The Festival of Fantasy Parade debuted in the Spring of 2014 at Magic Kingdom and has quickly become my favorite parade. Everything about this parade is outstanding- the costumes, the music, the floats and of course the characters you know and love. This parade route kicks off in Frontierland and works its way straight down Main Street, USA. This route creates plenty of great spots to watch the parade; although I’m sure you’re wondering, where is the best spot to watch Festival of Fantasy? There are pros and cons to each area, but here’s my experience with the following locations:

• Liberty Square: The very first time I saw Festival of Fantasy it was from Liberty Square, just before it crossed the bridge to Main Street, USA (near the Hall of Presidents.) We staked out a spot about an hour before the parade started so we were in the front row with a great view. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, sunny day with clear blue skies which made for some fantastic, vibrant photos. I also enjoyed this location because the parade is somewhat rounding a corner from Frontierland so you get to see different angles of each float.

 

• Frontierland: This is where the parade route starts, and is typically not as crowded as Main Street when it comes to parade viewing. There is also a bit of extra room along the streets of Frontierland because the boardwalk along the waterway and side paths leading up to the streets offer extra standing room. With that being said, I would suggest getting a front row spot if you want the best view here, especially if you plan on taking photos. Aside from having other people’s heads in your line of vision, the farther back you are from the main path, the more obstructions there are in this area. There are a few trees that may block your view as well as the food and beverage and merchandise carts that line the paths. Also, depending on the season, the sun may be in a position that shadows some of the floats and characters or it may be shining directly in your eyes. As you can see in the photo below, I encountered this problem with my most recent Frontierland viewing.

 

 

• Along Main Street, USA: It’s no secret that any parade or show is ultimately better with Cinderella Castle as the back drop. These spots will fill up quickly, so make sure you stake out a spot about 45 minutes to an hour before the parade starts. Also note, the parade typically starts at 3:00 PM but it will not reach Main Street until approximately 20 minutes later– however, the spots on Main Street will still begin to fill up just after 2:00, or even earlier depending on how crowded the park is that day. These spots are also in high demand, so be prepared for other guests to creep up in your personal space. If you abandon your post even for a moment, another guest is likely going to try to move in for a better view.

 

• FastPass+ Viewing Location: I recently experienced Festival of Fantasy from the FastPass+ viewing location, at the beginning of Main Street (right in front of The Emporium) and it is without a doubt my new favorite spot. Truth be told, anyone can watch the parade without a FastPass– but if you want a prime spot you’re going to have to report to your desired area an hour before the parade starts. This FastPass location offers breathtaking views of the parade coming right down Main Street USA, with Cinderella Castle as the back drop. I really enjoyed this “head on” view, which allowed me to soak in all of the magic, the entire Magic Kingdom experience. This spot also presented the opportunity for some awesome closeups and character interactions. I always wondered if it was worth using one of my three valuable FastPass+ selections to secure this spot. The short answer is: yes, I think it’s definitely worth it for everyone to snag this FastPass at least once.