Winter 2026, you might be mistaken. As a vacationer vacation spot, Walt Disney World has a gradual stream of first-timers and rare guests. Needless to say one third of holiday makers to Walt Disney World nonetheless haven’t seen Pandora: The World of Avatar and it’s been open for almost a decade.
Suffice to say, Starlight goes to have that “new parade odor” for a very long time. This shouldn’t actually come as a shock to followers, as even the mediocre Disney Enchantment was nonetheless drawing huge crowds in direction of the tip of its run as Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary wound down. Starlight is significantly better than that. For the very best view, company are at the moment tenting out roughly two hours prematurely to see Starlight’s earlier showtime.
One factor we do anticipate to see change to some extent is how early company stake out spots. Proper now, locals and hardcore followers are arriving very early–sooner than crucial. Against this, consciousness of Starlight amongst common company nonetheless isn’t excessive and many individuals nonetheless don’t even know there’s a nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom (which may sound asinine given the PR push, however in the event you’re studying this, you’re not the typical visitor).
That is an odd dynamic and it’s exhausting to say the way it’ll play out. Diehards will cease exhibiting up as early, whereas common company will arrive earlier. Not a full ~2 hours, as a result of their trip time is effective, but additionally not final minute. We noticed this again when Principal Avenue Electrical Parade returned to Magic Kingdom, in addition to with the debuts of Fortunately Ever After and Disney Enchantment, in addition to the return of the previous.
This isn’t meant to scare you out of watching Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. The night time parade is totally price it, and as we talked about above, you don’t want to point out up 2+ hours prematurely to pre-claim after which camp out. Nice spots may be simpler to get if you recognize what you’re doing, which is the entire level of this information.
In actual fact, I’ve already seen Starlight over a dozen occasions from greater than 10 completely different viewing areas. This information has been devised primarily based on my firsthand experiences with seeing Starlight in-person at Magic Kingdom on some very busy nights early in its run (even in excessive crowds, motivated company can catch Starlight as much as 4 occasions per night time). These experiences had been likewise knowledgeable by watching Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic lots of of occasions again within the day. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know…
Showtimes for Disney Starlight Evening Parade
Earlier than we dig into viewing ideas, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Disney Starlight is offered twice nightly, and at the moment rolls down the parade route beginning at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Right here’s the total Magic Kingdom nighttime schedule:
- Starlight Parade: 9 pm
- Fortunately Ever After: 10 pm
- Starlight Parade: 11 pm
- Park Closing: 11 pm
These occasions do shift all year long primarily based on sundown and park ops, so you should definitely verify the each day leisure schedule in the event you’re visiting lengthy after that is revealed.
The remainder of the ideas ought to stay kind of correct–timing is the massive one which’s topic to vary, and can most likely change as quickly as August or September 2025, and once more in November 2025.
Reverse Parade Route for Starlight
Starlight begins on Principal Avenue U.S.A. and travels alongside the parade route in direction of Frontierland to permit for higher visitor circulation on the finish of the night time. That is in step with what Magic Kingdom beforehand did for Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic, and in contrast to most different parades.
Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away travels within the “reverse” path, up Principal Avenue in direction of Frontierland for each performances. The rationale for this reverse route is fairly easy: it permits for the parade to move company nearer to the exit, after which these company to exit the park in a orderly trend.
There’s a regular stream of company in a position to depart their spots as Starlight passes, which means crowd circulation regulates itself naturally. That is significantly better than the choice, which is how the primary Paint the Evening performs out at Disneyland, with a visitor cavalcade trailing the parade that’s so full of people who it appears a bit unsafe!
Starlight + Fortunately Ever After
The above hour gaps between nighttime leisure plus journey time of Starlight means it’s roughly 10:30 p.m. as soon as the parade clears the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress. Because of this, many company strategically choose Starlight spots that may even be good for Fortunately Ever After.
That is logical, and it leads to the Hub/Central Plaza being far and away the busiest viewing space for Starlight. That’s since you aren’t tenting out 90 minutes to 2.5 hours for simply Starlight, however a mixed 2-3 hours for each. Whereas that is definitely one choice, it’s not essentially what we advocate.
As an alternative, we’d advise staking out a lower-demand spot in direction of the entrance of the park and following Starlight up alongside the route. You’ll not be swimming upstream on this case as long as you’re pretty near the again of the parade. That is the best way the gang instantly behind Starlight will circulation.
The exodus within the different path happens with a little bit of a lag, so you’ll be able to “draft” on the parade deeper into the park and safe a main spot for Fortunately Ever After with relative ease. (See Greatest & Worst Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots.)
You may think about taking this a step additional, securing a spot in City Sq. close to Principal Avenue Theater and instantly heading up the parade bypass hall as soon as Starlight passes. You may then arrive deeper onto Principal Avenue close to the Plaza earlier than the parade even passes, and pretty simply work your method into the Central Plaza.
Sooner or later, this bypass does convert to one-way site visitors out of the park, however that shouldn’t be the case at this level. An identical strategy works on the opposite facet of City Sq. and going by means of the Emporium (now you recognize why that hall was widened).
What I can not overemphasize with any of those approaches is that it’s essential to be prepared to maneuver as quickly because the parade passes. Don’t spend 5-10 minutes gathering your group. That can end in combating the gang as you may be swimming upstream.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a good higher strategy…
Earlier vs. Later Starlight
The primary efficiency of Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is all the time busier than the second efficiency. It’s not even a remotely shut name. This could make sense, as Magic Kingdom’s core demographic is households with babies, and staying till after 11 p.m. is a giant ask for a lot of of them. Even many company with out children don’t notice that the second parade is considerably much less crowded.
When you solely take away one factor from this viewing information, it’s that you need to watch the second Starlight Evening Parade as an alternative of the primary if in any respect attainable. That’s the #1 tip, as that’s the single best and best choice for spending much less time tenting out. Not solely are the crowds simply twice as massive for the primary parade (though that would change over time), however additionally they arrive twice as early.
So as an alternative of watching Starlight after which Fortunately Ever After, flip the script and watch Fortunately Ever After after which Starlight. (The most important draw back of this strategy just isn’t doing an end-of-night experience, a minimum of with the present 9-10-11 schedule, except you’re actually aggressive!)
The parade route hits capability for the primary parade and company are a number of rows deep, whereas that doesn’t occur for the second Starlight. Even already, there have been occasions the place you would rating a entrance row spot for Starlight because the parade is stepping off, particularly in Liberty Sq. and Frontierland.
Whereas many company arrive 90 to 120 minutes earlier than the primary efficiency, that isn’t even attainable for the second. There isn’t that a lot time on the clock as soon as Fortunately Ever After ends. Which means that the ‘mud settles’ on the parade route round 10:30 pm, which is concerning the earliest individuals will begin tenting out for the second exhibiting.
One factor to notice right here is that the imbalance between the primary and second parade will change over time. It will happen as showtimes transfer ahead because of earlier sundown occasions in winter. It additionally occur as phrase will get out concerning the second efficiency being much less crowded–in some unspecified time in the future, Walt Disney World will virtually definitely begin making parkwide bulletins with this information at round ~8 p.m. Lastly, the dynamic will change throughout Get together Season, as demand spikes and the parade route hits capability for the primary efficiency.
What Time(s) to Stake Out Starlight Spots
The parade route actually begins filling in about 90 minutes prematurely of the primary efficiency, and that is at the moment the ‘candy spot’ if you’d like a spot on Principal Avenue. It will change over time as crowd ranges lower and improve, particularly as soon as Magic Kingdom is open late fewer nights per week throughout Get together Season.
The primary space to refill is the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress (nearer to 120 minutes), adopted by up and down Principal Avenue USA (90 minutes), after which City Sq. (a minimum of an hour). Frontierland and Liberty Sq. are slowest to refill, with spots accessible for the primary parade 45 minutes earlier than Starlight steps off.
Simply remember that it takes longer for the parade to get to Tiana’s Bayou Journey than it does Principal Avenue Theater, so 60 minutes in City Sq. vs. 45 minutes in entrance of Pecos Invoice finally ends up being about the identical. And people earlier viewpoints additionally permit extra time to place for Fortunately Ever After or, alternatively, beating the post-parade crowd out of the park or to points of interest with shorter waits.
For the second parade, you’ll be able to arrive a lot later. The preferred spot will refill instantly after Fortunately Ever After and Principal Avenue will develop into busy ~half-hour prematurely, however City Sq. typically has a scattering of entrance row spots after that, typically up till quarter-hour earlier than the second parade steps off. Over in Frontierland and Liberty Sq., you may discover a prime spot shortly earlier than the parade arrives.
In actual fact, I’ve been capable of finding a spectacular location ~10 minutes earlier than the parade arrived. This isn’t irregular, particularly in the event you’re keen to face. You may stroll as much as an excellent view pretty final minute on many nights for the second performances, whereas you’ll be a number of rows deep and have your view obstructed in the event you strive that with the primary efficiency.
It isn’t troublesome in any respect to have an honest view even in the event you arrive proper because the parade does. It most likely gained’t be entrance row in the event you’re on Principal Avenue, however it may be in Liberty Sq. or Frontierland. I’ve scored nice spots arriving after 11:15 p.m. on the finish of the parade route.
Greatest & Worst Images Spots for Starlight
My all-time #1 spot for just about any parade is correct behind the flagpole with a view up Principal Avenue (aka Christmas Tree Level). That is hardly a secret, and is the popular vantage of 9 out of 10 photographers. And there are quite a lot of Disney fan photogs on the market. That is nonetheless one of many first stops to refill, although Christmas Tree Level is an objectively terrible spot for Starlight because of the reverse parade route.
The underlying thought is similar for Starlight, it’s only a completely different spot because of the reverse route. My ‘secret’ hack for securing parade spots has lengthy been to camp out off to the facet the place a rope will go up in some unspecified time in the future to create a viewing space on the road. This occurs in each City Sq. (in entrance of the Emporium) and the Central Plaza (Crystal Palace facet) as a result of Starlight loops round each, creating viewing areas in what would in any other case be road.
This hack usually works nicely at tourist-centric Walt Disney World, however locals and photographers are nicely conscious of this trick. Consequently, the road part fills up early, too. Under is how this appears within the Central Plaza:
Except you’re a photographer, we don’t advocate this spot within the Central Plaza. Sure, it affords an image good view with Cinderella Fortress within the background. However it comes with severe downsides.
The primary is that its the quickest to refill for the primary parade, as house is extraordinarily restricted on this space. This implies arriving a minimum of 2 hours prematurely, after which doing this awkward tune and dance. If the rope isn’t up but (it gained’t be), you’re simply standing on the street like a dummy, impeding crowd circulation. This annoys different company.
That’s assuming Solid Members assist you to stand there 2 hours prematurely. In the event that they don’t (and so they most likely gained’t), you might be then doing a distinct (however equally awkward) tune and dance with different company who’re additionally “competing” for this spot. We’ve already seen tensions flare right here and company trade heated phrases, which then turns into doubly awkward as they’re presumably camped out subsequent to 1 one other for a pair hours. Not precisely the perfect vibe for having fun with a parade!
It’s no higher after the fireworks. Whereas the spot is objectively simpler and fewer time-consuming to safe, the larger downside is the Magic Kingdom mass exodus. There’s a regular stream of company attempting to exit the Central Plaza…and this wall of company attempting to fortify their positions, riot police model.
We’ve additionally seen tensions flare between common company attempting to exit and this line of photographers, however I assume the upside is that the road is unified and never adversarial with each other, and the upset company are nonetheless exiting the world. Both method, don’t trouble with this except you’re a severe photographer.
I might argue that it isn’t even crucial for many photographers (save for these wanting most or all of Cinderella Fortress). I actually like this spot when utilizing a large angle lens, however wouldn’t trouble if utilizing something above 35mm. There are simpler alternate options.
Greatest & Worst Viewing Spots for Starlight
Whereas the Cinderella Fortress view within the Central Plaza is the only best spot for seeing Starlight, the whole thing of Principal Avenue is a detailed second. The excellent news is that there’s rather more house up and down Principal Avenue, so there’s each extra capability and decrease demand.
The unhealthy information is that it’s nonetheless extremely popular. And actually, the hall of Principal Avenue is a bit overrated for viewing Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. It’s the primary part to refill and even in the event you put within the exhausting ‘work’ for a entrance row spot, you nonetheless might need your view obstructed.
It is because the parade just isn’t coming straight in direction of you on Principal Avenue. The parade is just approaching you in the event you flip sideways, by which case you’re trying previous different company who’re in step with you. This creates a doubtlessly awkward dynamic the place company reaching out with their telephones or cameras, and even simply leaning out, can partially block your view.
Because of this, in the event you should watch from the Principal Avenue curb, we advocate placing a trash can between you and the Prepare Station. It’s an imperfect answer, however offers you a little bit of a buffer. Clearly, this additionally means sitting/standing subsequent to a trash can, which may be annoying in the event you’re there for an hour-plus and individuals are continuously throwing away their trash. Except your title is Oscar.
In relation to Principal Avenue viewing, my favourite spots are both behind Companions (mainly Starlight’s model of Christmas Tree Level, besides with the Prepare Station as a background as an alternative of Cinderella Fortress) or close to Casey’s Nook (behind a trash can).
Each have the benefit of lengthy approaches and the parade then curving previous the route. Behind Companions is unquestionably higher from this attitude, however it’s additionally in larger demand for the primary parade on account of Fortunately Ever After viewing.
I might solely advocate these areas for the second parade; they refill too quick for the primary. Since Starlight debuted, I’ve been in a position to rating each of those spots lower than half-hour earlier than showtime. I’ve tried earlier than the primary parade, and each had been whole nonstarters even 2 hours prematurely.
My #1 viewing suggestion for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is across the bends in City Sq..
I might strongly advocate being on the outer perimeter of City Sq. versus the inside circle. You additionally need to be at one of many curved sections, versus the straightaway immediately below the Prepare Station. That is necessary as a result of the parade curls round City Sq., so most spots alongside the outer perimeter will provide you with an extended view of the parade. You see it approaching and crossing immediately in entrance of you. Higher for having fun with and for images.
Along with seeing the floats as they not far away and are available in direction of you, offering facet and entrance angles of the floats from a distance, additionally, you will see one other ‘layer’ of floats on the opposite facet of City Sq.. This provides larger depth to the parade and makes it extra gratifying.
When you watch Starlight from the Principal Avenue Theater facet, this additionally makes for a fast exit to beat the mass exodus, in the event you so need. Or, as talked about above, you’ll be able to take the bypass within the different path and end up deeper in Magic Kingdom earlier than issues get chaotic.
Though technically a part of Principal Avenue versus City Sq., this suggestion consists of the ultimate ‘bend’ that’s immediately in entrance of the Emporium. This spot may be busier for the primary parade, however it ought to be simple to seize a Fortunately Ever After fireworks in the course of Principal Avenue again by the Emporium after which shifting to the curb for the parade.
This makes for a decrease stakes 1-2 punch of the fireworks adopted by the parade, versus the opposite method round. Maybe most significantly, this makes for a fast and straightforward exit after the parade passes at park closing. You must be capable to beat the frenzy and be on a bus, boat, or monorail by round 11:30 p.m., which is troublesome from spots additional down Principal Avenue or in Frontierland and Liberty Sq..
All through the parade route, I favor areas the place the curvature of the parade route is such that the floats are heading directing in direction of you and move in entrance of you. For probably the most half, this identical thought really applies within the Central Plaza–I simply wouldn’t advocate it for the primary parade because it fills up so quick.
One other great place like that is in Liberty Sq. in entrance of the previous Riverboat Touchdown, or on the alternative facet throughout from Corridor of Presidents. Many of the spots on this space are fairly good–you simply don’t have an ideal backdrop.
There are additionally just a few sections of this route that solely permit a pair rows of viewing. It’s an identical story in areas of Frontierland; there are additionally spots there that permit for elevated viewing. Simply make sure the place you’re standing is definitely parade viewing and never a crowd circulation hall (search for tape on the bottom).
You’ll most likely discover quite a lot of recommendation elsewhere that Liberty Sq. and Frontierland are the very best Starlight spots as a result of they’re the least crowded. That is technically true, however once more, you’re ready longer for the parade to reach.
Which means that you can’t beat the mass exodus. You additionally can not safe a great spot for Fortunately Ever After. Lastly, you can’t beat the gang deeper into Magic Kingdom to experience Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, TRON Lightcycle Run, or different headliners (besides Tiana’s Bayou Journey, however that isn’t high-demand at night time within the first place).
These are all issues to present important weight to in the event you’re watching the primary Starlight efficiency. It’s not simply how lengthy you wait earlier than the parade steps off, it’s whole time dedication and the way your parade spot units you up for what comes subsequent. When you’re watching the second Starlight, there’s actually no level settling for a subpar spot given the convenience of securing higher spots.
A method that Frontierland or Liberty Sq. could make sense for the second parade is in the event you race to a experience instantly after Fortunately Ever After after which seize a final minute spot for Starlight.
You may be capable to knock out Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, at which level it’s too late to return to Principal Avenue. Scoring a spot in Liberty Sq. is less complicated at that time, each when it comes to navigating the parade route and being purchased a bit of additional time till the floats arrive.
I’m additionally a giant fan of a pair particular spots in Frontierland and Liberty Sq.. The primary is immediately reverse Sleepy Hole, proper on the opposite facet of the bridge. This can provide you a clear shot of the parade coming throughout the bridge with Cinderella Fortress within the background (see above).
The opposite is anyplace in Frontierland that’s elevated. There are a number of such spots, together with in entrance of Nation Bear Jamboree. As an added bonus, these views behind the primary row of individuals present sufficient clearance which you could watch the parade strategy from a distance, and take pictures which have Cinderella Fortress within the background (see beneath).
Lastly, a few suggestions. The primary is that you simply don’t have to sweat Starlight an excessive amount of. If all of this sounds overwhelming, or in the event you’re not a parade particular person however nonetheless need to test it out, you will get a “unhealthy” again row spot with ease on the final minute and never miss a lot.
As coated in our Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Assessment, this parade has a horrible floor recreation. This partly appears purposeful, as many of the floats are massive and elevated, permitting for an ideal view even from a distance. So even ~5 rows deep, you’re seeing 95% of what issues simply positive.
My final piece of recommendation could be grabbing one thing to eat whereas ready for Starlight. Everybody goes to advise sending a runner to Casey’s Nook or Sleepy Hole for warm canines or waffles. And that’s sage knowledge–I’d advocate likewise. However this weblog is all about deeper cuts, and zigging after they zag. So my recommendation is doing that, but additionally sending a runner over to Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland for Salted Caramel Smooth Serve. This ice cream hits the spot, and the brief line plus the strolling will nonetheless take much less time than Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Principal Avenue.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it’s essential to know!
Your Ideas?
Have you ever tried watching Starlight Evening Parade at Magic Kingdom? Do you’ve gotten favourite and least favourite viewing spots? Like or dislike those we’ve advisable? First versus second exhibiting Starlight? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation on crowds and the trouble of securing spots for the primary parade? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
Disney Starlight Evening Parade is drawing colossal crowds to Magic Kingdom within the evenings, with Principal Avenue packed ~2 hours early for prime areas. Our information covers finest & worst views, so you’ll be able to spend much less time ready, see the parade and Fortunately Ever After fireworks, make a fast exit, or {photograph} it from the #1 location. These field-tested ideas & tips allow you to present up half-hour or much less and nonetheless rating a spectacular last-minute spot for Starlight.
That is Walt Disney World’s first night time parade in roughly a decade, and first new night time parade since I used to be a child. And I’m not younger. Consequently, the parade route is full of individuals. We can not overstate simply busy Principal Avenue in Magic Kingdom is within the evenings for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away and the Fortunately Ever After fireworks.
Let’s begin with a warning: this isn’t going to vary anytime quickly. When you’re pondering you’ll be able to “wait out” the crowds and go to in October or December 2025, and even someday in Winter 2026, you might be mistaken. As a vacationer vacation spot, Walt Disney World has a gradual stream of first-timers and rare guests. Needless to say one third of holiday makers to Walt Disney World nonetheless haven’t seen Pandora: The World of Avatar and it’s been open for almost a decade.
Suffice to say, Starlight goes to have that “new parade odor” for a very long time. This shouldn’t actually come as a shock to followers, as even the mediocre Disney Enchantment was nonetheless drawing huge crowds in direction of the tip of its run as Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary wound down. Starlight is significantly better than that. For the very best view, company are at the moment tenting out roughly two hours prematurely to see Starlight’s earlier showtime.
One factor we do anticipate to see change to some extent is how early company stake out spots. Proper now, locals and hardcore followers are arriving very early–sooner than crucial. Against this, consciousness of Starlight amongst common company nonetheless isn’t excessive and many individuals nonetheless don’t even know there’s a nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom (which may sound asinine given the PR push, however in the event you’re studying this, you’re not the typical visitor).
That is an odd dynamic and it’s exhausting to say the way it’ll play out. Diehards will cease exhibiting up as early, whereas common company will arrive earlier. Not a full ~2 hours, as a result of their trip time is effective, but additionally not final minute. We noticed this again when Principal Avenue Electrical Parade returned to Magic Kingdom, in addition to with the debuts of Fortunately Ever After and Disney Enchantment, in addition to the return of the previous.
This isn’t meant to scare you out of watching Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. The night time parade is totally price it, and as we talked about above, you don’t want to point out up 2+ hours prematurely to pre-claim after which camp out. Nice spots may be simpler to get if you recognize what you’re doing, which is the entire level of this information.
In actual fact, I’ve already seen Starlight over a dozen occasions from greater than 10 completely different viewing areas. This information has been devised primarily based on my firsthand experiences with seeing Starlight in-person at Magic Kingdom on some very busy nights early in its run (even in excessive crowds, motivated company can catch Starlight as much as 4 occasions per night time). These experiences had been likewise knowledgeable by watching Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic lots of of occasions again within the day. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know…
Showtimes for Disney Starlight Evening Parade
Earlier than we dig into viewing ideas, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Disney Starlight is offered twice nightly, and at the moment rolls down the parade route beginning at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Right here’s the total Magic Kingdom nighttime schedule:
- Starlight Parade: 9 pm
- Fortunately Ever After: 10 pm
- Starlight Parade: 11 pm
- Park Closing: 11 pm
These occasions do shift all year long primarily based on sundown and park ops, so you should definitely verify the each day leisure schedule in the event you’re visiting lengthy after that is revealed.
The remainder of the ideas ought to stay kind of correct–timing is the massive one which’s topic to vary, and can most likely change as quickly as August or September 2025, and once more in November 2025.
Reverse Parade Route for Starlight
Starlight begins on Principal Avenue U.S.A. and travels alongside the parade route in direction of Frontierland to permit for higher visitor circulation on the finish of the night time. That is in step with what Magic Kingdom beforehand did for Principal Avenue Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic, and in contrast to most different parades.
Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away travels within the “reverse” path, up Principal Avenue in direction of Frontierland for each performances. The rationale for this reverse route is fairly easy: it permits for the parade to move company nearer to the exit, after which these company to exit the park in a orderly trend.
There’s a regular stream of company in a position to depart their spots as Starlight passes, which means crowd circulation regulates itself naturally. That is significantly better than the choice, which is how the primary Paint the Evening performs out at Disneyland, with a visitor cavalcade trailing the parade that’s so full of people who it appears a bit unsafe!
Starlight + Fortunately Ever After
The above hour gaps between nighttime leisure plus journey time of Starlight means it’s roughly 10:30 p.m. as soon as the parade clears the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress. Because of this, many company strategically choose Starlight spots that may even be good for Fortunately Ever After.
That is logical, and it leads to the Hub/Central Plaza being far and away the busiest viewing space for Starlight. That’s since you aren’t tenting out 90 minutes to 2.5 hours for simply Starlight, however a mixed 2-3 hours for each. Whereas that is definitely one choice, it’s not essentially what we advocate.
As an alternative, we’d advise staking out a lower-demand spot in direction of the entrance of the park and following Starlight up alongside the route. You’ll not be swimming upstream on this case as long as you’re pretty near the again of the parade. That is the best way the gang instantly behind Starlight will circulation.
The exodus within the different path happens with a little bit of a lag, so you’ll be able to “draft” on the parade deeper into the park and safe a main spot for Fortunately Ever After with relative ease. (See Greatest & Worst Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots.)
You may think about taking this a step additional, securing a spot in City Sq. close to Principal Avenue Theater and instantly heading up the parade bypass hall as soon as Starlight passes. You may then arrive deeper onto Principal Avenue close to the Plaza earlier than the parade even passes, and pretty simply work your method into the Central Plaza.
Sooner or later, this bypass does convert to one-way site visitors out of the park, however that shouldn’t be the case at this level. An identical strategy works on the opposite facet of City Sq. and going by means of the Emporium (now you recognize why that hall was widened).
What I can not overemphasize with any of those approaches is that it’s essential to be prepared to maneuver as quickly because the parade passes. Don’t spend 5-10 minutes gathering your group. That can end in combating the gang as you may be swimming upstream.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a good higher strategy…
Earlier vs. Later Starlight
The primary efficiency of Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is all the time busier than the second efficiency. It’s not even a remotely shut name. This could make sense, as Magic Kingdom’s core demographic is households with babies, and staying till after 11 p.m. is a giant ask for a lot of of them. Even many company with out children don’t notice that the second parade is considerably much less crowded.
When you solely take away one factor from this viewing information, it’s that you need to watch the second Starlight Evening Parade as an alternative of the primary if in any respect attainable. That’s the #1 tip, as that’s the single best and best choice for spending much less time tenting out. Not solely are the crowds simply twice as massive for the primary parade (though that would change over time), however additionally they arrive twice as early.
So as an alternative of watching Starlight after which Fortunately Ever After, flip the script and watch Fortunately Ever After after which Starlight. (The most important draw back of this strategy just isn’t doing an end-of-night experience, a minimum of with the present 9-10-11 schedule, except you’re actually aggressive!)
The parade route hits capability for the primary parade and company are a number of rows deep, whereas that doesn’t occur for the second Starlight. Even already, there have been occasions the place you would rating a entrance row spot for Starlight because the parade is stepping off, particularly in Liberty Sq. and Frontierland.
Whereas many company arrive 90 to 120 minutes earlier than the primary efficiency, that isn’t even attainable for the second. There isn’t that a lot time on the clock as soon as Fortunately Ever After ends. Which means that the ‘mud settles’ on the parade route round 10:30 pm, which is concerning the earliest individuals will begin tenting out for the second exhibiting.
One factor to notice right here is that the imbalance between the primary and second parade will change over time. It will happen as showtimes transfer ahead because of earlier sundown occasions in winter. It additionally occur as phrase will get out concerning the second efficiency being much less crowded–in some unspecified time in the future, Walt Disney World will virtually definitely begin making parkwide bulletins with this information at round ~8 p.m. Lastly, the dynamic will change throughout Get together Season, as demand spikes and the parade route hits capability for the primary efficiency.
What Time(s) to Stake Out Starlight Spots
The parade route actually begins filling in about 90 minutes prematurely of the primary efficiency, and that is at the moment the ‘candy spot’ if you’d like a spot on Principal Avenue. It will change over time as crowd ranges lower and improve, particularly as soon as Magic Kingdom is open late fewer nights per week throughout Get together Season.
The primary space to refill is the Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Fortress (nearer to 120 minutes), adopted by up and down Principal Avenue USA (90 minutes), after which City Sq. (a minimum of an hour). Frontierland and Liberty Sq. are slowest to refill, with spots accessible for the primary parade 45 minutes earlier than Starlight steps off.
Simply remember that it takes longer for the parade to get to Tiana’s Bayou Journey than it does Principal Avenue Theater, so 60 minutes in City Sq. vs. 45 minutes in entrance of Pecos Invoice finally ends up being about the identical. And people earlier viewpoints additionally permit extra time to place for Fortunately Ever After or, alternatively, beating the post-parade crowd out of the park or to points of interest with shorter waits.
For the second parade, you’ll be able to arrive a lot later. The preferred spot will refill instantly after Fortunately Ever After and Principal Avenue will develop into busy ~half-hour prematurely, however City Sq. typically has a scattering of entrance row spots after that, typically up till quarter-hour earlier than the second parade steps off. Over in Frontierland and Liberty Sq., you may discover a prime spot shortly earlier than the parade arrives.
In actual fact, I’ve been capable of finding a spectacular location ~10 minutes earlier than the parade arrived. This isn’t irregular, particularly in the event you’re keen to face. You may stroll as much as an excellent view pretty final minute on many nights for the second performances, whereas you’ll be a number of rows deep and have your view obstructed in the event you strive that with the primary efficiency.
It isn’t troublesome in any respect to have an honest view even in the event you arrive proper because the parade does. It most likely gained’t be entrance row in the event you’re on Principal Avenue, however it may be in Liberty Sq. or Frontierland. I’ve scored nice spots arriving after 11:15 p.m. on the finish of the parade route.
Greatest & Worst Images Spots for Starlight
My all-time #1 spot for just about any parade is correct behind the flagpole with a view up Principal Avenue (aka Christmas Tree Level). That is hardly a secret, and is the popular vantage of 9 out of 10 photographers. And there are quite a lot of Disney fan photogs on the market. That is nonetheless one of many first stops to refill, although Christmas Tree Level is an objectively terrible spot for Starlight because of the reverse parade route.
The underlying thought is similar for Starlight, it’s only a completely different spot because of the reverse route. My ‘secret’ hack for securing parade spots has lengthy been to camp out off to the facet the place a rope will go up in some unspecified time in the future to create a viewing space on the road. This occurs in each City Sq. (in entrance of the Emporium) and the Central Plaza (Crystal Palace facet) as a result of Starlight loops round each, creating viewing areas in what would in any other case be road.
This hack usually works nicely at tourist-centric Walt Disney World, however locals and photographers are nicely conscious of this trick. Consequently, the road part fills up early, too. Under is how this appears within the Central Plaza:
Except you’re a photographer, we don’t advocate this spot within the Central Plaza. Sure, it affords an image good view with Cinderella Fortress within the background. However it comes with severe downsides.
The primary is that its the quickest to refill for the primary parade, as house is extraordinarily restricted on this space. This implies arriving a minimum of 2 hours prematurely, after which doing this awkward tune and dance. If the rope isn’t up but (it gained’t be), you’re simply standing on the street like a dummy, impeding crowd circulation. This annoys different company.
That’s assuming Solid Members assist you to stand there 2 hours prematurely. In the event that they don’t (and so they most likely gained’t), you might be then doing a distinct (however equally awkward) tune and dance with different company who’re additionally “competing” for this spot. We’ve already seen tensions flare right here and company trade heated phrases, which then turns into doubly awkward as they’re presumably camped out subsequent to 1 one other for a pair hours. Not precisely the perfect vibe for having fun with a parade!
It’s no higher after the fireworks. Whereas the spot is objectively simpler and fewer time-consuming to safe, the larger downside is the Magic Kingdom mass exodus. There’s a regular stream of company attempting to exit the Central Plaza…and this wall of company attempting to fortify their positions, riot police model.
We’ve additionally seen tensions flare between common company attempting to exit and this line of photographers, however I assume the upside is that the road is unified and never adversarial with each other, and the upset company are nonetheless exiting the world. Both method, don’t trouble with this except you’re a severe photographer.
I might argue that it isn’t even crucial for many photographers (save for these wanting most or all of Cinderella Fortress). I actually like this spot when utilizing a large angle lens, however wouldn’t trouble if utilizing something above 35mm. There are simpler alternate options.
Greatest & Worst Viewing Spots for Starlight
Whereas the Cinderella Fortress view within the Central Plaza is the only best spot for seeing Starlight, the whole thing of Principal Avenue is a detailed second. The excellent news is that there’s rather more house up and down Principal Avenue, so there’s each extra capability and decrease demand.
The unhealthy information is that it’s nonetheless extremely popular. And actually, the hall of Principal Avenue is a bit overrated for viewing Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. It’s the primary part to refill and even in the event you put within the exhausting ‘work’ for a entrance row spot, you nonetheless might need your view obstructed.
It is because the parade just isn’t coming straight in direction of you on Principal Avenue. The parade is just approaching you in the event you flip sideways, by which case you’re trying previous different company who’re in step with you. This creates a doubtlessly awkward dynamic the place company reaching out with their telephones or cameras, and even simply leaning out, can partially block your view.
Because of this, in the event you should watch from the Principal Avenue curb, we advocate placing a trash can between you and the Prepare Station. It’s an imperfect answer, however offers you a little bit of a buffer. Clearly, this additionally means sitting/standing subsequent to a trash can, which may be annoying in the event you’re there for an hour-plus and individuals are continuously throwing away their trash. Except your title is Oscar.
In relation to Principal Avenue viewing, my favourite spots are both behind Companions (mainly Starlight’s model of Christmas Tree Level, besides with the Prepare Station as a background as an alternative of Cinderella Fortress) or close to Casey’s Nook (behind a trash can).
Each have the benefit of lengthy approaches and the parade then curving previous the route. Behind Companions is unquestionably higher from this attitude, however it’s additionally in larger demand for the primary parade on account of Fortunately Ever After viewing.
I might solely advocate these areas for the second parade; they refill too quick for the primary. Since Starlight debuted, I’ve been in a position to rating each of those spots lower than half-hour earlier than showtime. I’ve tried earlier than the primary parade, and each had been whole nonstarters even 2 hours prematurely.
My #1 viewing suggestion for Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away is across the bends in City Sq..
I might strongly advocate being on the outer perimeter of City Sq. versus the inside circle. You additionally need to be at one of many curved sections, versus the straightaway immediately below the Prepare Station. That is necessary as a result of the parade curls round City Sq., so most spots alongside the outer perimeter will provide you with an extended view of the parade. You see it approaching and crossing immediately in entrance of you. Higher for having fun with and for images.
Along with seeing the floats as they not far away and are available in direction of you, offering facet and entrance angles of the floats from a distance, additionally, you will see one other ‘layer’ of floats on the opposite facet of City Sq.. This provides larger depth to the parade and makes it extra gratifying.
When you watch Starlight from the Principal Avenue Theater facet, this additionally makes for a fast exit to beat the mass exodus, in the event you so need. Or, as talked about above, you’ll be able to take the bypass within the different path and end up deeper in Magic Kingdom earlier than issues get chaotic.
Though technically a part of Principal Avenue versus City Sq., this suggestion consists of the ultimate ‘bend’ that’s immediately in entrance of the Emporium. This spot may be busier for the primary parade, however it ought to be simple to seize a Fortunately Ever After fireworks in the course of Principal Avenue again by the Emporium after which shifting to the curb for the parade.
This makes for a decrease stakes 1-2 punch of the fireworks adopted by the parade, versus the opposite method round. Maybe most significantly, this makes for a fast and straightforward exit after the parade passes at park closing. You must be capable to beat the frenzy and be on a bus, boat, or monorail by round 11:30 p.m., which is troublesome from spots additional down Principal Avenue or in Frontierland and Liberty Sq..
All through the parade route, I favor areas the place the curvature of the parade route is such that the floats are heading directing in direction of you and move in entrance of you. For probably the most half, this identical thought really applies within the Central Plaza–I simply wouldn’t advocate it for the primary parade because it fills up so quick.
One other great place like that is in Liberty Sq. in entrance of the previous Riverboat Touchdown, or on the alternative facet throughout from Corridor of Presidents. Many of the spots on this space are fairly good–you simply don’t have an ideal backdrop.
There are additionally just a few sections of this route that solely permit a pair rows of viewing. It’s an identical story in areas of Frontierland; there are additionally spots there that permit for elevated viewing. Simply make sure the place you’re standing is definitely parade viewing and never a crowd circulation hall (search for tape on the bottom).
You’ll most likely discover quite a lot of recommendation elsewhere that Liberty Sq. and Frontierland are the very best Starlight spots as a result of they’re the least crowded. That is technically true, however once more, you’re ready longer for the parade to reach.
Which means that you can’t beat the mass exodus. You additionally can not safe a great spot for Fortunately Ever After. Lastly, you can’t beat the gang deeper into Magic Kingdom to experience Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, TRON Lightcycle Run, or different headliners (besides Tiana’s Bayou Journey, however that isn’t high-demand at night time within the first place).
These are all issues to present important weight to in the event you’re watching the primary Starlight efficiency. It’s not simply how lengthy you wait earlier than the parade steps off, it’s whole time dedication and the way your parade spot units you up for what comes subsequent. When you’re watching the second Starlight, there’s actually no level settling for a subpar spot given the convenience of securing higher spots.
A method that Frontierland or Liberty Sq. could make sense for the second parade is in the event you race to a experience instantly after Fortunately Ever After after which seize a final minute spot for Starlight.
You may be capable to knock out Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare, at which level it’s too late to return to Principal Avenue. Scoring a spot in Liberty Sq. is less complicated at that time, each when it comes to navigating the parade route and being purchased a bit of additional time till the floats arrive.
I’m additionally a giant fan of a pair particular spots in Frontierland and Liberty Sq.. The primary is immediately reverse Sleepy Hole, proper on the opposite facet of the bridge. This can provide you a clear shot of the parade coming throughout the bridge with Cinderella Fortress within the background (see above).
The opposite is anyplace in Frontierland that’s elevated. There are a number of such spots, together with in entrance of Nation Bear Jamboree. As an added bonus, these views behind the primary row of individuals present sufficient clearance which you could watch the parade strategy from a distance, and take pictures which have Cinderella Fortress within the background (see beneath).
Lastly, a few suggestions. The primary is that you simply don’t have to sweat Starlight an excessive amount of. If all of this sounds overwhelming, or in the event you’re not a parade particular person however nonetheless need to test it out, you will get a “unhealthy” again row spot with ease on the final minute and never miss a lot.
As coated in our Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Assessment, this parade has a horrible floor recreation. This partly appears purposeful, as many of the floats are massive and elevated, permitting for an ideal view even from a distance. So even ~5 rows deep, you’re seeing 95% of what issues simply positive.
My final piece of recommendation could be grabbing one thing to eat whereas ready for Starlight. Everybody goes to advise sending a runner to Casey’s Nook or Sleepy Hole for warm canines or waffles. And that’s sage knowledge–I’d advocate likewise. However this weblog is all about deeper cuts, and zigging after they zag. So my recommendation is doing that, but additionally sending a runner over to Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland for Salted Caramel Smooth Serve. This ice cream hits the spot, and the brief line plus the strolling will nonetheless take much less time than Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Principal Avenue.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it’s essential to know!
Your Ideas?
Have you ever tried watching Starlight Evening Parade at Magic Kingdom? Do you’ve gotten favourite and least favourite viewing spots? Like or dislike those we’ve advisable? First versus second exhibiting Starlight? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation on crowds and the trouble of securing spots for the primary parade? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
