Sunday, March 9, 2014

Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdon



Today, Walt Disney World premiered their new 3:00pm parade, Festival of Fantasy.  This replaces the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade that had it's finale show on January 4, 2014.   Celebrate a Dream Come True,  which debuted on January 23, 2009, was the third incarnation of the Dream Come True series that began in October of 2001.

The parade follows the same route as its predecessors, starting in Frontier Land by Splash Mountain, working its way to Liberty Square, going around the Hub, and down Main Street USA.


This parade is very popular and some people secure their spot up to an hour before parade time.  If you have little ones that want to be up front, it's recommended you find a spot early.  The Hub and Main Street tend to be the first areas to fill up with Liberty Square and Frontier Land following.  

A few minutes before parade time, the Grand Marshals of the parade were introduced.  How do you become a Grand Marshal you ask?  There is no set way, but rumor is that arriving at the park before everyone else and speaking to cast members in the area may be good ways.  I've never been picked, but I don't normally arrive that early in the morning. 


We were in Frontier Land were the parade starts so right at 3:00pm, the music started and the show began. Dancers in bright yellow and white costumes lead the parade followed by Belle and Beast in a beautiful new float.





The float is covered with beautiful flowers and some of the sections turn. Cinderella follows Belle then Tiana and the Frozen sisters round out this beautiful float.  The details on the floats are wonderful.


 







Rapunzel is next ....

Dancers with bright costumes lead her float that is also rich in detail and fun







Under the Sea follows with bright costumes and a float driven by Sebastian with Ariel 




Peter Pan follows with a swinging Captain Hook and Tinkerbell at the end.  Smead and the Alligator are also along for the fun,













Merida is next.





The Sleeping Beauty section is my favorite part of the parade complete with a fire breathing dragon.  








The parade is anchored by classic Disney Friends....












and finally Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse


I highly recommend making time for this parade on your next visit to the Magic Kingdom.  It's colorful, detailed, and loads of fun. Disney did a great job with this one and I believe it will be a crowd pleaser for  years.  


Want to see a video of the new parade?  Check out Inside the Magic's video here

Have you seen the new parade?  What did you think?  What's your favorite theme park parade?

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