Sunday July 20th 2025

The last three days have been hot. The weather service issued an extreme heat warning from noon to six each day. The actual temperature peaked in the upper 90s, but the feels like was ten degrees warmer. I stayed in the AC a lot during the day.

Before I was aware of the heat, I ventured out to Disney’ Magic Kingdom late Friday into the evening. The heat wasn’t bad once you got acclimated and stayed out of standing in the direct sun. I also didn’t let a water fountain pass by without stopping. For my effort I was rewarded by a new Disney parade. I got to watch the very first showing of the Starlight Dream the Night Away before a real audience. The new nighttime parade premieres on Sunday night, but was soft opened with very little advanced notice on Friday night.

I didn’t know about the parade when I set out for the park. It was only when I was walking along Main street that I got a clue. People were sitting on the curb and cast members were putting down crowd control tape on the side walks. A little thinking followed by confirmation from a cast member confirmed that I lucked out for a chance to see the first soft opening or perhaps better stated as a dress rehearsal of the parade. A few minutes of rain delay did build up the suspense a little, but shortly after 9PM the parade began.

By 7PM all of the good places to watch the parade were gone. Two rows of people lined all of the parade root. I found a place along Main Street in the third row of people around 8PM, but it was still a very long wait standing in one position. My view of the parade was good for observation and enjoyment, but not very good for pictures. There were tall people in front of me that raised their cameras a lot.

All of the floats were very tall and covered in lights that change color and sparkle continuously. It does have a bigger focus on newer intellectual property like Encanto, Coco and Wish along with the princesses. A Peter Pan float and a train shaped float with Mickey. Mini, Donald, Daisy and their friends bring up the rear. It is a real spectacular.

I had planned to see the parade for the first time this coming Wednesday. Since I have the park reservation, I will still go. Hopefully, I can find a better viewing location.