Walt Disney World made headlines when it adjusted the rules for Annual Passholders ahead of the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade, debuting July 20 at Magic Kingdom. For the first time in a while, passholders will need a reservation to enter Magic Kingdom—no matter the day or time. Even after 2 p.m., which had been the sweet spot for many APs, a reservation will now be required.
The reason? Disney expects massive demand for the new parade, which is the park’s first nighttime procession in almost ten years. And on paper, that makes sense. The floats are themed to fan-favorites like Frozen, Wish, Coco, and Encanto. Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy are getting new parade outfits. Specialty snacks and merch are already being teased. It has all the markings of a Disney spectacle.
Magic Kingdom Still Wide Open
But here’s the thing—did Disney jump the gun with the policy change?
As of June 2, Annual Passholders can still book reservations for opening night and the days following. And we’re not talking about just a few scraps left on the calendar. Magic Kingdom hasn’t filled up yet. That’s a little unusual for a high-profile debut.
Now, it’s fair to say we’re still over a month out. APs often make plans closer to the date, especially if they’re locals. But even with that in mind, you’d expect to see some sort of early rush or buildup… especially with the anticipation Disney seems to be signaling with its reservation shift.
Was It a Preemptive Move?
So was the policy change really needed? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s starting to feel like this was more of a “just in case” move than a response to overwhelming data. And let’s be real—Disney has seen its share of crowd problems before. If this was their way of getting ahead of the chaos, it’s understandable. But if the crowds don’t materialize the way they feared, it’s going to look a little reactionary in hindsight.
Hype Without the Hassle?
That said, the parade could still be a huge success without causing park-gridlock-level headaches. Not every new thing at Disney needs to bring TRON-style lines or Rise of the Resistance-level pandemonium.
Right now, the reservations are still there. And while that could change quickly, it also makes you wonder if Disney made a big change for a problem that hasn’t—and may not—exist.
Still Time to Grab Your Spot
One thing’s for sure: if you’re an Annual Passholder debating whether you should book Magic Kingdom for July 20, you’ve still got time. And maybe, just maybe, you won’t need to battle crowds as much as you thought.
