Hi Jaclyn,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thank you for your question. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is a must-see for my family because of the bright colors, favorite characters, and breathtaking floats, all set to an amazing soundtrack.
I checked the Park Hours for August 2018, and as of the time I’m writing this, the parade time is 2:00 p.m. effective Sunday, August 19. Usually, this happens during special event seasons, and my guess is that it’s related to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Moving the parade to an earlier time allows the Cast Members to make magic backstage in preparation for the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade on party days.
Jaclyn, park hours, including times for parades and nighttime entertainment are subject to change at any time, so please keep an eye on the park calendar. You might also want to follow the Disney Parks Blog so you don’t miss announcements about summer entertainment offerings or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates.
My favorite tip for viewing the Disney Festival of Fantasy parade is to pull up a spot on the curb in front of the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. Guests start claiming spots on Main Street, U.S.A. much earlier than in this area, so you have a good chance of getting a good viewing spot without as much waiting. We like to get a treat from Sleepy Hollow (my favorite is the Nutella waffle with fresh fruit) and then pull up a seat and wait for the parade to arrive.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn