Moonlight Magic Returning to Disney World!

Moonlight Magic events are returning to Walt Disney World in 2022, for the first time in over two years! During these free after hours parties, DVC members can experience a night full of fun: attractions with short wait times, rare character sightings, exclusive entertainment, and free food!

Disney Vacation Club is bringing the fan-favorite membership extra back for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, and promises special celebrations after the theme parks close to the general public during the World’s Most Magical Celebration! We cannot wait–we absolutely love Moonlight Magic, having done this many, many times in the past.

In fact, Our “Last” Night in Magic Kingdom prior to the closure was for Moonlight Magic. We’ve also shared reports from attending some of these Disney Vacation Club parties. You can read our Moonlight Magic — After Hours at Magic Kingdom Party Recap or our 25 and Beyond DVC Bash at Disney California Adventure Party Report or our Typhoon Lagoon Beach Bash Report.

Here’s what Disney Vacation Club has revealed thus far about the 2022 Moonlight Magic parties:

Epcot Moonlight Magic Event Dates are March 17, 2022 and March 31, 2022

Registration Window: Eligible Members with a Disney Resort hotel reservation on the event date can register online beginning February 23, 2022. Event registration opens to all eligible Members on March 8, 2022 (pending availability). Event details will be provided––via email––approximately one week prior to the event!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Moonlight Magic Event Dates are May 24, 2022, June 16, 2022 and July 14, 2022

DHS Registration Window: Please check back for information about when to register.

Animal Kingdom Moonlight Magic Event Dates are July 26, 2022 and August 31, 2022

DAK Registration Window: Please check back for information about when to register.

Disney Vacation Club has not yet provided dates or details about (potential) Moonlight Magic parties at the water parks or Magic Kingdom.

Our expectation is that there will not be Moonlight Magic in 2022 at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. It’s likely those are a thing of the past–even pre-closure, that was likely the case. As for Magic Kingdom, our hope is that its dates are added for September and October 2022, and DVC just isn’t ready to schedule or share those. It’s also possible that with the late start to the Moonlight Magic “season,” Disney Vacation Club is skipping Magic Kingdom and it’ll be offered to start 2023.

Per Disney Vacation Club, highlights for the “privileged partiers” at Moonlight Magic include:

  • Shorter-than-usual wait times for select park attractions
  • Disney Characters sightings
  • Reimagined entertainment
  • Complimentary special treats and delectable delights

Who’s Eligible & Who Isn’t

To be eligible for Moonlight Magic, you must be a “blue card” Disney Vacation Club member, meaning that you purchased directly from Disney or bought before the resale restrictions were implemented back in April 2016. If you have a member card, you’re good.

This also means that anyone renting Disney Vacation Club points is not eligible for Moonlight Magic. Unlike other on-site perks, Moonlight Magic is based on the membership and not the stay.

Finally, here’s the other “Know Before You Go” info for Moonlight Magic from the DVC Member site

Eligible Members with a Disney Resort Reservation

The initial registration window for EPCOT events is open to eligible Members with existing Resort reservations at a Disney-owned and operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort—with party size modifications finalized prior to February 20, 2022.

All Resort reservations and modifications—including your party size—must be completed by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on February 20, 2022. Modifications to your Resort reservation party size after February 20, 2022 will not increase party size for the event.

All eligible Members with a Disney Resort hotel reservation on the event date should be on the lookout for an email arriving on February 22, 2022. This email will contain a link where they can register online for EPCOT events!

General Registration – Opens March 8, 2022

EPCOT event registration opens to all eligible Members on March 8, 2022.

(Our note: Moonlight Magic at Epcot will occur before the probable opening date of Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind. A bit of a bummer in otherwise great news–it would’ve been nice for DVC members to experience that new E-Ticket with minimal wait!) 

Party Size Limits

A Member can register themselves and up to 4 additional Guests per Membership (for a total of 5)—or up to the number of Guests on his or her Resort reservation, provided it was finalized prior to February 20, 2022. Modifications to your Resort reservation party size after February 20, 2022 will not increase party size for the event. Children younger than 3 years old do not need to be registered for this event.

Health and Safety Measures

Health and safety measures and operational guidelines are subject to change without notice. (Our note: Walt Disney World is ending face mask rules before any of these Moonlight Magic dates. Of course, rules could be reinstated, but as of right now, the health and safety measures for Moonlight Magic are effectively nothing.)

Members With Multiple Resort Reservations

If Members have multiple Resort reservations, additional party size guidelines apply depending on how the reservation was booked:

  • When staying using Vacation Points or Reservation Points, Members can register themselves and up to the number of individuals on their Resort reservation(s).
  • When staying using cash, Interval International points or RCI points at an eligible Resort hotel, Members can register themselves and up to the number of individuals staying in the same room as the Member, per Membership.

Modifications & Cancellations

This event cannot be booked or modified through Member Services. If a Member wishes to change their party size within the party size limits, or the date that they are attending Moonlight Magic, they may modify their event registration through the link found in their confirmation email.

Please note:

  • If you cancel your Resort reservation, your event registration will be cancelled automatically.
  • Cancelling and rebooking an event registration increases the risk of losing one’s registration.
  • Modifications or cancellations of an event registration cannot be made the same day as booking.

Registering for Another Member on Your Membership

If the primary Member is not registering for the event, another Member with the same Member ID number may be added as an alternate to check in at the event. Valid Disney Vacation Club Digital Membership Card and photo ID are required at check-in.

Event Date Limits

In order to allow as many Members as possible to enjoy Moonlight Magic, only one event date for each participating park will be available per Membership.

Other Important Information

  • Registration is required and limited. Unfortunately, walk-ins will not be permitted.
  • Valid Disney Vacation Club Digital Membership Card and photo ID required at check-in. Member listed on the Digital Membership Card must be in attendance.
  • Complimentary admission to the after-hours event is valid for the duration of the event. If you wish to enter a park before the event, valid theme park admission and reservation are required.
  • This offer is complimentary, nontransferable and cannot be sold. It is subject to availability, change or termination without notice.
  • Attendees under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.
  • This is a rain-or-shine event; some experiences may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
  • We request that Members cancel at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Disney Genie, Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes are not available for use during Moonlight Magic Events.

Reservations must be made by the person listed as the “owner” on the Membership and can be booked with points through Disney Vacation Club or with cash through the Disney Reservation Center or a travel provider. Please note that Members who have a Resort reservation booked under another Member’s membership are not eligible for early booking.

Thinking about joining DVC? First be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Disney Vacation Club. This covers the pros & cons, resale v. direct, how much money you’ll save, and other important things to know before taking the plunge. If you still can’t decide whether membership is right for you, “try before you buy” and rent points from DVC Rental Store. If you are convinced a membership is for you, check out the discounted options at DVC Resale Market. Planning a Walt Disney World trip? For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know.

YOUR THOUGHTS

Planning on registering for one of the 2022 Moonlight Magic party nights? Excited to see this free event returning as a benefit for DVC members? Have you attended one of the Moonlight Magic events at Walt Disney World? Did you meet any rare characters or enjoy special entertainment? What did you think of the experience? Any questions or thoughts about anything in this party report? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!

38 Responses to “Moonlight Magic Returning to Disney World!”
  1. Dave January 3, 2023
    • Dave January 3, 2023
    • Tom Bricker January 3, 2023
  2. Holly November 29, 2022
  3. Virginis March 7, 2022
  4. Larry March 7, 2022
  5. Rebecca Higgins February 24, 2022
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