We all know that Disney is working on a massive expansion for Magic Kingdom, with a brand-new Villains Land and a Cars-themed expansion in the works.
Villains Land ©Disney
But what many folks aren’t talking about is how these additions could shake up something as fundamental as the parade route. When Villains Land and Cars become reality, we might see Disney reroute the parade to start in a whole new location, so let’s talk about what that could look like.
A New Parade Path?
Right now, the parade at Magic Kingdom kicks off in Frontierland, right next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and then winds through Liberty Square before making its way down Main Street, U.S.A. But with Villains Land and a Cars expansion taking up prime real estate behind Frontierland, Disney might want to reconsider where their parades begin.
Existing Parade Path
When you think about where the new areas are going to be, there’s a clear opportunity for Disney to shift the parade’s starting point further back, into Villains Land itself.
Existing and Potential New Parade Path
Instead of beginning in Frontierland, floats could roll out of a dramatic, villain-themed backdrop before moving into the Cars expansion and then merging onto the traditional route in Liberty Square. Imagine seeing Maleficent’s dragon float emerge from Villains Land, setting the tone for the entire parade. Now that would be an epic way to start the show.
Why Would Disney Do This?
Disney is all about efficiency, crowd flow, and making sure guests have the best experience possible. Moving the starting point to Villains Land could help with integrating these new lands into the park’s overall entertainment offerings. It’s a win-win: guests get a fresh, immersive parade experience, and Disney gets even better crowd control.
Existing and Potential New Parade Path on Cars Expansion Concept Art
Plus, this could open the door for unique parade elements themed specifically to these new lands. We could see a section of the parade dedicated to iconic villains, followed by high-energy Cars floats racing through the expansion before transitioning into the classic Disney characters we all know and love.
What Happens to the Current Route?
If this change happens, the parade would still follow its usual path down Main Street, but the adjustment could affect viewing spots, crowd control, and even dining experiences along the route.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Frontierland, which currently gets a front-row seat to the parade kickoff, might lose that prime viewing location. But on the flip side, guests in the back of the park could get a whole new opportunity to see the parade in a more spacious, less crowded setting.
What’s Next?
Of course, nothing is confirmed yet, but given the scale of these expansions, it’s a question worth asking. Disney hasn’t revealed exact plans for parades in these areas, but if they want to maximize these new lands, a rerouted parade seems like it could be a possibility.
Maleficent dragon on Main Street, U.S.A.
So, what do you think? Would you be excited for a parade that kicks off in Villains Land and cruises through a Cars-themed expansion or do you think the classic Frontierland start should stay untouched?
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The only issue I see with this possibility is it will GREATLY increase the distance the floats have to go between the end of the parade and the starting point. Currently, the route is designed so that the backstage area between the start and end of the parade is close together, which simplifies the logistics. Your plan would move the start a LOT farther from the end, thus requiring more effort backstage to reset the parade.
Just my 2 cents.
Interesting thought when you take into consideration there is also parade staging and repair shops behind the old Splash. Mountain and the Pirates Attraction. That would have to me moved to accommodate behind the scenes end of parade traffic and the new, farther away proposed parade start.