We then crossed back into Main Street USA and stake a spot in front of Cinderella Castle for the stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.
Because it took me so long to write my 2016 trip report, where I wrote about this show (and it replacing Dream Along with Mickey) it feels like I’m repeating myself too soon if I write it all again here. In short Dream Along with Mickey – my favourite show ever, absolutely loved it; Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire – boo hiss, you replaced my favourite show. You can read about it on Day 28 of that report here if you like! However, it’s not all that bad… it’s no Dream Along With Mickey, but you can’t have it all!
In that report I also mentioned that I thought the character’s costume changed with the seasons, and I can now confirm that yes they do! For this show they change costumes into winter finery for the closing song.
In preparation for this joyous festival, Mickey and friends have ventured far and wide to gather Disney pals from all over to star in a royal friendship faire.
Goofy has invited Tiana and friends from the Land of the Bewitching Bayous to infuse a little spice of New Orleans jazz in the party. Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling from the Land of Enchanted Woods to shake their tail feathers. Daisy has asked Rapunzel and Flynn to “comb” over and sing along. Mickey even recruited Olaf, Anna and Elsa from the Land of the Mystic Mountains to cast some extra cool touches!
This grand affair culminates in the joining of classic and contemporary Disney Characters in a spectacular show featuring lively dancing, dazzling effects, an original song and memorable music from The Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Frozen. – Walt Disney World
I don’t have much more to say of the show itself – I like that there are newer Disney characters in it, and that [most of] the songs are familiar, so you can sing along from the first time you watch it – so I’ll just finish this section off with some photos of the show.
After the opening number, Tiana, Naveen and Louis from The Princess and The Frog bring some New Orleans jazz to the stage with “Down in New Orleans”, “When We’re Human”, “Dig a Little Deeper”. Goofy leads this section of the show, and the closing number with everyone dancing to “Dig a Little Deeper” is fab.
Donald Duck introduces a band of pub thugs from The Snuggly Duckling who run amok before Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder and Daisy Duck enter the stage. Daisy manages to get them all to stop fighting, and tells Donald off from bringing these ruffians to the party – when it should have been Rapunzel and Flynn! Rapunzel then reassures Donald and Daisy that the thugs might seem a bit rough around the edges, and Flynn mentions that they do grow on you after a while…like a fungus! Then they launch into “I’ve Got A Dream” because everyone has dreams, even this rough band of boys!
Finally from the land of Arendelle, Mickey surprises Minnie with Olaf – who comes out singing a tiny part of “In Summer” – followed by Anna and Elsa who have seemingly been looking for him. Olaf introduces the sisters to the Mouse power couple, and Minnie gushes over the pair of them as she admires them so much, and wishes how she could be more like them.
Anna then goes on to say how everyone has their own talents that makes them special, and you have to remember to stay true to yourself, before launching into “Let It Go”.
As you can see, Minnie Mouse is in awe of Elsa! It’s really quite sweet!
Once the Frozen gang go off on their merry way, Mickey asks Minnie if he enjoyed the surprised. She replies saying how she loved it, and that it was the best day ever! Mickey responds by telling Minnie that every day with her is the best day ever ♥ That’s love right there!
Mickey and Minnie then run off stage as they need to get ready for the Royal Friendship Faire Grand Dance. The visitors are welcomed back on stage for a dance to instrumental versions of their songs. Finally, Sir Mickey and Lady Minnie are introduced and everyone joins in the dance to “With a Smile and a Song” (from Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs) which I think is a nice touch as Snow White is the first Animated Classic.
Mickey has one final surprise up his sleeve with some fireworks to close out the show. As I’ve rewatched it on video to tell you a bit more about it, I realise that actually it’s a sweet little show! (But it’s not my Dream Along With Mickey! I will yammer on about that for years to come!)
Definitely worth watching if you are in the Castle Stage area – the show is performed several times a day, showtimes are posted on a board in front of the stage.