Meet Whimsy, The Star Of Disney’s New Nighttime Parade, Starlight: Dream the Night Away
Magic Kingdom is set to shine even brighter this summer, thanks to the launch of its newest nighttime spectacular: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. In the newest installment of We Call It Imagineering, Disney opens the vault on how this immersive, emotional parade came to life—from the earliest pencil sketches to a glowing finale under the stars.
A New Chapter in Disney Nighttime Magic
The making-of episode reveals just how much imagination fuels Starlight. What begins as scribbled sketches evolves through concept art and blue-sky renderings into the glowing reality of real floats. Each creative step transforms emotion into motion.
Bryan Chess, Senior Art Director, shares how he grew up inspired by SpectroMagic, and how that legacy guided the tone and vision of this new parade.
Whimsy the Train Rolls In
The standout moment? The parade’s finale introduces Whimsy—an entirely new character and the very float Mickey and friends ride on. Whimsy is an animated train with expressive eyes, a lovable face, and a playful soul.
Inspired by Disney characters and the retro charm of the Main Street Electrical Parade, Whimsy becomes the symbol of a new parade era, gliding ahead of a lineup that includes beloved faces like Aladdin, Jasmine, Goofy, and Snow White.
Art in Motion: Costumes That Sparkle with Inspiration
The performers’ costumes blend two powerful ideas: the mid-century magic of Mary Blair and the visual grace of celestial movement. With blocky color palettes, dreamy silhouettes, and shimmering textiles, every dancer becomes part of a cosmic fairytale.
Their choreography creates the illusion of moving through stars—each twirl painting streaks of light like brushstrokes on a night sky.
Soundtrack of the Stars
The score for Starlight does more than unify—it personalizes.
Each float has a musical identity, crafted to match the soul of its story:
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Moana: Island percussion, ukulele, and ocean echoes.
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Coco: Joyful mariachi rhythms and heartfelt guitar.
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Encanto: Lush Colombian tones with magical floral chimes.
Tara Anderson, the parade’s show director, teases audio callbacks to SpectroMagic and classic themes like When You Wish Upon a Star, providing subtle magic for Disney fans in the know.
A Hand-Drawn Heartbeat: Jiminy Cricket Returns
The finale includes a surprise: Jiminy Cricket, hand-drawn and full of warmth, animated by Visual Effects Designer Ryan Pelter. It’s a nod to the animation roots of Disney and a touching reminder of the company’s guiding star—wishful thinking and belief in magic.
Engineering Wonder: The Floats of Starlight
Each float isn’t just a structure—it’s alive with story:
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Encanto: Bioluminescent blooms grow before your eyes.
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Moana: Gramma Tala’s spirit and Te Fiti shine on glowing seas.
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Coco: Día de los Muertos flourishes in neon, complete with flying Pepita.
Together, they form a parade that’s as much a theatrical production as a nighttime show.
Special Touches for Fans
To mark the arrival of Starlight, guests can enjoy limited-time parade treats and keepsakes: a galactic popcorn mix, glowing star wand, and Minnie ears inspired by Mary Blair’s art style. There’s even a parade-themed AR feature through My Disney Experience and special photo ops along the parade route.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
With respectful nods to SpectroMagic and the Main Street Electrical Parade, this new spectacular honors Disney’s parade history while blazing new trails. The episode reminds fans that Imagineering is about more than building shows—it’s about telling stories that stay with us.
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away begins nightly July 20, with performances at 9 PM and 11 PM.
With characters, color, and a hand-drawn conscience, this isn’t just a parade. It’s a dream in motion.
