Welcome to planDisney, Susan!
We're all lined up and ready to assist as you prepare for your upcoming visit. There are a few different parades you could be referring to, so let's march through the details one by one.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, scheduled daily at Magic Kingdom Park, is what immediately comes to mind when I think of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. This beloved celebration features dozens of Fantasyland residents, from Princesses to Peter Pan and Pinocchio, along with gorgeously detailed floats, festive dancers, and even a few surprises as the memorable soundtrack plays.
The fanfare begins in Frontierland along the walkway between
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and
Tiana's Bayou Adventure, then travels through Liberty Square before making its way down Main Street, U.S.A. toward the train station. You'll find a great view anywhere along the route, but if you want that iconic parade view with Cinderella Castle in the background, I'd try to grab a spot on Main Street near
Main Street Confectionery. I'm also a big fan of scheduling a meal at
Tony's Town Square Restaurant during the parade so I can sip a glass of wine and snack on the incredible garlic bread as the floats glide by. You'll lose the castle view, but if you can snag a table on the covered porch (ask nicely, but table locations are never guaranteed), it's a top-tier experience.
As the sun goes down in Magic Kingdom,
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away makes its way in the opposite direction, but only on evenings when special ticketed events like
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party aren't scheduled. The Halloween Party features its own iconic
Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, but separate admission is required to attend the festivities, and dates are unfortunately sold out for the season.
If you're heading to Magic Kingdom on your arrival date of September 30, you'll enjoy both Festival of Fantasy at 2 pm and Disney Starlight at 8:15 pm, subject to weather, of course. The Halloween Party is scheduled for a few nights later in the week, so be sure to check the
Hours & Events Calendar ahead of your visit to confirm all performance times.
Finally, say hello to some Disney and Pixar friends during the
Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, scheduled at 11:05 am daily at Magic Kingdom. This is a smaller celebration than Festival of Fantasy, but it's a great opportunity to see other fan-favorite characters and one in particular that we don't talk about (if you know, you know).
Susan, entertainment is always subject to change, but I'm hopeful you'll get to see plenty of familiar faces during your upcoming visit. From Flynn Rider's smolder to Prince Phillip's daring feat, there is plenty of beauty and majesty, shining magically to enjoy!
Magic and memories,
Amy