Main Street Electrical Parade Magic Kingdom

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The Main Street Electrical Parade, Magic Kingdom Park’s long-running nighttime parade, will officially end its historic run at Walt Disney World Resort on October 9, 2016, and then head to Disneyland Resort for a limited-time encore engagement. Read more HERE.

Main Street Electrical Parade

Curtain Call! By Popular Demand, 'Main Street Electrical Parade' Extended Indefinitely at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 29, 2010) – With its glittery galaxy of 23 illuminated floats, 80 performers, and trademark synthesizer music sweetened with Disney theme songs, Disney's "Main Street Electrical Parade" has been leaving Magic Kingdom guests aglow all summer.

Now, the cherished entertainment spectacular is being extended by popular demand, Walt Disney World announced today.

"The return of Disney's 'Main Street Electrical Parade' to the Magic Kingdom has been an overwhelming success," said Magic Kingdom Vice President Phil Holmes. "Guests begin cheering as soon as they hear the opening fanfare and see those fantastic floats covered in lights. The parade is a magical part of a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, so we're thrilled to be announcing we're leaving the lights on."

Fronted by a new lead float starring Tinker Bell, Disney's "Main Street Electrical Parade" officially bowed at Magic Kingdom June 6, 2010.

Beloved by generations, the parade anchors Disney's multi-park "Summer Nightastic!" entertainment extravaganza of attractions and events. Once "Summer Nightastic!" draws to a close on Aug. 14 as previously announced, Disney's "Main Street Electrical Parade" will continue an open-ended run.

nightastic3.jpgThe iconic pageant of illuminated floats dates to 1972 when it first debuted at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and became an instant hit.

Prior to its current run in Florida, the parade last performed at Walt Disney World Resort from 1999 into 2001. This summer, Magic Kingdom guests have been treated to all-new elements that continue in the encore phase of the run:

–Tinker Bell leads the eye-filling procession, waving from the basket of a balloon floating gracefully above a magical garden shimmering in fairy light.

–Pinocchio and the boys from the classic film's Pleasure Island sequence join the parade, and —Snow White joins the Seven Dwarfs on a diamond mine float.

There are new lighting effects, and the parade's highly recognizable musical theme is brightened by new technology.

Beloved floats like the Honor America finale display – featuring the American flag and giant American eagle – are among parade favorites, along with popular characters such as Alice, Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

Watch AllEars.Net's video of the current Main Street Electrical Parade, recorded June 5, 2010:


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Grand Return – May 28, 1999
Last Show April 1, 2001

The Magic Kingdom Presents....
The Main Street Electric Parade

"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.

Magic Kingdom 'The Bulbs' Are Back!

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.

MSEP - Goofy Drives the Train

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.

MSEP - The Blue Fairy Leads the Way It's part of the most explosive year of entertainment growth in Walt Disney World history, with 12 new attractions, spectaculars, shows and adventures plus a brand new family resort all part of the Disney "funscape" in summer 1999. The original "Main Street Electrical Parade," a beloved procession of Disney stories brought to life in shimmering colored lights and bouncy, bubbly music, ends a three-year hiatus with its engagement at Walt Disney World Resort.

MSEP - Pete's Dragon - Elliot Longtime fans may recall a version of the "Main Street Electrical Parade" that was crafted for the Magic Kingdom in 1977 . . . and which bid farewell after 15 seasons to begin an engagement at Disneyland Paris. Fans of that parade will recognize some of the units of 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. There's also plenty among the 26-unit procession that's never been seen before on the 3/4-mile Magic Kingdom parade route:

MSEP - The Dwarfs Dopey heralds a segment celebrating Snow White, driving a train load of shimmering gems. Peter Pan and Captain Hook duel on the deck of a pirate ship while Tinker Bell flits above around the mast, and Mr. Smee rows about in a dinghy off the stern.


MSEP - Winnie the Pooh The circus is bigger than ever as the story of "Dumbo" is recalled in thousands of lights. Butterflies and dragonflies join the critters dancing and spinning around Alice as she enjoys a different kind of wonderland — a mushroom-cap view of the Magic Kingdom.


MSEP - Piglet A cadre of Disney characters in costumes lined with lights joins the procession following the huge, 122-foot-long, 80,000-light patriotic finale. In preparation for the Walt Disney World debut, units have all been dressed up in more shimmering fabrics to add new sparkle to the multi-color light show. An enhanced sound system will provide 30 percent more audio presence for the bouncy musical score performed on synthesizer.


MSEP - Cinderella's Coach The main musical theme used throughout the parade was adapted from a synthesizer piece known as "Baroque Hoedown," written in 1967 by Gershon Kingsley and Jean-Jacques Perrey. It was discovered by Disney entertainment creators, who produced a recording of the main tune interwoven with Disney themes suitable for the various parade segments. A troupe of more than 100 parade entertainers, technicians and other support personnel — plus batteries capable of enough amperage to light up a street of 32 homes — brings the parade to life for each performance.


MSEP - Tigger The fanfare music and Blue Fairy herald a 20-minute spectacle of parade segments based on Disney themes — "Alice in Wonderland," "Cinderella," "Peter Pan," "Dumbo," "Snow White" and "Pete's Dragon." 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, "Magic Kingdom Presents The 'Main Street Electrical Parade.' " The memorable float finale honors America with a flowing red and white field of lights, "fireworks" and a golden eagle.


MSEP - The Big Bad Wolf With the arrival of the "Main Street Electrical Parade" at Walt Disney World Resort, another spectacle of nighttime lights and music, "SpectroMagic," will go on hiatus. It has been enchanting Magic Kingdom guests since 1992.


MSEP - Eagle Finale Guest information about Walt Disney World Resort is available by visiting www.disneyworld.com or calling 407/824-4321. Accommodations at any of the 17 Walt Disney World themed resorts are available by visiting a local travel agent or calling 407/W-DISNEY.


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-Jacques 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
Captain Hook and Peter Pan Duel
Dumbo
Cinderella's Coach
Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland
Happy of the Seven Dwarfs
Lion from Casey Junior's Circus
Alice atop the Mushroom
Chip
Honor America Float

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)