A family and a newlywed couple were picked to be Grand Marshals - and they kicked off the parade in a beautiful convertible antique looking car. Then the first float goes by to celebrate the "tale as old as time".
Belle and the Beast share this float with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
Whatever you do, don't take your eyes off of this one as it goes by. Tiana and her Prince rotate on a "lazy Susan" type of a platform with none other then Anna and Elsa on the other side! I almost missed getting a shot of them - but aren't they beautiful? This is Anna's coronation dress - and today was the first time we have ever seen it in a Disney Park. Her meet and greet in Epcot has her in her classic dress.
Next comes a huge mime, who draws some laughs ahead of the Snuggly Duckling - "Tangled" float.
Flynn Rider and Rapunzel from Tangled sail in an ornate longship in search of another “best day ever.” Watch for easter eggs hidden throughout this giant float.
An under-the-sea jubilee starring Ariel, Sebastian and an enchanted ocean ensemble from The Little Mermaid atop a sparkling music box is up next!
Much to the delight of the crowd, Ariel pulled out a "dinglehopper" and showed it off proudly!
She (of course!) combed her hair with it as well.
Not far behind, there are spinning seahorses!
Peter and Wendy from Peter Pan come next, soaring through the sky aboard a pirate galleon .
Yes that is Captain Hook SWINGING on a giant anchor!
The rainbow sparkling in the sun was an amazing sight.
Always in hot persuit of the Capatin - Tick-Tock the Crocodile follows close!
Next up is a troupe of Scottish dancers preceding Princess Merida herself, who is atop a giant bagpipe.
Her triplet "bear" brothers turn their heads and pop in and out as they go by!
Flora, Fauna and Merryweather (face characters) wave their wands...and have concerned looks on their faces.
The music gets a bit "darker" and the crowd cheers as Maleficent as a clockwork dragon is wrapped in battle with Prince Phillip and his mighty Sword of Truth! (The kids around me got a little bit frightened.)
Maleficent is surrounded by eerie henchmen on stilts.
The dragon breathes fire and the crowd cheers even louder. This is an amazing sight to see!
The raven is close as well - and he stuns you with his 12 foot wing span!
The giant tail waves as it goes by.
Things become happy and bright again as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs come along.
Bubble girls pave the way for Pinocchio.
This float is like a 2 for 1 - because the circus is right behind Pinocchio with Donald, Daisy, Dumbo and more in tow!
There is so much movement and merriment that you can't get it all in one photo!
The grand finale comes with high-flying fun as Mickey and Minnie approach in a giant hot-air balloon.
Plan ahead for this parade and login to My Disney Experience. There, you will want to reserve access to the FastPass+ section. You may want to see this parade more than once on your next trip. (I know I can't wait to go back and see it again!) You will celebrate the stories you know and love in a whole new way as this parade winds its way through the streets of Magic Kingdom park every afternoon at 3pm. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is a thrilling sight-and-sound spectacular. You won't want to miss it!
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Anyway, how was the music?
As far as parades go, these floats are gorgeous. I'm kind of jealous of the person who said they are "underwhelming" because that person must live in a magical place where everything is so much grander than I am used to, I guess.
I think the only parade floats I've ever seen that are more elaborate and more "whelming" than these are the ones for the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. Those floats are made of fresh flowers and it's a once a year thing to make them. They are pretty spectacular, but no theme park floats could ever be made of fresh flowers. The cost would be enormous to do that every day. The Rose Parade is one day, once a year.
People crack me up though. I can't wait until my husband comes home from work today to show him these "underwhelming" photos. He was a set designer in college theater classes and he'll get a kick out of what is "underwhelming" to some people today.
Nice!
One word of advice, though, don't ever say anything bad about Danny (a.k.a. Harry Potter) Radcliffe to Annette, or you will never hear the end of it! ;)
BTW, anon poster 99.185.228.198 is me. First time in many moons I have posted without logging in. I feel so ashamed.
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