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Main Street Electrical Parade
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“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Walt Disney World proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds . . . the ‘Main Street Electrical Parade!’” LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It’s time to say “good bye” to a cherished favorite. The “Main Street Electrical Parade,” one of the most beloved attractions in Disney history, will close its run at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom April 1, 2001. After more than 500 performances before hundreds of thousands of guests, the parade’s lights and music will dim, making way for another spectacle of nighttime entertainment and music, “SpectroMagic.” The “Main Street Electrical Parade” is a beloved procession of Disney stories brought to life in shimmering colored lights and bouncy, bubbly music. “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Dumbo,” “Snow White” and “Pete’s Dragon” are featured during the 20-minute spectacle. “The ‘Main Street Electrical Parade’ has had an enormously successful return to the Magic Kingdom,” said Erin Wallace, vice president for Magic Kingdom. “We wanted to let its fans know the parade is going away so they can catch one of the final performances.” Magic Kingdom guests can share in the delight of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” every night of the week beginning Feb. 16. Show times will vary. “Historically, the ‘Main Street Electrical Parade’ has been a Disney favorite,” said R.K. Kelley, Walt Disney Entertainment senior show producer for Magic Kingdom. “Our six-week finale will give many fans an opportunity to enjoy it one last time.” Sweet Dreams on Main Street - After leaving Disneyland in 1996, the “crown jewel of summer” underwent a dazzling makeover of 575,000 glittering new lights and a 2,400-mile transcontinental journey before its return to the Walt Disney World Resort in June 1999. Longtime fans may recall a version of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” that was crafted for the Walt Disney World Resort in 1977. It bid farewell after 15 seasons to begin an engagement at Disneyland Paris. Fans of that parade will recognize some units from the original Disneyland “Main Street Electrical Parade,” including the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio” as the “grand marshal” aglitter in a winged gown of more than 10,000 blue, amber and crystal lights. The “signature” unit for the parade, the Casey Junior Circus Train (from “Dumbo”), has Goofy at the controls of the engine, pulling a huge bass drum that announces in lights, “The Magic Kingdom Presents Main Street Electrical Parade.” The memorable float finale honors America with a flowing red and white field of lights, “fireworks” and a golden eagle. The original Disneyland “Main Street Electrical Parade” returned to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in May 1999. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds . . . the ‘Main Street Electrical Parade!’” LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The original “Main Street Electrical Parade” from Disneyland now is getting stage-ready for a different Main Street, U.S.A. -- at Walt Disney World Resort.
After almost 3,600 West Coast performances before 75 million guests, a makeover of 575,000 glittering new lights and a 2,400-mile transcontinental journey, this sparkling “crown jewel of summer” in Southern California from 1972 to 1996 will be presented in the Magic Kingdom beginning May 28.
Main Street Electrical Parade Quick Facts The original Main Street Electrical parade from Disneyland, now being presented at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, premiered at California Disneyland June 17, 1972. The parade went on hiatus twice between its debut in 1972 and its Disneyland farewell in 1996. In 1975-76 it stepped aside for America on Parade, and in 1983-84 it was pre-empted by Flights of Fantasy Parade. At the time of the parade's final performance at Disneyland in 1996, it had been performed almost 3,600 times for more than 75 million guests. A version of the Main Street Electrical parade was created for the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, premiering June 11, 1977. That parade bid farewell on September 14, 1992 and moved across the Atlantic Ocean...to Disneyland Paris. The Main Street Electrical Parade is a lasting tribute to longtime Disneyland entertainment Director Bob Jani and Jack Wagner, former "voice of Disneyland," who are credited with developing the concept for the parade. The theme music, Baroque Hoedown, was written in 1967 by Gershon Kingsley and Jean-Jaques Perrey and was discovered by Jack Wagner, the longtime "voice of Disneyland." The electronic sound of the parade was originally created by Paul Beaver, a pioneer in the world of synthesized music, and was updated in 1977 by Don Dorsey. Elliott is not the first dragon to appear in the Main Street Electrical Parade. The parade opened in 1972 with the Sleeping Beauty Dragon. There are 26 units portraying nine themes: Blue Fairy (Pinocchio), Casey Junior Circus Train (Dumbo), Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Snow White, Pete's Dragon, and Patriotic Finale. There are approximately 575,000 lights in six colors - Amber, Blue, Chartreuse, Green, Pink, and Red - plus clear. Most used color: Amber (152,000). More than 27 tons of batteries power lights, audio and float movement. Together, they could provide enough power to light 32 homes. More MSEP Photos: Elegant Dancers Celebrate Viewing Location Tips: After looking
for a spot at the regular places, we noticed a platform right in front
of the Country Bear Jamboree about 6 feet behind the ropes. What a perfect
spot it turned out to be! It is back from the ropes, a little higher and
gives a great angle to view the oncoming parade. There were 6-8 adults
standing there and was not crowded. My 3 foot tall son was able to stand
there and watch because the people in front were sitting down. Best seat
I've ever had for viewing. (Paul Pustelnik) |
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