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Disney World Cuts Offering at Magic Kingdom, Announces Replacement

Disney fans heading to Magic Kingdom Park in the coming weeks should prepare for some schedule changes, as Disney World tweaks its entertainment lineup for the spring season.

Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom inside Disney World.

Even with ongoing refurbishments, temporary closures, and major projects in the works, many guests are still making their way to Walt Disney World Resort this year. While some may be holding off on their visit (or opting to check out Universal Epic Universe instead), plenty of Disney lovers are eager to experience the magic of the Florida theme parks.

Disney World is more than just its headline attractions, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios. Many guests come for the unparalleled entertainment, from professional performances like Festival of the Lion King to spectacular nighttime shows like Happily Ever After.

A carousel at Magic Kingdom theme park with Cinderella Castle in the background.
Credit: Disney Dining

Most of Magic Kingdom’s entertainment offerings remain year-round staples, but adjustments are made based on crowd levels, special events, and seasonal changes. And now, guests should prepare for some shifts in the schedule.

Starting Sunday, February 9, the Festival of Fantasy parade will increase from one daily performance to two—running at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. instead of just 3 p.m. each day. However, this means the Disney Adventures Cavalcade will be scaled back, moving from two daily performances (10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.) to just one at 5:10 p.m.

Another change? The highly popular Happily Ever After fireworks show will have a later start time due to Daylight Saving Time. On March 9, the show will shift from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and later, on March 30, it will begin at 9 p.m.

'Encanto' characters in concept art for the Disney Starlight parade at Walt Disney World Resort.

Beyond these operational updates, there’s even more exciting news for Magic Kingdom. Come summer 2025, the park will debut an all-new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight. This was officially announced at D23 Expo 2024, and fans are eager to see how it continues the tradition of Main Street Electrical Parade.

As shared by Disney Parks Blog:

“Disney Starlight will continue the nighttime spectacular legacy started by the Main Street Electrical Parade using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love. All of this is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, in addition to beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more.”

With new entertainment, shifting schedules, and the promise of a dazzling new nighttime parade, what do you think of these upcoming changes at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his… More »

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