Block Party Bash Parade - Disney's California Adventure

Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids/Characters | Interesting Facts

INTRODUCTION

The Block Party Bash was introduced in May 2005 in conjunction with Disneyland's 50th Birthday "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration. This high-energy party features characters and floats from several Pixar films -- Toy Story, The Incredibles, a bug's life, and Monsters, Inc. In addition to the characters there are dancers, bikers, and trampoline artists. The parade stops in several different "Block Party Zones," and then it's the guest's turn to join in the jumping, dancing, games, and other fun.

ATTRACTION

THE BLOCK PARTY BASH parade route runs from the gates next to the entrance to Hollywood and around the Sunshine Plaza, then through the Golden State area before ending near the Orange Stinger in the Paradise Pier area. It stops in three different "Block Party zones" for an 11-minute performance where guests can play with the toys, scream with the monsters, or dance with the bugs. The block party zones are located around the Sunshine Plaza, near "a bug's land", and near Golden Dreams. The zones are clearly marked by "party zone" signs.

The Block Party Bash is divided into three segments. Each leads off with a "Block Party Bash" sign -- which unfolds into a trampoline for the performance part. Next is a float that looks like a stack of alphabet blocks, which serves as a dance stage and carries characters and props. The very large main float stages are themed to the Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and "A bug's life" movies - and they have a few surprises inside, too. Bright orange 8' traffic cones divide the parade segments.

The music is infectious, featuring a mix of upbeat tunes from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, like "Shout," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "YMCA," "Footloose," and "Celebrate."

The parade leads off with the Green Army Men and the "Play with the Toys" segment. The alphabet block float says "play" on top, and is followed by the very colorful and imaginative Toy Story float, seemingly built of classic toys like Tinker Toys, a Fisher-Price radio and the monkeys from a "Barrel of Monkeys." At the performance stop the lead float unfolds into a trampoline and the fun begins as Woody, Jessie and the parade performers encourage everyone to jump, shout, and "play with the toys."

The second alphabet block float introduces the "Scream with the Monsters" parade segment. The main float is a representation of the Monsters, Inc. headquarters, with a series of rotating doors and Mike and Sulley on board. The performance stop also features trampoline artists as everyone "screams with the monsters."

It's time to "Dance with the Bugs" as the next alphabet block float rolls by. The "a bug's life" float is built out of old bottle caps, an empty cookie box and other discards. Flik and Atta and even Heimlich and Hopper join other butterfly and insect dancers and the trampoline acrobats in the performance stop when it's time to "dance with the bugs."

TOURING TIPS

With the three performance stops the Block Party bash takes about 50 minutes from start to finish. In each particular "Party Zone" the parade only stops once, so whichever float is closest is the one you'll see.

Viewing spots: If you want to see the performance make sure you're in one of the party zones, and if you want to participate, stand near the front. If you only wish to watch the parade go by, then choose a spot outside the zones. To view a particular segment, select a spot in the party zone relative to the main float's place in the parade - closer to the end for Toy Story, the center for Monster's Inc., and the beginning for a bug's life.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

This parade is meant to be interactive, with guest participation. Kids are invited onto the parade route to dance and play with the performers and characters. Before the parade moves on the main float in each area shoots out a lot of small nerf balls, which have the Block Party logo on them.

INTERESTING FACTS

The parade officially premiered on May 5, 2005, as part of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration.

The cast includes over 60 dancers, 16 acrobats, 12 pairs of jumping stilts and 30 electric scooters.

Twenty-six of the popular Pixar characters appear, including Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Little Bo Peep from Toy Story, Mike, Sulley, and Boo from Monsters, Inc., Flik, Atta, and Hopper from A bug's life, and special appearances by Frozone and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles.

There are three large floats, three "alphabet block" floats and four trampoline units, which were developed specifically for the Block Party Bash.

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