89.3 F
Orlando
Friday, September 26, 2025

PHOTOS: Disney Starlight Nighttime Parade Debuts at Walt Disney World!

3206 days (or 8 years, 9 months, and 11 days) after the Main Street Electrical Parade bid farewell at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, nighttime parades have FINALLY returned to Disney’s themed resort in Orlando, Florida! This evening, Disney’s all-new nighttime parade entitled “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” made its official debut at Magic Kingdom! Featuring 10 floats, a slew of live Disney characters, dancers, and a new score, let’s take a pictorial look at what this new parade has to offer!

Blue Fairy Float

Blue Fairy Opening Float kicking off the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

After the lights dim along the parade route and a musical tribute to the Main Street Electrical Parade echoes through the park, the first float of Disney Starlight makes its appearance. The “Blue Fairy” opening float features the Blue Fairy atop a flowing form of synchronous nighttime parade lights.

Disney Wish Float

Disney Wish Float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Next up is a smaller tree-shaped float featuring Asha and Valentino the Goat from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2023 animated film Wish.

Encanto Float

Encanto Float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Following an in-between sequence of walking streetmosphere dancers holding LED butterflies, the Encanto float arrives. Encanto’s float features a large candle, many illuminated flowers as well as butterflies. Isabela & Mirabel wave at guests and dance!

Frozen II Float

Frozen II Float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Elsa then arrives on her float, themed to and playing audio from the Frozen sequel, Frozen II.

Royal Princess Float

Then comes one of Disney Starlights’ largest floats: the Royal Princess Float!

Tiana and Prince Naveen on the Royal Princess Float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)
Cinderella and Prince Charming aboard the Royal Princess Float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Guests will find on the Royal Princess Float Cinderella, Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast, Tiana and Naveen, Aurora, and more! Following the Royal Float are “Royal Dancers” walking the parade route before the next float arrives!

Pixar Coco Float

Pixar Coco characters aboard the Bienvenidos float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Next up in the Disney Starlight nighttime parade is the Coco Float! Miguel, Dante, and Pepita are featured aboard this bright and colorful float!

Moana Float

Moana and Pua the Pig on their float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Then comes the Moana nighttime parade float, where Moana and Pua ride bioluminescent waves on this very expressive float!

Peter Pan Float

Peter Pan and Wendy on the penultimate float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Time for more classic and very nighttime parade-fitting characters, the Peter Pan float arrives featuring a brightly illuminated Big Ben clock tower as well as Peter Pan and Wendy! Tinker Bell walks the parade route close by, greeting guests!

Finale Float

Last arrives the Finale Float, featuring a brand new character debuting as part of the parade: “Whimsy,” the Starlight Train!

Locomotive float starring original character named “Whimsy” arrives, featuring Goofy, Donald Duck, Snow White, Dopey the Dwarf, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and more in the final float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

Aboard “Whimsy” are Goofy and Donald. Behind the Locomotive are Snow White and Dopey the Dwarf on an illuminated Mine Train Car. Next, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider sail by in their boat. Then, Aladdin and Jasmine float by on a Magic Carpet! Leading up the rear of this massive finale float are Mickey and Minnie Mouse waving at guests!

A Kiss Goodnight

A hand-drawn and digitally animated Jiminy Cricket debuts farewell to guests on the back of the final float during the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime parade. (©Disney)

While some guests may head off as the Finale Float passes, pay attention to the back of the Finale Float! On the back of the float, Jiminy Cricket bids a farewell to parade viewers. This new animation sequence utilizes a combination of hand-drawn animation and digital effects!

Currently, the parade is running twice per night at the Magic Kingdom. The first showing is currently taking place right after sundown, with a second showing near park close. Refer to the Walt Disney World’s website for specific showtimes when you’re visiting. The nighttime parade schedule will be fluid throughout the year to adjust for differing dusk hours and park operational hours.

That’s all folks! Let us know what you think of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away in the comments below!

Brayden
Brayden
Brayden produces quality Disney news commentary videos at Mickey Views. He is also working on a feature-length documentary film for "Address Unknown."

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here