“There Go The Muppets!” – Volunteer Cavalcade Leaves 10/2/10

WDWNT on September 28, 2010

An inside source has informed WDWNT that “Disney’s Honorary VoluntEARS Cavalcade” will have its final performance on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010, at the Magic Kingdom. If you are a Muppets fan, this will most likely be your last chance to see Kermit and Miss Piggy in the parks for a while.

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The pre-parade was created for the 2nd year of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign titled “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”. The promotion kicked off in January as an effort to get 1 million people to volunteer in their communites. It was such an unbelievable success that Disney ran out of the 1 million gifts (including free admission) in the Spring. The pre-parade was designed to showcase select volunteers visiting the Magic Kingdom that day as a gift for their service. The “Honoarary VountEARS Cavalacade” debuted on January 8, 2010.

Disney has not announced if or when a new pre-parade might debut.

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade Coming to Disneyland 2011

WDWNT on July 30, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

A new parade, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, will stomp, clang and drum its way to Disneyland park next year.

Soundsational Parade Artwork


Today, we’re sharing the first preview of the artwork for Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. It gives you a glimpse of the vibrant colors and exciting array of Disney characters that may appear on the streets of Disneyland park in 2011.

Plus, there are a whole lot of exciting elements for the new parade that can’t be captured in this artwork:

  • The parade is an explosive music festival with thrilling rhythms and bold percussion that will bring to life some of the most beloved melodies from Disney films.
  • Live musicians will amplify the fun. Mickey Mouse and some of your favorite Disney characters will play live and will encourage members of the crowd to join a giant jam session.
  • Lively dancers will stomp out rhythms as a syncopated drum line, twinkling cymbals, steel drums and more entertain guests with sensational sounds!

The parade promises to be the most foot-stomping, infectious festival of music you’ve ever seen — or heard! I’ve heard it’s “soundsational!”

What do you think of this new parade? Is there a particular parade float in the artwork that you’re most excited about?

Check back on the Blog later today for more news about shows at Disney Parks.

A History of the Main Street Electrical Parade by Chuck Mirarchi

WDWNT on March 17, 2010

From hotels to restaurants, parks and attractions, parades and special events; everyone has their favorite.  Every time they eat at a particular restaurant, stay in the same hotel, ride the same ride or see the same parade – it’s like it’s for the first time.  One of those is the Main Street Electrical Parade.

At a press conference on February 10th, Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton announced a number of changes and updates for the Florida resort including the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.  The parade is part of Walt Disney World’s summer promotion, Summer Nightastic!  and will be replacing SpectroMagic.  As of press time, there has been no word on what is happening to SpectroMagic.  Some say it’s being refurbished and enhanced for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary in 2011 and others say it’s being transferred to Disneyland, but until there is official word from the Walt Disney Company everything is just speculation at this point.

The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade that features floats and live performers covered in thousands of electronically controlled lights and a synchronized soundtrack triggered by radio controls along key areas of the parade route.

The parade is known by two different names: at Disneyland it is known as The Main Street Electrical Parade (MSEP), and at Walt Disney World it is simply known as Main Street Electrical Parade.  However, the officially registered name is The Main Street Electrical Parade.  The last time the parade was seen at Walt Disney World was on April 1, 2001 before heading cross-country to Disneyland.  The parade has undergone a number of incarnations since its debut and the Disneyland version is expected to arrive at Walt Disney World pretty much intact.

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