SpectroMagic being prepped for return..

[Brava Centauri]

It's amazing how mixed feelings are about both parades.

For me, I have the most nostalgia for MSEP. As an older kid, I thought Spectro was trying to be a knock-off of MSEP. I liked it, but it didn't invoke anything for me.

Honestly, I'd rather we get something completely new. Not going to happen, so yet again, we get an old parade touted as "new" as a cheap way out. At this point, it doesn't matter to me if MSEP stays or goes. It will always have a special place in my heart, but it's time to move on regardless.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Maybe they will finally retire MSEP since I don't think ANY of the resorts want it anymore. Surely they can't pawn it off to Shanghai Disneyland...

 

[Crush Dude!]

Maybe they will finally retire MSEP since I don't think ANY of the resorts want it anymore. Surely they can't pawn it off to Shanghai Disneyland...

Bit early for that anyway!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Bit early for that anyway!

I wouldn't be surprised if they just left it in storage for 3 years...Chinese tourists won't know it's not new anyway, right?

It is crazy to me that the MSEP "celebrates" its 40th birthday next month. Parades shouldn't be running for 40 years...

I wouldn't be at ALL surprised to see SpectroMagic return along with the opening of Mermaid and Beast "in time for the holidays 2012." It's smart marketing to take the attention off of Universal quickly.

 

[rodserling27]

I wouldn't be surprised if they just left it in storage for 3 years...Chinese tourists won't know it's not new anyway, right?

It is crazy to me that the MSEP "celebrates" its 40th birthday next month. Parades shouldn't be running for 40 years...

I wouldn't be at ALL surprised to see SpectroMagic return along with the opening of Mermaid and Beast "in time for the holidays 2012." It's smart marketing to take the attention off of Universal quickly.

This is my gut instinct.

 

[spectrodanny]

hard to believe MSEP turns 40 this year. and (unlkess they were rebuilt at some point, the title float,Alice the majority of the Cinderella section* and Elliot are all pushing 35 years of service
* the Staircase float (sans pixie trail) wasn't added until '85 (of you do a \youtube search for Main Street Electrcal Parade 1984 you'll see how it's pre=decessor looked (imo it lookeb more like a Dreamlights like float

 

[TTA94]

Hmm why would they be testing the floats now if they are going to wait 6 more months for the return? Can't be happeing in a matter of days though, they need to do rehearsals.

 

[rodserling27]

I am not claiming to know-it-all or to be in-the-know more than anyone else, but I have had reliable multiple sources tell me over this weekend that SpectroMagic will NOT return for Summer 2012.

But that report aside, I've been thinking about this over this weekend. Consider that Disney's summer season starts June 1...that would give them just 12 days from today to finish working on whatever they have been doing to upgrade the floats, post a casting call, audition cast members, make call-backs, re-audition them again, have rehearsals, adjust things as necessary, and then run cast previews... and give MSEP a farewell period, whatever that might be. We haven't heard of any such things happening, and I'm sure they would have leaked out by now if they were. I also don't think WDW would bring back their flagship evening parade without advance notice to the fans...i.e. something would have been at least in the Mickey Monitor for the Passholders or a big "homecoming celebration" for the summer would have been announced. They would give advance notice for people to make plans to come down to see it re-preimere, and/or bid farewell to the MSEP. I can't see WDW bringing back such an epic and popular parade without cashing in on it to the most of their abilities. Look at what they did for MSEP when it came back...everywhere you turned, there were ads for it. Even Disney Channel had advertisements for it coming back! Milk it for all its worth...and considering SpectroMagic is just about as popular, I am willing to bet a similar fanfare would be made about its re-arrival. At this point, it just seems highly improbable that SpectroMagic will make it back out on Main Street before the Summer starts. I have my bets placed by the end of this year. And to be honest, as much as I am biased towards the MSEP, I wouldn't want SpectroMagic to come back to WDW with anything less than a giant fanfare and media campaign. It deserves it, it's OUR own original night-time parade (we = WDW). Not doing so would be disappointing and would lose WDW money.

Think about when MSEP came back the first time in 1999...we found out 6 months in advance. Then when Spectro came back, we found out 6 months ahead "unofficially" and 2 months ahead of time "officially" from Disney. And lastly, when MSEP came back in 2010, we found out 4 months ahead of time. I predict a similar pattern for SpectroMagic's return. Each time one came back, it was announced months ahead of time, and well-ahead of the summer season, when Disney has its peak season.

By the way, I know folks don't think the MSEP will get a farewell period, but I disagree. It's wildly popular with countless fans, the same way Spectro is. Once MSEP leaves, we probably won't see it again for another decade, if ever, so it would only be fitting for a "glowing away" party. And if reports are correct, we may never see if roll down DCA or Disneyland ever again; even more reason to hold such a party!

Edit: And for the record, I am loving the prospect of me being able to watch MSEP on the 40th Anniversary of its premiere on June 17th, my first full day of vacation at WDW This summer

 

[Rowdy]

Forgive my ignorance, as I know nothing about parades, but, why can't they run more than one parade? Why can't say every other night switch, or late nights run both? Too expensive? Too much staff required? Too much upkeep? :shrug:

 

[CamiLyn227]

I just went on the keys to the kingdom tour this morning and our tour guide told us that spectromagic will start running again at the Magic Kingdom in 2014. Don't know if it's true but I would hope that I could believe everything the tour guide said.

 

[NewfieFan]

I just went on the keys to the kingdom tour this morning and our tour guide told us that spectromagic will start running again at the Magic Kingdom in 2014. Don't know if it's true but I would hope that I could believe everything the tour guide said.

A bit early to be testing floats for 2014, isn't it!?!

Put me in the camp of those that are wishing for Spectro's return. MSEP does nothing for me... nothing!

 

[bgraham34]

A bit early to be testing floats for 2014, isn't it!?!

Put me in the camp of those that are wishing for Spectro's return. MSEP does nothing for me... nothing!

I have to agree that it is too early for a 2014 return, unless its a monthly test or something like that.

I actually enjoy MSEP but prefer Spectromagic.

 

[scoobygirl39541]

Spectro coming back for the holiday season would totally make our trip. Really hoping this happens :xmas:

 

[menamechris]

There is no official time to bring it back yet. If it comes back this year, it would be a play to couple it with the next phase of the Fantasyland expansion opening, but I doubt they will dump all their tricks into one season. I personally think that since they opted not to bring it back for this summer, they will bring it back next year so they will have something to market and promote for 2013....

 

[mpark90]

Ohh I so hope Spectro is back soon.. I think i might cry the first time i watch it, again. I worked there for a year and whenever me and my friends felt a bit down, we'd be like 'meet at MK for spectro?' and it would cheer us right up! WE LOVE IT.. <3

 

[PeterPanFan5]

The current parade is ok, but that music just repeats over and over and over again. Give me Spectro any day -- the best parade music we've ever had in a Disney park, in my mind. Sure, you might be nostalgic for one or the other if it was the one you saw as a child. But I didn't see either parade til I was an adult, and Spectro is superior in every way.

 

[wsmith1978]

Though we have no idea what this news means, it's still very exciting. I adore both parades, but being that this was the first parade I ever saw at WDW, it holds a very special place in my heart and I cannot wait to see it again. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this news means we will see it return soon to Main Street!

 

[montyz81]

MSEP is definitely not a BAD parade, but for me it just lacks the nostalgia of Spectromagic (I don't think I was alive to see it first time around, whilst I have distinct memories of seeing (and hearing) it on my first trip back in 1998. My 6-year-old self was amazed!)

I really REALLY hope it's coming back. All signs point to a yes, but you never know with Disney... Oh, and thanks for getting the Spectromagic tune in my head! 'Glimmering, shimmering, carouselling...' :lol:

Sorry, MSEP screams nostalgia.

 

[sgtmgd]

Thats Big News..

I concur with a few others that using both parades would be better than cycling through them years at a time...adding a new float hear and there would seem to ba a good investment. I really enjoyed seeing the EP in January..seeing Petes Dragon again touched a very fond memory( my dad passed away 2 years ago this month) and I have very fond memories of us watching those parades at Disney.

 

[NoChesterHester]

Sorry, MSEP screams nostalgia.

And old...