The new Disney Festival of Fantasy parade debuted at the Magic Kingdom Sunday, bringing seven massive new floats and nearly 100 costumed performers to Main Street, U.S.A. The Disney Festival of Fantasy was the first truly new parade for the Magic Kingdom since 2001, replacing Celebrate a Dream Come True, the third version of the Share a Dream Come True parade introduced in 2001 for the park's anniversary celebration.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is currently presented once a day, and access to a reserved viewing area is available using the FastPass+ system. MousePlanet contributor Linda Neely was at the debut performance and shared her photos with us. They're grouped below by parade unit, along with Disney's description of the design concept.
The Princess Garden
“This pageantry of princesses celebrates Disney royalty. Cinderella, Tiana and Belle accompanied by their respective princes, ride in a garden of topiaries with woodland creatures, birds and more. Cinderella’s dress playfully twirls like a turntable, while Swan Court couples lead the 50-foot-long majestic float, capped off with a special appearance by Anna and Elsa from Disney’s hit animated feature, Frozen.”
Belle and Beast lead the new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Swan dancers escort the Princess Garden down the parade route. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Gus, Jaq and Perla decorate Cinderella's spinning ball gown. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Anna and Elsa make their debut in the Disney Festival of Fantasy parade. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Naveen and Tiana wave from the back of the Princess Garden float. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Tangled
“A massive long ship on the high seas showcases Flynn Rider and Rapunzel in search of adventure and another Best. Day. Ever! Rapunzel’s iconic tresses weave throughout this 36-foot-long float decked out with swaying pendulums carrying dastardly thugs.”
Large, colorful costumes are a signature of the Festival of Fantasy parade. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The stars of Tangled sail down Main Street, U.S.A. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Rapunzel wields a frying pan. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Little Mermaid
“Ariel and her friends sit atop a colorfully kinetic seashell music box that boasts an enchanting musical jubilee. There’s no shortage of whimsy on this Under the Sea float with conga dancing fish kicking up their fins and bubbles galore. Shimmering fabrics and intricately designed costumes for the Lion Fish, Coral Fish, Seashell and Sea Horse performers are runway-inspired.”
Dancers in exotic aquatic costumes lead the Little Mermaid parade unit. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Many of the figures from the Little Mermaid float will be familiar to those who have ridden Ariel's Under Sea Adventure, and the Sebastian figure was reused from the former parade. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Fanciful sea creatures follow the Little Mermaid float. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Peter Pan
“Straight from Never Land come Peter Pan and Wendy soaring high aboard the famous Jolly Roger pirate ship complete with smoke effects and special surprises. A rainbow arch shines over Skull Rock and Tinker Bell nestled among giant flowers, while Captain Hook takes center stage on a swinging anchor. “Newsies-inspired” Lost Boys kick up their heels to high-energy choreography.”
Lost Boys dance their way down Main Street. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The Peter Pan float is fronted by a massive Skull Rock sculpture. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Peter Pan and Wendy keep watch for Captain Hook. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Captain Hook hangs out beneath a sparking rainbow. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Tinker Bell perches on the back of the Peter Pan float. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The Peter Pan float includes smoke and light effects. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The Crocodile brings up the rear of the Peter Pan parade unit. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Brave
“Celtic couples and a vessel shaped like an enormous bagpipe announce the arrival of Merida perched high on her majestic crown. Scottish dancers step to melodies of the Great Highlands in celebration of the popular Disney*Pixar film, Brave.”
Dancers in neon plaid lead the Brave parade unit. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Merida is joined by a bear brother atop a giant set of bagpipes. Photo by Linda Neeley.
This parade is the first solo appearance for Merida. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Sleeping Beauty
“The heroic Prince Phillip battles a Steampunk-inspired Dragon as the wicked Maleficent. This float stretches 53 feet in length and 26 feet tall with a prickly spinning wheel dead center of the float. With fiery eyes and glowing effects the spectacular dragon was built on an articulating chassis allowing the float to bend and flex as it moves along the parade route—a first for Disney parades. This float was designed in a partnership with Tony Award-winner Michael Curry. There’s Prince Phillip, thorn-inspired stilt performers, dramatic raven dancers, plus the three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather glide along the parade route.”
Prince Philip fends off a fire-breathing Maleficent dragon. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Prince Philip strides down Main Street, U.S.A. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Stilt walkers dressed as deadly thorns accompany the Sleeping Beauty parade unit. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Tony Award-winning puppet designer helped create the Steampunk-inspired Dragon float. Photo by Linda Neeley.
A 53-foot-long Maleficent Dragon breaths fire at Prince Phillip in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Finale and Mickey’s Airship
“The parade culminates with a 90-foot-long magical caravan of characters featuring Pinocchio, Dumbo, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Mad Hatter, Pluto and more in a splashy carnival of color. There’s Pegasus horses, dancing hippos and sassy Bubble Girls with cotton-candy-like hair celebrating Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland. Sporting zany new costumes Mickey and Minnie Mouse sit sky high in Mickey’s Airship—a giant hot air balloon that rounds out Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.”
Jiminy Cricket leads the final unit in the Festival of Fantasy parade. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Sneezy carries Dopey down the parade route. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Pinocchio sits atop a whale in the finale unit. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The new Storybook Circus is evoked by this kinetic parade float. Photo by Linda Neeley.
Bubble girls wear colorful costumes accented with balloons. Photo by Linda Neeley.
The dresses of the banner carriers are inspired by the tents in Storybook Circus. Photo by Linda Neeley.
