Letters to the Editor
Page 6 of 7
(continuation...) In March Stuart Kuramoto wrote a Guest Column about seeing the Main Street Electrical Parade (MSEP) at Walt Disney World after so many Disneyland viewings
I agree with you 100%! I too was heartbroken when "The Main Street Electrical Parade" had it's farewell run at Disneyland and I made it a point to see it's last performances. They were indeed magical, and I was sad that a part of Disney history was going away forever. Or so I though... I was also there when "Light Magic" debuted and although I did appreciate that "streetacula" too, it was nowhere near the same. Then I heard that the Electrical Parade was going to New York for the premier of Hercules and I was bewildered because I thought it was "Glowing" away forever. Still, it was nice to see that it was not quite gone. Then when I heard that the Magic Kingdom in WDW was to have the "Main Street Electrical Parade" I was shocked! I never thought it would happen. Flash forward to Chrstmas of '99 when I made my trip to WDW. I knew the parade would be there and I was excited to be able to see it again, and to my surprise I got to see an even more special verision of it because of the Christmas holidays! There was Christmas music put into the soundtrack, just like the one in Disneyland Paris! I found the best spot possible in the hub with a wonderful view of Cinderella Castle as the backdrop. I was in heaven! I felt that same "electric shock" that you felt as I heard the oh-so-familiar music and as the lights dimmed. It was so wonderful to see the parade again and for some strange reason, I don't think it will ever be gone forever... --B
Great article. I too love MSEP, and even though I am from the east coast, I love Disneyland. I was saddened a few years ago when they retired MSEP, saw Light Magic and knew it was not a success. I was happy to see it in WDW this past September and December. What a great treat, plus during December they play Christmas tunes along with the regular MSEP music, that was great. I hope someday it goes back to Disneyland with some new floats. --P
WOW! I Think I need to take a trek back to the Magic Kingdom in FL pretty soon (though the rumor is that the MSEP is going to return to Disneyland in the not too distant future). I can truly (at least for me) pinpoint the low point in DL history....the summer of 1997 (with that hideous Light Magic) and 1998/1999/2000 with NO NIGHTTIME PARADE (sorry --- I don't count a rerun of the afternoon parade)....I wonder if/when they will realize that the MSEP *WAS* a reason a number of us made sure that we visited the park during the *ON SEASON*? It's just not the same without it (and yes, I realize that it came about *long after Walt* had left us, and there have been as many years without the Parade as with it, but HECK, that's one of the MAGICAL things that made Disneyland so different from all of the other theme parks .... they went the extra mile to provide more entertainment than you could possibly ever see (between the MSEP, Fantasmic, Bands in Tomorrowland, Shows in the Fantasyland Theatre, ! *all* the attractions, etc. --SD
In December we did an Editor's Report on the anniversary of the death of Walt Disney and received this wonderful response:
I still remember to this day the day that my mom told me that Walt Disney had died. She had picked me, my sister, and some cousins up from school and told us then. I was in the fourth grade at the time, and was shocked and saddened to her the news.I was not a "Disney fan" in the same sense that I am now, but our family watched "The Wonderful World of Color" (in black and white, we didn't have a color TV) together every Sunday night. I loved those shows and looked forward with great anticipation to each one. Walt really did come across as an "uncle" - it seemed as if he were talking right to me. And, his enthusiasm always made me interested in whatever he was talking about.
In subsequent weeks after Walt's passing, I was puzzled that he was still hosting the Sunday night shows. How could that be? You see, at that age, I didn't understand that TV programs are filmed in advance, and he had filmed some shows before he died.
I consider myself fortunate to have been old enough to be around when Walt was alive. Sure, you can see all those shows now, but there was a "personal connection" when he was alive. As I said, it was if he was talking to me.
Those shows really had a great influence on the person I am today. Not just as the enthusiast of the Disney movies and parks that I am, but in other ways - my love and respect for nature, and many of the values I hold. Why, he even made history, one of my least favorite subjects in school, paletable. I even like history now! Perhaps the greatest thanks I owe Walt is that his works brought happiness and comfort during an unhappy and painful childhood and youth. Without that and God, I likely would not have made it through. --DB
Recently we did an Editor's Report on Annual Passholder events vs. Merchandise events
I prefer the more affordable Annual Passholder events. For me, the merchandise events like the upcoming Pirates ones don't offer enough for me to make it worth the ticket price. I've already heard the stories of the Imagineers several times at NFFC conventions, so that is nothing new to me. The only thing would be the entertainment. Most of the collectibles are out of my price range, and $65 is too much to pay for the priviledge of buying a CD or a pin, or something that IS in my price range. The AP events offered a variety of fun and interesting experiences, and I wish they'd bring them back. I also really enjoyed the Halloween events, too. --DB