Magic Kingdom Parades And Fireworks: Show Times Change In March 2026
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Disney are adjusting parade and firework times in Magic Kingdom for the upcoming longer daylight hours in Florida and the influx of expected high Spring break crowds. Times will be changing during the week 8-15th March 2026. If you’re planning your trip make sure you are planning from an up to date source and not a vlog from late 2025 or January and February 2026.
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Time Changes Starting March 2026
Parade / Fireworks | Old Times | New Times |
|---|---|---|
Festival of Fantasy Parade | 3:00pm | 12:00pm and 3:00pm |
Adventure Friends Calvacade | 10:30am | 5:10pm and 6:25pm |
Disney Starlight Parade | 7:45 PM | 8:15 PM (Daily) 10:30pm (Second parade only on select nights) |
Happily Ever After | 9:00pm | 9:30pm |
The Night-time Shuffle: Starlight vs. Fireworks
The biggest logistical hurdle for March 2026 is the 30-minute delay of Happily Ever After, which now consistently begins at 9:30pm. With the Disney Starlight parade starting at 8:15pm, the parade will finish its run through Main Street just as the central hub area in front of Cinderella Castle becomes incredibly buys with people waiting for fireworks.
If you want to see both back-to-back, do not watch the parade from Frontierland. The parade takes roughly 20-25 minutes to reach the end of the route. If you watch from the back of the park, you will be trapped behind the parade flow and miss the best fireworks viewing spots. Watch from Main Street to be in position for both.
The Adventure Friends Calvacade Evening Takeover
In a surprising move, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade (featuring the park's largest collection of characters) has moved from a morning slot to 5:10 PM and 6:25 PM. This is an important change for UK families to note, especially if booking dining reservations at nearby character restaurants near Magic Kingdom.
This change creates a heavy entertainment block in the evening. Between 5:00pm and 10:00pm, the parade route is almost constantly active. Use the 12:00pm Festival of Fantasy performance to tick off your parade viewing.
Two Night-time Parade Times For Busy Days
On peak nights, Disney is running a second showing of Disney Starlight at 10:30 pm. They have also changed the route which you can read about more here: Disney Starlight Parade route change: new direction. new viewing strategy.
The second showing is particularly handy for groups with older children, teens, or just adults, since many families with younger children will leave immediately after Happily Ever After, especially as it is now on half an hour later at 9.30pm. The 10:30pm parade is going to be significantly easier to watch, with front-row spots easier to grab 10 minutes before it starts, rather than the longer wait required for the first show.
Essential Planning Checklist for March 2026 and Beyond
If catching a parade is high on your Disney experiences agenda, here is what UK visitors need to do from March 2026:
Check the My Disney Experience App the day you are heading to Magic Kingdom. Show times can change with little notice
Parades and fireworks are affected by thunder and lightning and rain, so keep this in mind and stay up to date through the Disney app
If you are viewing from Frontier Land be aware that with Cars Land construction ongoing, the parade route has narrow pinch points. If you are claustrophobic, stick to the Liberty Square viewing areas.
Magic In A Minute
If you are heading to Magic Kingdom in early March and planning to watch a parade or Happily Ever After, times are changing due to changes in daylight hours. Make sure you have the most up-to-date times factored into your plans.