Anyone else the opportunity to march in SpectroMagic?

[Goofy52]

When I was a freshman in high school(8yrs ago) our high school band went to WDW. We had the privilege of Marching in Front of the Spectro Magic Parade in the Magic Music Days. It was such an awesome experience. When they announced our name on the speakers my brother said the whole Magic Kingdom just arrupted in cheers/clapping because so many friends and family came to watch us. Then when I saw my family while I was marching I started crying, it was just a wonderful experience. We got to go "backstage" before the parade. The only thing I remember is that Chip and Dale were smoking! All of the CM were commeting on how big our band was-we had about 170 members. So to make a long story short I was wondering if anyone else has had the experience of leading the Spectro Magic parade. That is something that I'll never forget.

 

[Ajax]

We saw two High School bands precede the 12/30 Spectromagic parade. The first was small, but the second was a whopper!
The cool thing was that in both bands, the directors both wore top hats with Mickey ears attached!

 

[Goofy52]

I think its wonderful that Disney does this. The thing is in 1994 when we marched was the 1st time I had been to WDW. Since 1994 we've taken 4 trips! Its such a thrill!

 

[BevS97]

Not in the SpectroMagic parade, but in 1986 I marched in Epcot with Magic Music Days - actually I don't think we marched, I seem to remember standing in a pavilion (possibly the one near the American pavilion?) and performing.

The coolest bit was going back stage and seeing the changing areas etc for all the performers. I remember seeing Mickey on a hanger.

Bev

 

[elemusing]

We sometimes hop in behind the rope immediately after the parade and ACT like we are in the parade by waving to people. Does that count? heehee

 

[InstImpres]

In 1989 we marched in the main street parade. It was an unbelievable expereince. My one piece of advise to bands from up North is not to march during Spring break. We had issues with members almost passing out because our uniforms are wool for cold Thanksgiving Games.

Sandy

P.S. Can't bring myself to throw out my very old and worn Magic Music Days Shirt

 

[Ajax]

elemusing wrote-

We sometimes hop in behind the rope immediately after the parade and ACT like we are in the parade by waving to people. Does that count? heehee

We do that too! We smile and give the 'Queen Wave', and people smile and wave back. Then sometimes you'll see a husband turn to his wife and say something that I imagine to be 'Who in the hell is that?

 

[Simba's Mom]

All you high school band members-if you get to march at WDW, just be aware that you're tops on my list of "what brings a tear to your eye at WDW." Whenever I see a high school band marching, I always tear up thinking how it must be such a great experience for them, they'll never forget it, how wonderful, how happy parents who are there must be, etc. Can you tell I used to be a high school band parent? BTW, DS never got to march at WDW.

 

[InstImpres]

Simba's Mom -

I was the one who organized our trip - you obviously missed the cheesy off premises hotel (it was also back in the age of just a few DIS hotel, pre MGM & AK), the hallway chaperoning time at the hotel to control the unrulely quad rooms, and the long-long-long train ride back to NJ, which broke down on the way home and lost all power


o.k. - so it is memorable but strange the things we remember. But I am waiting for my 7 year old to be at the age whenI can propose it to her band director

Sandy

 

[Goofy52]

When we marched in 1994 Orlando had a record high of around 94 degrees. We had wool uniforms. I remember one of our Flag core girls almost passed out because of the heat. Our Flag Core girls wear pants. My Band director was soo excited because they announced the band and then they said under the director of... I remember a lot of my friends' parents didn't go down to watch them. I don't know how they couldn't go down to watch their child perform at Walt Disney World! My family found their spot for the parade 3hrs. before the parade started. My brother keeps reminding me it was the longest 3hrs. of his life but it was worth it when he saw me march.

 

[Goofy52]

bump

 

[ksdave]

I marched in the parade down Main Street once in 1974 and twice in 1980 with my drum corps. It was during July and August and we wore white cotton blouses with high collars, wool pants, and West Point-style shakos. My Dad, who was the Director, told all the members before the parade that if anyone passed out, they would have to stay with the nurse the balance of the day on the bus. Although quite a few of the Disney characters passed out, not one corps member did. They all wanted to spend the rest of the day in the park!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

InstImprez-you still have years to look forward to (or dread) since you have a 7yo. Believe it or not, someday you'll look back fondly at those 3-5 am hall duties when you were chaperoning. I know I thought I'd never miss it, but I do. And the hotel may have been pretty cheesy at the time, but amazingly in my memory, it wasn't that bad. Oh those band trips! Now it's only college tuition to pay-no more trips-and rarely do I get to hear him play.

 

[Soccer Princess]

My HS band marched in the MSEP my freshman year. (2000) It was great having all of those people clapping with their eyes on you. We went during March and it was still really hot in our uniforms! (The drums I was carrying didn't help ) It was a GREAT experience though!