When Walt Disney World announced that the theme parks would be reopening, they also shared that select experiences such as fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets would be temporarily suspended.
Magic Kingdom
Although Disney has put these experiences on hold, for now, they told us that guests would STILL be able to see some of their favorite characters in new and exciting ways! TODAY, during Cast Member previews at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we got to see some of these new entertainment offerings for the first time EVER!
We’ll keep updating this post as we spot more of Disney World’s new Character Cavalcades, but we’ll kick things off at Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom
On our first visit back to Magic Kingdom, we had a chance to see this adorable Pooh & Friends Cavalcade riding down Main Street, U.S.A. on a horse-drawn trolley! No sign of that silly old bear yet, but Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit all made cameo appearances!
Pooh’s Friends
Everybody got their ears on as the Mickey & Friends Cavalcade made the rounds in front of Cinderella Castle! Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto were wearing their special 90th-anniversary celebration outfits!
Mickey & Friends Cavalcade
See them in action here!
Magic Kingdom Character Cavalcade! pic.twitter.com/cGuRe39eGR
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 14, 2020
We couldn’t believe our luck when we spotted the Royal Princess Processional coming our way too! Merida marched down Main Street, U.S.A. on a MAJESTIC HORSE!
Merida
Next up, we got to see SO MANY of our favorite princesses in one place as Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Cinderella, Elena, and the Fairy Godmother all waved from one MASSIVE float.
Royal Princess Processional at Magic Kingdom
Merida wasn’t the only one on horseback. It turns out no one RIDES LIKE GASTON! We spotted the brauniest villain around riding alongside the Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade.
Gaston
Remember when we couldn’t find Pooh? He turned up on this float along with Peter Pan, Alice, Mary Poppins, and Aladdin, with Tigger bringing up the rear!
Magic Kingdom Character Cavalcade
On our second day in Magic Kingdom, we were lucky enough to come across Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure!
Tinker Bell
Hey, Tink!
It’s Tinker Bell! pic.twitter.com/MOzPRnAAJN
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 9, 2020
Over in Frontierland, we ran into the Main Street Philharmonic! They were marching on through while playing their brass instruments and drums at full blast!
Main Street Philharmonic
In Fantasyland, we saw a familiar pair of ugly stepsisters hollering at one another on the castle balcony. Wave hello to Anastasia and Drizella!
Anastasia and Drizella
Jack Sparrow was hanging around Adventureland today! While you couldn’t go up to him, you could interact with the notorious Captain Jack from afar!
It’s Jack Sparrow!
Meanwhile, in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear was showing off for the crowd now that his battery pack has had a nice, large recharge!
It’s Buzz!
Experiment 626 was also cooking up some mischief!
It’s Stitch!
The Country Bears are also out to jam in Frontierland above the Country Bear Jamboree!
Country Bears
We couldn’t help but have a rootin’ tootin’ good time when we see them out and about in Magic Kingdom!
Country Bears
Another Magic Kingdom entertainment offering guests will be able to check out is A Goofy Cavalcade!
Mickey & Friends Cavalcade Performers
And don’t forget EACH of the newly reopened Disney World theme parks will have their own unique Character Cavalcades and we’ll be continue to update this post as the remaining theme parks welcome guests back!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests will be able to spot their favorite characters as they cruise down the Discovery River. Today we’ve already spotted Pocahontas and Meeko waving to guests from their riverboat.
Pocahontas and Meeko cruise Discovery River
Occasionally, Pocahontas makes her way “just around the riverbend” without Meeko, too.
Pocahontas
We also spotted Chip and Dale in their Donald’s Dino-Bash! costumes along with Goofy looking VERY DAPPER.
Goofy, Chip & Dale!
And speaking of Donald’s Dino-Bash…
Love these random character spottings! pic.twitter.com/WBPnCQ6RO2
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 11, 2020
And just look at Adventurer Mickey and Minnie taking Pluto for a cruise!
Mickey and Minnie
But if there’s one boat that looks like a total BLAST to be on it’s this one with Timon and Rafiki!
Timon and Rafiki!
Give ’em a wave!
I have to share this every time I see it! pic.twitter.com/vU94Zw7k7O
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 13, 2020
They’re not technically characters but we saw the Discovery Island Drummers cruise past with a SHOW.
Discovery Island Drummers
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can watch:
- Discovery River Character Cruise
- Discovery Island Drummers
- Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!
- Mickey & Friends Flotilla
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you find yourself in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can see Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with favorite Disney friends appearing along Hollywood Boulevard, including:
- Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
- Mickey & Friends Motorcade
- Pixar Motorcade
The first time we happened upon it, the Mickey & Friends Motorcade included Mickey and Minnie in their sweet rides…
Mickey & Friends Motorcade
Mickey & Friends Motorcade
And they were accompanied by Chip ‘n Dale and Pluto!
Mickey & Friends Motorcade
Mickey & Friends Motorcade
Good to see you, too, pal!
And you’ve definitely “got a friend” — make that several friends! — in the Pixar Motorcade!
Green Army Men
Buzz Lightyear
Aren’t they… INCREDIBLE?!
Mr. and Mrs. Incredible
Edna Mode
And Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Fancy Nancy make up the squad that forms the Disney Junior Stars Motorcade!
Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
And we’ve still got one more park full of FRIENDS to come…
EPCOT
And if you’re in Epcot, be sure to check out:
- Frozen Promenade
- Mickey & Friends World Tour
- Princess Promenade
We already had a chance to spot Mickey, where “& Friends” included Minnie along for the ride!
Mickey & Friends World Tour
And Mickey’s (and our) pals Goofy and Pluto strolled ahead!
Goofy in EPCOT
Goofy and Pluto in EPCOT
The Queen herself, ELSA, leads the Frozen Promenade!
Elsa in EPCOT
Elsa in EPCOT
And her beloved sister, Anna, isn’t far behind…
Anna in the Frozen Promenade
And you can get a glimpse of even MORE Disney Royalty when you catch the Princess Promenade!
Princess Promenade
And even though they’re not technically part of a Character Cavalcade, we couldn’t help but show you a few more friends we spotted in EPCOT!
Winnie the Pooh in EPCOT
So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for even MORE Disney pals outside of the Cavalcades!
Joy Strikes a Pose!
In fact, you never know exactly where even more beloved characters might show up!
Mary Poppins Greeting Guests at the United Kingdom Pavilion
Alice in Wonderland Greeting Guests in EPCOT
Why, it’s lovely seeing you, too, Alice!
Alice in Wonderland Greeting Guests in EPCOT
Don’t forget Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will kick off on July 15th — the same day the theme park reopens to the general public. Check out which 20 food booths we’re hoping to see return this year HERE!
We’re LIVE inside the Magic Kingdom today — follow along here!
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Wait, these are current pictures so why are none of the employees in masks?
They are singing and dancing and isn’t the whole point of a mask to protect others from possible virus causing droplets from coming into contact with others when you open your mouth? And you can’t say no one on a float or street level, will ever feel the need to sneeze or cough! I
The park isn’t officially opened yet and already they are being lax with the facial masks precautions. Even on a float looking down or 6 ft away for social distancing not wearing a mask while singing and talking is just negligent. So once that parade or float passes every one can walk into all the micro virus particles left behind from the entertainment.
I love Disney and we are annual passholders but even more so after seeing this we will not be going into the parks until there is a vaccine.
Donna – Good point! Don’t go.
I still plan on going with my family at the end of August. As I am sure many others are planning on doing the same. And from a selfish point of view. I sincerely hope, others feel as you do. I will more than welcome, fewer people in the parks, when we plan on visiting.
Donna, you are concerned about microparticles from a tiny handful of people not wearing masks but socially distanced from you outdoors? Well, the many people in the park who will be wearing masks will also leave plenty of microparticles in the air – especially in indoor rides with less air flow. The cloth masks will remove some but not most microparticles. If your risk tolerance is very low, you definitely should stay away from humans for a few years unless you are wearing an N95 mask.
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It looks like Disney has implemented many policies to help minimize risk. Each family has to determine risk factors for themselves. I would go in a minute if we had the cash which, sadly, we don’t right now. But we are saving our $$!
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I love the character cavalcade! It seems very spontaneous and fun. Just walking around Magic Kingdom and running into random characters sounds like more fun than standing in interminable lines for an autograph. I’m not sure how many characters appear, but it may be that folks can see a lot more characters while enjoying the park then they would having to spend a lot of time standing in line to just meet a couple. The character cavalcades will add a festive atmosphere to everyday park experiences!