Disneyland Paris Announces First New Daytime Parade Since 2017
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Fans were feeling hopeful heading into this year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, expecting news on events and experiences tied to the Disneyland Paris’s 35th anniversary 2027.
Instead, nothing was announced on that front during the event itself. Shortly after, though, came a press release with concept art for something else entirely. The news that Stars on Parades replacement will premiere as the Disneyland Paris new daytime parade, the following year.
What’s confirmed for Disneyland Paris new daytime parade
The new parade is set to replace the current Disneyland Paris parade, Disney Stars on Parade, which has run since the park’s 25th anniversary in 2017, making it the longest-running daytime parade Disneyland Paris has ever had.
Details on the replacement remain limited but Disneyland Paris have confirmed it’ll be led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, and will honour “timeless Disney magic and the power of dreams” with new floats featuring the Genie and Jasmine from Aladdin, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Miguel from Coco.
Dana Harrel, Vice President of Entertainment at Disneyland Paris, said the new parade “raises the bar,” adding that every element — from float design to costumes to music — has been built “with passion and a lot of heart.”
Disney’s own figures on the production suggesting that more than 10,000 hours have been spent on research and technical development, with nearly 225 sketches for costumes, wigs, and makeup.
According to Variety, the parade will include eight brand-new floats, built from scratch. Concept art suggests several will be dual-sided, telling two distinct stories depending on the viewing angle. Genie’s float appears to carry Tiana on its reverse side, while Miguel’s appears to be paired with what looks like the Figaro from Pinocchio.
What about the other parades?
Fans have been relatively quiet on the parade topic since D23, where it seems the reveal was bumped from the panel itself due to time constraints and only landed via press release afterward. One question that has come up in only discourse is will the dragon stay?
Fire effects across Disney parks were noticeably scaled back for roughly a year following the Fantasmic dragon fire at Disneyland California in 2023. The return of the pyrotechnics used by the manually operated Dragon float was met with genuine celebration and excitement. It remains one of the current parade’s standout moments.
The bigger question fans are raising is whether a new daytime parade signals updates elsewhere too — specifically Mickey’s Halloween Celebration and Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, neither of which has been refreshed in some time.
Online commentary appears to lean toward fans wanting a proper Halloween parade overhaul, with suggestions ranging from a dedicated villains float — potentially featuring classic villains such as Maleficent, the Evil Queen, and Cruella — to a villain-themed take on the princess float from Stars on Parade.
Reaction on fan forums is genuinely split three ways. Some are simply relieved it’s finally happening.
“We definetly need a new Halloween parade. I was there for Halloween weekend last year and by day two I was sick of the Halloween parade & it’s songs.”
—Fan comment r/Disneylandparis
Some fans have also pointed to Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, where a headless horseman rides down Main Street each night, as the kind of standout set-piece Disneyland Paris’s harvest-themed Halloween parade currently lacks.
“I think Disneyland Paris could definitely lean more into the Villains side of Halloween, like they do in the American parks. I’d love to see a more spooky evening parade.”
—Fan comment r/Disneylandparis
Investment, and what guests want to see next
Disneyland Paris has invested heavily in entertainment for the European parks over the past few years, and it’s paid off. Drones were first introduced during the 30th anniversary celebration for the nighttime spectacular. Tales of Magic then built on that, bringing projections to Main Street and expanding the use of drones within the show itself.
More recently, Disney Adventure World has offered glimpses of where entertainment at the resort is heading next. Disney Cascade of Lights, which opened alongside the park in March 2026, uses 379 drones — including the world first 100 aquatic drones — plus water screens and pyrotechnics on Adventure Bay.
In July this year, the popular Disney Princess Cavalcade was also introduced comprising four themed floats travelling Adventure Way with an interactive show-stop segment.
Tales of Magic has been a genuine hit since launch, winning over even die-hard fans of the long-running Illuminations and Disney Dreams! nighttime spectaculars. That success raises the question: does it bode well for the new parade getting similar backing and a similar reception?
Guests at the Parisian parks have seen and noted the advances in technology and design introduced elsewhere around the world. At Tokyo Disneyland, Rapunzel swings from a tall tower by her hair on the Tangled float during the Disney Harmony in Color Parade.
Meanwhile at Walt Disney World, Peter Pan and Wendy fly above their float during Festival of Fantasy. All of these developments give hope that Disneyland Paris will finally have entertainment of its own to draw in and inspire international guests, rather than always being the resort playing catch-up.
When will Disneyland Paris new daytime parade start?
Disney hasn’t confirmed a route, running time, exact date within 2028, or even an official name for the parade yet — so today’s reveal is closer to a first look than a full unveiling.
Guests won’t be short of things to enjoy while they wait. Stars on Parade runs daily in Disneyland Park for most of the year, joined by Mickey’s Halloween Celebration each October and replaced over the festive period by Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade .
And if a firm date for the new parade feels like a long way off, it’s worth remembering Space Mountain and the Lion King attraction are in exactly the same boat — both confirmed at this year’s D23, both still waiting on a date of their own.
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About the author
Sam Doyle is a Disney-loving mum of three and the creator of Pixie Dust Wanderlust — a go-to planning resource for Disneyland Paris trips. Known for her honest advice and magical practicality, Sam helps families and solo travellers simplify the planning process so they can actually enjoy their trip, not just survive it.