5/3: It All Started With a Mouse

[Al Lutz]

Disneyland previews the new 50th parade and fireworks, talk about it here!

[Captain Zissou]

could the parade ursula possibly be the fantasmic ursula reworked a little bit? that could be the reason shes gone. however i have no idea what im talking about.

[DrIndianaJones]

Look'n good! About time that DL had some decent (if not dang good) parades and entertainment.
Thanks for the update, Al. :bow: Gotta love your "hidden" messages.

[cj843]

Great update, I agree with Al that the firworks are for the fans, I wonder if non Disneyland fans will get it, or just think "what a rip off, i could of just gotten on the ride!"

I think in the end the new fireworks show will be one to see a few times then just to hear as you get around the crowds to a short e-ticket line! Will not prove to be as magical as Believe was, or as heartwarming as Fantasy in the sky was.

I can't wait to see it on 5/28 and 5/29!

[BigDaddyKyle]

Awesome update, Al!

[pyrateslife4me84]

Great update, I agree with Al that the firworks are for the fans, I wonder if non Disneyland fans will get it, or just think "what a rip off, i could of just gotten on the ride!"

I think in the end the new fireworks show will be one to see a few times then just to hear as you get around the crowds to a short e-ticket line! Will not prove to be as magical as Believe was, or as heartwarming as Fantasy in the sky was.

I can't wait to see it on 5/28 and 5/29!

I don't know...Fantasy in the Sky featured ride audio and was popular for years, and it didn't even have these show-stopping firework effects. I couldn't imagine this ever getting old--it's perfect for the 50th.

[disneyking]

Ahhh Yeahh Al
Way to go with another great update.
While I'm not one for most parades, this one looks amazing, and I simply can't wait to see that firework tribute.
Disneyland deserves nothing but best for its 50th.
Bring on the crowds to pay homage!!!!

[ni_teach]

Great update. I can't wait to see the shows.

[GeneralShang]

Why do the press releases say that there are 4 show stops?? there are only 3! haha.

[TDLFAN]

OM freaking G!!! I GOTTA get my butt to DL asap!!! Being a parade/show lover at TDL, this is the stuff that dreams are made of!!! Gorgeous!!

Thanks for sharing this pictorial so soon Al!!!!

[MickeyMania]

I think Al is a little too focused on his idea of what the parade should be. He seems to want the parade to be a float-celebration of park rides. While that sounds nice to people who eat and breathe Disneyland, are the kids really interested in it?

Let's be honest here: No. They'd rather go on said rides than see floats and dancers based on elements of the rides. Instead, the parade focuses on giving the people what they want: The kids get all their favorite movie characters in one long stream of floats, with unique dance offerings to keep the adults entertained.

I don't know why I'd want to see a Haunted Mansion float when I could just go ride the Haunted Mansion. Especially while the parade draws people away and cuts the line down.

[Captain Zissou]

how long are the parade and fireworks show going to last? (Until what date i mean) im going down again in november and don't wanna miss it!

[wolfy]

I know the Firework show is 17 minutes, and by the sounds of it, the parade is going to take quite a while to travel the route.

Thanks Al for rushing down on short notice to grab these pictures! Wanted to be there, but Girl Scouts comes first! Will see it soon enough!

Thanks again Al!!!

[GeneralShang]

The parade is a 5 year thing so you have a LOT of time. The fireworks are also here to stay during the 50th Celebration. Still no word as to what they're going to do during the holiday season... but judging from the initial crowd reaction already from this first day, I think they're going to keep Remember through the holidays.. but that' just my guess!!

And I agree with MickeyMania -- don't really want to see a Haunted Mansion float. haha!

[judimouse]

Incredible pictures and story line. Thanks for sharing.

judiouse

[Ride Warrior]

The Parade of Dreams is a real stunner - an unexpected feast for the eyes and Ears! Of particular interest is the use of water effects that are a part of the gorgeous Ariel and Lion King units.

Hey Al! Regarding the Ariel float, are the dazzling Vegas-style showgirls a sign that Disney's Casino Adventure is on its way? Are the water effects a suttle hint that some sort of deal has been struck with the Bellagio? They are so darn sneaky!

Back to the parade, the girl portraying Tinker Bell is, indeed, so cute that she reminds me of Marilyn Monroe. Then, of course, Walt Disney actually designed Tink, based on the famous actress. Hello again, Norma Jean.

The Alice unit's tea table/trampoline is a quite curious prop. Can't wait to see the parade.

As for Remember - Dreams Come True, the integration of fireworks, pinwheels, music, pyro, Tinkerbell dynamics, and salutes to hit films all sounds like the makings of one big blow-out celebration!

Coupled with Buzz, Space Mountain 2, Tiki Room, Monsters, Inc. and Turtle Talk, the new parade and fireworks show will absolutely make Disneyland seem fresh and new again. In years to come, the return of the subs, People Mover, the Frontierland expansion, and a new Lucus simulator ride will each, on their own merit, be an exciting event to look forward to.

[jorek]

Coupled with Buzz, Space Mountain 2, Tiki Room, Monsters, Inc. and Turtle Talk, the new parade and fireworks show will absolutely make Disneyland seem fresh and new again. In years to come, the return of the subs, People Mover, the Frontierland expansion, and a new Lucus simulator ride will each, on their own merit, be an exciting event to look forward to.

Holy crap that is a nice couple of sentences.

[creamcityleo79]

Thanks for the update Al. It was, for the most part, fabulous. I can't help but feel a bit disenchanted, however, (and don't get me wrong I've loved ALL of your previous updates except this one and the last one)when I show my supervisor at work the wonderful pictures and she has to say..."what's wrong with this guy...this parade is the best I've ever seen?" when she reads some of your commentary on the parade. Is is really all that bad? I saw the video w/hardly any characters and it was a bad video and it was fabulous. Granted, "Remember..." puts anything and everything to shame. But, this is still one of the best parades in a LONG time...and it showcases a LOT of things and it uses a lot of effects we haven't seen before. I have to disagree completely with the over-the-top comment and the anti-climactic comment. To me(and maybe it's because I haven't seen the parade in person yet), there is no such thing as over-the-top for Disneyland's 50th and a huge castle in a parade with princes and princesses and the King and Queen of it all Mickey and Minnie is no anti-climactic finale. I think it is a wonderful tribute to Walt and the legacy of his dream!

[Ride Warrior]

Holy crap that is a nice couple of sentences.

Gee. thanks!

[Aurora]

With all the stops making for a long wait, it sounds like it would be a good idea to find a spot near the beginning of the parade route.

The fireworks show looks amazing...it sounds like they integrated a multitude of components rather well. I can't wait to see it.