Ariel in the parade at Magic Kingdom
  • On Aug 10, 2026
    Rosario from FL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello, my family and I will be at the parks on september 8-10 and i wounder how can we be part of the parade. My little niece will be two and this is her second time this year in the parks.

    Thank you for your question, Rosario! I absolutely love a Walt Disney World parade, so I'm happy to help you! 

    I think that visiting the Disney theme parks is magical at any age. It's what keeps so many of us coming back year after year. But there's something extra special about seeing it through the eyes of a young child. What fun you will have visiting with your niece!

    The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom Park is one of my favorite experiences. I become a little kid again, waving at all the characters! This parade is currently scheduled for 2 pm on the days you will be visiting, but times are always subject to change, so be sure to double-check your My Disney Experience App or the Hours & Events Calendar on the website. I recommend finding a spot early. While the crowds start lining up on Main Street, U.S.A. as early as an hour before the parade begins, I like to head to Frontierland. Our family will have a seat on the curb and then send one member to get a snack for us to enjoy while we wait. 

    Now, to be part of the parade is a different sort of question. Disney Cast members choose a family to be honorary Grand Marshals of the parade each day. This family rides in a vintage car at the front. The process is not made public, but I hear that they are picked early in the day at the entrance to the park before opening. With tens of thousands of daily visitors, I'm not holding my breath, but this would be a dream come true for sure! 

    If you love Disney parades, you should try to catch Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. It's a light parade held after dark, also in Magic Kingdom, with several of our Disney friends. Pictures and videos do not do this justice! Plan to find a viewing spot early, as this is a popular experience. The times are not yet listed on the calendar, but I'm hopeful it will be added soon, so I'd keep checking. It is not typically offered on Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party nights. Both parades are subject to being canceled or scaled down in the case of inclement weather. 

    You'll be at The Most Magical Place on Earth in a matter of weeks, Rosario! I hope you and your niece, along with everyone visiting with you, have the most incredible time! If you have any more questions, please come back and see us at planDisney

    Always Dreaming - 
    Elizabeth 
thumbnail image for Elizabeth

Meet the Panelist: Elizabeth, North Carolina

Hi, friends! I'm Elizabeth - a wife, mom of six, proud Gramma, and Walt Disney World Specialist!

I am terrible at piloting the Millennium Falcon, and I can't control my emotions during the Festival of Fantasy Parade, but I'm great at managing trips with kids of all ages and planning Disney vacations!

I am overjoyed to bring my decades of experience to planDisney!
Learn More About Elizabeth

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