Walt Disney World has rolled out a variety of fresh and revitalized experiences for guests, inviting CGM to witness them up close during its Play ’n Preview event for international press. We were granted an early glimpse at the sights, sounds, thrills, and tastes that visitors can now incorporate into their travel itineraries.

This year, entertainment at Walt Disney World has undergone a major update, featuring a new nighttime parade, two new shows, and a sneak peek at forthcoming holiday attractions. The first event we attended at Magic Kingdom was Starlight: Dream the Night Away. This parade builds upon the legacy of beloved events like SpectroMagic and the Main Street Electrical Parade, employing enhanced lighting technology and showcasing both new and iconic Disney characters.

From singing alongside Miguel and dancing with Mirabel to joining Mickey and the gang on Whimsy, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” brings cherished characters to life beneath the twinkling stars. The all-new nighttime parade has its premiere on July 20 at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

Starlight: Dream the Night Away captivates with exquisitely designed floats illuminated by bright, colorful lights that are synchronized into a stunning animated choreography. Backlit by the darkened Magic Kingdom, the parade expertly combines contemporary favorites with the enduring classics that have defined Walt Disney World. The visual and auditory experience makes it a perfect conclusion to an evening at the park.

“Starlight: Dream the Night Away captivates with exquisitely designed floats illuminated by bright, colorful lights that are synchronized into a stunning animated choreography.”

If I were to analyze Starlight: Dream the Night Away critically, I would mention that the filler entertainment between the floats fell short of the visual splendor of the floats themselves. This oversight made the parade feel somewhat emptier than it genuinely was, at least from our perspective at the Main Street Train Station. (Although it may seem like a humblebrag, this is important context.) Smaller floats or elements, such as the fish in SpectroMagic, would help sustain the brilliance throughout the parade.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where long-lasting stage productions like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage have been popular for years, two brand new shows have launched: The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure and Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Each one takes a unique approach to staging, merging live performances with animation.

Dive into the ocean with “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” a new live stage show scheduled to premiere on May 27, 2025, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven A. Diaz, photographer)

The stage for The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure is inspired by the multiplane camera, the layered animation technique that Walt Disney Animation Studios refined and popularized with classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The multiplane effect, similar to the show’s stage setup, produces depth by separating animation layers for photography.

Onstage, the multiplane aesthetic manifests as multiple levels of interaction: a rear screen for animated backdrops, two movable side screens featuring animated characters, a performance area for live actors and puppeteers with practical set pieces, and a front screen for additional animated aspects. It’s a brilliantly orchestrated stage, and for those acquainted with its origins, the experience reaches new heights.

The production itself is energetic and enjoyable, highlighting all the popular songs from The Little Mermaid, along with numbers not featured in previous stage versions. The excitement in the theater escalates as the show transitions from Under the Sea to Kiss the Girl, creating an electrifying ambiance. Effects that extend into the audience further heighten immersion in the show’s atmosphere.

Nestled in the shadows of Sunset Boulevard, within Sunset Showcase, the all-new stage show “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” is set to debut on May 27, 2025, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven A. Diaz, photographer)

One feature likely to ignite discussion is the redesign of certain characters to align their animated appearance with that of the puppets, with Ursula being the most prominent example. The goal is to maintain uniformity throughout the production, but this also creates a contrast with characters that appear solely in animated form. Those characters, while depicted in 3D rather than 2D, keep their recognizable look from the film. Motion-capture technology provides them with natural, expressive performances.

“Villains: Unfairly Ever After presents a stage design as unique as its premise, with villains stepping through frames in some of the smoothest, most vibrant animation you will find in a stage performance.”

Villains: Unfairly Ever After introduces a stage design as distinctive as its concept. Envision a world where the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is summoned by each Disney villain, each claiming to be the most misunderstood. Three in particular—Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent—emerge from the mirror to plead their cases directly to the crowd.