MK afternoon parade questions

Question

I remember some scary-looking stilt walkers and I think a dragon that I couldn’t place in this parade. What movie are they from? Is the Merida float still there - I don’t remember seeing it last year.

I’ll be going with my nephew and his little kids, and am trying to identify things from movies they may not have seen, so they can watch them before the trip.

Answer

The Magic Kingdom afternoon parade is a vibrant mix of floats, characters, and performers from a variety of Disney movies, and it often includes some unexpected surprises like stilt walkers or dragons. The “scary-looking stilt walkers” you mentioned are usually part of the “Fantasmic!” or Halloween-themed elements that Disney sometimes rotates into the parade, and the dragon is often a generic “fantasy” dragon not tied to a specific movie, though occasionally it represents Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty.”

Regarding the Merida float, Disney sometimes rotates or updates parade floats. As of the most recent updates, the Merida (from “Brave”) float is not always included in the daily afternoon parade. Her appearance may be limited to special seasonal events, such as Halloween or summer celebrations, so it’s possible you didn’t see it last year.

For planning purposes with your nephew and the little ones, here’s a helpful breakdown of the parade elements and movie connections:

Scary-looking stilt walkers: Often part of the “Fantasmic!” or Halloween sequences, may be loosely inspired by classic Disney villains or fantasy characters rather than a specific movie.
Dragon: Sometimes represents Maleficent in her dragon form from “Sleeping Beauty.” Could also be a generic fantasy dragon depending on the season.
Merida float: From the movie “Brave,” but may not be present in the current parade rotation. Check for seasonal or special event parades if you want to see her specifically.
Other notable floats:
- Mickey & Friends classic float – “Steamboat Willie” themed
- Princess floats – featuring Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, etc.
- Pixar floats – characters from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” etc.
- “The Lion King” themed floats – Simba, Timon, and friends
- “Frozen” float – Anna, Elsa, and Olaf

To prepare the kids, you might show them clips from the classic Disney princess films, Pixar movies, and a bit of “Sleeping Beauty” for the dragon. This way, the parade will be more engaging and recognizable for them. Since Disney rotates floats and performers, some elements might change day-to-day, so having the kids watch a mix of classic Disney movies is the safest bet.

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