Does anyone feel there'll ever be a nighttime parade again?

[RachaelA]

I don't see them waiting 5 years until the 50th. That's so long.

 

[epcotty]

Interesting responses, thanks. Unfortunately it seems that they think overall that cutbacks are the best way to maximize profit at WDW, and that's bad for the guests. Hours have been cut as well. HS, while having projects in the works, has been and continues to operate as cheaply (with as few attractions) as possible, with several closures in more recent years. AK has stuff in the works (although I'm skeptical of ROL ever existing) but in the meantime there hasn't been much done there for a long time. Epcot is the most neglected park probably, no updates to most things in a long time. Overall it's disappointing

 

[Nancyg56]

Interesting responses, thanks. Unfortunately it seems that they think overall that cutbacks are the best way to maximize profit at WDW, and that's bad for the guests. Hours have been cut as well. HS, while having projects in the works, has been and continues to operate as cheaply (with as few attractions) as possible, with several closures in more recent years. AK has stuff in the works (although I'm skeptical of ROL ever existing) but in the meantime there hasn't been much done there for a long time. Epcot is the most neglected park probably, no updates to most things in a long time. Overall it's disappointing

I am not sure what the reasons were to remove MSEP from the MK were, but I bet that money was not the only concern. I do think that they were shortsighted when nothing was planned to replace the evening parade. I remember visiting and having to carefully plan in order to see Spectromagic because it was not there evey night, and then to have to work in a night for Fantasmic for the same reason.

Personally, I believe that Disney underestimates the time that is needed to update and renovate their areas and attractions, and that a variety of issues complicate thier initial timeframes. Here is where I think that they are not allocating the necessary funds and this is the area that when they pinch pennies they lose credibility with every other decision that is made.

I understand that WDW is one heck of a vacation destination and still has enough to hole a visitors attention for an extended visit. I am one of those folks. However, I firmly believe that Disney needs to pick a lane and stay there. SO much money spent in developing other Disney locations and nowhere enough allocated to updating the ones they have. I love Epcot and can spend a lot of time there but honestly, this December I decided to give this beautiful park a critical eye and Yikes! Poor Future World. Empty buildings, half hearted decorating, walls up. We spent some time in WS and strolled through a few times to enjoy the decorations, story tellers and of course the new food kiosks. I must say that I think that adding food and beverage kiosks that offer seasonal holiday specialties from around the WOrld helps, but it seemed to be another half measure and I am not sure if that was deliberate or not, an effort to avoid a F&W debacle during the Holidays.

Anyway, I think that we will see another evening parade in the MK, but that it may take a while. Disney seems to be trying to figure out how to manage crowds in that park. WE will see.

 

[GreatLakes]

I do think there will be a nighttime parade again. Ever is a long time and even if it is in 20 years yes, I would wager at some point in the infinite future there will be a parade. My bet, like others, is a new nighttime parade announcement for the 50th anniversary.

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Does anyone think there will be a parade for this summer?

 

[Madonna3]

I don't think there ever will be, but interested to see if anyone feels so and why. We haven't been since June, so was wondering now that since the ending of MSEP there probably won't be a nighttime parade at MK anymore except for MNSSHP and MVMCP, how does it feel at night? Does it feel like something's missing or have people gotten used to it? I remember sometimes going when Spectromagic wasn't playing and it was kinda boring. But probably no nighttime parade again ever, really? That's going to be tough to do. Disney seems to be taking their customers for granted too much these days

I, for one, do believe they will return, but I am not excited about that return. First of all, all of the "MK's" have parades. While WDW MK is in transition now, I can't imagine it would stay that way forever. However, since they've been gone, it's been welcomed for me at least. The parade crowding situation made moving around the MK difficult and without it there all of the congestion was concentrated on Main Street leaving the rest of us to move about the park freely. The same thing happened where wait times for rides dropped, but I didn't have to dodge ropes trying to move around.

I would also be ok with the parades being certain nights instead of every night.

 

[Madonna3]

Personally, I believe that Disney underestimates the time that is needed to update and renovate their areas and attractions, and that a variety of issues complicate thier initial timeframes. Here is where I think that they are not allocating the necessary funds and this is the area that when they pinch pennies they lose credibility with every other decision that is made.

Best summarizing statement of the current situation

 

[BrianL]

Does anyone think there will be a parade for this summer?

When there were rumors about Paint the Night coming to MK (or a version of it) I would have though yes, but it seems like the rumors now say that is not happening, so I think the odds of a return that soon are lower. Anything could happen though since nobody really knows for sure.

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone think there will be a parade for this summer?

I think so. Parades (night) at the MK are pretty well established tradition during times of year when the parks are open late. Looking forward to something new.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I was just watching a video on Disney Parks Blog with the top 10 products coming in 2017. No. 10 was two T-shirts and it said 'Celebrate the return of the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade.' One T-shirt said Disneyland and the other didn't. Not sure if this has any relevance.

 

[amberpi]

I wonder if that has anything to do with the new After Hours thing they are offering and I'm super excited to try on my next visit!

 

[jascm]

I hope we get a new parade, mostly for the fact that it shallows up a lot of people and lines can be shorter. I usually only watch a parade once (besides FoF which is a must do for me) so whether it's there or not is not much skin off my back.

 

[jascm]

I wonder if that has anything to do with the new After Hours thing they are offering and I'm super excited to try on my next visit!

The After Hours event is AMAZING. I did it in April solo and I had never had so much fun. I rode Splash in a log all to my own, 7DMT 5 times in a row, and Space Mountain without anyone in the entire ride(which was actually eerily quiet).

 

[MillauFr]

If nothing is mentioned, usually it means nothing is planned. Iger likes DL a lot more so WDW's guests feel taken for granted. I still say there's only so much you can disappoint people, even if you are Disney

Agreed. I was appalled how much MK is neglected while DL gets the best rides. It is obvious Disney management favors DL.

 

[anthony2k7]

I think its unlikely there will ever be one.

Look at all the other parades that have gone. Every time one goes people assume its only for a short time until something new and better is announced - but the announcement and replacement parade never arrives.

The Epcot parade is before my time, but I assume when that disappeared people thought it would return. Likewise DHS, AK.

Same has happened at DLP. When Fantillusion (the night time parade) ended people assumed "Oh its only until christmas".. then when it didnt come back for christmas "oh it'll be back for summer"..... then "oh we must be getting a new parade then!!" then........... nothing apart from a brief rumour about paint the night going there for the 25th. The big 25th arrives in a few months, all the brochures/adverts etc are out there..... and it seems there will still be no night parade. its done. gone.

Repeat the above paragraph and replace DLP with MK. If they didnt bring a night parade back for DLP's 25th, I can't see them bothering for MK's 50th either.

 

[Disney fan from Wisconsin]

I love the night parades. I can't imagine they would spend all the $$$ on PTN at DLR and give WDW nothing until 2021. I am crossing my fingers for a new parade next summer when I go. I LOVE PTN and would love for WDW to get a night parade up to par. Parades are great for a good balance of crowds in the park too. Great time for ride goers to get on ride with lower lines. When there are 2 parades a night we do rides during the 1st parade (where all the families of small kids are) and then the families of small ones leave and we enjoy the late parade.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Speculation post:

Wouldn't it be something if Disney did introduce a new parade but it would only run during an after hours Up-Sell event? This would fall in line with the current model of making guests pay extra as many times as can be managed. It would also dove tail nicely with trying to alleviate over crowding at MK by making guests who only paid $125 for the day leave the park and then bringing in a new crop that paid, let's say $150, for 5 hours of park access, a couple of Mickey bars, some popcorn, the parade and the fireworks.

Why stop at only charging guests once per day when you can make them pay twice per day?

~NM