This dragon is huge and impressive.

Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom

On March 9, 2014 Disney started a daily 3:00 showing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

The parade follows the standard route, starting in Frontierland, making its way through Liberty Square, around the Cinderella Castle hub, and down Main Street USA and exiting by the Firehouse.

Unlike several of the recent parades at Disney World which included plenty of recycled elements, this one seems completely brand new. The parade floats are new, the music is new, and the very unique costumes are new. New is nice, isn’t it?

Like most large undertakings, this parade is a group effort. There are more than 100 performers in the parade. Mirena Rada designed the costumes, Richard Improta designed the parade floats, and Mark Hammond composed the music, which includes plenty of classic Disney tunes woven together.

Here is what you will see:

The Princess Garden

Ladies decked out in swan-inspired dresses lead the way for Disney princesses Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen.

Swan dancers lead the way.
Swan dancers lead the way.
Plenty of flowers surround Belle and the Beast.
Plenty of flowers surround Belle and the Beast.
Anna and Elsa - 80 degrees in Florida feels cold!
Anna and Elsa – 80 degrees in Florida feels cold!

Tangled

Rapunzel leads the way on a huge float that features swinging pendulums.

 Ulf - the pub thug who wants to be a mime.
Ulf – the pub thug who wants to be a mime.
The Rapunzel float is very interesting.
The Rapunzel float is very interesting.
These huge swinging pendulums make quite an impression.
These huge swinging pendulums make quite an impression.

The Little Mermaid

Ariel sits high above the sea that is complete with plenty of dancing fish.

It's time to go under the sea.
It’s time to go under the sea.
The Little Mermaid waves from high atop a shell.
The Little Mermaid waves from high atop a shell.
Lots of color and motion on this float.
Lots of color and motion on this float.

Peter Pan

Energetic Lost Boys provide an introduction, and a giant skull leads the way, followed by a giant rainbow with Peter Pan up high and Captain Hook swinging below.

Skull Rock - hello Peter Pan.
Skull Rock – hello Peter Pan.
The ship sits atop a huge rainbow.
The ship sits atop a huge rainbow.

Brave

Merida rides a huge bagpipe.

It's time for some Irish dancing!
It’s time for some Irish dancing!
Merida waves to the crowd.
Merida waves to the crowd.

Sleeping Beauty

Better known as the steampunk dragon, this unit is a show stopper.

These guys don't look so friendly.
These guys don’t look so friendly.
This dragon is huge and impressive.
This dragon is huge and impressive.

Pinocchio

The Seven Dwarfs lead the way for Monstro the whale and Pinocchio.

These guys always have fun - except Grumpy, of course.
These guys always have fun – except Grumpy, of course.
Monostro never looked so good.
Monostro never looked so good.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Mickey and Minnie provide the finale, riding in a hot air balloon.

These ladies know how to make a statement.
These ladies know how to make a statement.
Mickey and Minnie in a hot air balloon.
Mickey and Minnie in a hot air balloon.

Check out this post of the World of Walt forum if you would like to see more close-up photos from the parade.

Do you like the Festival of Fantasy parade?