Florida - At the 2024 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, Disney revealed a wide array of upcoming experiences for its parks worldwide. During the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, announced nearly 50 new projects. Among these was the introduction of a new nighttime parade, “Disney Starlight,” set to debut at Magic Kingdom in the summer of 2025.
“Disney Starlight” is designed to build on Disney’s history of nighttime parades, a tradition that began with the “Main Street Electrical Parade” in 1972. That parade was notable for its innovative use of synchronized lights and music, establishing a new standard for entertainment in theme parks. “Disney Starlight” will continue this legacy, utilizing the latest technology to tell new stories featuring a variety of Disney characters.
The parade will be anchored by the Blue Fairy from Disney’s classic film “Pinocchio,” who will serve as the central figure guiding the parade. In addition to the Blue Fairy, the parade will feature characters from a range of Disney films, including “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” and “Encanto.” The inclusion of these characters reflects Disney’s approach of blending nostalgia with contemporary popular films to appeal to a broad audience.
The announcement of “Disney Starlight” was made by Broadway performers Rachel Potter and Eden Espinosa, both of whom have previous experience with Disney Live Entertainment.
At the time of the announcement of the new “Disney Starlight” nighttime parade, Magic Kingdom’s current parade offering is the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.” This parade, which has been a staple of daytime entertainment at the park since its debut in March 2014, celebrates the stories and characters of Disney’s animated classics.
The “Festival of Fantasy Parade” features vibrant floats, energetic performers, and a range of characters from beloved Disney films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Tangled,” and “Peter Pan.” One of the highlights of the parade is a towering, fire-breathing dragon representing Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty.” The parade is designed to bring to life the fantasy and magic of Disney storytelling, providing guests with a visually striking experience along Main Street, U.S.A.
As the “Festival of Fantasy Parade” continues to be a daytime highlight, the upcoming “Disney Starlight” parade will expand Magic Kingdom’s entertainment offerings into the evening. This new addition is expected to complement the existing lineup, which includes the nighttime fireworks show “Happily Ever After,” by providing a fresh experience for guests after dark.
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