The Kiss Goodnight: Disney World’s Best Thing Few Guests See
Too few Walt Disney World fans know about the Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom. If you just thought, “what’s that?” you’re not alone. The Kiss Goodnight is a little over 2-minutes long, and it is WDW’s way of saying “goodbye” (or “go home!” depending upon your perspective) to guests at the end of a long day in the park.
The Kiss Goodnight usually plays every 30 minutes after Magic Kingdom closes, and starts with Cinderella Castle “twinkling” as the music from When You Wish Upon a Star slowly builds.. This means that you could see it more than once in a single night–we once saw it four times in the same night…its magic wears off a bit after the second time, ha!
Since originally writing this post a few years ago, we’ve seen the Kiss Goodnight many, many times. (Even writing a follow-up further expressing our appreciation of it.) A few people have asked questions about the Kiss Goodnight that we figured we’d answer up front here, though…
The Kiss Goodnight still runs at Magic Kingdom as of Spring 2020. There are nights when it is (inexplicably) not shown, or runs on a different, more frequent schedule. There is no rhyme or reason to this, and we cannot explain why that occurs. Those nights are few and far between in our experience (<5% of the time), so if you miss it one night, try to catch it another.
It’s really only visible and audible from Main Street, so watching from another land is not possible. Finally, there is no Kiss Goodnight at any other castle park in the world. (Sorry, Disneyland fans.) The next closest thing is the seldom-seen burn off for IllumiNations. Those are really the major things to know, so let’s turn to why this little “moment” is so magical.
A narrator then greets the last of the guests in the Magic Kingdom, saying:
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, on behalf of everyone here at the Magic Kingdom, we thank you for joining us today for a magic gathering of family, friends, fun, and fantasy. We hope your magical journey with us has created wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Walt Disney said that the Magic Kingdom is a world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, magic and make believe are reborn, and fairy tales come true. The Magic Kingdom is a place for the young and the young at heart. A special place where when you wish upon a star, your dreams can come true.
Until we see you again, have a safe trip home. Thank you, and goodnight.”
Here’s a video I shot of The Kiss Goodnight:
Please excuse the poor quality, as that video was shot a decade ago (probably on an original iPhone–I don’t even remember), long before we ever started this blog. It was my very first upload to YouTube, and the only reason I posted it because there were no other videos of the Kiss Goodnight at the time. Despite happening nightly, it was relatively unknown online.
I wanted to write about the Kiss Goodnight, but it’s something that photos definitely don’t do justice. Most shots simply look like Cinderella Castle at night, albeit with minor color differences…and maybe some twinkling.
Throughout this post, there’s over 11 years of Kiss Goodnight photos, from 2008 until today! From a photography perspective, the Kiss Goodnight may not look different than normal lighting used on Cinderella Castle, but it is. Beyond the twinkling, there are a few color schemes not normally used throughout the night.
My favorite of these is at the very end, when Cinderella Castle is quickly bathed in mostly-white lighting, with extra intensity on the top spire (see above). I actually use photos of this ‘moment’ on the blog quite regularly, as I love the way this photographs and looks.
One of my first Kiss Goodnight photos is from August 18, 2008–a shot I shared in my “Top 30 Must-Sees” countdown on Flickr prior to our then-annual Walt Disney World trip.
On that list, I ranked the Kiss Goodnight as the #2 experience we were looking forward to (#1 was spending time with one another…so the Kiss Goodnight was basically the #1 Disney attraction) on that trip. That ranking and those words still ring true today.
To this day, the Kiss Goodnight is something we look forward to, always make an effort to see, and our day at Magic Kingdom isn’t quite complete without the Kiss Goodnight.
It’s safe to say that for something that lasts only about two minutes to be one of the most anticipated and memorable experiences at Walt Disney World, it must be pretty special.
It goes without saying that for that thing to be the second most anticipated experience at Walt Disney World, especially given the myriad of amazing sights, sounds, tastes, etc., it must be out-of-this-world, jaw-droppingly [insert string of adjectives here] amazing.
Such is the Kiss Goodnight, the proverbial icing on the Cake (Castle!) for us. After a long day in the parks, we can’t help but just stop and watch the Kiss Goodnight, completely frozen and unable to move. For us, the combination of the beautiful light display and hearing about the meaning Walt Disney wanted the parks to have for guests does it every time.
We both still get choked up by the Kiss Goodnight…to this day…even after seeing it more times than I can count.
Being in an almost-deserted park as the ‘young at heart’ during Walt’s favorite time of day, we can’t help but think of his influence, and how special it is to walk alone in the last park he envisioned and take it all in.
The Kiss Goodnight demonstrates what makes the place inherently special and transcendent of the concept of a “theme park.” Simply put, the Kiss Goodnight concisely states and embodies the ‘Magic of Disney.’
Even though it’s almost impossible to explain, this pretty much sums up why we feel the Kiss Goodnight is so special, and why it gives me goosebumps every time I see it. It’s not an amazing, state-of-the-art attraction.
It’s one of those little things that elicits an emotional response from us, and is therefore one of the most important experiences we can have at Walt Disney World. Besides the TTA, it’s likely the “attraction” we experience most on each trip we take to Walt Disney World.
Even though the Kiss Goodnight is the absolute best time to take photos of Cinderella Castle, most of the time I just find myself standing there gazing at the Castle in awe, paralyzed by the beauty of the moment. Not everyone will feel the same way.
If they were to see it, I suspect most visitors to Walt Disney World would probably shrug it off, thinking it of very little significance in the grand scheme of their vacation.
However, I’m convinced that most people who “get” the Walt Disney World theme parks would get goosebumps if they were to stand in a mostly-empty Magic Kingdom and watch and listen to this on a tranquil Main Street USA.
It’s special not just because you’re in the park at such a peaceful time, essentially by yourself with Cinderella Castle, but also because of the significance of the words in Roy O. Disney’s Walt Disney World opening day dedication speech.
The Kiss Goodnight embodies and reminds us exactly why it’s so great and special to get to experience Walt Disney World–and why so many of us are lifelong fans. If you haven’t stayed to experience the Kiss Goodnight before, you should definitely make an effort to do it at least once. It absolutely belongs on everyone’s WDW Bucket List.
Beyond that, being a Disney fan who has seen the Kiss Goodnight makes you part of an exclusive club (we ought to have a secret handshake!). Not many people can muster the stamina it takes to be in the park that late, so those who answer “yes!” when asked if they’ve seen the Kiss Goodnight are among the most passionate of the passionate Disney fans…or perhaps we’re all just the craziest? Either way, there’s something to be said for making the effort to be in the Magic Kingdom during that peaceful and special time of night, and having the Kiss Goodnight put the cherry on top of a day of wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
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Your Thoughts
Are you part of the club? What do you think of the Kiss Goodnight? If you haven’t seen it, does this post make you want to stay up late for it? Do you agree or disagree with our take here? Think the Kiss Goodnight is overrated? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi there! love your blog, I must have studied most of your posts, I’m traveling to Disney World in Feb 2020, it has been a lifelong dream of mine and I do not want to miss the Kiss Goodnight. Is it shown on the nights when MK doesn’t do EMH? I am non-disney resort guest most of my trip but treated myself for 2 nights (my birthday) to a Disney hotel and my question is can I enjoy the Kiss Goodnight as a non-disney resort guest or only on the nights I am staying at Disney resort (there’s no EMH at MK those nights). Please let me know, I really don’t want to miss it.
In my experience it’s been every night. Enjoy your trip.
Thank you so much Andrew! not long now!
You don’t know how much you miss something until you don’t have it anymore. I miss giving and receiving goodnight kisses…
I miss everything… I just hope she remembers all the amazing times we shared. The memories, love, small things and what I love you meant for me…
I loved everything about her. I have so many amazing memories that are so amazing. I was so lucky. I choose to be positive and hope that I am not the only one that has these memories. Life is tough and sometimes you have no control over what happens next butt you do have control over your thoughts and happiness. I will continue to live my life and Hope that “everything is going to be alright”
I loved everything about her. I have so many amazing memories that are so amazing. I was so lucky. I choose to be positive and hope that I am not the only one that has these memories. Life is tough and sometimes you have no control over what happens next butt you do have control over your thoughts and happiness. I will continue to live my life and Hope that “everything is going to be alright”
You don’t know how much you miss something until you don’t have it anymore. I miss giving and receiving goodnight kisses…
If you stay around the park long enough to see the Kiss Goodnight, will the buses to the resorts still be running by the time you leave the park?
We’ve seen the kids goodnight multiple times on our visits but have never heard it referred to as such! First was by accident but now we wait for it, such a surreal time at MK it’s like your own personal moment on Main Street with the castle, I love to reflect on how many memories were made just that particular day. Unforgettable!
Does the kiss goodnight happen after Mickeys Christmas party?
We are going for our first Disney world trip in December and I definitely want to see this!
The very first time I saw it was after MVMCP. It is everything Tom says it is. Definitely a ‘must experience’
I was wondering about it, I’ll be there on a MVMCP next 30th. Good to know that day might have it!!! Thank you!!
We have been going to WDW since 1976 almost every year. I have never heard of the the “Kiss Goodnight” and only wish we had seen it. We will make it one for our bucket list for sure now that we know about it. Thanks for the information, your blog is always informative.
We saw the Goodnight Kiss completely by accident on the last night of our very first visit. Kids asleep in the stroller, my husband and I were both touched by the sentimental and nostalgic feeling it gave us. We were both teary as we made our final trip down Main Street!
Yep, it has that way of doing that to you! Catches you off-guard, and then “gives you all of the feels,” as the kids say. 😉
You said it all. The Kiss Goodnight is everything you have described. My husband and I are always overwhelmed and emotional experiencing it. Walt Disney really had a vision of wonder, joy and peace. His was able to turn that vision into a magical experience that he imparted to all who are willing to open up to it. The Kiss Goodnight embodies that magic . Thank you for writing this blog and especially this article.
Is the goodnight kiss after regular park hours or after extra magic hours?
WOW!! I’ve been to Disneyland so many times over the years and there’s nothing like that at the end of the night – I think it’s just a “thanks for coming and the shops are open for another hour” which isn’t even close to a kiss.
We are planning a trip to Disney World in November (our first in about 30 years) and this is definitely on our “list”! Thank you so much for posting this. I am so incredibly happy I found your blog (I’ve been reading it all afternoon) and now I can’t wait to get there!!!
To see The KISS Goodnight at Disneyland you have to take the tour called “A Walk in Walt’s Shoes” it’s magnificent!
Actually, Rou O. Disney dedicated the resort as a whole on October 25th, not the first. Great article!
Always nice to find a fellow Hoosier who loves Disney! I hadn’t heard of this but am so excited I stumbled upon it now as I’m taking my nephew in 2 weeks for his first Disney trip so this will be awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!
I will neither confirm nor deny that I, a 6’1″ 400lb bearded man, still cries every time I see the Kiss Goodnight.
So this August was our first family trip to Disney World and we went all out and had a blast. Days before we left I saw either this post or one that’s similar. I made it a point to plan a day to see this and refused to watch the video. There ended up being three nights that the park times said they were closing at midnight or 11. The times it closed at midnight we were so tired we went home. But our last night there I told the wife and kids we were staying to see the goodnight kiss. Well 11 o’clock comes and we are getting off the haunted mansion ride and make our way over to the castle to see the show. Well 11:15 comes and what happens? They decide to have the Main Street electrical parade again. While this was cool to see with a near empty park and I was able to get some amazing shots of the floats and characters we were tired at needed to get up early for baggage check. So if their closing time is posted as a certain time when do they do the goodnight kiss? Because if what you said was true they shouldn’t of had the parade at closing.
Of course my guess is that since the parade moves to Disneyland next month they want everyone to see it. Hopefully if we ever get a chance to go back we can see this.
If MK stays open until 11:00 is that the time of the kiss goodnight? We’re taking our four grandchildren the end of August and trying to decide which night to stay for the kiss goodnight.
I am so glad I came across this post. I have been to MK dozens of times and have never experienced the Kiss Goodnight. I was getting teary just reading this, and I cannot wait to experience it live during my trip this September. I didn’t even watch the video you posted so as to not “spoil” anything from my first experience.
My family and I got to go to Disney over the Memorial Day weekend this year. I used your site as one of my Planning sites. And on the day we spent the entire day in the MK i had told my family I am not leaving until the Goodnight Kiss gets played. You were absolutely right, I stood there staring at the Castle in awe of what was going on….not a single picture!! hahahaha. Thank you for all your posts but for this one especially.
We stayed in the Polynesian Resort and the following nights I could watch the transformation of the castle from the Beach eating my Dole Whip!!! thanks again