New Magic Kingdom Fireworks Times Hint at Disney Starlight Parade Debut at Walt Disney World

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Disney Starlight Parade Concept Art

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Posted: Monday April 28, 2025 9:0am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has updated the performance times for Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks show, Happily Ever After, hinting at preparations for the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away this summer.

Wish float

In late June and early July, Happily Ever After is scheduled for 9:20 pm each night. However, starting July 6, 2025, the fireworks show shifts to 10:00 pm. This change remains in place on July 7, the latest date currently available on the calendar.

This new fireworks time appears to align with planning for a parade schedule. Based on traditional Magic Kingdom operations, it's likely that Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will perform twice nightly, following a familiar pattern:

First Parade: 9:00 pm.
Fireworks: 10:00 pm.
Second Parade: 11:00 pm.

While Disney has not officially announced an opening date for Disney Starlight or confirmed a nightly schedule, the adjustment to Happily Ever After performance times strongly suggests that parade operations are being factored into upcoming plans, with a July 6 debut for Starlight a possibility.

Beyond an official opening date, there is also a possibility of advance previews for Cast Members and other groups of guests, including Annual Passholders. However, no preview opportunities have yet been announced.

Disney Starlight Parade Concept Art

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Squishy26 minutes ago

I wonder how much this and test track are affecting summer bookings? I have a few friends & family who are holding off on booking summer tickets till they announce the test track & starlight dates.

Drew the Disney Dude29 minutes ago

Just personal speculation since Universal is planning a massive grand opening celebration for Epic Universe. I expect Disney wants their golden news to make a wave in the community after Universal has their moment.

jrhwdw2 hours ago

3 more Weeks? I get it but Sigh.

Drew the Disney Dude2 hours ago

I’m speculating here, so I could be wrong, but I'm not expecting the debut date for around 3 more weeks at this point. Disney could easily do a massive media push after Epic Universe opens by announcing the debut date for Starlight alongside the debuts of Villains and Mermaid at DHS. I also wouldn't be shocked to see the BDX droids arrive at DHS on the 27th. Starlight will get its own focus before Test Track opens.

easyrowrdw6 hours ago

I don’t remember what they said for Pandora but they definitely “promised” more than they delivered for Star Wars land. Roaming aliens, droids, and personalized interactivity were all touted by the company. Those were the things that were really supposed to set it apart too. I dunno what they’ve said for this parade. But I hope it’s good and we get to enjoy years of quality evening entertainment.

PREMiERdrum8 hours ago

Our bookings skew so heavily towards Disney I'm sure this isn't an exemplary breakdown, but I've only noticed one or two Universal cancelations in our group for the summer. However, funneling Epic tirekickers into actual bookings was very challenging as well. We didn't have that many more Uni booking than last summer. I think Epic's impending opening may have pushed some Disney people to "hold dates" with a deposit thinking they'd to a WDW trip and squeeze in Epic. Pricing and access challenges - along with economic factors - kicked off a cluster of cancelations. Disney expected an Epic bump this summer, but there's no indication of that happening.

HauntedPirate8 hours ago

Patience. It’s something you need a very healthy dose of. Your incessant posting about needing to know an opening date is like rubbing 32-grit sandpaper on… places sandpaper shouldn’t be rubbed.

HauntedPirate8 hours ago

Both resorts or just the one without a new theme park opening this month?

jrhwdw8 hours ago

I agree but I'm not so worried about it now. Since MK finally changed HEA's Schedule! :)

PREMiERdrum8 hours ago

Soft and getting softer. The cancelation wave is wild.

GhostHost10009 hours ago

Based on summer crowd estimates I bet they wish they had this ready to go by Memorial Day

Starship8249 hours ago

Don't get me wrong. I understand the sentiment of wanting to let them have as much time as they need to perfect this, but it would be nice to know the date of when it's debuting.