Get ready, Walt Disney World fans! The Festival of Fantasy and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire are returning!

When the Disney World Parks closed for the pandemic, we did not know the fate of entertainment. For most shows and performers, it has been a slower road to recovery, with parades taking the back seat. For well over a year, Guests have enjoyed cavalcades throughout the Disney World Parks, and now as character meet and greets are returning (now, character sightings), it seemed like it was time to see parades as well as castle performances, return to Magic Kingdom.

Thankfully, Destination D23 came bearing AMAZING news! Both Festival of Fantasy and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire are returning to the Most Magical Place on Earth as we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary! We know that Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will have a unique 50th anniversary addition added to it, as noted by Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. Disney CEO Bob Chapek was unable to attend the event.

We do not know precisely when the offerings return, but it seems that it will happen at some point in 2022, which is fantastic news! This follows fireworks returning to Disney World, as Guests can now enjoy Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom, as well as Harmonious at EPCOT. We also found out that Fantasmic! would be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! 

Disney describes Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire as:

A Faire to Remember
It takes a whole enchanted kingdom to put on this show—and you’re cordially invited. Look for Tiana and friends from The Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel and Flynn from Tangled. Mickey even recruits Olaf, Anna and Elsa from Frozen to join in!

Watch as classic and contemporary Disney Characters interact in a magical, musical extravaganza featuring lively dancing, dazzling effects and music from the films.

Festival of Fantasy can be described as:

Magic Marches Down the Street
The unbridled enchantment and vivid pageantry of Fantasyland—and its many inhabitants—winds its way through the park in a thrilling parade spectacular. The dazzling mix of floats, motion and original music will keep you humming along for days to come.

See Disney Characters and Much More
Be a part of this grand gala, with spectacular, state-of-the-art floats starring some of your favorite Disney Characters, colorfully costumed performers on stilts, pendulums and swings—and even a fire-breathing dragon. It’s a festival of fun for everyone!

Are you excited to see parades and shows return to Magic Kingdom? 

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!