When you are planning your trip to Magic Kingdom, you will want to make sure that you see the Festival of Fantasy Parade. At this afternoon parade, you will see a mix of floats featuring characters from your favorite Disney movies.
The Festival of Fantasy Parade
This afternoon parade happens daily and you will see Disney characters from more than a dozen classic stories & nine parade floats.
One of the main features is the Steampunk-inspired Maleficent Dragon.
It stretches 53 feet from snout to tail, reaches 26 feet in the air and breathes fire!
The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom is probably the most magnificent in terms of parade floats.
Each float not only highlights the main Disney character, but also ties in the storyline and supporting characters as well.
You will see that the details on the Tangled float are amazing.
There is the Snuggly Duckling plaque on the front of the Viking ship, Cupid on the very top, and even Maximus is hanging on the side!
If you look carefully, you will even notice how Rapunzel’s hair winds in and out of the mast of the Viking Ship.
Another favorite of mine from the parade is the Brave float. Here you will find Merida perched at the top of a bagpipe.
You will notice that she is standing on a crown with one of her little brothers (in bear form) trying to reach the pastries just behind her.
If you look closer, you will also notice the Celtic Knot shield on the front, and the arrow motif weaved onto the Bag Pipe.
One of the highlights of the afternoon parade is seeing Anna, Elsa and everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf!
Festival of Fantasy Parade Route
When choosing your spot to watch the parade, you will find it helpful to know the Festival of Fantasy parade route.
While many guests believe that the parade starts on Main Street, it actually starts in Frontierland.
Parade Times
The parade begins each afternoon (once at 12 pm and then again at 3 pm) depending on the time of the year.
You will find the times on the My Disney Experience app.
Using Disney Genie+ to See Parade
If you want a place in front of Cinderella Castle to see the parade, consider using your Genie+ Lightning Lane entrance.
You can arrive 10 minutes prior to the parade start time and get a front row seat for the show!
5 Magic Kingdom Parade Tips:
1- Get a Parade Spot Early.
There are two Festival of Fantasy afternoon parades. One begins at 12 and the next starts at 3 pm. People will begin finding spots nearly an hour ahead of it!
Why so early? People know that a premium seat in the shade is very limited.
The closer you are able to sit to the parade rope, the better chance kids have of interacting with the characters.
2- Find a Spot in the Shade
My favorite place to see ANY Disney parade is in Frontierland, where they have some bench seating right along the parade route!
While this doesn’t provide you with a front-row seat, you do get a decent enough view while remaining a bit more comfortable.
3- Reapply Sunscreen
If you are seated in the sun, reapply your sunscreen!
Even if you are in the shade, it is a great time to put on another layer of sunscreen to protect you for the rest of the day!
4- Pack a Towel
Kids might be better suited to sit right along the ropes in front of their parents. We have found it helpful to pack a beach towel for children to sit on.
Not only does it mark a spot for your kids to sit, but it also provides a barrier between the hot concrete and their little legs!
5- Have a Snack
While the afternoon Parade at Magic Kingdom says it begins at a certain time, it will take a while for it to wind itself around to where you may be located.
This means that you shouldn’t count on the parade being at your spot at any given time.
Waiting for the parade to begin is a great time to enjoy a favorite Disney treat, cold drink or popcorn.
You’ll find that there are vendors usually stations throughout the parade route so it shouldn’t be too hard to locate something yummy!
Have you seen the Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom? What was your favorite float?