Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade Route
Whatever you think of parades, Disney will have you energized and singing as it’s Festival of Fantasy Parade route winds through the Magic Kingdom.
I, truthfully, am not a big parade person. Mostly, I find it boring just sitting somewhere when I can be exploring or on rides.
However, this parade has my heart pumping and mouth singing!
I kid you not.
If you weren’t already excited to be at Disney World, you definitely will be after seeing this Festival of Fantasy Parade.
Let’s check out all the important parade facts.
The Festival of Fantasy Parade
As its name implies, Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade transports you to Fantasyland with its biggest hits. It is a colorful extravaganza with a catchy theme song that everyone ends up singing and dancing to.
From Anna, Elsa, Cinderella, Rapunzel and all the Disney princesses to Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Maleficent as well as the Disney favorites of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto, this parade embodies all things Disney.
It is a daily parade, currently, at 3 pm lasting approximately 12 minutes according to Disney’s website. However, if you are visiting Disney World this summer (2023), they added a second show – at noon!!
By the way, lines are usually a little shorter since many people watch the parade. If you are not interested in it, try and snag a standby spot for your favorite ride.
So, catch this awesome parade at either 12:00 pm or 3:00 pm.
Disney breaks its Festival of Fantasy Parade into unique ‘units’. Currently, there are seven units comprised of nine different floats in the parade.
In addition, there are over 100 people that make this parade come alive by dancing and singing amidst the floats. You’ll see Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter as well as the Seven Dwarfs.
The seven parade units are the following (this is also the order you will see them in):
- The Princess Garden
- Tangled
- Little Mermaid
- Peter Pan
- Brave
- Sleeping Beauty
- Finale with Mickey and Minnie in a hot air balloon float
Festival of Fantasy Parade Route
The parade route starts back by Splash Mountain in Adventureland. It makes its way through Frontierland before turning at Liberty Square. From here, the parade continues to Cinderella’s castle and eventually heads down Main Street.
While the parade does start at 3 pm (or noon as in the summer of 2023), those sitting by the castle or on Main Street will not start to see it until 15-20 minutes later. This is one reason why picking your viewing location is very important.
Best places to sit along the Festival of Fantasy Parade Route
Obviously, this is subjective. However, we have viewed the parade from the castle, from Main Street and from different angles in Frontierland.
We have two favorite locations. One is in the heart of Frontierland by the Disney Vacation Club booth (did you know kids can get free stickers just for asking?).
The area is shaded; in addition, there are various benches around. Restrooms are close by and so is the ability to get a Mickey treat or Dole Whip in the Magic Kingdom.
Our second favorite location is at Liberty Square in front of the Christmas Shoppe. We have taken a blanket and sat on the ground since the building shields you from the sun at this time of day.
Remember that as the parade passes you by, you then have some time to hop on a ride before the crowds at the castle and Main Street have finished watching the parade.
That’s the main reason we don’t watch it from Main Street anymore or even the castle. While they are nice backdrops for the parade, you are sitting there the longest waiting for the parade to start and then finish – probably 20 minutes longer than if you found a spot in Frontierland. Plus, those areas fill up quickly. Be careful if you don’t want to be in direct sunlight too. The castle area is not shaded nor are parts of Main Street depending on where the sun is.
Beware the dragon
I wanted to make sure to mention this. When it comes time for Sleeping Beauty’s turn in the parade, a giant Maleficent fire-breathing dragon takes center stage. This behemoth is 35-feet-long and 26-feet-tall.
Little K screamed, cried and nearly toppled me over to get to the back to the safety of her dad when she was around 3. We had to hold her and calm her down before watching the rest of the parade. I did not expect that whatsoever. But, then again, the year prior she was terrified of Daisy Duck.
My point is that you never know what your child is sensitive to until you experience it. Keep an open mind that what may be fine for one child, could be absolutely terrorizing for another.
Genie Plus Information
Yes, you can use a Disney’s Genie Plus to secure a seat for viewing the Festival of Fantasy Parade route from around the flag pole in Town Center on Main Street.
However, I don’t suggest doing that. You really can see the parade from anywhere and shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot. Plus, this area, too, is in direct sunlight. Find somewhere else comfortable to sit down and save the Genie plus reservation for a hard to get ride or character greeting.
Is Disney’s Genie Plus worth it? Only you can decide if it’s worth it for your group but definitely read up on it before you go.
What time does the parade start at Magic Kingdom?
The Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom currently has 2 showtimes in the summer of 2023. First, it’s shown at noon. Then, it’s repeated at 3 pm. It is the same parade, therefore you don’t need to see it both times unless you want to!
Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade Route Summary
Since the parade route starts back by Splash Mountain, you should not have a problem finding somewhere to sit along the route that is shaded.
On the other hand, you notice that the parade does not go into Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. If you are at the Magic Kingdom more that one day, you may consider skipping one day of the parade and, instead, finding a ride in one of those lands and head to its standby line.
It’s up to you what you prefer, however, most of the lines are shorter during parades.
The parade is wonderful, but if you have seen it once on your visit, you may not need to see it again.
With so much to plan during your Disney stay, you need to be organized! Download my handy Disney planner and organizer for free below! Remember, Undercover Tourist has the best prices on Disney tickets (and hotels!) so you can do Disney on a budget!
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