Disney World Officially Changing Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom Imminently
Exciting updates continue to unfold at Magic Kingdom as Walt Disney World gears up for its largest expansion yet—and fans will want to take note of a few key changes coming soon.
Starting July 6, the cherished Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular will see a slight adjustment to its schedule. The show, which currently lights up Cinderella Castle at 9:20 p.m., will move to a later 10:00 p.m. start time. This shift could be especially significant for families with younger guests, as the new schedule pushes the park’s exit time later into the evening. As always, Happily Ever After remains subject to change due to weather conditions.
Speaking of surprises, a recent video captured Festival of Fantasy performing during an unexpected downpour, turning the parade into a rain-soaked spectacle. Characters remained in costume as they continued the route, though in a rare moment, Bashful was escorted off the path by Snow White herself for unknown reasons.
Before the new 10 p.m. time slot kicks in, Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky will return for two nights only—on July 3 and 4—at 9:20 p.m., giving guests another reason to stay and enjoy the nighttime sky over Magic Kingdom.
Big changes don’t stop there. On July 20, Magic Kingdom will debut Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, a brand-new parade featuring dazzling floats themed to classics like Frozen, Peter Pan, and Tangled. This new entertainment offering brings even more energy to evenings in the park, which are already popular thanks to returning favorites.
And while the nightly entertainment continues to evolve, so does the park itself. Over in Frontierland, signs point to major developments on the horizon. With the closure of attractions in the area slated for July 7 and construction permits filed, fans are looking ahead to what Disney has dubbed the “largest expansion in Magic Kingdom” history. The much-anticipated Beyond Big Thunder project will include a brand-new Disney Villains-themed land, while Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Pixar’s Cars universe, is set to join the lineup as well.
No opening dates have been announced yet, but Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s temporary closure suggests forward movement on these ambitious projects.
With Cinderella Castle at its heart and lands like Adventureland and Tomorrowland drawing guests of all ages, it’s no wonder Magic Kingdom continues to be the most visited theme park in the world. And with all these changes coming soon, there’s even more magic to look forward to.
How do you feel about the new Happily Ever After showtime? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
