Magic Kingdom Christmas Parade Adds Monsters, Inc., Encanto

By Marcus D. · Thrill rides & Lightning Lane · Orlando, FL

Published November 10, 2026 · Updated November 14, 2026

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade rolled down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 with new Monsters, Inc. and Encanto segments built for ABC’s holiday television taping, according to reports. The 2:00 p.m. performance was the first of two daytime runs tied to the taping, with a second scheduled for the same time tomorrow.

The Monsters, Inc. segment put Sulley and Mike Wazowski in the back of a white Main Street vehicle trimmed in blue tinsel, with a Monsters University flag corps and cheerleaders ahead of them. Mike wore a Monsters, Inc. hard hat, as did Needleman, who walked alongside the car with George Sanderson — a nod to the Monstropolis construction underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the former Muppets Courtyard.

The Encanto segment brought the Madrigal family down Main Street, U.S.A.

Both segments are tied to themed lands coming to Walt Disney World next year: Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and, for Encanto, Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For the latest on the Monsters, Inc. Door Vault coaster, see our earlier coverage.

ABC airs the finished special on Christmas morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern as Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade.

What we know

• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade — ran at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 with added Monsters, Inc. and Encanto units; second taping performance tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
• Monstropolis (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) — the land the Monsters, Inc. segment is tied to, coming next year.
• Monsters, Inc. Door Vault coaster — construction continues past phase one; no opening date announced.
• Tropical Americas (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) — the land the Encanto segment points to.
• ABC special — airs Christmas morning, 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

What’s not confirmed

Disney has not announced an opening date for the Monsters, Inc. Door Vault coaster. Disney has not given a specific opening date for Tropical Americas. There is also no announcement that either parade segment will return after the taping.

Planning around this? See crowds for my dates.

What it means for your trip

If you are in Magic Kingdom tomorrow, the 2:00 p.m. parade is the only remaining chance to see these units, and it is a daytime showing of a parade otherwise tied to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — worth planning your afternoon around rather than treating as a bonus.

Taping days can rope off camera positions along Main Street, U.S.A., so claim a curb spot well before 2:00 p.m. — or, if you’d rather skip the parade, use that window for rides elsewhere in the park.

For 2027 trips, Monstropolis gives Hollywood Studios a reason to get more of your park days, but with the Door Vault coaster undated, do not build an itinerary around a coaster that may not be open. Tropical Americas is the softer bet — no confirmed date means no safe assumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Monstropolis open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

Monstropolis is one of the lands coming to Walt Disney World next year, and the Monsters, Inc. parade segment is tied to it. Disney hasn’t announced a specific opening date.

Will the Monsters, Inc. and Encanto parade segments return?

No. Reports say both units were created specifically for the ABC holiday special and will not be part of other performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

When does the ABC Disney parade special air?

ABC airs Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on Christmas morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

Go deeper — the full guides: Disney World Crowds Nov 9–14, 2026: Forecast · Magic Kingdom Dec 21–23, 2026: Crowd Levels and Best Hours · Magic Kingdom Crowds Nov 28–29, 2026: 3/10, Saturday Best

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