Magic definitely happens at this Disney parade

Disney is known for its in-park entertainment. From fireworks and characters to shows and parades, Guests can take it all in! Magic definitely happens at this parade – see why we love it so much!

Disney Parades

One of the experiences that sets Disney apart is its theme park parades. These are long, elaborate spectacles that Guests love to see during the day. It is a great chance to see many of your favorite characters, hear many of your favorite songs, and experience the magic of Disney.

Parades take place around the world. At Magic Kingdom, the daytime parade is called Festival of Fantasy. Seasonal parades include Boo To You and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parades.

Even Disney parks overseas have parades, too! Disneyland Paris has two: Disney Stars on Parade and Dream…And Shine Brighter! Shanghai Disney has Mickey’s Storybook Express. Tokyo Disneyland has Disney Harmony in Color, and Tokyo DisneySea has Believe! Sea of Dreams.

Magic Happens at Disneyland Park

Currently, Magic Happens in the daytime parade at Disneyland Park. It debuted in February 2020 for a few weeks until the historic park closure in March. It remained unavailable until February 2023 when it finally returned!

This parade celebrates awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. Featuring stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters, this show is a favorite for those who have seen it.

Mickey Mouse leads this Magic Happens parade. Many different characters and scenes are included, demonstrating the magic that happens in Disney movies and in the experience of visiting the Disney parks. Characters featured in the parade include Anna and Elsa, Moana, Miguel, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Merlin, and more!

The show typically happens twice per day – at 3:30 and 6:30 usually. Be sure to get your spot 45-60 minutes before it starts!

How to see Magic Happens

The parade route begins at “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland, continues by Pixie Hollow, and then makes its way down Main Street. This means there is plenty of space and backdrops to view the parade. Maybe you want to see it at the beginning of the route so you can ride some attractions while the rest of the park watches the parade. I recommend watching Magic Happens by “it’s a small world” then.

Do you want to see this magical parade with Sleeping Beauty Castle as the stunning backdrop? You will want to watch near Town Square then so you can see it head on. Any of the restaurants along Main Street (like Jolly Holiday or Carnation Cafe) are a great place to view it as well since you will have seating. I loved watching it pass by as a I ate dinner at Carnation Cafe!

There are also a few ways to grab dedicated seating for the parade as well! One, you can purchase a dining package for Plaza Inn. The package includes one meal for everyone who books the package and dedicated seating for the second showing of the parade. Note that seating for the parade is not located at the restaurant! Your viewing location will be listed on the voucher when you check in.

Second, you can book the Disney100 tour. This walking tour takes you through Disneyland Park and California Adventure as your guide tells stories of the past 100 years of The Walt Disney Company. It also includes reserved seating for the Magic Happens parade. If you are planning to do the tour, I think the dedicated seating is a great add-on. However, I would not book the tour just for the seating.

Why we love it so much

The Music: We love the music for Magic Happens! It is fun, upbeat, and catchy! I love the way the song starts off:

This is the anthem/Here’s what you came for/This is the moment/Magic was made for/Come one, come all/Let’s light up the sky now/You feel the magic/Happening right now

I (Monica) was wholly unimpressed with the 50th Anniversary anthem, “The Magic is Calling”, but this other “magic” song is the complete opposite. Not to mention, the new spins on the classic songs bring a freshness to the stories.

So Many Characters: There are so many unique characters for Magic Happens. Not only do you get classics like Mickey and Goofy, but you also get rare favorites like Maui, Kristoff, and the Fairy Godmothers. Disneyland is known for their unique character meets, and the parade is an extension of that.

Fashion-Forward Costuming: The parade’s costume design draws inspiration directly from modern runways, making each costume look fashion-forward, yet uniquely Disney. The performers look stunning in their bright outfits and colorful hair. It all feels so contemporary and pop-culturish while remaining true to the Disney story.

The Magical Story: From the enchanted forest of Frozen and the Land of the Dead in Coco to Cinderella’s magical pumpkin and Arthur pulling the sword in the stone, each piece of the parade reflects upon the magic of Disney. If you pay attention to each film represented, you will notice they all surround magic in some way. It also explains why Mickey is in a Sorcerer costume!

Full Videos

If you do not have plans to visit Disneyland anytime soon (or you just want to watch the parade over and over again), your are in luck! Kenny the Pirate has YouTube videos of the parade, which you view below: