Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams
What would a Disney celebration be without a parade? With over 100 performers, floats that reach up to twenty feet tall, confetti blasts, classic Disney characters, and choreographed musical numbers, the anniversary parade pulls out all of the stops. Speaking of stops, the individual floats, which feature self-contained performances from classic Disney films such as "Pinocchio" and "Beauty and the Beast," simultaneously come to a halt at one point during the parade as Walt Disney intones his famous fifty-year-old incantation, "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." It's a stunning moment (at least for theme park junkies). The performers then join together to sing Phil Collin's tune, "Welcome." The parade includes lots of impressive animatronic characters, including an enormous Ursula, the meanie from "The Little Mermaid." A very cute Tweedledee and Tweedledum roll along in Mad Tea Party vehicles behind Alice and the Wonderland gang.Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years
The animatronic President Lincoln is taking an 18-month vacation while this new retrospective attraction takes over Main Street's Opera House. A pre-show exhibit includes concept artwork, attraction models, and park artifacts such as the "A" through "E" tickets that Disneyland used in its early years. A film, hosted by Steve Martin (who sold Disneyland program books at age ten and got his start in show business by later performing magic tricks at the park) and the acerbic Donald Duck, traces Walt Disney's dogged determination to build his long-shot project. Funny and informative, "The First 50 Magical Years" is not afraid to show the park's early critics and its disastrous opening day misadventures--perhaps because Disney's fairy tale quest ultimately had a happy--and wildly successful--ending. For ardent and casual theme park fans, this is required viewing.Block Party Bash
Disney's California Adventure has a new parade as well. Using characters from Pixar Animation films, including "Monsters, Inc." and "The Incredibles," Disney has ratcheted up parade/spectator interaction to unforeseen levels. (With its other Pixar-populated attractions, the second park at Disneyland Resort seems to be foregoing Mickey and his classic toon pals in favor of the postmodern CGI mascots.) Be forewarned: If you don't want to be coerced into dancing the Macarena with Princess Atta from "A Bug's Life," stand a few rows back.The parade begins innocently enough with Disney's typically elaborate floats and relentlessly perky performers. Soon, however, the parade stops, smaller floats convert into trampoline units and performance stages, and Green Army Men from "Toy Story" start barking orders to get the party started. They command the crowd to scream, sing, and dance along with the characters. From the endless loops of Kool and the Gang's overworn "Celebration," to the strains of the Village People's equally odious "YMCA," Block Party Bash is less like a Disney parade and more like a hyperactive version of "Tony and Tina's Wedding." At least you don't have to eat a rubber chicken dinner.
There's plenty more to check out. Discover additional Happiest Homecoming highlights at my feature, 50 Ways to Leave Your Living Room, including 25 New Features at Disneyland Resort and 25 Classic Disneyland Features. Also, read what some folks have to say about the Happiest Place on Earth as they reminisce by Looking Back at Disneyland. Want to see some of the 50th anniversary sights? Click over to the Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Photo Gallery. To see some vintage park photos, mosey over to the Disneyland's History Photo Gallery .
Are you looking for hotel accommodations? Compare rates for Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
