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new Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams
Disney News
Press Release
Disneyland's 50th anniversary to be celebrated with all new Walt Disney's
Parade of Dreams
Disneyland's new parade features one of largest gatherings of Disney
characters ever
Premiering on May 5, 2005 with the Disneyland 50th anniversary “The
Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration, the all-new Disney's
50th anniversary parade called “Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams”
will highlight the many classic Disney stories and characters that have
contributed to the magic of Disneyland over the past five decades. Planned
for two performances each day during the 18-month long golden anniversary
festivities, “Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams” is sure to delight
audiences of all ages.
Combining heart-warming Disney moments and beloved characters with
visually stunning floats, timeless tunes and energetic performers, the
parade (designed especially for the golden anniversary celebration)
will be unlike any previous Disneyland parade spectacular, in scope
and presentation.
“The parade will be a grand procession and performance that will
thrill, engage and amaze our audience,” said Anne Hamburger, executive
vice president, Disney Creative Entertainment. “We have pulled
out all the stops to include one of the largest gatherings of Disney
Characters ever, plus fantastic dancers, rhythmic gymnasts, trampoline
performers and aerial artists whose talents will take this parade to
a whole new level—literally.”
“Our ‘Parade of Dreams' will be a wholly unique, entertaining
and truly theatrical presentation,” said Steven Davison, creative
director, Disney Creative Entertainment. “We have four performance
stops along the parade route that will dazzle audiences with unbelievable
musical production numbers presented by over 100 performers.”
Raul Rodriguez, famed float designer for the world famous Pasadena
Tournament of Roses Parade, served as a key production designer in the
creation of “Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams.” The parade floats
will act as rolling stages, featuring not only distinctive design but
such whimsical elements as jumping fountains, confetti blasts, wafting
bubbles and elaborate puppetry. Some of the float units will reach heights
of nearly 20 feet.
Choreographed to the signature tune “Welcome” by Academy
Award winning composer Phil Collins (from the Disney animated film "Brother
Bear") the parade also features a host of classic Disney songs
selected for each of the six individual parade units:
• Gateway to Dreams – Everyone's favorite pixie, Tinker Bell,
will “Welcome” everyone and lead off the impressive procession
with a generous sprinkling of pixie dust from her perch atop a shimmering
golden locomotive. Tinker Bell will be joined by a host of Disney magic
makers, including Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio's Blue Fairy,
Sleeping Beauty's Flora, Fauna and Merryweather and King Arthur's Merlin
the Wizard.
• Dream of Enchantment – The enchanted characters from Disney's
“Beauty and the Beast” invite everyone to “Be our Guest,”
as dancing silverware, salt and pepper shakers and a flirtatious feather
duster join Belle, Beast, 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 tunes of “I've Got No
Strings” and “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actors Life for Me).”
Pinocchio joins the world of wind-up toys along with Jiminy Cricket
and Cleo.
• Dream of Another World – Taking guests to the charming
ocean kingdom of “The Little Mermaid,” Sebastian the Crab
contributes his famous Caribbean flair. Ariel and Flounder float nearby
to the tune of “Under the Sea,” complete with bubbles, dancing
fish and leaping fountains. Rhythmic gymnasts perform with pearl balls
while the evil sea witch Ursula, a giant articulated puppet, lurks in
the background.
• Dream of Imagination – Mr. White Rabbit, 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. Tweedle Dee and Dum
chase the White Rabbit down the parade route while a pair of wild cards
bounces atop the trampoline tea table. Meanwhile, the Caterpillar puffs
smoke rings into the air as performing “flowers” bloom with
the use of bounce stilts.
• Dream of Adventure – This gathering atop Pride Rock utilizes
amazing puppetry to portray a the regal couple of Simba and Nala, while
all the creatures from the Pride Lands (represented by live performers,
puppets and kites) join in the “Circle of Life” celebration,
along with Rafiki, Pumbaa and Timon. A rising tree features two twirling
acrobatic dancers performing as exotic birds.
• Dreams Come True – The finale float representing the majesty
of Sleeping Beauty Castle provides an incredible backdrop for Disney
Princesses and their Princes, along with regally-dressed Mickey and
Minnie and an array of favorite Disney characters. “A Dream is
a Wish Your Heart Makes” (from Walt Disney's animated feature Cinderella
) and “When You Wish Upon a Star” (from Walt Disney's animated
feature Pinocchio ) bring the parade to a “happily ever after”
conclusion.
Premiering on May 5, 2005 “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth,”
an extraordinary celebration of the golden 50th anniversary of Disneyland,
will pay tribute to the millions of guests and Cast Members who have
contributed to the rich legacy of “The Happiest Place on Earth”
over the past five decades. The 18-month long occasion represents the
biggest celebration in the history of Disney theme parks and is the
first truly global Disney event (with commemorative events planned at
each of the Disney theme parks around the world in salute to Disneyland).
Coming soon: Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams video!
