Last seen doing its impression of a barbecue on the parade route at the Magic Kingdom, the gigantic steampunk-inspired Maleficent dragon float is returning today to the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Also making their return to the parade are Prince Phillip; the Fairies Flora, Fauna… Read More »Maleficent dragon returning today to Disney’s 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
The Magic Kingdom is getting a new parade in March, but this week we’ve been treated to a special preview of a few of the gorgeous floats and designer costumes that will set Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade apart from all others. A talented team… Read More »Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – Production & Design Team Interviews
The old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, but when the coverings are amazing designer costumes for the Magic Kingdom’s next parade, I feel okay getting a little excited. Today the media was treated to a sneak peek at a few of the most extravagant and elaborate costume designs in Disney Parks history. Guests will get their first view when the cast of Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade dance through the streets of Magic Kingdom. We were lucky enough to be invited and have a special preview for you today. There is nearly 5 minutes of video and over 15 photos in this update. So strap in and hang on, here we go…
The new daytime parade, Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, is a celebration of Fantasyland. The parade will bring the characters found in this enchanting land to America’s runway – Main Street, U.S.A.. Packed with innovative parade floats; a new soundtrack featuring classic favorites from Disney films and an original theme song; and an impressive array of stunning costumes, Festival of Fantasy is the parade the Magic Kingdom has deserved for well over a decade.
Two costumes from the Steampunk inspired Maleficent float.
Costume designer Mirena Rada is no stranger to Disney Parks, as her body of work includes design projects for Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. But when she was brought on to create costumes for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, Rada reached a new milestone – designing for a Walt Disney World Resort theme park.
“This was a personal first and it turned out to be a very different experience from other projects,” said Rada. “Everything here at Magic Kingdom is done on a considerably bigger scale and the resources are aplenty. I took every opportunity to avail myself of these specialties.”
Video of costumes on the runway is best viewed in 720HD on full screen so you can see all the details.
Entertainment is one the departments that is always delivering the magic at Walt Disney World. They make shows like Beauty and the Beast look fresh every day and wow thousands of people every night with Fantasmic! However, even their best efforts can not rescue the sad reality that is the current Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, parts of which originally came from the Share a Dream parade in 2001. On some days the whole parade passes by guests in its entirety in less than 8 minutes. It’s not the fault of the cast members, they’re giving it their all, but they’re stuck with a lame duck of a parade that’s overstayed its welcome by a number of years.
Well good news, a new daytime parade, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will march into Magic Kingdom in spring 2014. Disney promises the parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song.
