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Disneyland Paris Adds Tiana and Rapunzel to New Princess Cavalcade
Disneyland Paris just dropped a sneak peek behind the magic of their all-new Disney Princess Cavalcade! Alongside the exciting preview, they revealed that fan-favorites Tiana and Rapunzel will be joining Raya and Moana in the upcoming lineup.
When the cavalcade was first announced earlier this year, Moana was the lone princess leading the charge. Raya was later added to the lineup alongside the official premiere date of July 24. Guests can catch the new processional at Disney Adventure World—the newly rebranded Walt Disney Studios Park, which received its fresh name to celebrate the grand opening of the World of Frozen expansion.
Alongside the exciting news that Tiana and Rapunzel are joining Raya and Moana, Disneyland Paris gave fans a sneak peek at the cavalcade’s uplifting new anthem, “Make My Way.”
Overseeing every moving part of the production is producer Claire Salmon. She noted that her team is laser-focused on delivering an unforgettable guest experience on time and within budget. “To achieve this… you have to ensure the floats arrive exactly when rehearsals begin, that performers are cast and well-practiced indoors beforehand, and that every little preparation is locked in,” Salmon shared. “I often say this, but it’s true: it really is like being an orchestra conductor!”
Marking a historic milestone, this will be the first-ever cavalcade to debut at Disney Adventure World. “It’s a real challenge to create a live performance for a venue that didn’t even exist a year ago,” Salmon noted. “We had to look ahead and imagine how best to incorporate it even before we’d seen it finished.” Far from a standard parade, the experience blends a traditional processional with a vibrant “show stop,” allowing the floats to pause so performers can interact directly with the crowd.
According to Salmon, the cavalcade will follow a unique “round-trip” route. It will travel from the entrance of the upcoming Lion King-themed land to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge before circling back to its starting point, where the highly anticipated interactive show stop will take place.
“This will give spectators the chance to enjoy the spectacle twice over,” Salmon explained. “First on the outward journey, and then again on the return journey, as they get to see these magnificent floats both ways.”
Testing for the ambitious project began in mid-June when the team rolled the first floats onto the park grounds. They carefully timed and measured the procession’s speed to make sure the technical realities aligned perfectly with the directors’ creative vision. After making a few minor adjustments, Salmon noted that the hard work paid off: “Above all, we made sure the cavalcade fitted perfectly into the surroundings, as if it had always been there.”
The stunning floats were designed by Thomas Gallou, who previously crafted the boats for A Celebration in Arendelle. Newly released behind-the-scenes photos offer a sneak peek at The Princess and the Frog float, showcasing a vibrant display of musical instruments and an illustration of two frogs kissing.
Because the cavalcade runs through a fairly neutral area of the park, creating a powerful visual identity was critical. “We needed a very strong theme for the floats and the performers, particularly through the costumes,” Salmon explained.
Music plays an equally vital role in bringing that magic to life. “We have taken particular care to ensure we have sufficient resources to provide the best possible experience,” Salmon said, noting that the floats feature their own built-in audio systems alongside support from the parade units. “From the moment the floats first set off, we made sure that the various sound sources were well balanced throughout the route… It will be particularly impressive when the cavalcade stops and the performers invite the children to come and dance with them. It’ll be total immersion!”
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