Every Disney fan jumped for joy last week when Walt Disney World revealed that parades will finally be returning to Magic Kingdom. It’s been a sight we’ve all missed since theme parks reopened after the pandemic closures.
Recently, we have seen beloved shows like Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as character meet and greets join Lightning Lanes as part of Disney Genie+ at Magic Kingdom.
Last week, Disney revealed that Walt Disney World in Florida will finally be seeing some new and returning entertainment offerings, including a brand new character cavalcade and Cinderella Castle show! And now, we have some showtimes to help plan your vacation!
One of the biggest surprises for Disney fans was the announcement that Disney’s beloved Festival of Fantasy Parade will be spreading its magic down Main Street, U.S.A. again in Magic Kingdom beginning March 9, 2022.
Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade celebrates some of Disney’s iconic stories in a series of beautiful floats. Disney Guests can wave to their favorite characters including Disney royalty like Cinderella, Tiana, and Belle; Anna and Else from Frozen (2013); Flynn Rider and Rapunzel; Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989); Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinker Bell; Merida and Scottish dancers from Pixar’s Brave (2012), and characters from the classic 1959 movie Sleeping Beauty.
This Sleeping Beauty float is one of the most incredible sights of the parade, with Prince Phillip battling a fiery Maleficent in her dragon form. This float stretches 53 feet in length and 26 feet tall!
The parade ends with a long float of characters featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland, as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse flying in a giant hot air balloon.
Starting on February 11 this year, the brand-new “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” was revealed.
This super-sized cavalcade will see Guests dancing along with Moana, Merida, The Incredibles, Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book (1967), José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros (1944), and Nick and Judy from Zootopia (2016).
Miguel from Pixar’s Coco (2017) will also be making his Magic Kingdom debut in the show. Now, Disney has updated the showtimes for the “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!”. According to the Walt Disney World website, the huge cavalcade will have four performances during the day:
- 11:15 am
- 2:15pm
- 4:05pm
- 5:50 pm
“Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will also make its debut on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage on February 25, 2022, a show that will incorporate scenes inspired by Frozen, Tangled (2010), and The Princess and the Frog (2009) alongside a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their EARidescent 50th anniversary outfits.
According to the Walt Disney World website, the showtimes are as follows:
- 12:15pm
- 1:30 pm
- 2:45 pm
- 4:35 pm
- 6:10pm
Of course, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, showtimes are subject to change. We do not have any indication on when Disney’s Festival of Fantasy parade will start, but let’s hope it brings back the infamous question: “When is the 3 o’clock parade?”
We’ll keep you updated when Disney reveals the return of fan-favorite shows “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, due to be opening later in 2022.