The Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom has a crowd pleasing moment when the steampunk themed Maleficent dragon parade float opens its mighty jaw and breathes fire during the parade. The first time I saw it I was impressed at the pyrotechnic effect.… Read More »Maleficent Dragon Parade Float at catches fire at Magic Kingdom
This last Sunday at the Magic Kingdom guests were treated to a special version of the Festival of Fantasy parade. Not only was the music not synchronized with the performances, Maleficent (the steampunk dragon) had her head stuck in one position (meaning no fire effects),… Read More »Festival of Un-Fantasy at the Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World recently hosted a expert panel discussion featuring a deeper dive into what guests coming to the resort in the near future can expect. Carole Mumford, VP of Public Relations at Walt Disney World, lead the panel as they traversed such wide topics… Read More »A Deeper Dive into What’s New at Walt Disney World – Expert Discussion
via Instagram. Mickey’s airship in the Finale of Festival of Fantasy parade is the main the reason Main Street Xmas decorations will be different this year. It’s just too tall, it soars over the rooftops of many Main Street buildings. So, put on your holiday… Read More »Instapic: Mickey & Minnie in Festival of Fantasy Parade
The steampunk-inspired fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon is by far the most impressive float of Disney Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom. It’s one of the most detailed as well. In the video below, Parade Designer Richard Improta from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative… Read More »Making The Maleficent Steampunk Dragon for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
From the moment the first notes played out over the parade route, audiences were in love with the new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom. At the very end of the route crowds broke out into spontaneous and sustained applause for both the creators and performers of this fantastic parade. I think they have a real hit on their hands.
Yes. The parade does involve a few ‘recycled’ elements. But that is a long honored tradition among Disney theme parks, something that dates back to the ‘never throw it away’ mentality of Hollywood studios where much of the original creative team for Disneyland were poached. Also, like most of Disney’s recent parades, you could ask for maybe another unit or two of floats. But at nine units and 100 dancers and performers, the parade feels as large as the Magic Kingdom. It really takes multiple viewings to take in everything. So it’s a shame that it only performs once per day.
I hope you will be able to make it to the Magic Kingdom to see it in person yourself. But if that’s not on the agenda, here’s my full video of the parade from its second day.
I also had the opportunity to interview a few of the creative team responsible for Disney Festival of Fantasy. Among the things I learned, two of the floats have special tributes to previous Magic Kingdom parades, each of the floats has a hidden mickey on it, even some of the costumes feature hidden mickeys. Two of the floats were imported from Japan. Tokyo Disneyland’s Jubilation parade donated the Princess Garden unit and the Finale unit.
Below the break, I have more photos, a description of each parade unit, and that interview with the creative team.
Read More »Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Graces the Magic Kingdom
Yesterday, the Magic Kingdom premiered it’s brand new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade to general acclaim from park guests. Heck, spontaneous applause even broke out as the final floats disappeared backstage. The whole parade was amazing and every unit stood out in its own way.… Read More »Steampunk Maleficent is Majestic in Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
The new Disney Festival of Fantasy parade debuts at the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Disney just released this new poster style key image for the parade. See you Sunday.