"Magic Happens", Premier Day...

[DisneyFunGuy]

I was there to see the premier of, "Magic Happens", yesterday, and saw both performances (3:30 & 6).

Over-all, I enjoyed the parade, especially the opening unit/dancers! It's quite different than what, "Soundsational" was, where as that parade was very whimsical. "Magic Happens" has an edgier and more modern appeal to it, especially with the musical score and costumes.

There were 3 portions of the parade that seemed a little awkward and "lack-luster" to me. But then again, my expectations were a bit high, I suppose.

#1. That big green reptile at the end of the Coco unit. Seeing the guys underneath (only from the waist down) pushing that thing was very distracting to me.

#2. I loved the Cinderella float, but I failed to see the transformation from pumpkin to coach. And if it did happen, it was very weakly done.

#3. The female dancers right before the Sleeping Beauty float. I didn't mind the choreography, but I wish they wore dresses, and had a more regal appearance.

Plus, as a side note, I wish they could have added "Snow White" and "Ariel" on their own individual units.

And kudos to ALL the performers in the parade, because they looked like they were having an amazing time and gave a 100% in all that they were doing!

Even though I loved, "Soundsational", this new parade will definitely grow on me more and more. It's definitely worth seeing anytime I'm in the Park!

[Antonio Lopez]

Valid opinions! Although, I’m glad they gave Ariel a break and let other IP’s that aren’t always represented in the parks have their own unit (Sword In the Stone ). I actually liked the fact they didn’t make all the girls wear dresses. Call it PC crap if you will, I feel it’s good to show the girl in the suits. The soundtrack is SO catchy I couldn’t stop listening to it. Also it may be a wild speculation, but I feel like the “duos” from each movie before Cinderella will eventually get their own unit, it feels too random to just have them there. A Pinocchio unit* would be lovely, and Peter Pan and Aladdin are always good. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this parade!

[TacAlert]

...

[TacAlert]

Found this cool evening version of the parade. Doesn't seem to interest me though. Will go see it once maybe.

https://youtu.be/RJMIRFX_EPg

[Monoautorail]

Haven't been there to see it, but watched a full video. I don't get it. The opening is like a drag show. Mickey is shaking and gesticulating so much he looks like he's being electrocuted. The promised magic of the pumpkin to carriage just is't anything. Cinderella's dress transformation was more like an Autopia 2000 paint job than anything else. The inflated Maui thing with the puffy hands is too creepy--and did Moana really need 4 floats (counting the chicken and the percussionist) plus? What were the weird matador-inspired dancers between and around the final floats? And the Fairy Godmother jammin' down the parade route? That is one of the most bizarre parades I think I've seen Disneyland present.

[Eagleman]

Well I watch the video only........

My Opinion

Parade Performers give there best.

But it looks like another Dance Party Parade.......
Is not my kind entertainment.......nor I really don't care for the music.......
I was hoping for better !

[Mr Wiggins]

...That is one of the most bizarre parades I think I've seen Disneyland present.

For concept and design, it definitely ranks up there with Light Tragic for the "What Were You People Thinking?" award.

[Spongeocto4]

The OC Register pointed this out:

The great disconnect in the Magic Happens parade occurs when a bunch of Disney characters get tossed in the middle of the procession for no apparent reason other than to increase the character count. Magic Happens takes a quick turn for the worse when Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Aladdin, Genie, Pinocchio and a few other Disney characters show up. The classic Disney characters aren’t dressed in the avant garde costumes we saw earlier on Mickey et al. It’s just a casting call of fan favorites in the parade for the photo op.

Suddenly the exuberant wackiness of Magic Happens grinds to halt and you find yourself watching just another Disneyland parade. Cue the princess and the fairy godmothers. It’s time to wrap this thing up

I know the Finale float is the same as it was in the concept art, but I can't but help but wondered if something was cut.

Also, I would not want to be on one of the spinning fairies platforms, as I would get nauseous from that the spinning and moving.

[Golden Zephyr]

Fresh and unexpected? The opening looks like scenes at the Capitol from the Hunger Games. Some of the costumes look plucked from a parade of their characters. I was half expecting Effie Trinket to pop out of one of the floats and pull names for the reaping amongst the crowd watching.

The other floats are good and visually interesting, but feel detached from Disney in atmosphere. That was likely the goal. Disney isn't Disney, it is a corporate conglomerate of brands and intellectual properties. Where the gamut ranges from Mickey Mouse to Bart Simpson, a litany of PIXAR CGI characters, superheroes and a hodgepodge of lesser known animated characters are brought together in a nexus of unrelated design esthetics.

It's sort of funny to have the Register reporter feign being "surprised" at the "sass and attitude" in all honesty was completely predictable and a bit boring because thats is exactly what qualifies as "edgy" these days. Everyone does it. "Oh look, it's sassy, how brave, how stunning". "I'm literally shaking with anticipation". I expected exactly what was delivered.

So the Disneyland via Panem Hunger Games esthetic is certainly isn't "brave" or "unexpected", perhaps in 2012, but hardly in 2020.

[MonteJ]

The 1st video I saw of the parade was from a preview performance and ...UGH! It was painfully off target. However I later watched an evening performance that at least showed the lighting effects and seemed a bit less jarring. Nonetheless, it only highlighted how much better paint the night was. Sorry Disney! The floats were nice but this parade is definitely a miss for me.

[DisneyFunGuy]

The OC Register pointed this out:

I know the Finale float is the same as it was in the concept art, but I can't but help but wondered if something was cut.

Also, I would not want to be on one of the spinning fairies platforms, as I would get nauseous from that the spinning and moving.

Thank you for sharing this OC Register article, and you know, they're absolutely right. Now that I think about it, throwing those Disney characters in looks like a total mis-hap. And I do remember thinking they looked odd being thrown in there like that, very disjointed, actually.

I'm hoping Disney will tweak out this parade and either add/delete certain parts of it. It has potential, if certain points are corrected.

[nickdean707]

I think it could benefit from some additions in the future if it stays around long enough. But for now, I think it's perfect just the way it is. The Music is upbeat, and I LOVE all the costumes. This is the same show director that came up with Paint the Night (among many others). So I definitely trust his creative direction.

[Spongeocto4]

Fresh and unexpected? The opening looks like scenes at the Capitol from the Hunger Games. Some of the costumes look plucked from a parade of their characters. I was half expecting Effie Trinket to pop out of one of the floats and pull names for the reaping amongst the crowd watching.
...
So the Disneyland via Panem Hunger Games esthetic is certainly isn't "brave" or "unexpected", perhaps in 2012, but hardly in 2020.

LOL! That HG reference cracked me up!

[Eagleman]

I think TDA did there best..........
But one can tell ,the funding was cut back .

Parade end up being what I expected , from this Today Disney!
Another thing I can wait to see.........

IMO

[dvcsteve]

Disney isn't edgy or contemporary, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. So why do they keep trying to be edgy and contemporary when it comes to park entertainment? Soundsational was a wonderfully "Disney" parade. It seems the prerequisite for this new production was, "let's do the opposite of Soundsational". Magic Happens reminds me of a poor mans Eureka (from the first year of DCA). The main 'Magic Happens' theme (while a pretty good pop song on it's on), is woefully inadequate for a parade tune. The tempo is just too slow, and this slow tempo translates to odd choreography. Mind you, the choreography is actually pretty cool....but in my opinion, like the music, it doesn't work in a parade setting. The theme also is dominated by minor chords (in the music). Minor chords are usually associated with sad songs, and major chords subconsciously make you happy. Not sure why no one noticed this during the writing process. As I said, I like the song, just not for a parade. Adding to my confusion was the finale featured an even slower song, although it was "more Disney" than opening number. The individual floats seemed to compete against each other, when it came to their music, and the way they weaved into the main theme kind of caught me off guard. On paper, it seems like 'Magic Happens' should have been a home run. Were there too many chefs in the kitchen? Who knows. I really wanted to love this parade, but it's just another Parade of the Stars to me. Call me old fashioned, but give me a new take on Soundsational, or my current favorite, Festival of Fantasy (at the MK). Anything to make my head bop, hands clap, and smile!

(First post with a new profile-my old email doesn't exist anymore and had to start from scratch when I couldn't remember my password-must be getting old)

[Golden Zephyr]

Disney isn't edgy or contemporary, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. So why do they keep trying to be edgy and contemporary when it comes to park entertainment? Soundsational was a wonderfully "Disney" parade. It seems the prerequisite for this new production was, "let's do the opposite of Soundsational". Magic Happens reminds me of a poor mans Eureka (from the first year of DCA). The main 'Magic Happens' theme (while a pretty good pop song on it's on), is woefully inadequate for a parade tune. The tempo is just too slow, and this slow tempo translates to odd choreography. Mind you, the choreography is actually pretty cool....but in my opinion, like the music, it doesn't work in a parade setting. The theme also is dominated by minor chords (in the music). Minor chords are usually associated with sad songs, and major chords subconsciously make you happy. Not sure why no one noticed this during the writing process. As I said, I like the song, just not for a parade. Adding to my confusion was the finale featured an even slower song, although it was "more Disney" than opening number. The individual floats seemed to compete against each other, when it came to their music, and the way they weaved into the main theme kind of caught me off guard. On paper, it seems like 'Magic Happens' should have been a home run. Were there too many chefs in the kitchen? Who knows. I really wanted to love this parade, but it's just another Parade of the Stars to me. Call me old fashioned, but give me a new take on Soundsational, or my current favorite, Festival of Fantasy (at the MK). Anything to make my head bop, hands clap, and smile!

(First post with a new profile-my old email doesn't exist anymore and had to start from scratch when I couldn't remember my password-must be getting old)

That's the rub though, its all about "subverting your expectations", which of course is entirely predictable because many of us already know they are going to do that, so we are very much unsurprised and a bit bored with what would be the obvious outcome. It happens in almost every medium these days,

That is why Disney and others often fail at trying to be edgy, being edgy is about surprise. So ironically, a parade that would have been VERY traditional with regal elegance from a yesteryear would have been more of a surprise than them going after a Hunger Games esthetic for the opening. Why? Because many of us knew they were going to try and surprise us by "subverting our expectations." It's all so predictable. Once you know the pattern and narrative, which deconstructionist and inversive, you can figure out and anticipate the vast majority of media appeals in politics, art, and rhetoric.

There are few surprises once you do.

[F ticket]

Crap Happens. Yuck.