A new parade has taken up residence in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Known as Festival of Fantasy, it features figures from princess movies, tales of adventure, and the Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland. Come see Rapunzel, Peter Pan, Dumbo, and a host of other fantastical characters! The quality of the music may be questionable for fans of the original Disney scores, but the floats are beautiful and the parade is plenty of fun – just make sure to get a seat on the curb early!

The parade is preceded by the Grand Marshal banner. 

Each day, a family is chosen to act as the Grand Marshals.

But the fun really begins when the first float comes by.

Cinderella’s animal friends are busy sewing up a dress for her.

Princess Tiana and Prince Navine are looking great in green.

Disney’s newest princesses, Elsa and Anna, are there, too.

The mime silently leads in the Tangled float.

The dreamers from the Snuggly Duckling, guided by Rapunzel, swing on axes as they join in an off-tune chorus.

Ariel floats in on a clamshell pulled by her fishy friends.

Peter Pan and Wendy fly over a rainbow in their ex-pirate ship, fueled by Pixie dust, while Captain Hook swings from an anchor beneath.

Tinker Bell pouts in the back.

The crocodile follows closely behind, licking his lips hungrily.

Merida is mounted atop a gigantic bagpipe.

Merida blows kisses to the crowd.

Of course Merida’s three little brothers are not to be left out of the fun – they can be seen peeking out of the bagpipe in the oddest places, attempting to snatch a scone.

Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather appear to float by.

Maleficent rolls in, guided by her henchman.

This magnificent beast is the star of the show.

Maleficent the steampunk dragon even breathes fire at the crowd.

On a lighter note, clowns from Storybook Circus come dancing by.

Next comes Pinocchio, riding a wind-up whale. In the back Dumbo flaps his ears. A rollercoaster winds around the float as a Ferris wheel turns.

Ostriches and hippos dance, Pluto waves, and trapeze artists swing.

To finish it off, the big cheese himself floats by in a hot air balloon.

With the arrival of the final banner, the parade comes to a close.

Kathryn Blanco is the Disney Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright Kathryn Blanco