It’s been a giant couple of months for Walt Disney World information. Following a flurry of bulletins on the D23 Expo and the following fallout, followers have tried to make sense and are available to phrases with the place additions will go–and what they’ll substitute–at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
I’m enthusiastic about quite a lot of this. However truthfully, what I’m largely serious about proper now’s the nearer time period and saying my goodbyes. Cringing as I stroll via Frontierland alongside the peaceable promenade, attempting to think about what the vibe shall be like with Automobiles whizzing round. Savoring showings of MuppetVision 3D (and appreciating simply how a lot it nonetheless holds up!) simply in case it’s on the chopping block. I’ve additionally entered and exited Dino-Rama throughout this time.
Then there are the near-term substantive additions–issues that’ll open inside the subsequent calendar 12 months. I’ve forgotten there’s a Little Mermaid present coming (again) to Animation Courtyard at the least a half-dozen instances because it was introduced virtually a 12 months in the past. And judging by their radio silence, so has Walt Disney World. Despite the fact that it was introduced simply final month, I really feel the identical approach in regards to the Villains Magic Mirror present. (I can’t be the one one, proper?!) However there’s one near-term addition about which I can’t cease considering…
As I’ve mentioned earlier than, Disney Starlight Night time Parade was our #1 announcement on the D23 Expo. I do know it’s not as ‘massive’ as Villains Land or Automobiles Land or another new land. Nevertheless it’s additionally extra instantly tangible, with none draw back, and will certainly occur. As a lot as I wish to consider the Villains Land information, that strikes me as a ‘section two’ venture–and longtime followers know the destiny that ceaselessly befalls these.
I take into consideration Starlight Parade on a close to day by day foundation, and am genuinely enthusiastic about it. And this isn’t simply feigned enthusiasm, like when influencers declare they’re “obsessed” with some random factor solely to by no means point out it once more. I’m detached in the direction of loads of Disney issues, however am genuinely and anxiously awaiting Starlight–and even nuggets of stories about it.
Disney Starlight Parade is likely one of the few issues on the horizon with which I’m preoccupied, and I’m truthfully stunned there isn’t extra buzz about it amongst followers. A part of that’s most likely as a result of Walt Disney World itself hasn’t actually mentioned a complete lot. With that in thoughts, there are a number of questions on my thoughts about Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime providing that I’d like to see Disney reply or trace at when beginning to pull again the curtain on it, so please indulge me with a little bit of ‘considering aloud’ about Disney Starlight Night time Parade…
Is Starlight a Non secular Successor to…? – Some followers wish to see Starlight be the trendy Primary Road Electrical Parade. Others anticipate it to be a Dreamlights duplicate. Millennials like me are hoping for a SpectroMagic non secular successor. Foolhardy fanatics wish to see Fantillusion resurrected. The hip children need Paint the Night time 2.0. A mighty minority are clamoring for a Mild Magic redux, these foolish scoundrels!
What folks need from Starlight is knowledgeable largely by their very own nostalgia. Or, because the case could also be since Magic Kingdom has had an evening parade drought for the final decade, what they’ve seen on YouTube. As intimated above, my sentimental allegiances lie with SpectroMagic. Despite the fact that I’ve skilled a number of different night time parades, SpectroMagic was the formative one in my fandom–the one one I bear in mind experiencing as each a child and fledgling Disney Grownup.
With that mentioned, I’m not merely hoping for SpectroMagic 2.0. I wouldn’t essentially be towards that, however what I’ve realized from different night time parades is that the idea can–and may–evolve. There’s no single components for greatness–however on the identical time, few issues profit from legacy than night time parades. The very best ones have drawn liberal inspiration from their predecessors, and I hope that’s true of Starlight, too. Nothing would please me greater than for it to innovate and iterate on the idea whereas additionally being an amalgamation of previous Disney night time parades. Previous and new all of sudden.
How Lengthy Will Disney Starlight Night time Parade Be? – Walt Disney World seemingly has an aversion to dwell performers. Concurrently, there’s probably a penchant for spending some huge cash on leisure, however solely on the worst conceivable concepts. So my worry is that Disney Starlight Night time Parade gained’t have a big solid, however inexplicably might need a Harmonious-style Stargate or one thing silly. (Kidding…type of.)
My hope is that Disney Starlight Night time Parade is meaty, with an ample variety of items and floats on par with the present parades at Magic Kingdom. My worry is that it’ll be just like the nighttime model of this summer time’s Pixar parade at DCA, a scarcity of ground-level dancers, or may have simplistic floats.
I’m not anticipating one thing on par with Dreamlights, however this Starlight shouldn’t really feel like a glorified cavalcade, both. If Disney is anxious about price, merely lower the funds of one of many $200+ million Disney+ reveals that nobody watches by like 1%.
What Form of Music Can We Anticipate in Starlight? – I gained’t fake to be a music skilled or terminology knower. Even with none experience, I believe it’s honest to say that SpectroMagic, Primary Road Electrical Parade, Dreamlights, and Paint the Night time all have had completely different soundtrack kinds.
From my perspective, SpectroMagic has the most effective music. Then once more, I used to be a toddler within the Nineties. I’d describe SpectroMagic’s rating as a triumphant waltz, a time period I simply made up. I don’t know the way else to explain the regal trumpet fanfare, dreamlike melodies, joyous lyrics, and lifting orchestral rating. It was and is a timeless soundtrack–but additionally, clearly a product of its time.
Primary Road Electrical Parade wants no clarification; “Baroque Hoedown” and its electro-synthe-magnetic sound are well-known even past Disney followers. Dreamlights is like that, however modernized. Paint the Night time additionally attracts inspiration from what got here earlier than, however has rather more of a high-energy pop sound. Not so coincidentally, it’s my least favourite night time parade soundtrack.
Because it seems, least favourite night time parade soundtrack continues to be actually good! “When Can I See You Once more” is an earworm, and Paint the Night time is memorable because of this. I’ve additionally realized that an important parade can take an only-okay soundtrack and make you fall in love with it. There have been a number of Tokyo parade songs I’ve began out with a “meh” perspective in the direction of, however got here to like (and nonetheless hearken to!) as a result of the parades they accompanied have been so good. That’s the facility of Disney magic (or nostalgia, because the case could also be).
Is Starlight Utilizing the Finale Float from Dreaming Up? – To not spoil the phantasm or something, however it isn’t unusual for “new” parades at Disneyland and Walt Disney World to be partially recycled from the worldwide parks, particularly Tokyo Disneyland.
The identical factor occurs with songs. I can’t rely the variety of instances when a “brand-new” tune for a celebration or no matter was really a 5-year outdated tune that was used for some random factor in Hong Kong or Japan.
This does appear to be occurring much less and fewer, most likely as a result of this factor known as “social media” is preserving Disney sincere. Maybe they worry the backlash of attempting to go Tokyo’s hand-me-downs as one thing new in an period when the partitions have been damaged down on worldwide journey. I positive hope not!
The actual fact of the matter is that OLC spends massive on Tokyo’s parades, takes nice care of them, and sometimes retires them rapidly. It’s like shopping for flippantly used high quality classic clothes from a consignment store versus one thing model new at a quick vogue retailer–I’m taking the previous each time.
On this case, there’s a particular float within the idea artwork for Starlight that includes Peter Pan and Wendy flying round a crescent moon that appears strikingly just like the climactic float in Dreaming Up (above), the now-defunct thirty fifth Anniversary parade at Tokyo Disneyland. That will be superior to see transformed to an evening parade float!
It additionally comes with an hooked up Mary Poppins flying over London phase. It’s doable that is being imported from Japan, but it surely’s equally probably that this was/is such idea that Disney Stay Leisure is recycling the concept and never the precise float.
Will it Get Different Floats from Tokyo Disneyland? – Assuming for the sake of argument that Walt Disney World goes to all the difficulty of importing a literal float from Tokyo Disneyland, I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they bought greater than only one. I do know much less about transport logistics than I do music, however I assume the container ships or no matter they use may maintain a number of floats–and that it’s cost-effective to ship greater than only one. (Possibly???)
In that case, I’d suppose that something from the recently-retired Dreaming Up is in play, and it had nice items for Mickey Mouse, Large Hero 6, Magnificence and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, and princesses. It was a daytime parade, so I’m unsure how properly any/all of those would work as an evening parade, however I wouldn’t be upset about any of these floats in Disney Starlight Night time Parade.
One other chance that has me salivating is that Walt Disney World may inherit outgoing floats from Dreamlights. It was once the case that OLC quietly refreshed this parade unit-by-unit each few years, and the final time that occurred (to the most effective of my recollection) was in 2018 or 2019. Not solely is it overdue, however Blue Fairy is within the Starlight idea artwork and that appears like a lifeless ringer for the opening of Dreamlights (above).
Which Films and Characters Will it Showcase? – Nothing would kill my buzz sooner than Walt Disney World releasing the character and film lineup for Starlight, and it turning out to be one more thinly-veiled Disney+ sizzle reel. I hope by now Iger and co. notice that Walt Disney World is the crown jewel and monetary powerhouse, and streaming is second-fiddle (at finest).
Level being, the one Disney films since 2019 that ought to be represented are Frozen 2, Encanto, and Inside Out 2. Cease attempting to make fetch occur with the field workplace busts. I preferred a few of them, to make sure, however they aren’t trendy classics. Alternatively, Coco, Moana, Zootopia, Tangled, and Large Hero are–and are worthy of illustration.
Personally, my hope is that they don’t go too heavy on the newer stuff and as an alternative concentrate on the Walt-era classics and Disney Renaissance movies which might be underrepresented within the parks. Lion King, Magnificence and the Beast, Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Lilo & Sew–and perhaps a pair extra deep cuts. (Ones that stand the take a look at of time–not bizarre stuff like Treasure Planet, Dwelling on the Vary, or Meet the Robinsons.)
Is Jiminy Cricket Concerned? – Again through the heyday of SpectroMagic, there was simply one thing particular in regards to the anticipation that constructed when Jiminy Cricket’s voice began coming over the loudspeakers. He was the voice for a era of nighttime leisure at Walt Disney World, and made these evenings thrilling.
Foolish as it’d sound, Jiminy Cricket being the host of Starlight is the best solution to faucet into fan nostalgia for that particular time within the Nineties and early aughts. It’s a simple nostalgia play that may even be superior.
Will it Function an Opening Drum Float? – Casey Jr. pulling Mickey Mouse’s drum float is the iconic visible for Disney night time parades. Reprising this after such a protracted hiatus for Magic Kingdom is a slam-dunk, no-brainer determination for which followers of all ages will go wild. So naturally, they most likely gained’t do it. (Kidding–I believe they know this and can do it; it’s so apparent.)
Personally, I’d wish to see the opening unit be a grabbag of nostalgia. Steal the Blue Fairy from Japan. Put the large cheese in his SpectroMickey costume. Convey these creepy clowns again from the lifeless. Okay, not that final one.
What Different Nods to Previous Parades Will Starlight Have? – Disney Stay Leisure will understandably wish to create one thing unique, relatively than simply ‘taking part in the hits’ from the previous. They’ll additionally undoubtedly have mandates to incorporate films and characters from the previous 20 years. (Once more, hopefully nothing apart from Encanto within the final 5.)
Nonetheless, I hope they notice two issues. First, that Walt Disney World has an ever-growing fanbase, with a legion of locals and veritable military of DVC members. It’s not simply vacationers anymore. Second, that they completely screwed the pooch with Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, and that is their probability to make amends. Nothing has the facility to resonate with the fandom like leisure, and together with Easter Eggs and nods to the previous is necessary.
I’m not saying Starlight ought to function Figment and Dreamfinder (though…) and even the Nation Bears (hmm…). However among the above could be nice. Identical goes for an Elliot and Pete’s Dragon float or the possibility to someway incorporate music from the parks within the parade. For probably the most half, Walt Disney World followers don’t care about Unusual World. We do love “it’s a small world,” although. That will make the right finale.
When and How Many Instances Will Starlight Carry out Nightly?
It’s been a very long time since Walt Disney World has had a brand new night time parade. The closest is throughout Summer season Nightastic again in 2010, which was really the return of Primary Road Electrical Parade.
One other considered one of my fears is that Walt Disney World has misplaced a lot institutional data since then that they don’t know learn how to deal with operational logistics for an evening parade. That was 15 years and a pandemic in the past, which resulted in quite a lot of early retirements among the many outdated guard who knew how issues labored.
On a optimistic notice, the present Magic Kingdom staff does have related expertise because of the Halloween and Christmas events. And actually, they made an underrated (and truthfully good) adjustment this 12 months, shifting ahead the primary Boo to You Parade by a full hour.
Distilling all of that precedent together with expectations for Summer season 2025 crowds, my finest guess for the schedule is as follows:
- Starlight Parade: 9 pm
- Fortunately Ever After: 10 pm
- Starlight Parade: 11 pm
- Park Closing: 11 pm
The above schedule isn’t far-fetched–these are the precise showtimes from Summer season 2010. There weren’t be the choice to maneuver ahead these instances a lot attributable to sundown, however they may very well be condensed barely. If Walt Disney World doesn’t wish to do 11 pm closings of Magic Kingdom, it’s doable the park may shut at 10:30 pm whereas nonetheless sustaining the 9/10/11 cadence for nighttime leisure. Disney’s Hollywood Studios does this usually with Fantasmic.
I actually hope Walt Disney World is aware of higher than to run Starlight solely as soon as per night time.
When Will We Know Extra? – Prior to now, Disney used its vacation specials–the prime time one over Thanksgiving weekend and the enduring ABC Christmas Day Parade–to tease its advertising and marketing initiatives for the approaching 12 months. Opening dates or timeframes have been launched, and extra was revealed to generate pleasure.
It was a sensible technique. The beginning of the 12 months is big for brand new bookings at Walt Disney World and, presumably, persons are speaking about their trip plans for the approaching 12 months throughout household gathering. Placing the parks entrance and middle–and giving company a motive to take journeys–was savvy.
Disney nonetheless makes use of these specials as synergy machines, however they’ve gotten away from them being “newsy” occasions. Personally, I believe this can be a mistake. I hope they reverse course, and we see the primary footage of Disney Starlight Parade–even when it’s only a behind the scenes take a look at floats in a warehouse–round Thanksgiving or Christmas. However truthfully, as many questions as I’ve, I’m advantageous not seeing an excessive amount of. I wish to get extra overestimated, not spoiled!
When Will Disney’s Starlight Parade Debut? – Since that is certain to return up (because it’s one of many few questions we’ve got been requested repeatedly about this as followers begin planning 2025 holidays), simply wish to plug the publish we’ve already written: When Will Starlight Night time Parade Debut at Walt Disney World?
The underside line is that there’s a variety of prospects, however the odds on favourite is Memorial Day weekend. There’s no assure of that given Walt Disney World has began summer time later–or might desire a shot within the arm earlier–however that’s the most effective guess this far upfront. Hopefully we’ll know extra by the point the ABC Thanksgiving particular and Christmas Day Parade roll round!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you wish to find out about Starlight? Wanting ahead to Walt Disney World’s first brand-new night time parade in many years? Has your Walt Disney World expertise been negatively impacted by the dearth of an evening parade? Any floats, franchises, characters, nods to SpectroMagic or Magic Road Electrical Parade, and so forth., that you just’re hoping to see out of the brand new Disney Starlight night time parade? Some other questions or remark? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
