In keeping with the spirit of 50th anniversary celebrations, Walt Disney World made some exciting announcements early this afternoon regarding cavalcades and parades coming this spring. Magic Kingdom, the park celebrating its 50th birthday, will return some of its beloved entertainment and welcome new elements. As we near the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we realize that things are truly settling into what was only a concept a short while ago: “the new normal.”
There were three big takeaways from the morning announcements:
- NEW! February 11, Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade will debut at Magic Kingdom
- NEW! February 25, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire Castle show will debut at Magic Kingdom
- March 9, Festival of Fantasy Parade returns to Magic Kingdom
February 11 – Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade debuts at Magic Kingdom
Coming up first on the list of announcements is the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade. Cavalcades have become a staple in Disney World entertainment over the past year, and guests enjoy the fact that this entertainment format provides all the joy of a parade and seeing loved characters without necessarily demanding the full attention and planning that viewing a parade might entail. This cavalcade brings together nearly 30 of the most-loved characters from Disney and Pixar productions, including Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book, Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and even Miguel from Coco in his Magic Kingdom live character debut.
February 25 – Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire Castle Stage Show debuts at Magic Kingdom
In an updated version of “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will debut at Cinderella Castle at the end of February. The new show will feature new segments, an original song (“Where the Magic Feels Like Home”), and be overlaid with 50th anniversary flair. Scenes and songs from Frozen, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog will be heavily featured. A new opening and grand finale featuring the king himself – Mickey Mouse – will be sure to put some sparkle into your day.
March 9- Festival of Fantasy Parade returns to Magic Kingdom
Did we save the best for last? In perhaps the biggest news of the afternoon, the first Disney World parade back since the COVID-19 pandemic is officially on the calendar. The Festival of Fantasy Parade will return to Magic Kingdom in all its glory on March 9, the eighth anniversary of when the parade first debuted, and after nearly two full years of being on hiatus. The parade features characters from beloved films such as Tangled, Peter Pan, The Princess and the Frog, and others. The star of the show is the Maleficent Dragon, a float that breathes fire nearly 30 feet in the air and takes on the parade route despite being 35 feet long.
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