New Magic Kingdom Parade in the Works for 2013?

[steve2wdw]

I don't know specifics. A friend who is in the tech department at MK has told me that they are upgrading the entire parade route this year and a new parade will start in 2014.

My daughters boyfriend works for a company in Boston that makes audio speakers, and he told me that Disney placed a LARGE order last September. The company he works for makes speakers for Cambridge Soundworks and others. Hadn't heard anymore since then, but maybe this is what some of it is for. (He said the order was for close to 10,000 speakers of various sizes....everything from subs to tweets). While a new parade (and parade route) would use just a fraction of that number, I've noticed lots of sound issues throughout all the parks. Some of this order could be heading to DL too.....

 

[Magenta Panther]

I've been griping a lot about WDW lately, but I have to say that when it comes to live shows, Disney owns everybody else. I saw the new Universal fireworks/water show last December, and it was pretty neat, but was it Wishes or Magic, the Memories, etc.? HECK no. And the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas parade is just amazing. I saw it with friends last year and they were absolutely blown away by it. Lavish and fun and magical...it's just everything Disney. So, while I'll miss SpectroMagic, I'm eager to see what new parade Disney comes up with. It could be freaking amazing. I hope so.

 

[aladdin2007]

I don't know specifics. A friend who is in the tech department at MK has told me that they are upgrading the entire parade route this year and a new parade will start in 2014.

Hopefully it will be worth the wait then, at least they are doing some upgrades first which will be better in the long run. IF the budget doesnt get destroyed before then for the parade itself. If Holmes can save a buck and look good he will do it.

 

[Jose]

I don't know specifics. A friend who is in the tech department at MK has told me that they are upgrading the entire parade route this year and a new parade will start in 2014.

I hope so

 

[jrh1985]

Hopefully it will be worth the wait then, at least they are doing some upgrades first which will be better in the long run. IF the budget doesnt get destroyed before then for the parade itself. If Holmes can save a buck and look good he will do it.

Last year when the parade rumors were going around, there were no rumors of upgrading the parade route so maybe someone else is overseeing the project? George??? Davidson?? I’m impressed that the rumors of upgrading the parade route is out there but is it needed? They have lighting on MS for the parties and the sound is fine.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Last year when the parade rumors were going around, there were no rumors of upgrading the parade route so maybe someone else is overseeing the project? George??? Davidson?? I’m impressed that the rumors of upgrading the parade route is out there but is it needed? They have lighting on MS for the parties and the sound is fine.

Steve Davison as always been in charge of the new MK day parade - he's in charge of all new parades worldwide. A few years back, the plan was for DL's Parade of Dreams to move to WDW (like Block Party did), but the MK's parade route could not handle the tech needed to present that show. New audio/lighting and backstage infrastructure was required, which TDO was not willing to pay for. As a result, POD never went to the MK.

For a brand new parade to open, they have to make basic improvements to their route to bring it up to date. I guess they finally bit the bullet so they could get a brand new parade. If they were smart and not just into burning piles of money for no reason, they would have paid for the upgrades and gotten a new-to-them parade (POD) for free. Now they have to upgrade their route and pay for an all-new parade. The mind truly reels from a cost-savings perspective, which they seem so hellbent on doing.

 

[jrh1985]

Steve Davison as always been in charge of the new MK day parade - he's in charge of all new parades worldwide. A few years back, the plan was for DL's Parade of Dreams to move to WDW (like Block Party did), but the MK's parade route could not handle the tech needed to present that show. New audio/lighting and backstage infrastructure was required, which TDO was not willing to pay for. As a result, POD never went to the MK.

For a brand new parade to open, they have to make basic improvements to their route to bring it up to date. I guess they finally bit the bullet so they could get a brand new parade. If they were smart and not just into burning piles of money for no reason, they would have paid for the upgrades and gotten a new-to-them parade (POD) for free. Now they have to upgrade their route and pay for an all-new parade. The mind truly reels from a cost-savings perspective, which they seem so hellbent on doing.

I always knew Steve was doing MK's Day Parade. I guess I was asking if Holmes had less pull all of the sudden, If WDW's new Pres was starting to pull, if Steve was pulling more...

Thanks for all the info you gave! I guess I'm not up on the latest Parade Guidelines. I can see new lights for POD, but audio? How is POD different than CADCT, MSEP 2010, CTM?

You seem to know a lot about POD in MK. Was MK thinking of dropping the night parade back then??????????

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I always knew Steve was doing MK's Day Parade. I guess I was asking if Holmes had less pull all of the sudden, If WDW's new Pres was starting to pull, if Steve was pulling more...

Thanks for all the info you gave! I guess I'm not up on the latest Parade Guidelines. I can see new lights for POD, but audio? How is POD different than CADCT, MSEP 2010, CTM?

You seem to know a lot about POD in MK. Was MK thinking of dropping the night parade back then??????????

No idea about dropping the night parade. As I understand it (and this could be wrong), the new parades just require more sophisticated equipment. WDW's parade audio systems probably haven't been updated in some time, and audio tech makes great leaps and bounds on a regular basis. It's no stretch of the imagination to think that Davison and his team want upgraded sound for their sparkling new shows.

 

[Jose]

But... when are they going to improve the parade route?

 

[Nmoody1]

Any chance they are hoping to buy in bulk - upgrading their parade route at the same time as purchasing stuff for Shanghai - making a nice discount?

 

[midwest_mice]

I am normally not a complainer on here. I finally watched the afternoon parade last week after not seeing it for a few years. I have to say, it was a disapointment. To start out, the beginning of the parade had about a dozen or so charecters walking which I remember last seeing them on a float. The parade was very short. That evening I caught MSEP and was still impressed with how many floats are in that parade. Really hope a new daytime one comes soon

 

[Nmoody1]

I am normally not a complainer on here. I finally watched the afternoon parade last week after not seeing it for a few years. I have to say, it was a disapointment. To start out, the beginning of the parade had about a dozen or so charecters walking which I remember last seeing them on a float. The parade was very short. That evening I caught MSEP and was still impressed with how many floats are in that parade. Really hope a new daytime one comes soon

I don't think it's always a bad thing to have characters walking the parade route. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for more floats with characters on, but my issue is the characters that do walk the parade route spend more time dancing when I think they should interact more with viewers along the route.

My other issue with Disney parades are all the dancers - id much rather a few more characters rather than all these boring dancers - I agree some dancers are needed, but given the Florida heat they cant do all that much dancing - more stilt walkers, ribbon twirlers and them bungee people like the marionettes on the Pinocchio float would create more atmosphere.

 

[JEANYLASER]

yeah me too! We have to wait this new parade for next year to be official!

 

[puntagordabob]

Hope the new parade is AT LEAST on par with Soundsational.... that parade impressed the heck out of me... awesome flaots....awesome music...all around super daytime parade.

 

[MarkTwain]

A person who is apparently a parade cast member posted the following on another Disney forum about Spectro:

- Spectro has been moved from its old location in parade storage behind Splash Mountain into a larger storage building, near where they keep all of the holiday decorations off of Facilities Way.

- It is absolutely heartbreaking to see how rotten, decayed, and termite-eaten the floats have become. So much so, that 75% of the floats are completely unable to be driven.

- The only floats that are still somewhat in working condition are Mickey's Cape float, the title float, the Spectromen's Whirlyballs (though I'm not sure about all four pods, I know at least two are okay), and both of the Whirly Fish pods.

- Nearly all of the parade budget is being put into MiSiCi so they do not have what would be needed to update/fix Spectro.

- As of last week, Disney has brought in an antique specialist who focuses exclusively on repairing antiques into working/operable condition. I don't know what was said during the meeting, nor the outcome.

On the last note, the resources Disney has to spend merely to correct their own lack of upkeep is astounding.

 

[Joseph Robinson]

- As of last week, Disney has brought in an antique specialist who focuses exclusively on repairing antiques into working/operable condition. I don't know what was said during the meeting, nor the outcome.

Super small ray of hope?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Well it sounds as though Spetro really is done for, and if that's the case I guess we'll be seeing $50 bulbs for sale in MK soon for collectors (complete with certificate of authenticity!).

 

[RandomPrincess]

MiSiCi? I can't figure out that stands for?

 

[jrh1985]

MiSiCi? I can't figure out that stands for?

Move It Shake It Celebrate It Street Party. Also, is it really true that Spectos budget is going to MISICI???? What do they need the money for? I would love to see MK use the money for CADCT rather than expand MISICI and having it take over CADCT which is what I'm worried about. This is just me, I have no inside information on this.

 

[djlaosc]

MiSiCi? I can't figure out that stands for?

Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It?