Just as the Blue Fairy helps Pinocchio fulfil his dream of becoming a real little boy, the role of producer Claire Salmon is to ensure that the dreams of the directors of the Disney Princess Cavalcade come true. To achieve this, there’s no magic wand – just a real talent for orchestrating the work of the 600 or so people involved in this new show, which is set to open this summer at Disney Adventure World.
Can you tell us about your role as Producer of the Disney Princess Cavalcade?
My role is to oversee every aspect of this new show. From the construction of the floats to the casting of performers, and from the recording of the music to the organisation of all operational aspects within the park, I support the various teams to enable them to work together on this project and ensure that we are able to produce a cavalcade that is operational, maintainable and entertaining for our guests. All of this is driven by one goal: to deliver a unique and unforgettable show to our guests, on time and within budget. To achieve this, it is necessary, amongst other things, to ensure that the delivery of the floats coincides with the start of the performers’ rehearsals, that the performers have been recruited and have rehearsed indoors beforehand, and that all the necessary preparations have been made. I often say this, but it’s true: it really is like being an orchestra conductor!
This is the very first cavalcade in the history of Disney Adventure World!
Absolutely! It’s a real challenge to create a live performance for a venue that didn’t even exist a year ago. We had to look ahead and imagine how best to incorporate it even before we’d seen it finished.
It’s also your very first cavalcade.
That’s right, from The Forest of Enchantment: A Disney Musical Adventure (2016) to Alice and the Queen of Hearts:Back to Wonderland (2024) via Disney Junior’s Dream Factory (2021), I have mainly worked in the theatres at our resort. The format of the Disney Princess cavalcade is particularly interesting in that it is a blend of a procession and a show, particularly during the ‘show stop’, when the procession comes to a halt to make way for interaction with the spectators. The route is just as interesting, with this two-way path running from the entrance to the future immersive world dedicated to The Lion King to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, before returning to its starting point, where our interactive sequence will take place. This will give spectators the chance to enjoy the spectacle twice over: first on the outward journey, and then again on the return journey, as they get to see these magnificent floats both ways.
How did you and the teams settle into this new venue?
In mid-June, we took the first floats out onto the grounds and timed and measured their speed. This was to ensure that what we had in mind from a technical perspective matched what the directors had envisaged, particularly in terms of choreography. We made some adjustments, but above all we made sure the cavalcade fitted perfectly into the surroundings, as if it had always been there.
The floats are truly stunning. Can you tell us more about how they were designed?
The Disney Princess Cavalcade floats were designed by our set designer Thomas Gallou, who also designed the boats for the A Celebration in Arendelle show. Designing a float is an adventure in itself. It’s nothing like designing a show for an indoor venue, as you have to fit all the stage elements you might need – sound, lighting, set design – into a very small space. You also need to take the whole safety aspect into account, particularly with regard to the driver, so that they can manoeuvre under optimal conditions, whilst at the same time being able to react to any unexpected events. Not to mention the maintenance aspect, as all the float’s technical components must be accessible at all times. And all of this must blend into the décor, whilst remaining invisible to the audience.
After all, what matters most to our guests is, of course, the richness of these floats in terms of theming, details and accessories. To be honest, I genuinely believe we’ve ticked all the boxes because, quite apart from the technical complexity, they’re truly stunning. The first time they went out, I had a good look at them and they were so beautiful that I took photos of them from every angle. I don’t think there’s any end to the details we’ll discover – a little hidden character, a prop so lifelike you just want to eat it …
How do you manage to balance all these elements?
It’s a complex process. On the one hand, you have the technical side – engineering and manufacturing – and on the other, there are the performing arts professions, which develop everything to do with sound, lighting and set design. The challenge is to bring these two completely different worlds together. And yet it’s also fascinating to see how engineers who usually work in the space or automotive sectors – where things are very strictly regulated – manage to think outside the box to work with us, as we come from the world of live performance. In fact, they’re the first to tell us how much they enjoy working with us. It offers them a change from their daily routine and, at the same time, they bring us invaluable expertise. Ultimately, there are very few companies capable of meeting this sort of challenge, particularly as we give preference to local service providers, mainly in France.
In creative terms, what role did Walt Disney Animation Studios play?
When it comes to the characters originally conceived by our colleagues in Burbank, everything that is to be presented to the public here – from the story to the visuals – is systematically presented to them. Especially since our floats aren’t literal representations of the animated films, but rather an interpretation of them, much like The Regal View Restaurant & Loungeis an interpretation of the world of the Disney Princesses Characters. The theme of our cavalcade is adventure, and it provided an opportunity for some very fruitful discussions with the Studios.
How are you going to engage guests in this adventure?
Our cavalcade will take place in an area that is fairly neutral in terms of theming. We therefore needed a very strong theme for the floats and the performers, particularly through the costumes. Music is also a very important factor in creating a sense of immersion. We have taken particular care to ensure we have sufficient resources to provide the best possible experience for all our guests. Firstly, the floats are already fitted with their own audio systems. But we also have the support of the parade units, which will add an extra dimension. From the moment the floats first set off, we made sure that the various sound sources were well balanced throughout the route to give our guests the best possible experience, wherever they might be watching. It will be particularly impressive when the cavalcade stops and the performers invite the children to come and dance with them. It’ll be a total immersion!
Can you tell us more about the music of the cavalcade?
We created two exclusive songs in which the audience will be able to spot references to each princess when the time comes. It isn’t an arrangement of existing pieces; it’s a genuine creation. There’s a song that plays when the floats are moving and another for the ‘show stop’. We’ve opted for a very pop-inspired style and an approach that’s both very danceable and very melodic to convey all the energy of the adventure. The big news is that one of these songs is sung almost entirely in French. This is, of course, a nod to our French-speaking audience. That said, whatever language our guests speak, the chorus is easy to pick up and everyone can sing along in unison.
How did the recording of these songs happen?
Most of the time, our ‘pop’ productions are recorded in Nashville, in the United States, because there are musicians there who have that special something and express it like nowhere else. I’m always impressed by these artists. They receive the sheet music on the same day, and the magic happens straight away. They are able to pick up on the tiniest details and make adjustments on the spot so that it sounds even better than planned. I don’t know how they do it. To me, music is a mystery. Yet at the same time, nothing we do would work without music…
More generally, what does this cavalcade mean to you?
First of all, it embodies the spirit of adventure. That’s exactly how it feels when you embark on a new project, and all the more so when you’re moving into new premises. When you start a project like this, you know exactly where you need to go and what you’re aiming for, but you don’t yet know how you’re going to get there. Adventure awaits at every turn.
It’s also a cavalcade that pays tribute to the Disney Princess Characters – and, through them, to women. For that reason, I can really relate to this story. Moana needs no introduction; she’s always ready to set sail into brand new adventures. With Rapunzel, it’s a reunion of sorts, as we first met whilst working on The Forest of Enchantment. As for Raya and Tiana, I was captivated by their personalities and their world.
Just like them, when a challenge arises, I don’t hesitate – I go for it! The Disney Princess Cavalcade start on July 24, 2026 at Disney Adventure World.