“A Christmas Fantasy Parade” has returned to Disneyland with a few updates. You’ll be able to catch this seasonal parade traveling from “it’s a small world” down Main Street, U.S.A. at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every day through January 7, 2024. We caught the first 3:30 p.m. performance of the season, but note that the parade floats light-up for the 6:30 p.m. performances.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade Photos
The parade opens with a music box dancer atop a stack of books with a giant teddy bear and wreath.
The dancer is followed by the toy soldier marching band unit.
These classic Christmas characters also appear at Walt Disney World in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
Mrs. Claus and a troupe of elves follow the toy soldiers.
The elves are holding letters from children, ready to deliver them to Santa.
Starting in 2021, Disney began casting a more diverse array of actors (specifically Black actors) to portray Santa Claus. This was the first time we saw a Black actress portraying Mrs. Claus, too.
Mickey and his friends are on the next float, which is The Claus’ home, complete with a mailbox, Christmas tree, gifts, and snow on the rafters.
Donald is preparing to slide down the snow.
Chip and Dale are making mischief on the back of the float as they sort Santa’s mail.
Next is the Winter Wonderland unit. Each unit of this parade is led by a giant storybook.
Welcome to a Winter Wonderland
Frosted wonders fill the air
Swirls of snowflakes fall
Winter’s magic everywhere
Bringing joy to allNew friends dancing in the snow
Warming heart and hand
Skating o’er the pond we got
In a Winter Wonderland
The skiers have been removed from this unit, leaving just the snowmen in their winter gear.
Both Christmas tree floats have been updated with new decorations and lighting. This one, featuring white decór, is in the Winter Wonderland unit, while the second is near the end of the parade.
Following the tree are snowflake “ice skaters.”
Then comes the “Frozen” float with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.
New trees have been added to this float.
Anna rides on the front of the snowy float, with Olaf (who is a moving figure, not an actor).
Elsa is at the back of the float.
Step aside, Clarabelle Cow has arrived!
Clarabelle introduces the Gingerbread Treats unit, alongside two bakers.
A Recipe for Gingerbread Treats
- A spoonful of sugar
- A dash of cinnamon & spice & everything nice
- A cup of hope & happiness
- A sifting of kindness
- A splash of yuletide dream
- Lots of laughter
- Mix ingredients together with tender loving care
- Bake in a warm & cozy oven
- Share this delightful treat with everyone you meet!
The book floats are on stands with more giant books below them.
This one is balanced on “Mrs. Claus’ Cooking Hints.”
More bakers dance with gingerbread men. There are two fewer cookies than in years past.
There have been minor updates to choreography throughout the parade.
Goofy and Pluto are on a gingerbread house float.
Pluto has a new apron this year so he’s ready to bake more cookies.
Lady Tremaine and Cinderella’s stepsisters are trying to get into The Candlelight Christmas Ball, which is the unit of Disney Princesses and Princes.
This book has an invitation for the ball on it and two candelabras frame it.
The book float is followed by Cinderella and her Prince with dancers all holding candles.
More royals are on the next float, which resembles a marble gazebo covered in garlands and floral arrangements.
Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen have new outfits, although they still resemble their green wedding clothes. Their outer layers are now a shinier fabric instead of velvet.
Behind them are Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, and Cinderella and Prince Charming.
Princess Ariel and Prince Eric are on the back of the float, which is a change from last year. They previously walked with the next set of dancers.
Now Belle and the Beast are walking when they were previously on the float.
The next unit features some of the most obvious changes. Jessie is no longer riding in a red toy car, but walks alone at the start of the unit.
This unit is Santa’s Toyland and features “Toy Story” characters.
Santa’s Toyland
Toyland, Toyland
Dear little girl and boy land
While you dwell within it
You are ever happy thenChildhood’s Toyland
Wonderful world of joy land
Wouldn’t it be fine if we
Could stay there forevermore
Following the book float are a few elves in aprons.
Buzz Lightyear has also lost his solo toy block float. He’s replaced an army man on top of the Santa’s Toy Factory float.
Elves accompany this float.
One of the parade’s largest floats, the Toy Factory is full of machinery creating toys and wrapping them up.
Woody still has his own float, now following the Toy Factory. He rides a rocking horse atop toy blocks.
Woody was previously before the Toy Factory and Buzz was after.
Now we transition into the final unit. Dancers in green velvet are in front of the next Christmas tree float.
This tree has more colorful baubles and red velvet drapings.
There are also presents at its base.
A group of reindeer dancers are ahead of the final float.
And, of course, the final float has Santa on his red sleigh with a bulging green bag of presents.
This Santa Claus actor was also Black.
The sleigh is flying over snow-topped trees with colorful ornaments and a North Pole sign.
At the back of the float is a gateway with the words “Do you believe?” above it.
A couple elves are on the back of the float, waving at guests as the parade finishes.
And more elves carry the golden rope that signals the end of the parade.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade Video
Watch our full video of A Christmas Fantasy Parade in 2023 below.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.