The Main Street Electrical Parade bursts on the scene in 1977
The Main Street Electrical Parade first came to Walt Disney World in 1977 and brought with it timeless floats such as the steam train bearing the parade’s title, as well as floats featuring characters from Alice in Wonderland, Pete’s Dragon, Pinnocchio and more. The parade changed several times in those early yeas, but 1979 brought a perhaps the most notable addition to this parade in the form of a new finale float known as “To Honor America,”. This particular float has become a classic among Disney fans with its massive flag, oversized eagle and dancers in tri-corn hats.
Aside from the obvious floats and performers, the next most memorable part of the Main Street Electrical Parade is probably the musical score. The “Baroque Hoedown,” will likely never be forgotten among Disney fann and while parade might have officially ended its run in the park, that catchy little tune will exist not only in our heads, but probably on official park CDs, and our iTunes and Spotify accounts for years to come.
SpectroMagic charms fans, but meets an unfortunate end
Image: Disney
Though the Main Street Electric Parade came from Disneyland and ran for over a decade from June 11, 1977 to September 14, 1991, Walt Disney World finally introduced its own light parade in 1992: SpectroMagic. This new parade served as a feature part of Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary celebrations and was quite different from its predecessor as it had more of a storyline. Where the Main Street Electrical Parade starts off in a very classic Disney setting (the Blue Fairy or Tinkerbell leading the way for Mickey to come through on a steam train), SpectroMagic’s story followed Mickey and the SpectroMagic Spectromen taking guests through all of the different parade floats.
Unfortunately, in 2010 SpectroMagic was retired. Rumors swirled around whether or not the parade could return someday, as the Main Street Electrical Parade had at Disneyland over the years. However, in 2013 it was confirmed that this parade was never going to return, likely due to poor storage conditions backstage as some Cast Members reported that elements of the parade were left outside in the elements and had begun to deteriorate.
Image: Disney
SpectroMagic provides an important example as the Main Street Electrical Parade has now made its final run in Walt Disney World, as it would be unfortunate for this parade (which has much more historical significance than SpectroMagic) to follow the same fate. Due to its longer history with the park, or rather with multiple parks, we're really hoping that the Main Street Electrical Parade will not end up rotting outside of Disneyland to eventually be permanently disabled, but of course we never know what will happen in the future and if it can happen to SpectroMagic, it can happen here.
Comments
What a loss to the Disney Communities ?
It just breaks our hearts to know they aren’t coming back. Why? The entrance fees, food is all so expensive ~ Why take the beloved parades away?
Very disappointed in you Disney World!!!
Our Granddaughter and her husband just went to Disney World, to finish celebrating their delayed Honeymoon (by two years).
No awesome Electric Parades! With the cost having increased to get in, everything cost more!
WHY?