With a brand new spectacular lighting up the night at the Magic Kingdom, many guests have begun asking when another iconic aspect of the Magic Kingdom after dark could return.
Cinderella Castle Dream Lights 2018
In July 2025, Disney premiered Starlight at the Magic Kingdom. The new parade, which Disney calls a “dazzling nighttime parade that celebrates magical moments from Disney stories—each touched by starlight” is the first presentation of its kind at the Magic Kingdom in just about a decade, carrying on the legacy of The Main Street Electrical Parade and Spectromagic!. Some guests are hoping that the new infusion of nightlife at the Magic Kingdom – which will continue through the Holidays – could lead to another beloved nighttime element of the park returning, no matter how unlikely.
From 2013 through 2019, the Dream Lights lit up the Magic Kingdom during the Holiday Season. Thousands of light were strewn across Cinderella Castle, bathing the structure in a welcoming icy glow that, ironically, warmed the hearts of many. I saw the Dreamlights in person on one of my visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, and can personally attest to how moving they could be.
During the 2013 season, the lights were ceremoniously lit each night with a show that starred Mickey, Minnie, and friends. The following year, the show was changed to one revolving around Queen Elsa from Frozen. The lights remained a major part of the park’s Holiday Season offerings through 2019. They did not return in 2020 during the height of the COVID Pandemic. However, the lights were also absent after most other elements of the resort’s Christmas offerings returned in 2021.
We miss these lights!
Why? Well, there are likely two intertwined reasons: Projections and Money.
First off, in recent years, the majority of Disney nighttime shows now heavily involve projections on Cinderella Castle, and the large amount of physical lights hanging over the castle would interfere with these intricately designed presentations. As far as money, it frankly likely cost a lot to hang and remove the lights, and is likely much more cost-effective to stick with projections.
Cinderella Castle
Despite these practical considerations, many fans still yearn for the return of the Dream Lights, expressing their desires through social media posts. Stay tuned to DFB for more on the resort’s evolution.
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Elsa lighting the castle Dream lights was the best WDW holiday feature ever. Took my breath away EVERY SINGLE TIME, so wish they would bring it back!
I completely agree with you on the return of the icy Elsa lights on Cinderella castle! I always looked forward to that at Christmas at WDW! Listen, the map projection is beautiful on regular days, we need grand, magnificent, icy powers back again!
Too me the Icecicle castle is the best followed by the cup cake for shear beauty and fun.