Disney in a Minute: What is a Cavalcade?

As you plan a trip to Walt Disney World, you may come across the term “cavalcade” and wonder what it is. A cavalcade is essentially a mini-parade—a short procession of floats and characters accompanied by music. Unlike a Magic Kingdom parade, which can last 15-20 minutes or more, a cavalcade runs about 3-5 minutes. They’re somewhat basic in presentation, lacking the intricate and extravagant production values of full-blown Disney parades, but that can make them all the more fun in my opinion.

Cavalcades were introduced by Disney in 2020 when the pandemic required them to think of ways to reduce large gatherings. Traditional parades had people lining up way in advance, so cavalcades were designed to pop up unannounced several times during the day. They added a pop of surprise and Disney magic to a park visit. And this reduced crowds along the route because you never knew when one would appear.

For some time, cavalcades appeared in each park at Walt Disney World. At Animal Kingdom, they even took the form of flotillas on the Discovery River. I remember being surprised by a bunch of characters waving at us from a boat while we stopped to grab a bite to eat along the river! Since cavalcade times weren’t listed in My Disney Experience, seeing one was always a treat.

Currently, the only cavalcade at WDW is the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade in the Magic Kingdom. Lasting about 4 minutes, it follows a route from Frontierland through Liberty Square down Main Street, U.S.A. You’ll see characters from Disney and Pixar franchises, including the Incredibles, Bruno from Encanto, Miguel from Coco, and many more. No longer a surprise that pops up unannounced, times for this cavalcade are listed in the My Disney Experience app.

Cavalcades are lively, short, and a truly enjoyable short-and-sweet version of a parade. And they’re a fun way Disney injects just a little more magic into your visit!

Disney in a Minute is a series of short posts designed to help you better understand a Disney term or planning topic. Do you have a Disney term that you think needs a little more explanation? Let us know in the comments!