So from what i have been told, and have posted elsewhere in relation to this topic -
Team Anaheim swore up and down that Orlando would 'never again' get to borrow the MSEP for a future run due to WDW's poor treatment and lack of maintenance of the Parade units.
WDW ran the Parade for a few years a while back, and maintenance to the units was the bare minimum.
When the units were returned to Disneyland in CA a couple of years ago for it's prior 'finale run', their condition was appallingly bad.
So bad, that a few MSEP units had to be permanently retired right then and there and have never been seen since.
Thus why the Parade was so short in length these last two runs at the Park.
Flash forward to today, with concerns about 'Galaxy's Edge' not being the attendence driver as expected, and other issues.
Management has been in a panic and there have been some desperation moves happening over the last few months in an attempt to attract Guests back in droves.
Re-running the MSEP this Summer at DLR was one such move.
The following insight below was originally provided by
@Disnerd2003 -
I have written things in my own words, so this is not a direct quote....but it covers what he stated in another now deleted thread :
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Because of internal issues within the Parks division and a desire to prevent a certain high ranking Company leader's job from being forfeited, there has been talk about sending the MSEP back to Florida for WDW's 50th....despite TDA's protesting to keep it 'home' and safe.
Mr. Chapek is apparently insisting, to enable WDW to play the 'retro' card and attract Guests during the Anniversary promotion.
TDO has promised to take better care of the Parade this time around, but TDA has no real say since Chapek has ordered this to happen.
It's his job that's on the line apparently, and this is a attempt to 'save face'.
Currently, the Parade is being repaired and 'patched up' after this Summer's run at Disneyland Park in preparation for shipping to Florida.
Some of the smaller elements have been said to already be on Property.
Once all of the Parade units get to Florida, it will remain there and run until the end of the 50th celebration and then 'that's it'.
The Parade will then be officially retired, and elements will be sent back to CA to be archived.
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Okay, back to my own thoughts -
Now. whether or not that all does indeed happen...we shall see.
Things are ALWAYS changing when it comes to stuff like this.
One minute, it's fact and it's happening - the next minute, things have changed and it's not.
So only time will tell.
I thought it would be good to get this out there now, since i am as surprised as anyone to learn this considering what i was told about Anaheim's disgust in the MSEP's treatment in Florida.
But with all the drama going on internally, it should'nt surprise me considering the crazier stuff that Disney has done in recent years.
I personally would rather the Parade stay 'home' in CA, and that is coming from a huge fan of this Parade who lives on the East Coast. ( not a fan of the current soundtrack, however...blecchh. 70s soundtrack, please....).
WDW should have instead invested in a ALL NEW nighttime light parade as i've stated before, and it's a shame they didn't feel a need to do so.
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