Let's talk about parades

[klineski96]

Lately I've been wondering exactly how the parades work and what the backstage areas are like leading up to the beginning of a parade.

Are the floats stored in the buildings behind Pirates and Splash Mtn in the exact order in which they are sent out into the park?

How soon before the parade start time are CMs required to be dressed/costumed, ready, on the floats, and in position?

Is there a parade coordinator(s) on a megaphone or on radios cooridinating the order and the spacing intervals between floats?

I can't imagine there being much, if any, chaos because of the number of times these parades are run, but is it hectic backstage before they start?

Anyone care to share your stories if you've been in any of the parades? Or offer any insight? Thanks!

 

[klineski96]

I'm just gonna bump this thread once on the off chance that someone who knows something may have missed it... or we just let this topic ride off into the sunset.

Any CM's out there ever witness(ed) the behind the scenes workings of any parades and care to share any insight?

Thanks!

 

[captain marvel1]

Lately I've been wondering exactly how the parades work and what the backstage areas are like leading up to the beginning of a parade.

Are the floats stored in the buildings behind Pirates and Splash Mtn in the exact order in which they are sent out into the park?

yes they do as a matter of fact but they send them out in the front of the big black doors in the front of the park on main street.

How soon before the parade start time are CMs required to be dressed/costumed, ready, on the floats, and in position?

1 hour or 2 hour or so.


Is there a parade coordinator(s) on a megaphone or on radios cooridinating the order and the spacing intervals between floats?

yes their is one 1 for each float and they are directed with stage crews.

I can't imagine there being much, if any, chaos because of the number of times these parades are run, but is it hectic backstage before they start?

yes their is some picture trying to move a float and keeping it in order.

Anyone care to share your stories if you've been in any of the parades? Or offer any insight? Thanks!

ive been a snow prince in a parade wasnt in disney but it was a smaller parade up in michigian.

 

[ShadowWind]

Some parades do start in Frontierland and go to Main Street, usually daytime parades, while nighttime parades usually always start on Main Street and end at Frontierland. I always wondered why they didn't start all the parades from the same place? Maybe because of lineup space?

I read a while back that there are spotters on the parade route that keep up with the floats by radio back to a central location, making sure there are no problems, delays, etc and that the float hit their marks. This also helps in the coordination of the sound zones.

 

[Mad Stitch]

^
All the night time parades do not start on Main Street. Both Boo to You parades this past Friday started in Frontier Land and ended on Main Street.

 

[ShadowWind]

My bad, I forgot about the special event parades. I was thinking of SpectroMagic and Main Street Electrical Parade. You're right.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I marched in the MVMCP with my Marching band, and yes, behind SM is where all the floats are, and where costuming is. It's VERY awesome to see.