What To Do At Magic Kingdom After Dark

Many guests aim to arrive at the Disney parks as soon as they open in the morning. It’s true that mornings give guests an advantage for their day as lines are shorter and other guests can be slow to begin their days. Daytime at the parks gives guests entertainment like parades, shows, and roaming performers. But what about Disney after dark? Once night falls, the magic doesn’t end! In fact, there are plenty of things to do in the Disney parks once the sun goes down. If you have a trip to Magic Kingdom planned, then check out what you can do after dark.

Watch Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away

Magic Kingdom’s newest form of nighttime entertainment is the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade. Featuring so many of your favorite Disney characters, this parade comes to life nightly with hundreds of thousands of lights twinkling across Magic Kingdom. The parade runs either once or twice nightly (check your Disney World app for schedules and times) and runs from Main Street through to Frontierland. This parade might remind guests of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, but Disney Starlight is an updated, magical, and wonderful show of its own.

Enjoy Happily Ever After Fireworks Show

If you’re a fireworks fan, then you’ll love Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show: Happily Ever After. The best view of this show comes from Main Street USA near Cinderella Castle where guests can watch castle projections alongside the traditional fireworks. This show runs once nightly, weather permitting, and is the last thing to occur at the park before closing.

Experience Shorter Wait Times for Popular Attractions

Many guests don’t realize that nighttime is a great time to take advantage of some shorter wait times for popular attractions. Guests can get in line for attractions right up until the minute the park closes. By getting in line right before closing guests are able to experience shorter wait times as the Lightning Lanes are empty after park hours. This makes the standard line move twice as fast! After dark is a great time to hop in line for popular attractions.

Revisit Areas to See Lights and Take Photos

Parts of Magic Kingdom become transformed overnight with additional lights. Areas like Tomorrowland and Main Street USA look completely different after dark than they do during the day. Once night falls, take advantage of emptier areas and take photos in places that were too crowded during the daytime.

Climb the Swiss Family Tree House

One attraction that you absolutely must visit after dark is the Swiss Family Treehouse. This walkthrough attraction is fun during the day, but at night it gives you a great view of Magic Kingdom all lit up!

Do you enjoy staying at the parks after nightfall? What is your favorite thing to do after dark? We want to hear from you in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.