Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade, Part 1

Time for some long-overdue pics of WDW's new daytime parade, the Festival of Fantasy!

I should warn you: this is easily my favorite parade of all time, so I plan to cover it extensively. I'll have to break my photos into two or three posts - all for a fifteen minute parade! (But in my defense there's a lot to see, and they walk fast!)

So let's get to it!

After the obligatory Main Street Marching Band, the parade kicks off with some swan-themed court dancers:

The men have stylized swans on their hats and tunics, and the women's dresses have side swags of feathers leading up to a high swan-neck collar.
 

I'm amazed at how intricate the costumes are for what are essentially generic pre-show dancers. Talk about starting things off with a bang!

Behind the Swan Court Dancers come Beauty and the Beast, on the flower-bedecked Princess Garden Float:

(See the peacocks up top? Their tails turn into columns behind the couple, which you can see in my next photo.)

This float is incredible - which only makes sense when you learn it's a cast-off from Tokyo Disneyland, home of all the very best parades. The float is made up of three separate sections joined together like train cars:

Then, on the back two sections there are rotating platforms. Here you can see Cinderella just spinning into view, with Elsa and Anna taking their turn in the rear.

The back side of Cinderella's platform is a giant version or her pink ball gown, which I didn't get to see straight on. Instead, here she is with Prince Charming in front of a beautiful faux window:

 Tiana and Naveen share the rotating platform with the Frozen sisters:

I like how Ray the firefly is peeking out over Naveen's head on the right. Ha!

And Anna's expression is too cute here on the left:

The rotating floats pose a slight challenge for pictures, but they also keep it fun and interesting. It helps that everything is so high, too, so you're not as likely to get the crowds on the opposite side of the street in your photos.

Next comes the Tangled section, led by the tavern mime and some colorful dancing girls:

Like the Swan Dancers, these Tavern Maids are sporting some stunning costumes. The detail is incredible, and the colors & design bring back fond memories of my Lady Lovely Locks dolls.

 (Right?! Children of the 80s, represent!)

Seriously, look at all that color! I especially love the roses in the strappy boot leggings, the drop-lace petticoats, and how each skirt is a unique color combination.

The Maids are non-stop action, running, swirling, and leaping about:

They're like twirly lollipops. :)

Following them is one of the most detail-packed floats of the parade: The Snuggly Duckling Viking Ship:

This float is like an I Spy game for Tangled fans, and it's impossible to take it all in at once. (It's also too big to photograph when it's directly in front of you. Next time I'll have to bring a wide-angle lens!)

Look up and you'll see the famous paper lanterns trailing in the sky, plus the old man cupid. In the middle you'll find Flynn Rider and a few Viking thugs riding giant axes that swing like pendulums, while down on deck Rapunzel sings and waves to the crowd:

Look closer and you'll see Rapunzel's braid twined all over the float, along with tavern barrels, Flynn's Wanted poster, a goat, and... hey, do I spy a frying pan?

Here's a lucky/hilarious shot:

Yep, even Maximus the horse is onboard - and looking mighty displeased to be sharing a swing with Flynn. Heh.

Stay tuned for part 2, with sections from The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Brave! And here's a little preview, from the first time I saw the parade up on Main Street:

(I'm also playing around with a different photo editor and really boosting the colors. You like?)

 'Til next time!

*****

Ready for more? Here's Part 2 and Part 3!