After two decades, the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade has returned to Disneyland for a limited run. The debut was Friday, January 20th, with a premiere party on Thursday, January 19th. It is scheduled to run through June 18th.
Guests at the Thursday night premiere were treated to an after hours party. In honor of the parade’s 1972 origin, music of the 70s filled the park, and an after-hours disco-style dance party was held at Tomorrowland Terrace. Guests also had a rare opportunity to take photos with floats parked around the castle and on Town Square. Special foods were introduced for the evening, along with some “secret menu” items that may still be available at selected locations.
But it was the parade itself that drew the crowds and the cheers. There was much speculation over just what the parade would look like after having been sent to other parks and events after leaving Disneyland. The first difference noted was in the musical score. While very familiar, it did reflect changes that have been made since it last appeared on Disneyland’s Main Street. There were a few major omissions, and the “pixie dust” left by Tinker Bell during the parade’s run at California Adventure was still evident.
Here is a complete rundown of the parade, with comparison to the parade as it ran on November 25th, 1996:
OPENING
In 1996 the Blue Fairy led off, followed by the Casey engine pulling the big drum. This year, the Blue Fairy was missing, and Casey led off. Goofy, Mickey and Minnie were aboard then and now.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
This was the only unit that was actually larger in 2017. The turtle and snail spinners led off, followed by a large mushroom with a butterfly that was missing in 1996. Next up was a bee spinner. In 1996 this was followed by another snail spinner. Then came the centerpiece, Alice sitting on a mushroom with the Cheshire Cat on the base. In 1996 she was followed by two more spinners (the snail and turtle with hat) and the centipede. This year, Alice was followed by the centipede and snail spinner, another mushroom with the Caterpillar seated on top, followed by the turtle with hat and a bee spinner. The White Rabbit was present then and now.
CINDERELLA
This unit was the same in both 1996 and 2017. Mice led off, followed by the coach carrying a coachman, Cinderella, and the Fairy Godmother. Court dancers followed with canopy bearers. Next was a pavilion carrying the Prince in the front and the step-sisters in the back. Another set of dancers with canopy was next. The final float was the clock tower.
PETER PAN
The pirate ship in 1996 carried Peter Pan, Capt. Hook, a pilot, and featured a figure of Tinker Bell flying around the main mast. This Tink was missing in 2017, as she was following in her own float at the end of the unit. This was the “lead” float in the California Adventure version. Smee in his rowboat was in both versions, following the pirate ship.
DUMBO’S CIRCUS
In 1996 this was the longest unit in the parade (in number of floats), and it was completely missing this year. To refresh memories, the circus led off with a hippo pulling a calliope, played by King Leonidas. Two three ring circus floats followed, one carrying Dumbo and both carrying clowns performing tricks. Between them was a bear balancing on spinning barrels. This unit ended with an elephant holding an umbrella.
SNOW WHITE
Dopey rides the mine cars
This is another unit that was unchanged. A row of mine cars carrying Dopey appeared first. Snow White and three dwarfs dancing in the street followed him. Next was the mine float with three dwarfs digging for jewels.
PINOCCHIO
Pinocchio and the donkey boys dance in the street
Half of this unit did not make it from 1996 to 2017. In 1996 this led off with the Pleasure Island float, followed by donkey boys and then the cigar shop float with Pinocchio and Lampwick. In 2017 Pinocchio and the donkey boys led, dancing a choreographed routine. They were followed by the Pleasure Island float, with no sign of the cigar store float.
PETE’S DRAGON
Pete’s Dragon comes into view
Pete and his best friend Elliot were the same in 2017 as they were in 1996. Elliott even demonstrated how he could turn himself invisible.
FINALE
The longest single float in the parade made it intact from 1996 to 2017. Nicknamed “the bacon,” it was accompanied by marchers and rope bearers. It was, as usual, followed by guests who wanted to see it all the way to the end of the parade route.