Disney's Electrical Parade - Disney's California Adventure

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

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney proudly presents our
spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in
thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds:
Disney's Electrical Parade!"

INTRODUCTION

Disney's Electrical Parade, a slightly modified version of the popular Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade, premiered at Disney's California Adventure on July 4, 2001. The 20-minute nighttime parade features spectacularly lit floats and characters from classic Disney movies like Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Pete's Dragon, accompanied by a bouncy synthesized musical soundtrack that will have guests humming along.

ATTRACTION

The parade route starts near the Orange Stinger in Paradise Pier, and runs through the Golden State area and around Sunshine Plaza before exiting at the gates next to the entrance to the Hollywood Backlot.

The Blue Fairy from Pinocchio leads off the parade, waving her wand and greeting the parade watchers. An illuminated train driven by Goofy, pulling a huge drum, follows. The words on the drum alternate between "Disney's Electrical Parade", "A California Classic", and "Presented by Sylvania".

Characters from Alice in Wonderland are next - whimsical individual vehicles, like turtles, snails, and bumblebees, spin their way down the parade route, the caterpillar smokes his pipe, and a beautiful butterfly atop a mushroom flaps her wings. The White Rabbit walks alongside and consults his watch, and Alice, atop another mushroom, speaks to the crowd while the Cheshire Cat fades in and out.

Cinderella's mice, exquisitely dressed as coachmen, herald her arrival in her brilliantly lit pumpkin carriage. The Fairy Godmother walks beside her, waving her wand. Behind the coach a group of courtiers carry a sparklingly lit canopy and underneath it the guests at the ball promenade and dance.

It's off to Neverland when Captain Hook's pirate ship sails into view. Thousands of colored lights outline the ship, its sails, rigging, and crowsnests. Peter Pan and Captain Hook do battle on deck, while Smee trails along behind in his very own rowboat.

The circus comes to town in a series of floats inspired by the movie Dumbo. A flirtatious hippo leads the way, batting her eyes as she pulls the calliope behind her. In a circus ring under the Big Top Dumbo waves to the crowd and a clown magician pulls Timothy Mouse out of his hat. A performing bear balances on a spinning "log" while twirling hoops around his body and balancing a pot of honey on his head. Clown performers are the next circus act under the Big Top - one performs a juggling act while the other plays with a magic ball of light. Bringing up the rear a very pink elephant enjoys his "shower of light".

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, the dwarves' mine train is next in show! Dopey drives the mine train, filled with glittering diamonds and jewels. Snow White and the other 6 dwarfs walk alongside.

Following the mine train are Pete and his large green dragon, Elliott. From his seat on Elliott's neck Pete waves and talks to parade watchers. Elliott blows smoke, but then the lights go out and he disappears.

The final float, "To Honor America", features a huge rippling American flag, with patriotic drums, fireworks overhead, and a bald eagle sitting on the back of the float. Amber lights outline the wings, in an elaborate pattern that looks like feathers.

TOURING TIPS

Disney's Electrical Parade takes about 20 minutes to pass by. The parade can be cancelled because of weather conditions, such as rain or high winds. Listen for an announcement over the loudspeaker or check with a Cast Member along the parade route.

Viewing spots: The parade can be viewed very well from any spot along the parade route. There is some seating available at the Golden Vine Winery and the Pacific Wharf that will offer a view of the parade while dining.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Disney's Electrical Parade is a favorite of many - young and old alike.

There are many Disney characters that walk the entire parade route and will sometimes pause to greet guests along the way - if this is of interest be sure to arrive early enough to claim a front row spot.

INTERESTING FACTS

Disney's Electrical Parade officially premiered at Disney's California Adventure on July 4, 2001. The original Disneyland Main Street Electrical parade premiered on 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.

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. Don Dorsey also directed IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot.

There are 8 parade segments: Blue Fairy/train opening unit, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Casey Junior Circus Train (Dumbo), Snow White, Pete's Dragon, and Patriotic Finale. There are 27 drivers and 73 performers. The pirate at the wheel of Captain Hook's ship is actually steering the float. Other driver/performers are Goofy, Cinderella's coach driver, Smee, and Dopey.

There are over 500,000 lights in six colors - amber, blue, chartreuse, green, pink, and red - plus clear.

More than 27 tons of batteries power lights, audio and float movement. Together, they could provide enough power to light 32 homes.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disney's California Adventure, please email us. Thank you.