Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
and
PARADES
in the
MAGIC KINGDOM
IT
'
S IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE IN
all the many live-entertainment offerings at the Magic
Kingdom in a single day. To experience both the attractions and the live entertain-
ment, we recommend that you allocate at least two days to this park. In addition to
parades, stage shows, and fireworks, check the daily entertainment schedule
(Times
Guide)
or ask a cast member about concerts in Fantasyland, the Flag Retreat at Town
Square, and the appearances of the various bands, singers, and street performers that
roam the park daily. WDW live-entertainment guru Steve Soares usually posts the
Magic Kingdom's performance schedule about a week in advance at
wdwent.com
.
Parades at the Magic Kingdom are full-fledged spectaculars with dozens of Dis-
ney characters and amazing special effects. Remember that parades disrupt traffic,
making it nearly impossible to move around the park when one is going on. Parades
also draw thousands of guests away from the attractions, making parade time the per-
fect moment to catch your favorite attraction with a shorter line. Finally, be advised
that the Walt Disney World Railroad shuts down during parades.
The best place to view a parade is the upper platform of the
Walt Disney Rail-
road station
, but you'll have to stake out your position 30-45 minutes before the
event. Try also, especially on rainy days, the
covered walkway between Liberty
Tree Tavern and The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon
, on the border of Liberty Square
and Frontierland.
Following is a short list of daily events with special appeal for families with chil-
dren:
AFTERNOON PARADE
Usually staged at 3 p.m., this parade features floats and march-
ing Disney characters. A new production,
Festival of Fantasy
( ), debuted in
2014, with an original score and new floats paying tribute to
The Little Mermaid,
Brave
, and
Frozen
, among other Disney films. Many of the floats' pieces spin and
swing to extremes not normally found in Disney parades: The
Tangled
platform has
characters riding swinging wood hammers from one side of the street to the other.
