Mirror Disneyland - Version 2.0 - An Alternate History

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Alright, I'm going to run with it!

***

The Wonders of Earth

“Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of trees, freshwater ponds, seaweed jungles between tides, and even drops of water.

Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine. How could this earth of ours, which is only a speck in the heavens, have so much variety of life, so many curious and exciting creatures?”
- Walt Disney


​

As stated previously, Future World (WestCOT East) is unified by three “neighborhoods” that each speak to important “wonders” and aspects of the world and its people. Thus far, we have explored the Wonders of Life and Science. It is all too appropriate that the third and final Future World pavilion is in focus on the planet we share and the incredible story of its past, present, and future: The Wonders of Earth.

The Wonders of Earth is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world, as well as its wealth in knowledge and events from yesterday, tomorrow and today - a testament to our shared journey on this "grand and miraculous spaceship." The wide pathways and sweeping garden spaces of Future World are an apt-transition and foreground to a true sight to behold, the Wonders of Earth Pavilion itself, a greenhouse-like collection of towering geometric shapes and abstract "towers." Even from afar we can see the various environs and ecosystems fully maintained and grown inside the unique pavilion - forests, jungles, swamps, mountains - a tall observation deck stands in the center "tower" in the midst of a tropical rainforest - hot-air balloons can be seen soaring the "skies" of the interior pavilion.

The Wonders of Earth celebrates the Earth, Sea, and Sky with its science and nature-minded attractions, exhibits and dining facilities. The Pavilion promotes the idea of conservation and the importance of our shared awareness for wildlife, energy, climate, and the environment. Unlike its neighbor - The Wonders of Life - The Wonders of Earth is not completely confined to the interior of the Pavilion. In fact, the first attraction can be found just outside...

​

The Journey of Water stands before the entrance to the Wonders of Earth, though its presence in the foreground is not necessary to enter or exit the stunning glass pavilion beyond. The walk-through attraction is a, forgive the pun, natural extension of the Venture Port Nature Trails. The Nature Trails and Journey of Water both hearken to a Mission Statement one and the same with both Venture Port and the Wonders of Earth - "the importance of Nature in a worthwhile Future."

The lush gardens and grounds beneath Spacestation Earth meander down into serene paths, wooden foot bridges and cave-like tunnels and forests on a self-guided trek below the "sphere." Along the way, we spot captivating creatures of real flesh and blood from convenient observation stations amid a picturesque backdrop of exotic trees and plants. The real animals encountered in the Nature Trails transition well into Future World and carry into the Journey of Water experience. Stunning water features and tropical trees and blossoms compose a "symphonic" masterpiece of natural awe and beauty, with tropical birds, reptiles and fish among the local fauna. Beautiful waterfalls, jumping fountains, and spectacular rock formations form a lush setting reminiscent of the natural beauty and life of the Hawaiian Islands. This lush exploration trail invites us to "meet and play" with the magical, living water. The water has a life of its own - a trickling stream grows from a small inlet of the Seven Seas Lagoon and carries into a stream, then a river, and finally, back into the Seven Seas Lagoon - a message on the importance of the natural water cycle.

The attraction, of course, concludes with a special entrance inside the pavilion.

***
​

A short update, but we'll continue later!

 

[spacemt354]

Alright, I'm going to run with it!

***

The Wonders of Earth

“Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of trees, freshwater ponds, seaweed jungles between tides, and even drops of water.

Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine. How could this earth of ours, which is only a speck in the heavens, have so much variety of life, so many curious and exciting creatures?”
- Walt Disney


​

As stated previously, Future World (WestCOT East) is unified by three “neighborhoods” that each speak to important “wonders” and aspects of the world and its people. Thus far, we have explored the Wonders of Life and Science. It is all too appropriate that the third and final Future World pavilion is in focus on the planet we share and the incredible story of its past, present, and future: The Wonders of Earth.

The Wonders of Earth is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world, as well as its wealth in knowledge and events from yesterday, tomorrow and today - a testament to our shared journey on this "grand and miraculous spaceship." The wide pathways and sweeping garden spaces of Future World are an apt-transition and foreground to a true sight to behold, the Wonders of Earth Pavilion itself, a greenhouse-like collection of towering geometric shapes and abstract "towers." Even from afar we can see the various environs and ecosystems fully maintained and grown inside the unique pavilion - forests, jungles, swamps, mountains - a tall observation deck stands in the center "tower" in the midst of a tropical rainforest - hot-air balloons can be seen soaring the "skies" of the interior pavilion.

The Wonders of Earth celebrates the Earth, Sea, and Sky with its science and nature-minded attractions, exhibits and dining facilities. The Pavilion promotes the idea of conservation and the importance of our shared awareness for wildlife, energy, climate, and the environment. Unlike its neighbor - The Wonders of Life - The Wonders of Earth is not completely confined to the interior of the Pavilion. In fact, the first attraction can be found just outside...

View attachment 466002
​

The Journey of Water stands before the entrance to the Wonders of Earth, though its presence in the foreground is not necessary to enter or exit the stunning glass pavilion beyond. The walk-through attraction is a, forgive the pun, natural extension of the Venture Port Nature Trails. The Nature Trails and Journey of Water both hearken to a Mission Statement one and the same with both Venture Port and the Wonders of Earth - "the importance of Nature in a worthwhile Future."

The lush gardens and grounds beneath Spacestation Earth meander down into serene paths, wooden foot bridges and cave-like tunnels and forests on a self-guided trek below the "sphere." Along the way, we spot captivating creatures of real flesh and blood from convenient observation stations amid a picturesque backdrop of exotic trees and plants. The real animals encountered in the Nature Trails transition well into Future World and carry into the Journey of Water experience. Stunning water features and tropical trees and blossoms compose a "symphonic" masterpiece of natural awe and beauty, with tropical birds, reptiles and fish among the local fauna. Beautiful waterfalls, jumping fountains, and spectacular rock formations form a lush setting reminiscent of the natural beauty and life of the Hawaiian Islands. This lush exploration trail invites us to "meet and play" with the magical, living water. The water has a life of its own - a trickling stream grows from a small inlet of the Seven Seas Lagoon and carries into a stream, then a river, and finally, back into the Seven Seas Lagoon - a message on the importance of the natural water cycle.

The attraction, of course, concludes with a special entrance inside the pavilion.

***
​

A short update, but we'll continue later!

Great work here MEW!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Alright, I'm going to run with it!

***

The Wonders of Earth

“Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of trees, freshwater ponds, seaweed jungles between tides, and even drops of water.

Life in these hidden worlds is more startling in reality than anything we can imagine. How could this earth of ours, which is only a speck in the heavens, have so much variety of life, so many curious and exciting creatures?”
- Walt Disney


​

As stated previously, Future World (WestCOT East) is unified by three “neighborhoods” that each speak to important “wonders” and aspects of the world and its people. Thus far, we have explored the Wonders of Life and Science. It is all too appropriate that the third and final Future World pavilion is in focus on the planet we share and the incredible story of its past, present, and future: The Wonders of Earth.

The Wonders of Earth is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world, as well as its wealth in knowledge and events from yesterday, tomorrow and today - a testament to our shared journey on this "grand and miraculous spaceship." The wide pathways and sweeping garden spaces of Future World are an apt-transition and foreground to a true sight to behold, the Wonders of Earth Pavilion itself, a greenhouse-like collection of towering geometric shapes and abstract "towers." Even from afar we can see the various environs and ecosystems fully maintained and grown inside the unique pavilion - forests, jungles, swamps, mountains - a tall observation deck stands in the center "tower" in the midst of a tropical rainforest - hot-air balloons can be seen soaring the "skies" of the interior pavilion.

The Wonders of Earth celebrates the Earth, Sea, and Sky with its science and nature-minded attractions, exhibits and dining facilities. The Pavilion promotes the idea of conservation and the importance of our shared awareness for wildlife, energy, climate, and the environment. Unlike its neighbor - The Wonders of Life - The Wonders of Earth is not completely confined to the interior of the Pavilion. In fact, the first attraction can be found just outside...

View attachment 466002
​

The Journey of Water stands before the entrance to the Wonders of Earth, though its presence in the foreground is not necessary to enter or exit the stunning glass pavilion beyond. The walk-through attraction is a, forgive the pun, natural extension of the Venture Port Nature Trails. The Nature Trails and Journey of Water both hearken to a Mission Statement one and the same with both Venture Port and the Wonders of Earth - "the importance of Nature in a worthwhile Future."

The lush gardens and grounds beneath Spacestation Earth meander down into serene paths, wooden foot bridges and cave-like tunnels and forests on a self-guided trek below the "sphere." Along the way, we spot captivating creatures of real flesh and blood from convenient observation stations amid a picturesque backdrop of exotic trees and plants. The real animals encountered in the Nature Trails transition well into Future World and carry into the Journey of Water experience. Stunning water features and tropical trees and blossoms compose a "symphonic" masterpiece of natural awe and beauty, with tropical birds, reptiles and fish among the local fauna. Beautiful waterfalls, jumping fountains, and spectacular rock formations form a lush setting reminiscent of the natural beauty and life of the Hawaiian Islands. This lush exploration trail invites us to "meet and play" with the magical, living water. The water has a life of its own - a trickling stream grows from a small inlet of the Seven Seas Lagoon and carries into a stream, then a river, and finally, back into the Seven Seas Lagoon - a message on the importance of the natural water cycle.

The attraction, of course, concludes with a special entrance inside the pavilion.

***
​

A short update, but we'll continue later!

I swear, the idea of doing Journey of Water completely slipped my mind! That was very clever! By the way, would the WestCOT Journey retain the Moana theming of the EPCOT Journey, or would it simply be "Hawaiian"?

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

I swear, the idea of doing Journey of Water completely slipped my mind! That was very clever! By the way, would the WestCOT Journey retain the Moana theming of the EPCOT Journey, or would it simply be "Hawaiian"?

In this timeline it does not include the Moana theming! This attraction would have opened in the '90s long before Moana was even a thing.

ThemeParkTourist's article on The Living Seas was a big help today! Check it out.

If today's update means anything, it means that the Wonders of Earth is the biggest pavilion ever designed by Disney... If you thought the Wonders of Science and Wonders of Life in WestCOT were big, you ain't seen the Wonders of Earth.

***

​

The Journey of Water concludes in a special "side" entrance inside the main Wonders of Earth Pavilion. The large biomes of the all-glass pavilion, visible from just about anywhere in Future World, are no longer in sight as we venture into a wing of the pavilion further wrapped in a fantastical reality. The walls on either side of the entrance are not walls at all, but rather gargantuan, larger-than-life "windows" of water, as if Moses has parted the Red Sea before us. Sailing ships, submarines and other aquatic craft from all moments of history materialize and fade from view, while high above our heads we see massive coral formations. Exotic fish and other sea creatures swim past overhead. And - in the waves - was that Poseidon? Or was it just a trick of the light...?

This spectacular "side-entrance" to the Wonders of Earth Pavilion is made possible through the magic of HD imagery on two 100-foot wide IMAX screens. This dramatic passage on foot leads us directly into the "Sea" portion of the Wonders of Earth. A swirling, eroded, carved grotto awaits at the end of the path. The sound of seagulls and crashing waves set the scene as we enter the grotto amidst the din of a gathering surface storm.

Now inside the grotto, we find ourselves in a rocky, windswept lagoon, where a stormy night sky rages above. This clever disguise for a Circle-Vision 360 theater is the stage that is set for the Legends of the Living Sea, an immersive Circle-Vision 360 and dark ride combination-experience.

Wind, mist, and rolling thunder shake the theater. With a flash of lightning, Poseidon, god of the seas (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) appears, calming the storm with a flick of his wrist and introducing us to a number of brave men and women who have conquered the oceans through history. The experience concludes with a message on the importance of preserving our oceans and aquatic wildlife, as well as an immersive, first-hand view of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Mexico's Dos Ojos (Two Eyes), and the chilling waters of the Arctic Ocean.

With Poseidon's blessing, we are invited to explore the sea ourselves - the true cradle of life on Earth.

The rocky walls of the theater clear to reveal a continuation of the Living Sea attraction - the "undersea" load area for an Omnimover dark ride. Boarding a "SeaCab" disguised as a glass bubble, we are whisked away through an elaborate adventure through the ocean.

​

Whereas 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at neighboring Disneyland is more in focus on the fantastical and imaginary, the dark ride portion of Legend of the Living Sea is more in focus on the reality of the natural world that lies beneath the surface. Poseidon narrates as our SeaCab travels through time in an elaborate re-creation of a coral reef through history. Audio-Animatronics re-create creatures of the prehistoric age, from Ammonites and ancient sea turtles to the monstrous Megalodon. At one point, a Spinosaurus, a semi-aquatic Cretaceous dinosaur dips beneath the surface for a bite, just narrowly avoiding our SeaCab with its hulking jaws...

An underwater volcano erupts - our travels are whisked forward in history and carried into the modern era.

Real fish now swim around us, and if we're lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of a real researcher out for a dive amongst the wildlife. This portion of the attraction is not through a faux set but rather through the Pavilion's massive, multi-million gallon aquarium. The ride through the massive tank - ostensibly, the ocean from our point of view - is short, but spectacular. At the end of our "true-life" adventure, Poseidon bids us farewell and leaves us to disembark from our SeaCab in a portion of the Pavilion that looks and feels vastly different from the glass prisms and towers: The Sea.

The Sea embodies everything that WestCOT stands for - an attraction in itself rooted in reality that is meant to inform, inspire, educate, and leave us with a sense of caring just a little more for the wonders of the earth that surround us.

​

The Sea is, remarkably, a futuristic deep submersible base, two stories tall and set against the endless vastness of the ocean we just traveled through. Much like the Journey of Water, The Sea is ours to explore. In its center is the famous Diver Lock-out Chamber. Every half hour, divers enter or exit the main aquarium by way of this two-story tube, with informative guides on hand to explain the latest in wetsuit and portable air tank technologies. The remainder of the exhibit is explorable by way of "Modules" built off of the main hub.

Level 1 of The Sea includes a 24-foot long wave tank and five Module labs:

• Module 1A: Ocean Ecosystems, which includes a 3,000 gallon Pacific Coral Lagoon aquarium with starfish, sea anemone, and hermit crabs as well as a Predator Tank with barracudas, moray eels, and sharks, plus side-set aquariums dedicated to symbiosis, bio-luminescence, and camouflage.
• Module 1B: Marine Mammal Research Center, which offers underwater viewing of West Indian manatees.
• Module 1C: Earth Systems, which contains displays of ocean composition, tectonic plates, fault lines, and the "Animated Atlas of the World" looping in a video display.
• Module 1D: The Coral Reef Restaurant, where panoramic windows give every table an insider view into the awesome, underwater world of The Sea.

​

• Module 1E: Undersea Exploration, which features an Audio-Animatronics display of Bob Ballard's JASON deep sea research rover and cutaway JIM suits for families to explore.

Climbing to Level 2 provides a glimpse of the second level of the Pacific Kelp Forest in Module 2A, and above-water viewing of the manatees in Module 2B. A panoramic window overlooks the whole of WestCOT, from the Journey of Water below to Spacestation Earth and Venture Port on the near horizon.

Altogether, over 6,000 sea creatures live here, including rays, fish, sharks, manatees, and dolphins. This portion of the pavilion isn't about a headlining ride, but is rather a collection of experiences encouraging deeper exploration, allowing access to real animal care and research, and seeing marine animals up close – animals that, otherwise, many visitors would live their whole lives without seeing firsthand.

Although we cannot access Legend of the Living Sea from the remainder of the Pavilion (we have to explore the Journey of Water for that), we can access The Sea from the remainder of the Pavilion.

​

But The Sea is just a small portion of the Wonders of Earth. What of The Sky and perhaps most importantly The Earth itself?

As stated earlier... The Wonders of Earth Pavilion is almost entirely held inside the "glass mountains" made from the massive crystalline, prismatic towers, each housing one of five different habitats, with The Sky and The Sea in separate themed buildings branching off from the main towers. The thesis here, in a sense, is to cast us as protectors of nature by understanding its beauty and complexity, though this thesis is perhaps most prevalent in The Earth portion itself.

The Wonders of Earth, however, did not premiere as we know it today. The Earth opened with the rest of WestCOT on December 2, 1998. The Sky opened on February 8, 2001, and The Sea opened on July 17, 2005 for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary.

​

In a manner most similar to the Journey of Water, Dreamer's Airfield is an outdoor attraction unto itself, an immersive entrance and large-scale walk-through that concludes with a special entrance inside the Pavilion. By comparison, Dreamer's Airfield is set in a rustic North American wilderness, whereas the Journey of Water is set in a lush Hawaiian jungle.

Dreamer's Airfield is themed to the California High Sierras as they appeared sometime between early 1959 and the 1960s, a far cry from the rest of Future World. It is, appropriately, the "first stop" for tourists who are traveling by road to visit a famous National Park somewhere unbeknownst to us. Vintage billboards, signage and architecture hearken to this bygone era, where a series of antique airplanes are on display, a testament to the great men and women who have soared through history, past, present, and future.

***
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And we'll leave it at that for today! See you next weekend!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Holy moly, The Sea was incredible! The Poseidon concept lives on! I swear, I'm starting to get ideas for Mirror EPCOT right here... You know, that Dreamer's Airfield could work well as a separate entrance for Soarin'. It would help to create less clutter inside The Land. Enter outside the pavilion, exit inside it.

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Hey gang! Sorry about the long delay. I'll try to get a post out this weekend. It's been a rough couple of weeks for mental health, unfortunately.

 

[spacemt354]

Hey gang! Sorry about the long delay. I'll try to get a post out this weekend. It's been a rough couple of weeks for mental health, unfortunately.

Hope you're doing okay MEW, hang in there

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Hope you're doing okay MEW, hang in there

Thank you, my friend. Admittedly, things aren't great, but I'm alive and well! I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say that 2020 has been absolute nonstop garbage. I've been away the past (what seems like) two months trying to focus on my mental health. I'll probably continue to do that and work on this project at my leisure, or when I'm ready to focus creative energy onto something this big. I owe it to myself and to all of you to finish Mirror Disneyland once and for all. I've started far too many unfinished projects on this site, and I need to finish one for once.

As a whole, I'm beyond proud of how Disneyland itself turned out in Version 2.0, and if anything, I'm glad that it's pretty much finished, save for ride-throughs and other major details. It truly feels (in my head) like the idealist's Magic Kingdom. It has enough nostalgia and enough "new" to offer a seamless blend of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I'm very pleased with it.

WestCOT is a bit more difficult as A) I have only been to the real Epcot three times, B) It's a mostly original concept, and C) It's not a Magic Kingdom, and non-Magic Kingdom parks are not my strongest suit. I'm a purist with the Disneyland formula, so creating something like WestCOT is absolutely a challenge that I'm happily going to resume when I'm ready.

I haven't forgotten about this, nor my loyal readers who have followed my projects over the past five years, give or take. I made the migration to WDWMagic for a reason. Visions Fantastic was a huge part of my adolescence and into my young adult years. Moving to WDWMagic has been rewarding and a natural continuation of my armchair Imagineering career. I'm pleased to see this community thriving with another season of SYWTBAI, as well as people like @DisneyManOne who continue to make ambitious projects such as this.

I'll be back soon enough.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Thank you, my friend. Admittedly, things aren't great, but I'm alive and well! I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say that 2020 has been absolute nonstop garbage. I've been away the past (what seems like) two months trying to focus on my mental health. I'll probably continue to do that and work on this project at my leisure, or when I'm ready to focus creative energy onto something this big. I owe it to myself and to all of you to finish Mirror Disneyland once and for all. I've started far too many unfinished projects on this site, and I need to finish one for once.

As a whole, I'm beyond proud of how Disneyland itself turned out in Version 2.0, and if anything, I'm glad that it's pretty much finished, save for ride-throughs and other major details. It truly feels (in my head) like the idealist's Magic Kingdom. It has enough nostalgia and enough "new" to offer a seamless blend of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I'm very pleased with it.

WestCOT is a bit more difficult as A) I have only been to the real Epcot three times, B) It's a mostly original concept, and C) It's not a Magic Kingdom, and non-Magic Kingdom parks are not my strongest suit. I'm a purist with the Disneyland formula, so creating something like WestCOT is absolutely a challenge that I'm happily going to resume when I'm ready.

I haven't forgotten about this, nor my loyal readers who have followed my projects over the past five years, give or take. I made the migration to WDWMagic for a reason. Visions Fantastic was a huge part of my adolescence and into my young adult years. Moving to WDWMagic has been rewarding and a natural continuation of my armchair Imagineering career. I'm pleased to see this community thriving with another season of SYWTBAI, as well as people like @DisneyManOne who continue to make ambitious projects such as this.

I'll be back soon enough.

Take all the time you need, my friend. I've loved everything in Mirror Disneyland so far, and I can't wait to see what else WestCOT has up its sleeve. I'm particularly intrigued to see the Four Corners of the World!

Speaking of ambitious projects, it is no secret that you have been one of my biggest inspirations for doing what I do here on these forums. I've mentioned this before, but it's because of your Mirror Disneyland concept that I've started to develop plans for a Mirror Walt Disney World concept, especially given that the place will turn 50 in the coming year. I'm hoping to start it up come January, and I've shared many preliminary ideas via PM. I'm particularly proud of what I've devised for Mirror Fantasyland...

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

With WestCOT at a standstill-ish, is there anything in particular from Mirror Disneyland that anyone would like to see in more detail? Any attractions, lands, sub-lands, etc. that are tickling your fancy?

 

[Evilgidgit]

With WestCOT at a standstill-ish, is there anything in particular from Mirror Disneyland that anyone would like to see in more detail? Any attractions, lands, sub-lands, etc. that are tickling your fancy?

I am curious to see how the Fantasy on Parade and MSEP evolved over the years in the Mirror Disneyland.

 

[DisneyManOne]

With WestCOT at a standstill-ish, is there anything in particular from Mirror Disneyland that anyone would like to see in more detail? Any attractions, lands, sub-lands, etc. that are tickling your fancy?

How similar would Hollywoodland's Great Movie Ride be to the one at Disney-MGM Studios? What would be different?

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

I am curious to see how the Fantasy on Parade and MSEP evolved over the years in the Mirror Disneyland.

This would be a neat concept to tackle! I could probably pump out a list of changes over the years from the original. My thought process would be that the shows would update regularly with technology and IPs. Tokyo Disney has had an Electrical Parade for years that has grown to incorporate Pixar characters and other modern IPs over time. I'll take a look into this!

How similar would Hollywoodland's Great Movie Ride be to the one at Disney-MGM Studios? What would be different?

I think that Mirror DL's Great Movie Ride would take a lot of cues from ideas that never made it into the WDW version, such as Ghostbusters and Young Frankenstein in the horror section. GMR is definitely another project I'd like to jump into sooner rather than later.

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

With the recent announcement of Splash Mountain being madeover into a Princess and the Frog attraction, an idea which I am entirely on board for (especially for Disneyland), I will wait to reflect that change in Mirror Disneyland until I see the actual attraction a few years down the road when it has reopened. As of right now, Splash is the better fit for Mirror Disneyland's Folk Tale Forest area. BUT, I am willing to reflect the real world if the attraction is spectacular - or, who knows, maybe I'll completely redo whatever attraction replaces Splash.

I have so many exciting ideas for what they're going to do with Splash. I guarantee that Dr. Facilier will have an incredible AA figure right before the final drop. At least I think so.

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

I am curious to see how the Fantasy on Parade and MSEP evolved over the years in the Mirror Disneyland.

Ask and you shall receive.

The Disney Wiki was actually a big help with writing this.

***

The Main Street Electrical Parade - A Mirror Disneyland Retrospective

One of the most unusual and beautiful pageants to ever glitter its way through Disneyland is the Main Street Electrical Parade, which has dazzled spectators since 1972 with over a half-a-million tiny, twinkling lights in portrayal of scenes from Walt Disney's film classics - though this repertoire has since expanded to include films of the modern Disney and Pixar Canon.

Disneyland's original Main Street Electrical Parade was commissioned by CEO Card Walker and overseen by a collaboration between Bob Jani and Ron Miziker. When it debuted on June 17, 1972, it was like nothing that Disneyland Guests had ever seen and heard before - in fact, its predecessor, the Electrical Water Pageant at Walt Disney World in Florida, had only premiered a year prior, and was the only thing in the world even remotely similar.

It required nearly a hundred artists and craftsmen to create the sparkling, battery-powered parade floats, some measuring up to 14-feet high and 75-feet long. The unusual music, electronically produced, is transmitted to each float's amplifier/receiver, which broadcasts the melodies in a unique and unprecedented sound system, a groundbreaking technology that has been used since in every Disney parade. Even though it was "lights out" for the parade from 1975 - 1976 and 1983 - 1984, as well as each holiday season since 1996, the Electrical Parade has only become bigger and brighter when it re-premieres each summer season, and anticipates its fiftieth anniversary in 2022.

​

The original iteration of the parade ran at Disneyland until its heavily-promoted "Glowing Away" for refurbishment in 1996. Each holiday season, the parade enjoys an "off-season refresh," updating the technology and the intellectual properties to better reflect the changing times. From 1972 to 1974, the parade's roster of floats consisted largely of flat, two-dimensional screens. In 1977, an upgraded version was introduced to Disneyland, now featuring an entirely three-dimensional roster. Don Dorsey and Jack Wagner rearranged the original soundtrack, adding an opening fanfare, a spoken introduction announcement, and new music loops for most of the parade's units. This soundtrack has remained relatively intact even today, with similar musical arrangements created for the new additions over the years, though as of 2020, much of the music has a more orchestral sound, even with non-digitized vocals.

The Original Parade (1972 - 1996)

• Opening Window
  • Blue Fairy (1972-1996)
  • Disneyland Logo Float (1972-1974)
  • Casey Junior Circus Train with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy (1972 - 1996)
  • Toy Soldiers (1977-1985)
• Special Anniversary Units
  • Disneyland's 25th Anniversary: Replica of Sleeping Beauty Castle (1980)
  • Disneyland's 30th Anniversary: Logo Float (1985)
  • Mickey Mouse's 60th Birthday (1988)
  • Disneyland's 35th Anniversary: Logo Float (1990)
• Alice in Wonderland
  • Butterfly and Flower Dancers (1972-1974)
  • Alice on Snail (1972-1974)
  • Blue Mushroom with Butterfly and Ladybug (1977-1996)
  • Snails (1977-1996)
  • White Rabbit (1977-1996)
  • Green Mushroom with Alice (1977-1982)
  • Green Mushroom with Alice and Cheshire Cat (1985-1996)
  • Fireflies (1977-1996)
  • Pink Mushroom with Butterfly and Frog (1977-1982)
  • Pink Mushroom with Caterpillar and Frog (1985-1996)
  • Turtles (1977-1996)
  • Centipede (1977-1996)
• Return to Oz (1985)
• Cinderella
  • Pumpkin Coach with Cinderella and Fairy Godmother (1972-1996)
  • Ballroom Canopies (1972-1996)
  • Staircase with Prince Charming (1977-1982)
  • Staircase and Fountain with Prince Charming, Anastasia, and Drizella (1985-1996)
  • Clock Tower (1977-1996)
• Peter Pan
  • The Jolly Roger with Captain Hook and Peter Pan
  • Smee's Boat with Mr. Smee
• Dumbo
  • Seal with Ball (1972-1974)
  • Camels (1972-1974)
  • Elephants (1972-1974)
  • Clowns and Balloons (1979-1982)
  • Hippo and King Leonidas Calliope (1977 - 1996)
  • Dumbo with Feather (1972-1974)
  • Four Ring Circus Part 1: Dumbo and Clown (1985-1996)
  • Bear Balancing on Barrels (1977-1996)
  • Four Ring Circus Part 2: Clowns (1985-1996)
  • Elephant Bathing (1977-1996)
• The Fox and the Hound (1981)
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • The Seven Dwarfs (1977-1982)
  • Dopey's Mine Train with Dopey, Snow White, Doc, Happy, and Grumpy (1985-1996)
  • Dwarfs' Diamond Mine with Sneezy, Sleepy, and Bashful (1985-1996)
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1977-1978, Re-Purposed for Pinocchio Underwater)
  • Beautiful Briny Deep with Briny Boys and Whale
• Pinocchio
  • Pinocchio Underwater with Pinocchio, Geppetto, and Monstro (1979-1982)
  • Pleasure Island Part 1: Funhouse Face (1985-1996)
  • Pleasure Island Part 2 with Pinocchio and Lampwick (1985-1996)
• Chinese Dragon (1972)
• Maleficent Dragon (1973-1974, replaced Chinese Dragon)
• Pete's Dragon (1977-2019, replaced Maleficent Dragon)
  • Pete and Elliott
• It's a Small World (1972-1987)
• Stars & Stripes (Winnie the Pooh for President) Finale (1972-1974)
• Disney Neon Finale (1977-1978)
• To Honor America (1979-1996)
  • Patriotic Dancers (1996)
  • General Electric Sponsorship Banner (1996)

​

In its current form, the Main Street Electrical Parade has undergone at least one revision each holiday season since November 1996. As it is 2020, the 65th Anniversary of Disneyland is upon us, and the parade we are about to "see" is as up to date as one could hope for! This version utilizes over 1.5 million LED lights, special effects, and 100+ performers. At this point in history, it has become Disney's first all-LED parade, and all original floats and costumes have since been retired, refreshed, or replaced altogether. Perhaps the only thing to not see change is the original Don Dorsey and Jack Wagner "Baroque Hoedown" musical introduction to the parade, which has lovingly survived the many refurbishments, only plussed with the addition of new musical arrangements and additions over the years in the units following the parade's "Opening Window."

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the magic and wonder of the Mirror Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade, the only Electrical Parade to never "glow" away...

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... Disneyland proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds - the Main Street Electrical Parade!"
​

The Current Parade (Premiered May 15, 2020)
Parade Run-time: 30 Minutes

• Opening Window
  

  • Blue Fairy: Based on Pinocchio and the original parade, the elegant Blue Fairy leads the way from atop a dazzling, over-sized "dress" of sparkling blue, white, and silver fairy dust. She magically "flies" above the parade route, standing almost 21-feet above the ground. Her large wings slowly pulsate in the shimmering color scheme of her dress. ​
  • Fiber Fairies: Following the Blue Fairy is a glittering procession of "Fiber Fairies" introduced on foot by Tinker Bell, Rosetta, Iridessa and Silvermist from Peter Pan and Disney Fairies series, respectively. The four main fairies interact with spectators directly. ​
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train: The multi-color Casey Jr. Circus Train from Dumbo has been re-created from the original parade, still operated by engineer Goofy in his classic outfit. The smiley-faced engine pulls a large drum with an LED screen on either side. The screen interchanges to showcase various images, including the title of the parade, characters and designs, and other vivid animations, including films and characters not represented in the main parade. Minnie and Mickey in their classic attire stand on opposite ends of the drum. ​
  • Puppets: Large puppets of Genie, Tigger, and Lumiere, follow the "drum unit." ​

• Alice in Wonderland
  

  • Cheshire Cat: The gargantuan Cheshire Cat carries Alice in a large teacup sat precariously on his tail. The float is 11-feet wide, 21-feet long, and has nearly 17,000 points of light. The cat "disappears" and reappears, and often changes colors and patterns, while his pupils spin in every which way. Alice interacts with spectators via live mic. By now, the music has transitioned from the 1977 "Baroque Hoedown" to the updated soundtrack which has a more modern and orchestral style. ​
  • Golden Afternoon: A number of colorful critters follow the Cheshire Cat, similar to the original parade. The critters interweave patterns, spin, and get up close with spectators. They include Mr. and Mrs. Snail, a Ladybug, two Fireflies, and Mr. Turtle. ​
• Peter Pan
  • The Jolly Roger: Straight from Neverland, the magnificent Jolly Roger appears larger and more majestic than its appearance in the original parade. The updated version includes colorful waves, and a breathtaking "pixie dust" effect in which the entire ship is plunged into darkness before being overwhelmed with glittering gold "sparkles." The large sails and flag of the ship interchange from pirate-based designs to twinkling stars, the flying Darling children, the Tick-Tock Croc, and other scenes and characters from the film. Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Peter Pan stand at various vantage points. Peter interacts with spectators via live mic.
• Frozen
  • Elsa's Ice Palace: From Arendelle comes one of the parade's tallest floats, Elsa's Ice Palace. At 30-feet tall, Anna and Elsa stand on the balcony of the highest tower, with Olaf located at the rear in a glistening forest of snow-covered trees enhanced with 3,000 teardrop crystals. In addition to other technical effects, there are six etched window art panels on the float. Three depict happy memories of Anna and Elsa's childhood. The other three feature Kristoff, the Trolls and Sven.
• Cars
  • Electric Roadway Jam: A glowing Lightning McQueen leads a number of unique "techno" dancers in peculiar costumes. The robot-like dancers shimmer a number of different designs and colors, synchronized entirely with the lights on the following unit.
  • Mack: At over 54-feet long and 18-feet tall, Mack is the longest float in the parade, and has 28 moving lights, and the musical "DJ" car emerging from his backside. Mack is equipped with a 3D "light display" affixed to his sides that creates exceptional depth of image. The psychedelic display contains 26,730 individual orbs. Almost 2,000 feet of LED "neon" is used to create Mack.

​

• Toy Story
  • Toy Collection: A huge collection of illuminated toys from the Toy Story series stand at the base of a letter block-platform topped by performers dressed as Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Bo Peep. Prerecorded audio of the four characters can be heard interacting with each other and with spectators.

• Candlelight Dreams
  • 36-feet in length, Candlelight Dreams is in representation of the memorable and iconic moments from various tales "as old as time" through the Disney Canon. Belle leads the unit from a "tall dress" similar to that of the Blue Fairy's seen earlier in the parade, though slightly smaller. A large rose stands right above her head and before a giant version of the Beast's magic mirror which plays unforgettable chapters from her beloved story. Her dress has 40 custom-designed jewels and the most decorative lighting caps of any float. The video screen on the mirror contains more than 500,000 pixels and presents scenes as well as floral graphic imagery and starry night skies. Following Belle are giant glowing candelabras that are framed by lovely "Dove Dancers" and a series of illuminated Court Couples. Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel follow on individual platforms attached to the main Belle float.
  • The Seven Dwarfs: Adorned with sparkling diamonds, the Seven Dwarfs follow the royal processional. Dopey rides at the end of the line in a special mine car in homage to the original parade.
• Pete's Dragon
  • Pete and Elliott: From Pete's Dragon, Elliott and Pete return as part of the grand finale. Although updated significantly from the design of the original unit, the current iteration of Elliott holds Pete in his hands, often disappearing and reappearing from our sight. Elliott stands at an impressive 31-feet tall, officially the tallest unit in the parade. Pete interacts with spectators via live mic. The original Elliott float was retired in 2019.

• It's a Small World
  • Showboat: The electronic music has gone full orchestral by this point, intertwined with a children's chorus of the memorable "it's a small world (after all)." A magnificent showboat reminiscent of the Mark Twain Riverboat pulls into view, steered by Donald Duck, with Daisy and the Three Little Pigs close by. The Big Bad Wolf even throws in an appearance on a lower deck of the ship, keeping a close eye on the pigs above him. Tiana and Naveen appear on the front-side of the lower deck. The boat interchanges between a number of different psychedelic colors, especially on its wheels and from its smokestack.
  • Airship: Aviators Chip and Dale man the controls of a multi-color zeppelin soaring through technicolor clouds. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cameos as a static, LED-illuminated figure at the tippy-top of the zeppelin.
  • The Moon: A Mary Blair-stylized crescent moon overlooks a representation of Italy, Holland, and the South Pacific, with a windmill and whitewater waves. Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, Lilo, and Stitch can be seen at various vantage points on the float, with Stitch appearing on a surfboard.
  • The Sun: A Mary Blair-stylized sun overlooks a representation of Latin America, Africa, the United States, and France, with Pluto, Marie, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles at various vantage points appropriate to their country of origin. Various sights from the Small World attraction, such as giraffes, a donkey-drawn cart, and cacti adorn other points of the finishing float.

THE END​

Of course, a number of floats and units have been deleted over the years... Let us have a moment of silence for those who did not survive the many holiday season refurbishments since 1996. As expected, these floats were replaced by another franchise, oftentimes rebuilt from the same framework of the previous float before them.

• Hercules (1997)
• The Lion King (1997 - 2014)
• The Little Mermaid (1997 - 2001)
• Mulan (1998-2002)
• Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
• Monsters, Inc. (2002 - 2011)
• Finding Nemo (2003 - 2017)
• Chicken Little (2005)
• Meet the Robinsons (2007)
• The Princess and the Frog (2009)
• Wreck-It Ralph (2012 - 2017)
• The Incredibles (2018 - 2019)
• WALL-E (2008 - 2013)
• Original Toy Story Unit (2013 - 2019)
• Winnie the Pooh (1999 - 2011)

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

I am curious to see how the Fantasy on Parade and MSEP evolved over the years in the Mirror Disneyland.

Ask and you shall receive...again!

Yesterland and DisneyChris.com were a big help!

Fantasy on Parade - Another Mirror Disneyland Retrospective

​

Disneyland's first ever parade was held on July 17, 1955. At the head of the procession was the United States Marine Corp Band, who were followed by many costumed representatives from each of the four lands in the Park. Disneyland's first regularly scheduled parade was known as the "Mickey at the Movies Parade," which included a cavalcade of Disney Characters from Walt Disney's film classics. During Disneyland's first six holiday seasons, there had been some parades - but the first daily scheduled holiday parade premiered in December 1961 with the "Parade of Toys." Each year, the parade evolved.

Fantasy on Parade became the official holiday parade of Disneyland on December 18, 1965. Since then, Fantasy on Parade has grown from an offering exclusive to the Christmas season and has rather become Disneyland's longest running and most frequently updated "non-seasonal" parade, only retired for special events, holidays, or anniversary parades. In its original iteration, Fantasy on Parade featured little to do with the holidays, but rather featured characters and scenes from Walt Disney's film classics, culminating with the marching wooden soldiers of Babes in Toyland and a visit from Santa Claus and his silly, cross-eyed reindeer.

Charles Champlin, Los Angeles Times arts editor, film critic and columnist wrote a glowing review of Fantasy on Parade, published December 21, 1965. "If you think of Disneyland as a 12-month-long Christmas, as all us middle-aged kids do, you wonder how it can top itself during the season itself. But its twice-daily, hour-long Fantasy on Parade achieves this, to the shrill satisfaction of the genuine chronological kids who attended with me Sunday afternoon. The ingenuity of the Disneyland designers remains endless and amazing. A long lavender caterpillar deploys winged butterflies who do a dainty little dance before caterpillaring up Main Street again. The wooden soldiers and their band really look like wooden soldiers. Beyond the Disney standards, there are fine performing dogs and dancing bears. Goofy performs with a delightful trick car and Mickey himself beats the world’s largest bass drum. Santa himself is strictly traditional, jollitywise, but his prancing reindeer, tinkling and silly, are out of the Burbank tradition and very nearly upstage the old gent, the ultimate compliment to the Disney magic. All in all, it’s a whizbang caper and likely to give the Anaheim pleasure dome a very populous holiday season."

For the 1994 holiday season, Fantasy on Parade was retired as the Park's holiday parade, and was replaced with "A Christmas Fantasy Parade," and years later, Santa's Very Merry Christmas Parade. Fantasy on Parade returned in the early spring of 1995, and has been updated and expanded every season since, much like the Main Street Electrical Parade.

The current iteration, last updated in 2017, runs from January through August, and is only unavailable for the Halloween and Christmas seasons, respectively, and after nightfall for the Main Street Electrical Parade. In December 2020, the parade will celebrate its 55th Anniversary, a record-breaking milestone; though the parade itself will not be active on its official anniversary date...

The Current Parade (Premiered January 27, 2017)
Run-time: 24 Minutes

​

The current Fantasy on Parade is "hosted" by the Genie from Aladdin, and has been since 2009. We hear the fanfare of trumpets from the intro to "Prince Ali," a memorable song and scene from the film. Thanks to the Genie's incredible power, we are about to relive some of our favorite Disney moments live and in-person. The chorus begins to sing before the performers and floats are even in sight! The song is, naturally, a revisionist's take on "Prince Ali."

"Make way for Fantasy!
Say hey! It's Fantasy!

Hey! Clear the way in the old Bazaar
Hey you!
Let us through!
We wished on a star!
Guess what!
Magic's real, and you won't believe your eyes!

Make way!
Here it comes!
Ring bells! Bang the drums!
Aren't you gonna love this, guys?
/
Fantasy! Fabulously!
Magic surrounds you!
Make a wish, all you can dish,
As dreamers do.
Now try your best to stay calm
Don't sit around for too long!
Then come and share in the magic, it's for free!

Fantasy! Fabulously!
Magic surrounds you!
Wish on stars, and you'll go far, definitely!
You'll face the galloping hordes
A hundred bad guys with swords
You'll send those goons to their lords!
It's Fantasy!"

Aladdin's Royal Caravan​

- Grand Marshal Genie: A baton-twirling Genie, in an extravagant turban and outfit, leads a team of dancers, which is formed of six harem girls and a golden coin dancer. Genie (voiced by the late Robin Williams) shares a few words here or there with the audience. He acknowledges the coming parade is of his own doing, a wish from Mickey Mouse himself to share the worlds of fantasy with Disneyland Guests. How nice!

- Elephant Abu: Abu, Aladdin's monkey sidekick, has been transformed into a mighty elephant once again, still recognizable from his unruly crop of orange hair. Princess Jasmine and Aladdin (in his Prince Ali attire) ride on Abu's back. The two live characters interact with the audience via live mic.

- Street-sweeper Jafar: The villainous Jafar is relegated to street-sweeper duty following the elephant. Iago's grating voice trickles out from inside the wheeled refuse bucket pushed by Jafar. This piece is a leftover remnant from Aladdin's Royal Caravan, a different parade altogether from the early '90s.

Storybook Circus ​

- Clown Brigade: The music has transitioned from "Prince Ali" to a combination of "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life for Me)" and "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2." Four clown performers cause general chaos and mischief ahead of the unit's main float, led by Ringmaster Roger Rabbit.

- Three-Ring Circus: The Three-Ring Circus float is in tribute to the removed Circus Calliope of the Main Street Electrical Parade. A giant green hippo pulls the procession. King Leonidas from Bedknobs and Broomsticks stands inside the calliope playing the circus organ with Pinocchio sitting on top of the vehicle. Static figures of the Alligators, Ostriches, Elephants, and Hippos from Fantasia stand at various vantage points throughout the long and psychedelic float. In a rare appearance, Dumbo appears on the next piece of the caravan, followed by a large figure of Humphrey Bear balancing on a tightrope while "juggling" chickens, bowling balls and picnic baskets. The final portion of the float was taken directly from Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams following its retirement in 2008. A giant figure of Geppetto controls two performers dressed as Russian marionettes on bungee cords. Honest John and Gideon, Jiminy Cricket, and Stromboli march on the sides of the long float.

A Wave of Magic

​

- A Wave of Magic: The music changes from the Three-Ring Circus to "How Far I'll Go" from Moana. On her voyager canoe, Moana is seen sailing forth on the crest of a beautiful, animated wave, inspired by beautiful koa wood carvings inset with LED panels, providing a dazzling glimpse into the magic the ocean holds. Male drummers in Polynesian costumes precede the impressive float. Pua, Moana's pet pig, sits at the tip of the canoe.

Jungle Boogie

- Jungle Rhythms: Four monkey dancers frolic ahead of the float. Goofy throws in a rather peculiar appearance among the monkeys; dressed in a pith helmet and khaki safari gear, he sits inside a black cauldron (the performer's "shirt") hoisted up by the arms of a short orangutan (the performer's "pants"). The music has transitioned into a mix of "I Wan'na Be Like You," "I Just Can't Wait to be King," "Trashin' the Camp," and "Jungle Rhythm" (from The Jungle Book 2). Baloo, King Louie, Shere Khan, Kaa, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Turk, and Tantor feature on the massive jungle-themed float, some played by live performers, others appearing as puppets or static figures. Various costumed animal dancers surround the unit, such as a cheetah, antelope, leopard, and a life-sized rhinoceros, also taken from the retired Parade of Dreams. Two elephants from Colonel Hathi's brigade bring up the rear of the float by foot. The float's highlight is a large balloon-representation of Simba (as a cub) rising atop a colorful capture of "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from The Lion King, complete with singing hippos, rotating giraffes, and dancing gazelle.

Jolly Holiday with Mary Poppins

​

- Mary & Bert: The music is now a modernized mix of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Step in Time." Mary Poppins and Bert (in their Jolly Holiday attire) precede the main float riding bicycles cleverly disguised as carousel horses.

- Rooftops of London: A crescent moon overlooks the rooftops and chimney-stacks of Victorian London. Chimney Sweeps sing and dance from various vantage points throughout the unique float's "skyline." A stylized representation of the Fox Hunter & Fox pull the front of the float from a penny-farthing high-wheeler bicycle, closely followed by a peculiar carousel overwhelmed by mischievous penguins.

Enchanted Ball​

- Royal Procession: Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia (Cinderella's Stepmother and Stepsisters) were not invited to the Enchanted Ball, and therefore walk in front of the main unit while interacting humorously with spectators. Four ballroom dancers dance beautifully after them, accompanied by Snow White and her Prince. The music has transitioned into "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" with added cues from "Beauty and the Beast" and "Once Upon a Dream."

- The Ballroom: An extravagant ballroom float adorned in shimmering candelabra, roses, and Grecian pillars draped in a spring garland. Tiana, Naveen, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Aurora, Prince Phillip, Belle, and the Beast dance on the main float. A large Audio-Animatronics figure of Lumiere "hosts" the float, sharing words with the audience. Four additional ballroom dancers follow the float, accompanied by Ariel (on foot) and Prince Eric.

Nightmare Fantasmic

- Villain's Lair: The music has transitioned once more, this time into an eclectic rock cover of "Night on Bald Mountain." The float is led by the Old Hag (the Evil Queen in disguise) and dancers dressed as representations of the crooked, sentient trees from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (as famously seen in the Disneyland Fun Sing Along Songs). The peak of Bald Mountain comes into view with the hulking figure of Chernabog poised on top. Oddly enough, the carnivorous snake from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas has slithered to the float's front, chomping down on what appears to be a recycling bin from Main Street, U.S.A. Dr. Facilier and the Big Bad Wolf share daunting looks with the audience. On the opposite side, Hades and Frollo stand on a clifftop, while a puppet version of Scar gives an occasional roar beneath them. Oogie Boogie is perched on the back of the float, joined by Captain Hook and Governor Ratcliffe.

- Steampunk Dragon: Thorn-inspired stilt performers and dramatic "raven dancers" glide along the parade route before Fantasy on Parade's major highlight. With fiery eyes and glowing effects, the spectacular Maleficent Dragon is a steampunk sight to behold. At 53-feet long and 26-feet high, the fire-breathing monstrosity has a prickly spinning wheel in its core, bending and flexing its neck, tail, wings, and claws as it lumbers down the parade route. The dragon float was so popular when it debuted in 2012, that it has since been duplicated for the Magic Kingdom's Festival of Fantasy Parade and Disneyland Paris's Disney Stars on Parade.

Fantasy Comes to Life

- The Grand Finale: The Grand Finale is presented in three large increments included in one singular (and lengthy) float, with each individual theme/showpiece connected to the next. The first segment of the float represents Coco, celebrating the importance of family. Miguel strums the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz on one end and skeletal puppets of Hector and Imelda appear on the other, separated by the iconic marigold bridge bridging our world with the next. Colorful alebrije spirit animals join the procession, along with Miguel's dog Dante who transforms into an alebrije before our eyes. The second segment of the float represents Tangled, celebrating love. The marigolds of Coco transition into a shimmering garden of huge sundrop flowers, overlooked by Rapunzel's Tower. Rapunzel and Flynn stand front and center, Maximus and Pascal nearby. In fact, there are approximately 25 different-colored "Pascal's" hidden throughout the segment. The third and final segment of the float is a large snow-globe with Mickey and Minnie inside, celebrating the magic of friendship. Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale appear beneath the large snow-globe, all of the characters in regal attire reminiscent of a "fairy tale Renaissance." Mickey and Minnie, of course, are dressed as the King and Queen.

THE END
​

Of course, a number of floats and units have been deleted over the years, most often elaborate "Pre-Parades" used to promote the studio's latest releases coming to theaters soon. These floats were replaced by another franchise, oftentimes rebuilt from the same framework of the previous float before them. Other units and floats in the show have come and gone, oftentimes in representation of the latest franchise. The parade's earliest years of operation included children performers, as well as live animals, such as elephants, horses, bears, dogs, birds, and even a tiger. These features, of course, have since been retired. There are far too many defunct replacements to list...that will take another alternate-reality to discuss entirely.

I'll throw in a couple of examples of change over the years, just for the heck of it.

- The Coco segment replaced a Toy Story segment in 2018.
- The Tangled segment replaced a Winnie the Pooh segment in 2012.
- A Frozen Pre-Parade ran from January 2014 through August 2018.
- The Villain's Lair float was introduced in 2009 following a three-year "retirement" of the parade. The Dragon was not added until 2012.
- Geppetto and The Lion King animals were introduced in 2009 following the official retirement of Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams.
- The marching wooden soldiers from Babes in Toyland remained the only original element of Fantasy on Parade until 2004.
- Live horses and musicians dressed as knights originally opened the parade. This was replaced by the Aladdin segment in 2009.
- 1999 introduced the large "Grand Finale" float, featuring Toy Story, Winnie the Pooh, and The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid was replaced in 2000, when guests complained of Mickey's absence in the parade.
- A figure of Tantor and performer playing Turk were added to the "Jungle Rhythms" float in 1999. Turk replaced a child performer dressed as Mowgli. Jane and Tarzan were featured on the float as well, but only for 1999.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

This is great. Can’t wait to see the nighttime fireworks show at the castle. Bet it would have mapping projections, fountains, mist projections, lasers, and fire.

 

[Evilgidgit]

Thanks so much for these two parade outlines. Great stuff!

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Thanks so much for these two parade outlines. Great stuff!

Sure thing! I plan on getting to the Halloween and Christmas parades eventually.

How similar would Hollywoodland's Great Movie Ride be to the one at Disney-MGM Studios? What would be different?

Let's find out!

ThemeParkTourist's Lost Legends article on The Great Movie Ride was a great resource!

The Great Movie Ride - Mirror Disneyland



View attachment 480434

The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.
- Michael Eisner's Dedication of Disney-MGM Studios, May 1, 1989​

Not long after Michael Eisner became CEO of The Walt Disney Company, he began to spend a lot of time at Imagineering. Among the first concepts he encountered was an idea for a Hollywood-themed “entertainment pavilion” at EPCOT Center. The concept featured a ride that would take guests on a journey into the magic of the movies - literally. It soon became apparent to Eisner that this “great movie ride” should instead be the anchor attraction for a new park themed to Hollywood and show business. By 1985, Disney and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) reached an unprecedented deal that would allow Disney worldwide rights to use the MGM brand and logo for its new Disney-MGM Studios, a 45-acre theme park which was to include working production facilities for films and television, a backlot, and an animation studio. Importantly, "we signed an agreement that gave us most of everything we sought, including perpetual rights to use much of MGM’s library and its logo for a very modest fee," Eisner said in his 1998 book Work in Progress. The Great Movie Ride was now filled with great movies.

From westerns to movie musicals to every film genre in between, The Great Movie Ride was one of two rides when Disney-MGM Studios opened May 1, 1989. In a spectacular gala event, all the glitter and glamour of “Tinseltown” came out to shine with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood for the grand opening celebration at the Disney-MGM Studios. A similar event was held at Disneyland on May 1, 1999, when Hollywoodland was first introduced to the world. Eisner's Disney Decade, arguably the most ambitious plan WED had ever designed, called for many successful Walt Disney World attractions to be cloned in Anaheim. WestCOT Center and Hollywoodland are living proof of this ambitious blueprint, with Hollywoodland itself serving as the exciting conclusion to the Decade.

Hollywoodland, a short walk north of Fantasyland and It's a Small World, ends at the facade of a towering, beautiful recreation of the historic Chinese Theatre, a direct import from Disney-MGM Studios. Passing beneath the railroad tracks, our entry into Hollywoodland is moved by the romance, wonder, and excitement of Tinseltown; Art deco towers, neon signs, classic cars… We’ve traveled back to the Golden Age of Hollywood; a city alight with swimming pools, movie stars, and the promise of stardom, bringing together architectural styles from Hollywood's heyday in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Hollywoodland paves the way to a wondrous land whose boundaries are those of the imagination.

The original Great Movie Ride in Florida closed on August 13, 2017, to make way for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. The Disneyland version remains open and recently enjoyed a much needed refurbishment in 2019 for the Disneyland version's 20th anniversary.

View attachment 480435​

The original Grauman's Chinese Theatre has been a cornerstone of real Hollywood for over 75 years, and is now perhaps just as iconic a Disneyland landmark as Sleeping Beauty Castle or the Matterhorn. Arguably the most famous movie theater in the world, the Chinese Theatre stands 96-feet high. This full-scale recreation includes two coral red columns topped by wrought iron masks holding aloft the bronze roof, and guarding its entrance are the iconic Heaven Dogs. 40-foot tall curved walls create the inner Forecourt, a "sanctuary" to the Disney stars of yesterday and today. The Forecourt is filled with some several hundred signatures, handprints, footprints, and other imprints of celebrities pressed into concrete squares - a small few of the many who have helped shape (or at least visited) Hollywoodland.

Strangely, the theatre does not showcase the poster for the latest Hollywood blockbuster or cinematic adventure. Instead, the building's face is adorned with mirror neon signs and tapestries showcasing rather what adventures lie within the hypnotic palace. When Turner Classic Movies (TCM) took sponsorship of both versions of the attraction in 2015, a brand-new neon marquee was added to the front of the theatre, with blinking bulbs and shimmering letters.

"The Great Movie Ride
A Spectacular Journey Into the Movies
Presented by Turner Classic Movies"​

The Chinese Theatre enters into an ornate, art deco lobby designed with and inspired by the historic beauty and grandeur of its Chinese influence. An orchestral theme from many a classic film serves as an underscore to a number of real artifacts from memorable and nostalgic films - set pieces, props, and costumes - the Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Kermit the Frog's banjo from The Muppet Movie among the artifacts. This quaint and opulent lobby would pass for an authentic museum of the movies, but instead is a mere prologue to The Great Movie Ride itself.

​

The lobby continues into a full screening room. Where originally the silver screen would showcase snippets of trailers from classic films, the screen has, since 2015, featured the late Robert Osborne (Host of TCM) discussing histories, trivia bits and scenes and performers from such classic films as The Wizard of Oz and The Adventures of Robin Hood. This 45-minute presentation is in stark contrast to the former 10-minute trailer compilation, guaranteeing no guest in line will see the same clip twice. The new pre-show documentary is meant to inform, educate, and jog our memories and emotions, bookmarking films and actors so celebrated as to have entered our collective consciousness.

​

The doors beneath the screen open and we are ushered from the auditorium and into the ride's loading area. The room resembles that of a studio soundstage of the '30s, complete with a cyclorama vignette of the Hollywood Hills, and the neon marquee of a theater ahead. Our ride vehicle today is a peculiar "tram" with two distinct cars. The large vehicle is similar to a theater of sorts, the "moving theater" ride system made famous by the Universe of Energy attraction at EPCOT. An exuberant, flesh-and-blood tour guide in a period costume sits at the controls of our vehicle, narrating our journey through the movies. "Welcome aboard! At this time, I’d like to ask everyone to please remain seated throughout the ride, and to keep your hands and arms, feet and legs within the vehicle at all times. For the safety of our cast, and the comfort of those around you, please no flash photography or use of external video lights. Alright, now that we’ve taken care of business, let’s talk about me. My name is *Name*, and I’ll be your guide for this magical journey into the movies. It’s the perfect job for me because I love the movies! So, is everyone ready?" Our vehicle cheers. "Great, because it's showtime! Ready when you are, C.B."

The unseen (but heard) "C.B." shouts "Action!" And a stirring arrangement of "Hooray for Hollywood" fills the air. The lights of the Hollywood Hills shimmer around us, and our moving theater lumbers into motion, slowly pulling forward through the soundstage and toward the neon marquee ahead. Passing beneath the glowing incandescent bulbs of the theater entrance, our tour guide continues their spiel...

"And we are rolling! Hello everyone, and welcome to The Great Movie Ride! Once again, my name is *Name* and on behalf of Disneyland Park and Turner Classic Movies, we're about to embark on a one-of-a-kind tour out of this old soundstage and right into the middle of the action from some of the greatest films ever made. From the Old West to Under the Sea, and along the Yellow Brick Road, there really is no place like the movies!"

Up until this point, the attraction has been almost entirely the same experience as the original Great Movie Ride was in Florida. But, something's different here... What happened to Footlight Parade?

​

Around the corner, we encounter our first great movie: The Lost World, a silent picture deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress. We are in a mysterious, steaming jungle...one in which appears entirely in black-and-white. A number of explorers take aim with rifles and fire at the looming figure of an Allosaurus. Edward (Lloyd Hughes) has already thrown a torch into the dinosaur's mouth. Remarkably, we don't hear any sound effects; No shouting, no gunshots, no growling; Only a piano underscore typical to a silent film.

"When dinosaurs are revealed to be alive and well in the Amazon Rainforest, an expedition is sent to prove their existence. The result? A perilous adventure with dinosaurs and humanoids struggling in a survival of the fittest. This scene comes from 1925's 'The Lost World,' based on the novel by Arthur Conan Doyle. 'The Lost World' features the groundbreaking stop-motion effects of Willis O'Brien, a forerunner of his work on the original 'King Kong.' The film wowed audiences of the silent film era and remains one of cinema's earliest masterpieces. But, tell me, what happens when you add color and sound to a motion picture?"

Bernard Herrmann's iconic theme to Jason and the Argonauts fills the air as the black-and-white jungles of Peru transition into a technicolor mountainside and ruins in Ancient Greece. The "Children of the Hydra's Teeth," seven armed skeletons, are engaged in a climactic battle with the heroic Todd Armstrong as Jason, with figures of Phalerus (Andrew Faulds) and Castor (Ferdinando Poggi) nearby. This time we hear shouting and the expected sound effects. "1963 brought us another stop-motion classic, this time from artist Ray Harryhausen. 'Jason and the Argonauts' captures the adventure and fantasy of Greek Mythology on Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. Harryhausen often regarded this film as one of his best, and actor Tom Hanks has remarked, 'Some people say Casablanca or Citizen Kane. I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film ever made.'" The skeletons and Jason continue their impressive battle as we enter the mouth of a cave beneath ancient ruins. A pair of inanimate skeletons in Grecian armor stand on either end of the cave's entrance holding spears and shields.

"Things that go bump in the night have always had a home in the movies... One of the first horror films was from director F.W. Murnau: 'Nosferatu.' 'Nosferatu' has frightened audiences since his first debut in 1922, and is the earliest screen adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula.'" Our vehicle has entered a Gothic castle. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out on an endless view of a surreal Transylvania. A door creaks open. Count Orlok, the titular "Nosferatu" looms in the shadow on the other end, staring blankly at our vehicle. "Count Dracula himself has appeared in well over one hundred films since 'Nosferatu.' Renowned actor Christopher Lee brought new 'bite' to the character in the many 'Dracula' adaptations from British studio Hammer Film Productions throughout the late 1950s and until the early 1970s." On the opposite side of the vehicle from Count Orlok, a new door opens to reveal the imposing figure of Count Dracula (Christopher Lee). He speaks in his familiar, booming voice: "Now my revenge is complete."

"But, of course, not all horror has to be as scary as Dracula," our tour guide continues.

​

A familiar "Transylvanian Lullaby" fills the air. We have entered the dingy laboratory of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Whirring contraptions and oddball machinery is in compliment to the bubbling potions and buzzing electrodes, all realized in black-and-white. Frederick Fronkensteen (Gene Wilder) and his reanimated Monster (Peter Boyle) sit on the very slab in which the Monster was born. Frederick speaks confidence into the confused Creature's ears.

Frederick: You're a good-looking fellow. Did you know that? People laugh at you. People hate you. But why do they hate you? Because they are jealous!
Monster: *Snarls*
Frederick: Look at that boyish face. Look at that sweet smile. Do you wanna talk about physical strength? Do you want to talk about sheer muscle? You are a god! You... are... good!
Monster: *Sobbing*
Frederick: This is a good boy. This is a mother's angel. And I want the world to know once and for all and without any shame...that we love him!
Monster: *Sobbing*
Frederick: Together, you and I are going to make the greatest single contribution to science since the creation of fire!
Inga (Voice): Dr. Fronkensteen, are you alright?
Frederick: MY NAME... IS FRANKENSTEIN!

Our tour guide talks over the ongoing comedy routine as our vehicle lumbers past. "Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder brought us the hilarious 'Young Frankenstein' in 1974. When Dr. Frankenstein - sorry, that's Frockensteen, played by Wilder - inherits his infamous grandfather's Transylvanian castle, he soon begins to recreate his grandfather's experiments with the help of Marty Feldman's Igor and Teri Garr's Inga, not forgetting Cloris Leachman's Frau Blücher." Horses neigh off in the distance. The interior of the castle fades into the skyline of New York City at twilight, circa 1984. "Horror and science-fiction often go hand-in-hand. Science-fiction has been a staple of classic movies, from George Méliès's 'A Trip to the Moon' to Ridley Scott's 'Alien.' Sigourney Weaver, star of 'Alien,' also starred in our next picture: 'Ghostbusters,' a comedic blend of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror."

​

With Manhattan now around us, it seems our vehicle has arrived on the rooftop of Dana Barrett's apartment building. We're in the middle of the climactic battle between the Ghostbusters and Gozer. The giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man looms over the edge of the building. The four Ghostbusters (Venkman, Ray, Egon, and Winston) have crossed their proton energy streams to vanquish the gargantuan creature. The classic "Ghostbusters" theme by Ray Parker Jr. plays as the iconic battle rages on. On the opposite side of the scene, we see the impressive gate between dimensions, where Gozer, in the form of a demonic woman, stands before us, guarded on either end by a ferocious Terror Dog. The Terror Dogs growl and tilt their heads as our vehicle continues deeper into the attraction, entering a charred hole in the side of a water tower. The water tower brandishes an advertisement for Stay Puft Marshmallows - go figure.

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Through the charred water tower and back in time another few decades, we have entered the ride's first sign of classic Hollywood: Singin' in the Rain. We pass an Audio-Animatronics figure of Gene Kelly who is, respectively, singin' in the rain, famously perched on a lamppost outside the Mount Hollywood Art School. Rain falls from the ceiling, but not onto us, only onto Kelly's Don Lockwood. "One of Hollywood's significant contributions to the world of film were great musicals. This scene is from one of my favorites, 1952's musical classic 'Singin' in the Rain.' Here's Gene Kelly singin' in the rain - literally!"

A number of stylized rain clouds transition into two-dimensional trees and tropical plants. Colorful ruins and exotic blossoms surround our glimpse at the famous "I Wan'na Be Like You" segment from Walt Disney's The Jungle Book (1967). King Louie (Louis Prima) sits in his crumbling throne, holding Mowgli aloft by the seat of his famous red shorts. Baloo and Bagheera can be seen spying from the underbrush, while Louie sings that famous tune.

"Ooh-bi-doo, I wan'na be like you
I wan'na walk like you, talk like you, too
You see it's true, an ape like me
Can learn to be like you, too!

Now don't try to kid me, man-cub, I made a deal with you
What I desire is man's red fire to make my dream's come true
So give me the secret, man-cub, clue me what to do
Give me the power of man's red flower so I can be like you"

​

"Here we have the quintessential Disney Musical: Walt Disney's 'The Jungle Book.' This animated musical comedy was the last film to be overseen by Walt Disney prior to his unfortunate passing in 1966. Nevertheless, the now classic film was an original blockbuster, becoming the most successful animated film of its time in 1967."

***
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There's still a whole lot of The Great Movie Ride left! Can you guess where we're going next? And before anyone asks, yes, a character will hijack the tour in the next installment. I envision this version of the ride being about 30 or so minute as it is a little longer than the Florida original.

We'll for sure finish the ride next time! We're halfway done! What do you think so far?

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Cool. I wonder if there is a list of props, costumes, and artifacts from live action Disney films, shows, Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and shows, Star Wars, and 20th Century Studios?