The Moonlight Magic events have nearly wrapped up for 2023, and people are already looking forward to the 2024 events. For those who may be new to DVC or Moonlight Magic, let’s get acquainted with Moonlight Magic and how it works, shall we?
Eligibility
First things first: Moonlight Magic events are considered membership extras, so you need to have the “DVC-Y” designation on your membership card, be it through 150 DVC points purchased directly through Disney or being grandfathered under previous rules.
To be eligible for the first round of registration (more on the two rounds below), you have to be staying at a Disney-owned and operated resort. It does not have to be a stay that was booked with DVC points. Cash stays reserved through Member Services count as well. If your checkout date is a Moonlight Magic date, that counts too. If you are staying at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort on the date of Moonlight Magic, you are also eligible to register during the first round.
You can register either a total of 5 people per DVC membership (including yourself) or the total number of people on your resort reservation. For example, if you were staying at a grand villa and had a party of 12, you could register all 12 people staying in the grand villa.
Event Dates
Below are the Moonlight Magic dates for 2024:
- California Adventure
- January 29
- EPCOT
- January 25
- March 1
- Hollywood Studios
- August 27
- Animal Kingdom
- February 27
- April 23
- Typhoon Lagoon
- June 4
- July 11
Registration
There are two rounds for registration: one for resort guests and a second one for general registration. For general registration, you still need to have the DVC-Y designation and qualify for membership extras. However, you do not need to be staying at a Disney-owned and operated resort.
Registration takes place online. DVC sometimes emails out the links, but don’t fret if you do not receive the email! The registration link can also be found on the DVC website, and we typically post the link in the DVC Fan Facebook group as well.
You can visit the registration link right away, but the page typically doesn’t go live until 11am ET on the date of registration. Joining early doesn’t guarantee you a better place in line since your spot in the queue randomizes at 11am. Anyone who joins after 11am will be placed in order of when they clicked the link.
Registration Tips
Registration has earned Moonlight Magic the nickname of “Moonlight Madness.” The process can feel stressful and frantic since there is a limited number of spots, especially with general registration. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help your odds and manage expectations:
- Try more than one device for the randomized queue. Sometimes one device will get a better spot in line than the other.
- Have your membership number ready. You will need your membership number to prove eligibility for the event.
- Know the number of guests that will join you. Note that the names of your guests are not needed, just the number of guests.
- If you are eligible for Membership Extras but have a resort reservation that was made with resale points, you are still eligible to register. You may need to enter the membership number that is associated with the resale contract if you happen to have more than one membership.
- Remember that general registration has much fewer spots than resort guest registration. Don’t be surprised if you are number 600 in the queue and still don’t get a spot.
- Pack your patience, and watch for glitches! Whether you get booted out, the site won’t accept your membership number, or the page freezes, glitches can be another good reason to try more than one device. This way, you may still have another chance.
Event Tips
- A day or two before the event, you’ll get an email with more details, such as when to check in for the event.
- You can check in before the event begins. For example, Moonlight Magic at Hollywood Studios officially began at 9:30pm, but you could enter the park with a Moonlight Magic ticket beginning at 7pm. If you happened to be in the park already, you could pick up your event wristbands even earlier.
- Make sure your whole travel party is together when you pick up your wristbands and snack vouchers. The DVC member who made the reservation will need to be present and show his or her digital membership card and a photo ID.
- Eat dinner beforehand. The vouchers you receive are only good for snacks and beverages, so you’ll want something more substantial before you fill up on snacks and free ice cream bars.
- Speaking of snacks, scout out snack items; snack lines can get long, and some venues close before Moonlight Magic ends. The event brochure that you receive when you check in will tell you the hours that the quick service restaurants and kiosks are open.
- Attraction wait times are low compared to normal park hours but lowest at the end of the night.
- Prioritize shows that only happen once during the event, such as the special showing of Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios or the Membership Celebration fireworks at EPCOT.
Share below: What other tips do you have for Moonlight Magic?
