Since last Friday, we’ve been giving you some sneak peeks at a mysterious new float coming this spring to the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” at Magic Kingdom Park. Today, we’re excited to reveal that this impressive addition represents none other than Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty” – in the form of an enormous, Steampunk-inspired dragon.
Stretching 35 feet in length and reaching 26 feet above the parade route, the Maleficent Dragon has been designed in partnership with Tony Award-winner Michael Curry, whose previous collaborations with Disney Parks have included the “Tapestry of Nations” parade at Epcot and “Finding Nemo – The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” is a celebration of Fantasyland, with each of the floats appearing as though the characters of that enchanted land may have had a hand in crafting them, bringing their individual stories to celebratory life on the streets of Magic Kingdom Park. The Steampunk-inspired style of the Maleficent Dragon takes that “maker” spirit to a spectacular level.
We’ll have much more to share about the Maleficent Dragon and the rest of the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” in the coming weeks, as we get closer to parade’s debut in spring 2014!
Comments
Maleficent is absolutely magnificent! I love that style and can’t wait to see this parade!
When will the new parade start? We are headed there Mar 14!
While I love the Disney characters as a child there is something wicked about the villians! I love the use of steampunk motive and design. I am excited about being in DisneyWorld tomorrow and with any luck DisneyLand in March…its going to be a wickedly wonderful 2014. (Plus I get to share this all with my 2 year granddaughter who celebrated her first visit to Disney World last Dec/Jan 2012-2013). I am stoked!!!
Although I don’t care for Steampunk, this float has me excited. Can’t wait to see it.
I love this! I am all for the Disney villains, I went as Maleficent for Halloween (and yes I made my husband dress as Jafar.) The art renderings for this parade look amazing. I have not been to Disney World since 1995 and we will be going in May, is my timing great or what!
Pretty tall! I’m guessing this is the reason we won’t have garlands and wreaths over Main Street anymore? Sad, but looks cool.
Will the Festival of Fantasy Parade follow the same route as the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade? Thanks!
I’m so excited about all these beautiful floats! Can’t wait for the actual date so my family can go and see all of them!
Yes, it will be VERY exciting to see this parade come down the route for the first time!
cant wait to see it in august when we go did not get to see not one parade when we went last sept .
This is GREAT! Beautifully designed! I’m really excited about the new parade. It’s been nice to see the Magic Kingdom getting so much love over the last few years. 🙂
Yes, a lot of wonderful additions have been made there over the past few years. Love New Fantasyland!
I think this amazing creation deserves an official wallpaper!
Hi – We were just at Disney World the week of January 6th and during Fantasmic, the mechanical dragon was not part of the show. She was in attendance during our June 2012 visit. We were just wondering what happened to her.
Do you know when everything in the new fantasyland will be open, also do you know what the height restriction is on the seven dwarfs mine ride, thank you
The opening date for Mine Train has not been announced yet. As soon as we know, we’ll share it here. Also, the height minimum for Mine Train will be 38 inches.
Oh wow, I was right (in a way haha)! When I looked at the hint pictures I saw the wheel of thread and thought, well the only person related to that is Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, but then tried to make the other pictures fit and no such luck, so forgot about it. Alas, I didn’t think Maleficient! Bravo Disney =) Can’t wait for this spectacular show =D
Michael Curry’s creations in Tapestry of Nations/Dreams were positively MAGICAL! Can’t wait to see this parade!!!!
I’m a big fan of his work, especially “Finding Nemo – The Musical” puppets here at WDW. This will be amazing!
I love Maleficent, especially as the dragon. I work on Main Street, so getting to see this EVERYDAY, my job just got even better! I am sooooo stoked to see this. I LOVE my job!!!!!
That’s great to hear, Deborah!
Oh, and I thought all those steampunk gears and cogs were going to be a Kingdom Hearts float!
Sooooo cool!! I love Maleficent♥ I’m looking forward to see the new parade in June 26-27.(It’s our next visit to WDW from Japan!!)
I hope you enjoy your visit! 🙂
WOAW!!!! This is beyond cool!!!!!
Can’t wait to visit!!! 😀
Label me “impressed”!
This style of steampunk looks great, since it’s a parade float it almost seems to work on both levels. One being a good design for Malificent’s dragon from and two for looking like what a float from a Fantasyland era might look like.
It reminds me of the falling apart animatronic characters of Epic Mickey.
Will all the floats have this same design style?
I’m really looking forward to seeing this!
This is the only float in the parade designed in this style.
We need more villains!!!!
Phenomenal!!! Can’t wait to see this magnificent float on our next trip in May. Love love love Disney parades.
I’m happy you’re excited, Jennie!
This is totally wicked! I love steampunk and kicked myself when I missed out of the Mechanical Kingdom pins. This will be the reason I get an annual pass this year.
Am I the only one who now wants an all-steampunk inspired Disney parade?
Wow, that is seriously amazing. Loving the attention to detail, like the briar thorns on Maleficent’s neck. Awesome!
Yes, there’s some amazing detail here!
Oh…oh my…I think I’m in love.♥ Hopefully if there is merchandise of this lovely beast it’ll reach us here on the west coast. In the meantime, I’ll just oogle over the details and construction.
Bravo!! That float is absolutely magnificent…uh..Maleficent!
I’m glad you like it!
Woah! Great job, Imagineers!
OHHHHHHHH I LOVE this! PLease tell me they’ll have miniatures (art/statues) to purchase. There are not many souvenirs I buy when we come to Disney, but this, this I would buy! (Oh and I am very excited to see a new parade).
My family visited WDW to see the New Fantasyland looking for the flying dragon. We were so disappointed when we found out it was a one time thing for the media. We also have always been searching for a dragon in Animal Kingdom but have never found one. But I will say we are so excited and happy to see this amazing new dragon float! We were thinking about skipping Disney World this year but this dragon float and the new parade in general has us reconsidering. Our family loves dragons!
This dragon is coming to stay. 🙂
I’m pretty sure this is the best thing to happen to me in a while. Two of my favorite things mixed beautifully into one.
🙂
AWESOME! This has to be my absolute favorite. I love Dragons and I love Maleficent!
Sounds good, Michael!
I am just going to miss the debut in March. 🙁 Just means I’ll have to make a return trip later in the year!
are they also planning a new parade for Disneyland?
It’s so cool looking. Can’t wait to see it rolling down main street for years to come-maybe breathing fire?
Stay tuned for more details!
I hope the parade is up and running by the end of March!!
PLEASE let there be tons of related merchandise! One of my favorite genres AND my favorite character? My wallet is open and ready!
You know this is just going to make us want even more Steampunk Disney stuff, right? Why do you do this to us? 😉
Hello Jennifer,
I love the ‘Steampunk-inspired’ style of the Maleficent Dragon for the new ‘Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade’. The detailing alone keeps me gazing for a long while, always on the hunt for a Hidden Mickey or two.
Thank you for sharing these magnificent photos of great things to come.
Best regards,
Jacqueline
I’m happy you’re excited, Jacqueline!
LOVE IT! I am not a big fan of the parades, don’t care for the Main Street Electrical Parade at all, but this new parade looks spectacular from all the concept art! I cannot wait to see this in person in May!
I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!
Wow Wow Wow! That is amazing!!! Love it!
Thank you!
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