Paint the Night Parade to end this Fall

[VJ]

It actually IS falling apart, or at least the costumes are. My rebel spies inform me that the PTN costumes have been extremely problematic from the start, even after they supposedly learned from the original PTN in Hong Kong. There is a big problem institutionally with many new costumes that are more sophisticated than traditional parade or meet-and-greet characters. Management just cannot understand or plan for the costs involved, from Marvel super heroes to Star Wars to PTN.

There are nights when there aren't enough PTN costumes in some parade units for a full cast. Similarly, the lack of electronic components means that some Star Wars Launch Bay characters go out without the ability to talk (mostly Chewbaccas, due to prioritization). Before Super Hero HQ closed, the Thor costumes were on a death watch because they were deteriorating so badly. Now it's the Spider-Man suits that are most stressed.

I realize it's a tired cliche to opine about "what Walt would have done", but I think it's fair to say that current management's "just good enough" mentality falls short of the standard he set.

PTN is going to be around for a while--they have to recoup their investment in the floats. The three main entertainment offerings for the 60th were only ever scheduled to run year-round for about 18 months. Disney is cynically calculating that guests will still pay exorbitant entrance fees to see ANY water show or fireworks in the off season.

I appreciate (and welcome!) the behind-the-scenes perspective, as you could probably tell I didn't know about the parade literally falling apart; that's sad to hear.

I do agree about what Walt would have done; while we shouldn't stick 100% to what exactly he would do in any given situation, considering we'd be using the mindset of a man that hasn't been alive since 1966, I think Disney would do good to adapt my favorite quote of his:
"Well, I think by this time my staff, my young group of executives, and everything else, are convinced that Walt is right. That quality will out. And so I think they're going to stay with that policy because it's proved that it's a good business policy. Give the people everything you can give them. Keep the place as clean as you can keep it. Keep it friendly, you know. Make it a real fun place to be. I think they're convinced and I think they'll hang on after... as you say... well... after Disney."

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

I appreciate (and welcome!) the behind-the-scenes perspective, as you could probably tell I didn't know about the parade literally falling apart; that's sad to hear.

I do agree about what Walt would have done; while we shouldn't stick 100% to what exactly he would do in any given situation, considering we'd be using the mindset of a man that hasn't been alive since 1966, I think Disney would do good to adapt my favorite quote of his:
"Well, I think by this time my staff, my young group of executives, and everything else, are convinced that Walt is right. That quality will out. And so I think they're going to stay with that policy because it's proved that it's a good business policy. Give the people everything you can give them. Keep the place as clean as you can keep it. Keep it friendly, you know. Make it a real fun place to be. I think they're convinced and I think they'll hang on after... as you say... well... after Disney."

Couldn't agree with you more about Walt. I think he would never have allowed DCA 1.0. And he would never have allowed the quality to slip, Wall St. analysts be damned.

 

[mikenatcity1]

I think it is funny how soon everyone forgets that DL is going into its off season mode with shorter hours and the private halloween party. We typically don't get a nighttime parade and big fireworks during the off season. Let them referb the parade so it will be running great again in the spring.

I'll be honest- i've been going to DL a lot during the diamond celebration and forgot what it was like in off-season with no parade and nighttime entertainment. I'm going for a week mid-September and was crushed when PtN wasn't going to be running (watched it on my wedding day last year as a way to end the night and wanted to do the same on our 1st anniversary)...I forgot to switch mindset from WDW to DL

I sure hope the parade stays with DL long term!

 

[Figments Friend]

A co-worker who is a big Parks fan was asking me about the rumors regarding PTN moving East.
We often 'compare notes' regarding Park rumors the few times we see each other in the workplace, as he has a few friends who work for the Company and I have my own 'connections'.

I told him from what I had heard, it's not happening any time soon and DLR is keeping it.
He had a friend who works in one of the Orlando Imagineering teams tell him otherwise....
When said co-worker asked this fellow what their chances were for seeing PTN during their upcoming February visit to WDW, said Imagineer seemed to imply he had a pretty good chance and to quote ' ...you have nothing to worry about'.

I don't fully beleive it myself ( my most recent impression was it was staying at DLR to run seasonally for Holiday and then next Summer ).
I can however see PTN eventually moving East at some point in the future.
It just seems to be what Disney does long term...ship 'old parades' East after good use on the West Coast.

-

 

[VJ]

A co-worker who is a big Parks fan was asking me about the rumors regarding PTN moving East.
We often 'compare notes' regarding Park rumors the few times we see each other in the workplace, as he has a few friends who work for the Company and I have my own 'connections'.

I told him from what I had heard, it's not happening any time soon and DLR is keeping it.
He had a friend who works in one of the Orlando Imagineering teams tell him otherwise....
When said co-worker asked this fellow what their chances were for seeing PTN during their upcoming February visit to WDW, said Imagineer seemed to imply he had a pretty good chance and to quote ' ...you have nothing to worry about'.

I don't fully beleive it myself ( my most recent impression was it was staying at DLR to run seasonally for Holiday and then next Summer ).
I can however see PTN eventually moving East at some point in the future.
It just seems to be what Disney does long term...ship 'old parades' East after good use on the West Coast.

-

Disney has only said it's returning in the winter. I've heard what you've heard from friends-of-friends but I'm still not sure whether to believe it which is why I haven't mentioned it.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Disney management lost a significant amount of credibility by bringing the MSEP back to DL after declaring that it would never return, and now there's a chance that PTN may not run at DL at all the foreseeable future after the MSEP run begins? Dumb.

This is one of those few instances where I'm sitting here scratching my head in confusion wondering what the hell Disney management is thinking. Why can't they just build a clone of PTN for the MK? What good does it do for their customers and their brand to continue running the ancient MSEP, bopping it around to different Disney parks across the US?

 

[brb1006]

Disney management a lost significant amount of credibility by bringing the MSEP back to DL after declaring that it would never return, and now there's a chance that PTN may not run at DL at all the foreseeable future after the MSEP run begins? Dumb.

This is one of those few instances where I'm sitting here scratching my head in confusion wondering what the hell Disney management is thinking. Why can't they just build a clone of PTN for the MK? What good does it do for their customers and their brand to continue running the ancient MSEP, bopping it around to different Disney parks across the US?

And some don't event want a PTN clone at MK in WDW.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

And some don't event want a PTN clone at MK in WDW.

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

The PTN floats are stunning. The PTN costumes are falling apart. My rebel spies report that the costumes have been problematic from day one. PTN is really expensive to run and maintain. They will need the time from Labor Day to Thanksgiving for overdue maintenance. Things are breaking.

Bringing back MSEP is puzzling. I'm told the floats have been better maintained by WDW since the early days when it was down there. It's possible it will be theoretically cheaper to run during the off season. But I'm not sure if that holds even with the cost of shipping and new training at DLR.

The fireworks are much easier--Fantasy in the Sky is much cheaper than Disneyland Forever. It does not require additional costs.

The parade thing is puzzling. Housing five parades, staging the costumes, and selecting and training performers, techs, parade aides, and costuming is a big undertaking.

I'm having a hard time seeing the justification for this.

 

[Figments Friend]

As everyone reading probably already knows, the current version of 'Disney's Electrical Parade' that has been running at WDW was formally known as Disneyland's 'Main Street Electrical Parade'.
They are two different parades in some respects, even though they share floats ( though altered ).
So in managements eyes, the Parade being brought back West from WDW is the version that once ran at DCA and not the 'original' version that once ran at Disneyland Park
That classic incarnation of the Parade was sent off into retirement with a splashy marketing campaign - aka the 'glowing away forever' Finale Season.
Thus, they are still ahearing to said marketing campaign promise....the original 'classic MSEP' DID ' glow away' and ended its original format run at Disneyland in 1996.
That was the last time those non-tampered with floats ran that route, in that particular Park, with that original 1970s classic soundtrack.

After that, the Parade went elsewhere ( DCA for a stint, then WDW ) and was eventually changed - those original Disneyland MSEP floats were 'improved' upon by adding swirling 'pixie dust', and the far inferior ( in my opinion ) 'fake' MSEP theme music replaced the original soundtrack.
Light upgrades were also made ( LEDs ) and a new Tinker Bell float started the Parade instead of the traditionally used Blue Fairy unit.

So technically, when you take all those changes into considerations, the 'Electrical Parade' coming to DIsneyland Park is 'new'....as that 'updated' ( tampered with ) version has never run on Main Street. It ran at DCA, but not Disneyland Park...so...there's the loophole to get around the 'glowing away forever' campaign promise.


So from their perspective, they are not going back on their word when they said the MSEP proper ( in its original guise ) was 'glowing away' in 1996.
It DID indeed go away forever...in its classic, original form.
Now we have the inferior 'improved' version.


Not trying to justify the decision, just wanted to point out that the 'finale season lie' some folks keep bringing up is not a 'lie' in some respects, considering how different the two versions of the Parade are.
This might be how management is viewing it.

In a nutshell -
Classic 'Main Street Electrical Parade' -
Floats in original form ( non-tampered with, no 'pixie dust' embellishments )
Original 1970s parade music
Blue Fairy leads the parade

Modern 'Disney's Electrical Parade' -
Floats 'updated' with 'pixie dust' embellishements and LED lights.
'Fake' recreation of original parade soundtrack ( ala 'Dreamlights' )
New float with Tinker Belle leads the parade

Two different parades.....from a certain point of view....
Perhaps a Management point of view....



Just something I have been meaning to bring up, since I see the topic come up.

-

What would be great...but I highly doubt they would do it -
Run the current 'Disney's Elecrical Parade' with its original MSEP soundtrack.
Dump the lame 'fake' recreation and bring on the straight up glorious 1970s music from the original!
It probably won't happen....but it would be nice if it did.
Not a fan of the 'updated' version.

-

 

[Deleted member 107043]

As everyone reading probably already knows, the current version of 'Disney's Electrical Parade' that has been running at WDW was formally known as Disneyland's 'Main Street Electrical Parade'.
They are two different parades in some respects, even though they share floats ( though altered ).
So in managements eyes, the Parade being brought back West from WDW is the version that once ran at DCA and not the 'original' version that once ran at Disneyland Park
That classic incarnation of the Parade was sent off into retirement with a splashy marketing campaign - aka the 'glowing away forever' Finale Season.
Thus, they are still ahearing to said marketing campaign promise....the original 'classic MSEP' DID ' glow away' and ended its original format run at Disneyland in 1996.
That was the last time those non-tampered with floats ran that route, in that particular Park, with that original 1970s classic soundtrack.

After that, the Parade went elsewhere ( DCA for a stint, then WDW ) and was eventually changed - those original Disneyland MSEP floats were 'improved' upon by adding swirling 'pixie dust', and the far inferior ( in my opinion ) 'fake' MSEP theme music replaced the original soundtrack.
Light upgrades were also made ( LEDs ) and a new Tinker Bell float started the Parade instead of the traditionally used Blue Fairy unit.

So technically, when you take all those changes into considerations, the 'Electrical Parade' coming to DIsneyland Park is 'new'....as that 'updated' ( tampered with ) version has never run on Main Street. It ran at DCA, but not Disneyland Park...so...there's the loophole to get around the 'glowing away forever' campaign promise.


So from their perspective, they are not going back on their word when they said the MSEP proper ( in its original guise ) was 'glowing away' in 1996.
It DID indeed go away forever...in its classic, original form.
Now we have the inferior 'improved' version.


Not trying to justify the decision, just wanted to point out that the 'finale season lie' some folks keep bringing up is not a 'lie' in some respects, considering how different the two versions of the Parade are.
This might be how management is viewing it.

In a nutshell -
Classic 'Main Street Electrical Parade' -
Floats in original form ( non-tampered with, no 'pixie dust' embellishments )
Original 1970s parade music
Blue Fairy leads the parade

Modern 'Disney's Electrical Parade' -
Floats 'updated' with 'pixie dust' embellishements and LED lights.
'Fake' recreation of original parade soundtrack ( ala 'Dreamlights' )
New float with Tinker Belle leads the parade

Two different parades.....from a certain point of view....
Perhaps a Management point of view....



Just something I have been meaning to bring up, since I see the topic come up.

-

What would be great...but I highly doubt they would do it -
Run the current 'Disney's Elecrical Parade' with its original MSEP soundtrack.
Dump the lame 'fake' recreation and bring on the straight up glorious 1970s music from the original!
It probably won't happen....but it would be nice if it did.
Not a fan of the 'updated' version.

-

Meh.

 

[Phroobar]

As everyone reading probably already knows, the current version of 'Disney's Electrical Parade' that has been running at WDW was formally known as Disneyland's 'Main Street Electrical Parade'.
They are two different parades in some respects, even though they share floats ( though altered ).
So in managements eyes, the Parade being brought back West from WDW is the version that once ran at DCA and not the 'original' version that once ran at Disneyland Park
That classic incarnation of the Parade was sent off into retirement with a splashy marketing campaign - aka the 'glowing away forever' Finale Season.
Thus, they are still ahearing to said marketing campaign promise....the original 'classic MSEP' DID ' glow away' and ended its original format run at Disneyland in 1996.
That was the last time those non-tampered with floats ran that route, in that particular Park, with that original 1970s classic soundtrack.

After that, the Parade went elsewhere ( DCA for a stint, then WDW ) and was eventually changed - those original Disneyland MSEP floats were 'improved' upon by adding swirling 'pixie dust', and the far inferior ( in my opinion ) 'fake' MSEP theme music replaced the original soundtrack.
Light upgrades were also made ( LEDs ) and a new Tinker Bell float started the Parade instead of the traditionally used Blue Fairy unit.

So technically, when you take all those changes into considerations, the 'Electrical Parade' coming to DIsneyland Park is 'new'....as that 'updated' ( tampered with ) version has never run on Main Street. It ran at DCA, but not Disneyland Park...so...there's the loophole to get around the 'glowing away forever' campaign promise.


So from their perspective, they are not going back on their word when they said the MSEP proper ( in its original guise ) was 'glowing away' in 1996.
It DID indeed go away forever...in its classic, original form.
Now we have the inferior 'improved' version.


Not trying to justify the decision, just wanted to point out that the 'finale season lie' some folks keep bringing up is not a 'lie' in some respects, considering how different the two versions of the Parade are.
This might be how management is viewing it.

In a nutshell -
Classic 'Main Street Electrical Parade' -
Floats in original form ( non-tampered with, no 'pixie dust' embellishments )
Original 1970s parade music
Blue Fairy leads the parade

Modern 'Disney's Electrical Parade' -
Floats 'updated' with 'pixie dust' embellishements and LED lights.
'Fake' recreation of original parade soundtrack ( ala 'Dreamlights' )
New float with Tinker Belle leads the parade

Two different parades.....from a certain point of view....
Perhaps a Management point of view....



Just something I have been meaning to bring up, since I see the topic come up.

-

What would be great...but I highly doubt they would do it -
Run the current 'Disney's Elecrical Parade' with its original MSEP soundtrack.
Dump the lame 'fake' recreation and bring on the straight up glorious 1970s music from the original!
It probably won't happen....but it would be nice if it did.
Not a fan of the 'updated' version.

-

I don't like long posts that repeat themselves over and over again. Long posts that keep repeating themselves are something I don't like. Who would want to read a long post that repeats itself. Over and over again long posts repeat I like not. To sum it up, long posts that repeat I don't like.

 

[brb1006]

As everyone reading probably already knows, the current version of 'Disney's Electrical Parade' that has been running at WDW was formally known as Disneyland's 'Main Street Electrical Parade'.
They are two different parades in some respects, even though they share floats ( though altered ).
So in managements eyes, the Parade being brought back West from WDW is the version that once ran at DCA and not the 'original' version that once ran at Disneyland Park
That classic incarnation of the Parade was sent off into retirement with a splashy marketing campaign - aka the 'glowing away forever' Finale Season.
Thus, they are still ahearing to said marketing campaign promise....the original 'classic MSEP' DID ' glow away' and ended its original format run at Disneyland in 1996.
That was the last time those non-tampered with floats ran that route, in that particular Park, with that original 1970s classic soundtrack.

After that, the Parade went elsewhere ( DCA for a stint, then WDW ) and was eventually changed - those original Disneyland MSEP floats were 'improved' upon by adding swirling 'pixie dust', and the far inferior ( in my opinion ) 'fake' MSEP theme music replaced the original soundtrack.
Light upgrades were also made ( LEDs ) and a new Tinker Bell float started the Parade instead of the traditionally used Blue Fairy unit.

So technically, when you take all those changes into considerations, the 'Electrical Parade' coming to DIsneyland Park is 'new'....as that 'updated' ( tampered with ) version has never run on Main Street. It ran at DCA, but not Disneyland Park...so...there's the loophole to get around the 'glowing away forever' campaign promise.


So from their perspective, they are not going back on their word when they said the MSEP proper ( in its original guise ) was 'glowing away' in 1996.
It DID indeed go away forever...in its classic, original form.
Now we have the inferior 'improved' version.


Not trying to justify the decision, just wanted to point out that the 'finale season lie' some folks keep bringing up is not a 'lie' in some respects, considering how different the two versions of the Parade are.
This might be how management is viewing it.

In a nutshell -
Classic 'Main Street Electrical Parade' -
Floats in original form ( non-tampered with, no 'pixie dust' embellishments )
Original 1970s parade music
Blue Fairy leads the parade

Modern 'Disney's Electrical Parade' -
Floats 'updated' with 'pixie dust' embellishements and LED lights.
'Fake' recreation of original parade soundtrack ( ala 'Dreamlights' )
New float with Tinker Belle leads the parade

Two different parades.....from a certain point of view....
Perhaps a Management point of view....



Just something I have been meaning to bring up, since I see the topic come up.

-

What would be great...but I highly doubt they would do it -
Run the current 'Disney's Elecrical Parade' with its original MSEP soundtrack.
Dump the lame 'fake' recreation and bring on the straight up glorious 1970s music from the original!
It probably won't happen....but it would be nice if it did.
Not a fan of the 'updated' version.

-

I wouldn't call the Dreamlights music "fake" since that music was originally exclusive to the Tokyo version but more updated.

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

As everyone reading probably already knows, the current version of 'Disney's Electrical Parade' that has been running at WDW was formally known as Disneyland's 'Main Street Electrical Parade'.
They are two different parades in some respects, even though they share floats ( though altered ).
So in managements eyes, the Parade being brought back West from WDW is the version that once ran at DCA and not the 'original' version that once ran at Disneyland Park
That classic incarnation of the Parade was sent off into retirement with a splashy marketing campaign - aka the 'glowing away forever' Finale Season.
Thus, they are still ahearing to said marketing campaign promise....the original 'classic MSEP' DID ' glow away' and ended its original format run at Disneyland in 1996.
That was the last time those non-tampered with floats ran that route, in that particular Park, with that original 1970s classic soundtrack.

After that, the Parade went elsewhere ( DCA for a stint, then WDW ) and was eventually changed - those original Disneyland MSEP floats were 'improved' upon by adding swirling 'pixie dust', and the far inferior ( in my opinion ) 'fake' MSEP theme music replaced the original soundtrack.
Light upgrades were also made ( LEDs ) and a new Tinker Bell float started the Parade instead of the traditionally used Blue Fairy unit.

So technically, when you take all those changes into considerations, the 'Electrical Parade' coming to DIsneyland Park is 'new'....as that 'updated' ( tampered with ) version has never run on Main Street. It ran at DCA, but not Disneyland Park...so...there's the loophole to get around the 'glowing away forever' campaign promise.


So from their perspective, they are not going back on their word when they said the MSEP proper ( in its original guise ) was 'glowing away' in 1996.
It DID indeed go away forever...in its classic, original form.
Now we have the inferior 'improved' version.


Not trying to justify the decision, just wanted to point out that the 'finale season lie' some folks keep bringing up is not a 'lie' in some respects, considering how different the two versions of the Parade are.
This might be how management is viewing it.

In a nutshell -
Classic 'Main Street Electrical Parade' -
Floats in original form ( non-tampered with, no 'pixie dust' embellishments )
Original 1970s parade music
Blue Fairy leads the parade

Modern 'Disney's Electrical Parade' -
Floats 'updated' with 'pixie dust' embellishements and LED lights.
'Fake' recreation of original parade soundtrack ( ala 'Dreamlights' )
New float with Tinker Belle leads the parade

Two different parades.....from a certain point of view....
Perhaps a Management point of view....



Just something I have been meaning to bring up, since I see the topic come up.

-

What would be great...but I highly doubt they would do it -
Run the current 'Disney's Elecrical Parade' with its original MSEP soundtrack.
Dump the lame 'fake' recreation and bring on the straight up glorious 1970s music from the original!
It probably won't happen....but it would be nice if it did.
Not a fan of the 'updated' version.

-

Regardless of the repeats, I largely agree. You left out the Circus unit and the audience favorite the King Lion from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Your point is taken--it's not the original. I saw it last year with my nephews. Their dad and I had been telling them how great it was. They were not impressed.

 

[brb1006]

Regardless of the repeats, I largely agree. You left out the Circus unit and the audience favorite the King Lion from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Your point is taken--it's not the original. I saw it last year with my nephews. Their dad and I had been telling them how great it was. They were not impressed.

The dumbo unit even gotten new music but remains unused.

 

[Figments Friend]

Apologies for the rather 'repetitive' post earlier gang.....part of it was done for humor, but part of it was also simply because of the fact i was typing it waaay too late at night.
Note to self - Don't post after 1am !


Ya'all got the point regardless


While most consider it the same Parade ( and it is, in some respects...) Management might view it as being 'different enough' from it's original incarnation to run it again as 'new' for Disneyland.

I think it's nice that it's coming back to the Park, but to me this is a surprise considering how much was invested in 'Paint The Night'.

-

 

[brb1006]

Apologies for the rather 'repetitive' post earlier gang.....part of it was done for humor, but part of it was also simply because of the fact i was typing it waaay too late at night.
Note to self - Don't post after 1am !


Ya'all got the point regardless


While most consider it the same Parade ( and it is, in some respects...) Management might view it as being 'different enough' from it's original incarnation to run it again as 'new' for Disneyland.

I think it's nice that it's coming back to the Park, but to me this is a surprise considering how much was invested in 'Paint The Night'.

-

I know that late night feeling. Why is it always that some forum members like me appear to be more active at night compared to the day?

 

[Darkbeer1]

As I understand it...

The MSEP floats will stay in Florida short term, to allow the Florida staff to work on them, make repairs, plus some needed adjustments to make them work (fit) on the Disneyland parade route.

Paint The Night stays in Anaheim and used during peak times at least though the end of 2016 (though less times than prior years in regards to when it will run, basically not much between Labor Day and the end of 2016, part of this will be based on attendance impact review.

Then in 2017, Disney will decide when to move the two floats, with the key period being Easter/Spring Break. Do they keep Paint the Night in Anaheim until after Easter, or switch them in January.

But summer of 2017 only MSEP will be offered.

Of course, the current "Disney Think" which is based out of Florida is looking at the costs and benefits, as they always do.

I do know that some Florida folks have recently visited the Parade barn checking out the condition of the floats and seeing what type of work will be needed to fix them, and if adjustments would be needed "if" they move them to WDW...

 

[Deleted member 107043]

But summer of 2017 only MSEP will be offered.

Of course, the current "Disney Think" which is based out of Florida is looking at the costs and benefits, as they always do

This is the complete opposite of what MiceChat reported this week (emphasis mine):

" As currently planned, Paint The Night isn’t going anywhere. But to stick around at Disneyland for another decade, it will require a thorough refurbishment and a re-evaluation of the costumes and choreography to make it safer for 75+ Cast Members to perform twice per night."

"But don’t think those WDW execs wouldn’t love to get their hands on Anaheim’s Paint The Night as a cheap and easy way to offer a new parade in the future, but thus far TDA has dug in its heels and refused that request. The newly autonomous executives in Anaheim finally have the direct report to the Parks Chairman without a senior executive middleman based in Orlando, so the appeal from Orlando has to go directly to Bob Chapek."