Summary
Walt Disney World is a frogtastic place to be this year! With the 50th-anniversary celebration wrapping up in March and the "Happily Ever After" nighttime spectacular returning on April 3rd, 2023, we can hardly contain our excitement! More specifically, Magic Kingdom has a ton of new or revamped entertainment offerings that have us frogs leaping with joy! From cavalcades, stage shows, Festival of Fantasy Parade and character meet & greets, this is a post that you’re going to want to save. Use this information as a reference when you’re in the throws of planning your next Walt Disney World vacation!
Magic Kingdom Entertainment Information
You can find all the Magic Kingdom entertainment options in the My Disney Experience app. If you haven’t already, go ahead and download the app to your phone. When you're in the app, click on the location arrow at the bottom of the screen. Then you can filter to the park you’d like to view; in this case, you’d select Magic Kingdom. At the top, you’ll choose the Entertainment category, and then you’ll see the entire list of entertainment options as well as showtimes. You’ll also be able to view showtimes by scrolling through the Tip Board in the Disney Genie Service.
Do you plan on using Genie+ on the day of your Magic Kingdom visit? Perfect! You can use the Lightning Lanes to hop the lines to some of the character meet and greeting. More on that below!
Oh, and one more crucial thing to note. While we’re sharing where and when to find these entertainment options, be aware that these times are always subject to change at Disney. Be sure to double-check the showtimes in MDE (My Disney Experience app) on the specific day of your visit.
Lastly, keep in mind that there are so many options that you might not be able to see and do them all, and that’s toadally OK! Even as theme park veterans, we froggies think it's challenging to see everything on the list below in one day. However, let this guide help you prioritize your must-dos based on your family’s interests.
Now, let’s hop to it!
Stage Shows at Magic Kingdom
Let the Magic Begin
As part of the 50th-anniversary celebration, "Let the Magic Begin" stage show has returned! Start your day with this five-minute, park-opening performance featuring many favorite characters. It ends with Mickey and Minnie welcoming guests to the park. Until March 2023, the characters will be sporting their EARidescent outfits as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration. We think catching this show in the morning is an exciting way to kick off our Magic Kingdom day. Hearing Mickey and Minnie wish us a good day just adds that extra bit of Disney magic. Tad and Lily love this show, and they are so hoppy that it’s made a return!
Location: Cinderella Castle
Showtimes: Five minutes before the official park opening. Be sure to verify the time in the My Disney Experience app.
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire
This stage show returned in February 2022 and is the revamped version of Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. Our Frog Family was so fortunate to view this show on reopening day, and we have to admit we shed some very hoppy tears! Here, you’ll be able to see Mickey and Minnie sing and dance along with characters from "Frozen," "Tangled" and "The Princess and the Frog." The storyline is adorable, and with the lively musical score, you’ll be sure to dance along! As a bonus, this show is just over 20 minutes long and is an excellent way to take a break in the day.
Location: Cinderella Forecourt Stage
Showtimes: 10:10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. (subject to change)
Our favorite is the last show of the day. Sometimes this aligns with golden hour, and you can get gorgeous photos with the golden light reflecting off the castle. The temperature is generally cooler during this part of the day too.
Frog Viewing Tip: The castle stage is elevated above the ground, so there are great viewing areas all around the castle.
Cavalcades and Parades at Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade
Another 50th-anniversary addition is Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade. If you’re unfamiliar, a cavalcade is a short parade that features a float (or a small number of floats) with various Disney characters and performers. This two-float cavalcade stars Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, plus Chip 'n' Dale all decked out in their EARidescent best! You’ll also see flag performers and hear "The Magic is Calling" as the featured song. You’ll love the energy and fun factor!
Location: Parade route beginning in Frontierland along Liberty Square, around the castle hub, down Main Street, U.S.A. and ending at the Town Square Fire Station
Showtimes: 10:45 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 4:25 p.m. (subject to change)
Frog Viewing Tips: We’ve learned the best places to view the parade (and cavalcades) over the years. We have three top favorites. Our first recommendation is at the hub of Cinderella Castle. If you stand on the right side (facing the castle), you’ll be able to get photos and videos with the castle in the background. We also think that standing in the center of Town Square facing the castle makes for excellent viewing, as well as most places along Main Street (just don't sit in front of a trash can or in a walkway, or else you'll be asked to move!). Next to the Town Square Fire Station also makes for a fun spot, and it’s usually not as crowded in this part of the park.
Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
This cavalcade is a welcomed addition to Magic Kingdom! It features over 30 Disney and Pixar characters. Some of the characters make rare appearances such as Marie from "Aristocats" and Nick and Judy Hopps from "Zootopia." The two-float cavalcade is the largest one ever and is currently running once a day. We love the high-energy song "Vamos!" and find ourselves singing it throughout the rest of our Magic Kingdom day.
Location: Parade route beginning in Frontierland along Liberty Square, around the castle hub, down Main Street, U.S.A. and ending at the Town Square Fire Station
Showtimes: 5:10 p.m. (Subject to change)
Festival of Fantasy Parade
This well-loved parade finally made its comeback on March 9, 2022! This parade features original music and features floats that pay homage to "The Little Mermaid," "Frozen," "Tangled" and more from our favorite Disney films. The floats have unique and jaw-dropping designs. Our favorite float is Maleficent in dragon form, and we adore watching her fiery snarl make its way down Main Street!
This is a very popular performance, so you’ll want to stake your spot along the parade route 30 to 45 minutes before the parade for front-row viewing. With Disney Genie+, you can access a special viewing area right in front of the castle. The Lightning Lane entrance is directly behind the Walt Disney and Mickey Partners Statue.
Location: Parade route beginning in Frontierland along Liberty Square, around the castle hub, down Main Street, U.S.A. and ending at the Town Square Fire Station
Showtimes: 12 p.m., 3 p.m. (subject to change; in the off-peak season, there may only be one parade)
Character Greetings at Magic Kingdom
Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
Kids of all ages love seeing and meeting characters while at Walt Disney World. We think character interactions are the unique quality that makes Disney a special place to vacation. But, of course, the biggest celebrity of them all is, no doubt, Mickey Mouse!
You can find him for a memorable meeting experience in the Town Square Theatre. This will be on your right, just past the train tracks as you enter the park. We recommend you plan your visit early in the morning or after dinner. That’s when you’ll find the shortest waits.
Traditional character greetings have returned! Hip hop hooray! You can hug and high-five all of your favorite Disney pals! Disney PhotoPass photographers are staked out at most of the character greet locations.
Showtimes: Typically from park opening to close. This attraction is available as a Genie+ selection and Disability Access Service (DAS).
Princess Fairytale Hall
Disney Princess character meet & greets have returned to the Princess Fairytale Hall! Lily adores being able to meet, take photos and get autographs with her favorite princesses.
Princess Fairytale Hall is located next to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in Fantasyland. There are four Disney princesses that you can meet. The hall is separated into two sections, and on one side of the hall are Cinderella and Elena. On the other are Tiana and Rapunzel.
Frog Viewing Tip: In addition, sometimes you can meet with a rare Disney princess such as Ariel, Jasmine or Snow White! You’ll know when this is hoppening when the sign outside says a "visiting princess" is in the hall. So keep a lookout! Frogs of all ages love meeting these special characters!
Location: Princess Fairytale Hall
Showtimes: Typically from park opening to close. This attraction is available as a Genie+ selection and Disability Access Service (DAS).
Ariel at her Grotto
Ariel has recently returned to her grotto and is meeting guests from the land or sea! Be sure to make a fishyface and snap a "shelfie!" This attraction is available as a Genie+ selection and Disability Access Service (DAS).
Location: Fantasyland
Disney Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Sideshow
Head on under the Big Top to meet with either Minnie Mouse or Donald and Daisy Duck. These characters are decked out as circus stars and wearing their most colorful circus outfits!
Location: Fantasyland, Pete's Silly Sideshow
Nighttime Entertainment at Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle: A Beacon of Magic
As part of the 50th-anniversary celebration and running until April 2nd, 2023, each of the four park icons is transformed into a Beacon of Magic every evening. At dusk, the castle becomes illuminated with special effects, lighting and narration. This "show" is just a couple of minutes long and runs every 15 minutes until the nighttime fireworks show and continues until the park closes.
Location: Cinderella Castle
Showtimes: Check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
Disney Enchantment
What’s a trip to Walt Disney World without fireworks? There’s no better way to end your day at Magic Kingdom. As part of the 50th-anniversary celebration, Disney debuted a brand-new spectacular, Disney Enchantment. This opened on October 1st, 2021, and it will run the length of the 18-month celebration, ending on April 2nd, 2023.
Disney Enchantment features a new musical score and detailed castle projections with scenes from "Peter Pan," "Moana," "The Princess and the Frog," "Monsters, Inc.," "Soul," "Frozen" and many more. In our opinion, it feels like the fireworks are bigger and more sparkly than ever!
As a new feature for this show, the projections extend to Main Street, U.S.A.! We recommend viewing the fireworks show from the castle hub for the best visuals of the castle projections. However, for the full effect, stand back at the center of Town Square, where you’ll be able to see all of the projections and fireworks. Both viewing locations give a toadally different experience! Another perk to watching near the Town Square is that if you are planning on leaving right after the show, you’ll be one of the first people out of the park and won’t have to wait in long lines for Disney transportation back to your resort or to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
For a less crowded viewing option, you can watch the fireworks at the back of the castle. Just keep in mind that you won’t see the projections. Another favorite is hopping on an attraction right as the show begins (though it takes some coordination!). For example, being able to see fireworks above the castle as you peak at the top of Splash Mountain is just frogtacular!
The Disney Enchantment fireworks can be enjoyed outside the park, with many places piping in the music as well. Many of the outdoor terraces of the monorail resorts offer excellent viewing areas. Our favorite outside viewing location is the beach of Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
You can reserve a spot at the Tomorrowland Terrance Dessert Parties for an extra cost. We recommend that you make these reservations in advance. Here, you’ll get good (not the best, in our opinion) views of the fireworks, along with dessert and beverages. The biggest perk, of course, is being able to sit down at a table while watching the show.
Location: Cinderella Castle
Showtime: Every evening — be sure to confirm the showtime in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
"Happily Ever After" — Coming Soon!
The frog-favorite "Happily Ever After" nighttime spectacular is returning to Magic Kingdom on April 3rd, 2023! This fireworks show will be an updated version that will include new castle projections, lights, lasers and special effects. We are so hoppy it's returning and we can't wait to watch it take to the sky in April!
Additional Magic Kingdom Entertainment
The following list is the remaining entertainment activities that you can find at Magic Kingdom. They are not new but may be new to you if this is your first time visiting. We love all of the shows and performers and try to see all we can on our Disney days. You can find the locations, including maps and directions, plus showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.
- The Dapper Dans — Listen to songs and jokes from the lively barbershop quartet.
- Casey's Corner Pianist - showtimes run periodically throughout the day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Flag Retreat Ceremony — At 5 p.m. each day, watch the American flag retire for the night at Town Square in Main Street, U.S.A.
- Main Street Philharmonic Marching Band — The 12-piece brass and percussion band marches along Main Street, U.S.A and in Storybook Circus, while playing classic marching songs, as well as Disney hits.
What Disney entertainment shows do you plan on including for your next trip?
Are you as excited as we are about all the entertainment options at Magic Kingdom? Do you prefer the fireworks, parade or character greetings?! Which ones do you plan on including in your trip? Do you still have questions? Drop your comments and questions below.
Related: The Best Places to Watch Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
Related: The Best Places to Watch the Parade at Magic Kingdom
Hoppy planning!
