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New Parade Features
One of The Largest Gatherings of Disney Characters Ever
The all-new "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams" highlights many classic Disney stories and characters that have contributed to the magic of Disneyland over the past five decades. With two afternoon performances each day during the 18-month long celebration, "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams" is delighting audiences of all ages.
Combining heart-warming Disney moments and beloved characters with visually stunning floats, timeless tunes and energetic performers, the parade is unlike any previous Disneyland parade spectacular, in scope and presentation. Produced under the creative direction of long-time Disney show director Steve Davison, the parade is a grand procession and performance that thrills, engages and amazes audiences, with one of the largest gatherings of Disney Characters ever assembled.
Four performance stops along the parade route dazzle audiences with unbelievable musical production numbers presented by over 100 performers. The parade floats act as rolling stages, featuring not only distinctive design but such fanciful elements as jumping fountains, confetti blasts, wafting bubbles and elaborate puppetry. Some of the float units reach heights of nearly 20 feet.
Acclaimed production designer Michael Curry, known for his innovative designs and mechanisms showcased in Disney's Tony Award-winning stage production of "The Lion King," lends his considerable talents to the production of "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams." Most notable are the oversized, completely fluid and articulated puppets depicting Ursula the Sea Witch from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and the kindly woodcarver Geppetto from Walt Disney's "Pinocchio."
The unifying musical bridge for the parade is its signature tune "Welcome" by Academy AwardŽ winning composer Phil Collins (from the Disney animated film "Brother Bear"). In addition to its main theme, the parade features a host of beloved Disney songs and music that perfectly captures the spirit of each parade unit.
The seven elaborate parade units comprising "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams" are:
- Gateway to Dreams - Julie Andrews provides the perfect vocal introduction to this wondrous new parade while everyone's favorite pixie, Tinker Bell welcomes everyone and leads off the procession with a generous sprinkling of pixie dust.
- Dream of Enchantment -- The enchanted characters from Disney's animated feature "Beauty and the Beast" invite everyone to "Be our Guest," as dancing silverware, salt and pepper shakers and a flirtatious feather duster join Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts in a show-stopping musical spectacle.
- Dream of Laughter - Geppetto's workshop comes to life in a fantastical display of toys and life-sized marionettes that astonish the audience with their breathtaking antics utilizing elasticized "shock" chords, choreographed to the appropriate refrain of "I've Got No Strings" featuring "marionettes" leaping 20 feet into the air!
- Dream of Another World - The audience is transported to the charming ocean kingdom of "The Little Mermaid" where Sebastian the Crab (brought to life utilizing Disney's incredible Audio-Animatronics technology) contributes his famous Caribbean flair to the aquatic-themed proceedings.
- Dream of Imagination - Mr. White Rabbit (on skates), the Queen of Hearts and all of the whimsical and wonderful characters from Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" happily celebrate "A Very Merry Unbirthday" at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.
- Dream of Adventure - This gathering atop Pride Rock utilizes amazing puppetry to portray the regal couple of Simba and Nala (brought to life through amazing puppetry), while all the creatures from the Pride Lands (assorted gazelles, zebras, giraffes and exotic birds represented by live performers, puppets and kites) join Rafiki in a "Circle of Life" celebration.
- Dreams Come True - The finale depicts Sleeping Beauty Castle as an incredible backdrop for Disney Princesses and their Princes, along with a regally-attired Mickey and Minnie and an array of favorite Disney characters that bring the parade to a "happily ever after" conclusion.
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