Nighttime Magic Returns to Magic Kingdom

in Walt Disney World

magic kingdom at night christmas

For the first time, arguably, since the gates closed due to the pandemic, nighttime magic has returned to Walt Disney World theme parks on the same day Christmas festivities begin at Magic Kingdom Park, and we were there to see it for ourselves.

Today, on the first official day of the holiday season at WDW, Magic Kingdom was open from 9am to 9pm.

magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM

Yes, thanks to the expiration of Daylight Savings Time, and the extension of theme park hours, Disney World Guests can once again walk under the lights of Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and the rest of the park. Any night spent walking through the Magic Kingdom is beautiful enough, but it is the start of the Christmas season! So we also get the beautiful Christmas lights and even the special holiday overlay projected on Cinderella Castle.

magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM

Unfortunately, we are still missing the two nighttime spectaculars, Once Upon a Time projection show and Happily Ever After fireworks show, for the time being, due to the pandemic. But in the meantime, we will take whatever extra magic we can get!

The nighttime splendor comes alive after a full day of holiday cheer featuring Christmas cavalcades, and other sightings of our favorite characters dressed in their holiday best.

magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom at night
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM
magic kingdom christmas
Credit: ITM

Magic Kingdom holiday festivities aren’t the only ones Guests can experience at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are also displaying their own festivities, including festive flotillas and merry motorcades. And, later in the month, we will see the return of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays beginning on November 27.

If you have been thinking about planning a holiday getaway to Walt Disney World this year, our friends at Academy Travel are standing by ready to help you make this trip happen with as much holiday magic as possible.

Click here to learn more and receive your free, no-obligation quote today!

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