I was five years old the first time I ever went to Disneyland. Cinderella told me “Look for me in the parade! I will blow you a kiss!” As the sparkling lights of Cinderella’s coach in appeared, my Dad stood me up and there she was! Cinderella looked right at me and blew me a kiss. That is the magic of Disney. That is the reason I love the Electrical Parade.
"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-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"
During various trips to Disney, this parade was always around. It became a highlight. However, in 1996, it left and was sent to Florida for 5 years. It came back to CA to help open the new California Adventure park in 2001. Jacque and I went for our senior trip and were almost in tears when we finally saw it again. I have seen it a hundred times since then and it will always be my most favorite parade.
Last year, it was revamped in anticipation of heading to Florida once again. The Blue Fairy was replaced by Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. Pixie dust was added to all the floats. The Dwarf mine and Pleasure Island floats from the 
original Main Street parade were returned. The music was “modernized” and hip-hop dancing donkeys were added. Alice's caterpillar has a digital face- much like Buzz Lightyear's in Buzz Astro Blasters. I've only seen the "new" Electrical Parade three times, including it's last run......
LAST RUN, FAREWELL EP!
April 18th was the Electrical Parade's last run in California Adventure. If and when it comes back to CA, it will more than likely be moved to Disneyland, it's original home. Janelle and I, of course, were in DCA (Disney's California Adventure) for it's last show. Anticipating 
huge crowds, I got there at 2pm- that's 7 hours of waiting! Fortunately, there weren't any "campers" yet, so I got first pick. So, I'm part of Disney history as the first person to sit and start camping out for the final run of EP 
(Electrical Parade) in DCA =p What, it was a nice day and I had a good book! Janelle was able to join me around 5pm and we watched DCA's other parade, Pixar Play Parade, go by. Then we took turns getting food and using the restrooms 
before EP finally started. We were ecstatic and sad all at the same time. The Cast Members brought their A game and did a fantastic final run. We will miss you Electrical Parade! Take care of it Florida!!
2 comments:
So magical. I wish we could go to Disneyland more. THat is so neat that you got to see that parade's last run!
:) That was a fun trip that you and I had...almost 9 years ago now! Sheesh, we are old! I think the reason that I have such fond memories of Disneyland is because it was one of the few aspects of my childhood where I remember us all travelling together as a family when my parents were still together...and they were happy. The smells and sounds of the park always make me feel at home. Hopefully the parade will come back to Disneyland in the near future so my kids can experience it there.
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