The Electrical Parade is back this summer and brighter than ever at California Adventure. I watched it Thursday night after having not seen it since it left Disneyland in a storm of hysteria back in the 1990s. Back then I was a tour guide and I had many shifts in City Hall and fielded countless complaints and frantic pleas for its stay of execution when the parade ended. We then sold light bulbs in “collector boxes” for $10 each. (Truly the most expensive Christmas lights EVER.) At the time, people went crazy buying these single bulbs displayed under clear plastic because the parade was NEVER GOING TO RETURN. The frenzy to purchase the light bulbs was impalpable; the guests couldn’t get enough of them. It was an absolutely crazy time at Disneyland for anyone involved in guest services.
Flash forward to July 2001, the Electrical Parade (no longer the “Main Street” Electrical Parade, as you will hear roll off my tongue in the video below) returned to California Adventure with the hope that this old fan favorite would spike attendance at the park. I’ve always wondered how the suckers fans who bought single light bulbs for $10 feel about the return of the parade and their original investment in a piece of history. As a Cast Member I was given one and think the box got smashed in a move. I tossed it in the trash. (Please feel free to leave your complaints, shock, and horror in my comments section. C’mon guys, does anyone love Disneyland more than me?!)
For Summer Nightastic, the Electrical Parade has seen an over hall. Below, is a video in which I interview Scott Shaffer, senior show designer for the Disneyland Resort and he goes into detail about some of the great changes to the parade. Minnie Mouse also stops by the interview to say, “hello” to all of the Babes in Disneyland readers.
Regardless of the hysteria I dealt with back when I was a Disneyland Cast Member, I am a huge fan of the Electrical Parade. I think it is quintessential Disney. It’s a way for the kids to see the characters they may not otherwise get to see while they are at the parks. It is beautiful, lively, and happy–everything you want while on vacation. Click here for my album of Electrical Parade pictures taken June 11 at the media preview event.
Dopey is my favorite character and the part of the parade I love most!
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