In a whimsical world of dancing, music and magic, Disney cast members perform surrounded by fans of all ages in the Disney Parks Christmas parade, “A Christmas Fantasy.” The parade follows the Christmas activities of popular characters such as Goofy, Anna, Elsa, Pluto and fan-favorite Disney princesses. The parade also features a special appearance by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer.

Since 1995, the parade has been a tradition for guests in the parks to watch at 3:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. We have personally spotted a few minor changes over the years including the enchanting “Frozen” float and the presence of the newer princesses such as Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog.”

The parade greets us with a breathtaking view of a ballerina, reminiscent of the Nutcracker Waltz dancers, accompanied by a large teddy bear greeting the guests watching from below. A band of nutcracker dolls then marches through, holding trumpets and clicking their feet together in unison.

Toy soldiers, snowmen and gingerbread men wave to avid watchers on the sides while dancing and singing along. Guests can watch Chip and Dale work in a toy factory along with Mickey, Minnie and Donald dressed in their warm holiday outfits.

Costume and float design play a large part in what makes the parade a magical experience. The parade is a time for guests to see classic holiday figures but also figure skaters, gingerbread men or even bakers dancing, a sight only found at Disney. With a variety of Disney princesses wearing shawls or long sleeves, guests will be whisked into a winter wonderland.

There is a pair of Christmas trees in the parade, featuring different color schemes. The two different trees in the parade are decorated with blue, white, red and green ornaments. During one specific scene, dancers ski around the tree with snowmen while the other tree is featured before audience members greet Santa Claus and the reindeer.

The floats adds an extra magic touch to the performance. Showcasing Disney’s ability to truly be creative, the moving floats feature snow capped houses, wide-open cooking books and a terrace from which Disney princesses wave.  

The parade route travels from Main Street to the “It’s a Small World” ride queue. There are limited times to view the parade during the day, so people usually start saving their spots about an hour before the performance. The event usually occurs for about 20 minutes, so it is a great option for guests to take a break from the crowds or rides and relax.