A new perk for future Annual Passholders is here.
Magic Kingdom has a new nighttime spectacle—and it’s already drawing record crowds. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away officially debuted on July 20, 2025, with back-to-back showtimes at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. This vibrant parade, inspired by the charm of the Main Street Electrical Parade, blends motion, music, and advanced projection technology to craft a story told entirely through light.
The parade’s dreamlike scenes, or “dreamscapes,” light up the park in striking ways. As shared by Disney Parks Blog, “When we think about what this storytelling looks like at night, we think about creating these landscapes—or dreamscapes, as we think about them—out of light. Today’s technology gives us more options than ever to use lighting and video elements as a storytelling tool.”
Guests who attended early previews on July 18 and 19 were among the first to experience the show, which had just completed a round of test runs. In preparation for opening weekend, Disney made changes to the Theme Park Reservation System to help manage the crowds.
Those changes came with a significant update for Annual Passholders: starting July 20, a valid reservation is now required to enter Magic Kingdom at any time of day. Typically, Passholders enjoy park-hopping access after 2:00 p.m. without a reservation, but Magic Kingdom is now excluded from that rule.
As Disney explains, “Due to anticipated high demand upon the debut of the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade on July 20, 2025, Passholders visiting Magic Kingdom park at any time of day (including after 2 p.m.) must have a theme park reservation.” The after-2 p.m. policy still applies at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Reservations for July 20 filled quickly, followed by three additional dates—July 19, 21, and 22—all reaching full capacity for Annual Passholders. Even those planning to start their day at another park and hop to Magic Kingdom later in the evening needed to have a reservation locked in. While availability can change throughout the day due to cancellations, guests should plan ahead.
Amid these changes, Disney has launched a new perk aimed at future Annual Passholders. As reported by WDWMagic, new pass purchases now come with a Disney Gift Card eGift, with values based on the pass type:
$100 for the Disney Incredi-Pass
$75 for the Disney Sorcerer Pass (Florida residents and eligible DVC members)
$50 for the Disney Pirate Pass (Florida residents only)
$25 for the Disney Pixie Dust Pass (Florida residents only)
This offer applies only to new Annual Passholder sales and cannot be redeemed by existing Passholders or during the renewal process.
Magic Kingdom’s updates don’t end with the parade. Frontierland is undergoing a significant transformation, paving the way for the Beyond Big Thunder expansion. This upcoming addition will reimagine Magic Kingdom’s far reaches with immersive new lands. Among the concepts in development are a Piston Peak National Park environment inspired by Cars, and an entire area dedicated to Disney Villains—a concept fans have been eager to see realized.
Although Disney has yet to confirm opening dates for these new lands, the expansion is part of the resort’s continued commitment to rich storytelling and innovative design.
Have you had a chance to see Dream the Night Away or felt the impact of the updated reservation rules? Thinking about becoming a Passholder and claiming that gift card bonus? We’d love to hear your experience—drop us a comment and let us know what you think!
