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Credit: Disney Since the Walt Disney World Resort reopened after its almost 4-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, many typical offerings Guests have come to admire were removed — at least for the time being. Magic Kingdom has been affected by many of these suspensions, such as parades like Festival of Fantasy and shows such as Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire and Happily Ever After, which are currently not available for Guests to enjoy. That being said, it looks like on New Year’s Eve, Magic Kingdom brought back a magical detail to their closing routine.
The Kiss Goodnight is an iconic final moment where Guests can say goodbye to Cinderella Castle, as well as the Magic Kingdom. It can be heard in front of the castle and all the way down Main Street, U.S.A. The announcement bids Guests adieu for the evening, then has Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the gang join in to wish you well, too. The Kiss Goodnight ends with a choral version of ‘A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes’ from Cinderella, and has slight castle lighting shifts throughout the goodbye.
Related: Tonight’s Virtual NYE Fireworks: An Old Favorite With a Twist Ending!
Yesterday evening, on New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom, Guests who stuck around until the park’s closing hour of 11:00 PM were able to have a little extra magic sprinkled on them before heading into 2021 because the Kiss Goodnight returned for the first time since reopening!
MagicalNewsLIVE (@MagicalNewsLIVE) tweeted a video of the Kiss Goodnight, and aside from the castle not changing it’s lighting and color, the audio was just as we remember it!
They just did the Kiss Goodnight for the first time since reopening! pic.twitter.com/fNIN2DRGrp
— MagicalNewsLIVE (@MagicalNewsLIVE) January 1, 2021
If the castle began changing colors, it likely would cause Guests to congregate in the area — which, of course, is not preferred while social distancing is strongly enforced. Luckily, the audio can be heard from many spots in Magic Kingdom and sounds just as magical whether it was heard in front of Cinderella Castle, or while you exit the Emporium with handfuls of Disney World souvenirs. Especially since Magic Kingdom is the only Disney theme park in the world with a Kiss Goodnight, being able to hear it is always extra special.
Related: Disney World Offers Extra Park Days With 2021 Packages!
Since this is the first return of the Kiss Goodnight since the park reopened, and New Year’s Eve was, of course, a special occasion, there are no guarantees that it will stick around. However, after remembering the magic the Kiss Goodnight entails, we sure hope it does!
Stay tuned to Inside the Magic as we continue to keep you up to date with all of the offerings at the Disney Parks as more continue to slowly return in 2021.
If you want to see a full video of what New Year’s Eve looked like at Magic Kingdom, including Guests chanting a countdown into 2021, check out this vlog from Disney and theme park YouTuber The Daily Woo:
If you want to book a Disney World vacation, why not begin today? Click here and have your own personal magical sidekick (AKA Academy Travel) guide you to the magic!
If you could pick one show or parade to return to Disney World, what would it be?