There is some amazing entertainment at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Maleficent in Festival of Fantasy
You’ve got Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fare in front of the castle. You’ve got the Dapper Dans (okay, like do you also get serious goosebumps every time you hear them sing?), you’ve got the INCREDIBLE Festival of Fantasy parade that includes a fire-breathing Maleficent dragon — but did you know that Maleficent doesn’t ALWAYS breathe fire along the parade route? Maleficent only breathes fire in very specific locations.
We’ve got your back, though! Thanks to a very kind Cast Member/Tour Guide whom we consulted yesterday (because we’ve been wondering about this for, like, years), we’ve got a complete guide to where you need to be along the Festival of Fantasy parade route to make sure you catch all that fantastic fire breathing (and it really is quite the spectacle).
You might even wonder why Maleficent doesn’t breathe fire throughout the whole parade route!
Fire-breathing dragon
Well, in some instances, it would be dangerous (’cause, you know, FIRE). For example, you’ve got the iconic, real life Liberty Tree in Liberty Square that Walt picked out himself. That tree is over 100 years old. So you won’t see ANY fire if you catch the parade in that area. But there are other areas where Maleficent won’t breathe fire, too.
Thanks to this incredible Cast Member, we have a map of the parade route with spots where fire is not allowed — look for the little faces on the map below. Sad faces = no fire.
Magic Kingdom map
You’ll also notice that Maleficent will not breathe fire at the start of the parade route in Frontierland near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. She starts breathing fire around where Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is, then stops when she arrives in Liberty Square, and then starts again after she crosses the bridge leading to Cinderella Castle. So if seeing Maleficent doing her thing is on your priority list, make a note! It is certainly a sight to see, so we highly recommend it.
Maleficent dragon on Main Street, U.S.A.
We’ll be back with even more Disney World tips, tricks, and resources, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out!
UPDATE on the “Smellephants on Parade” Attraction That’s Coming to Magic Kingdom
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Where’s your favorite spot to view the Festival of Fantasy parade? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Cool info! Thank you guys! Last time I went to MK I got to see the dragon breathing fire cause I was standing in Main Street
I saw her breathe fire 4 times in Liberty Square, during the 3 o’clock parade yesterday (12/9).
I am uncertain whether this information is accurate or if it is simply a measure to divert people away from congested areas. Last year, I witnessed the dragon breathing fire while maneuvering around the bend at Liberty Square, and I possess video evidence to support this claim. It is possible that this situation was altered following the fire incident at Disneyland.