Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade Changes this year!!

[Safari Steve]

For the first time in a few years, there have been major changes made to the Christmas Parade. Like Wishes, the new offering is an improvement over its predecessor incorporating many favorite elements of the previous incarnation.

Mickey and Minnie ride along on the Christmas Tree/Drum float (Donald and Daisy rode that one in years past) as other characters (Peter Pan, Wendy, Goofy, Pluto, etc) dance along at the head of the parade.

Next comes the cottage of the Seven Dwarves, with the dwarves walking and Snow White and her Prince riding the float (Dopey rode in previous years). They are followed by Aurora and Phillip on horses, and carriages carrying Ariel and Eric, Belle and the Beast, and Cinderella's crystal coach with Cinderella and Prince Charming inside. The Castle float follows, featuring the Fairy Godmother and a new live band (which brings the total of live bands in this parade to 4, up from 3 in years past).

Next is the Pooh unit, which is the same Sanders Howse float, etc.
Following Pooh is Brother Bear! Kenai and Koda are featured on the float that used to feature an ice-skating Snow White and her Prince.

The creepy circus vibe of the Toyland segment has been removed, as Toyland is divided into two segments: Toy Story and the Toy Soldiers, all part of Santas Workshop. The circus train float has been retired, and the clown band has been replaced with a band of Green Army Men (complete with Green instruments!) Woody now occupies the moving seat on the front of the toy float that was previously held by Santa Goofy, as Goofy now dances at the head of the parade with several other classic characters.

The rest of the parade (rollerskating snowflakes, christmas trees, Chip and Dale baking, Reindeer, and Santa) remain unchanged.

I was really excited to see something new on the street for a change, and I think the new elements blend well with the older ones.


(I did a quick scan of the first two pages to make sure I wasn't repeating... my apologies to anyone who may have already related this information on the boards.)

 

[Familymoon]

TOO COOL!!!! I can't wait to see it!!

 

[meeko_33785]

Thanks for the update. Did Dumbo's float disappear with the circus train and clowns? Also, just wondering who else is in the first unit now. Are Daisy and Donald no longer in the parade or are they dacing around Mickey and Minnie's float?

 

[Safari Steve]

The only circus elements that still remain are three clowns w/ inflatable costumes (police car, airplane, chinese lantern).

The Green Army Man Band is a definite improvement (both visually and cohesively) over the yellow-afro'ed clown band.
I think Donald and Daisy are in the front with the other characters, but there was so much going on at that point last night, that I don't clearly remember.

 

[dgaston]

Steve: Thanks for your post. It's always nice to hear your view on new attractions and the like. I'll be keeping my eyes open for you when we're down Christmas week.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Thanks for the great info Safari Steve! I'm not a big parade fan, but always enjoy the MK Christmas parade.

One question...does the Christmas parade run at times other than during MVMCP? I'm not sure I'll make it to the Party, but would like to pop over to the Parks and see the parade during the day.

Thanks, again! Happy Holidays.

 

[crazzydisneyfan22]

Thanks for the info! I'm not much of a parade person but I sort of have to go see the christmas parade since it's my first time being at disney for christmas. I'm actually excited about it now!!

 

[Safari Steve]

Prior to Dec 20, the only seasonal entertainment offered at Magic Kingdom will be "Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at the Galaxy Palace, Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree Holiday Celebration, and the Main St. Tree Lighting Ceremony.
All other holiday offerings will be exclusive to MVMCP event until Dec. 20, when they will be added to the MK daily entertainment schedule.

 

[ead79]

Sounds neat! I'm excited to see the new version!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

DOES THE CHRISTMAS PARADE STILL GO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY? OR IS NEW YEAR'S EVE THE LAST CHRISTMAS PARADE AT MK? WE DON'T GET IN UNTIL NEW YEARS EVE AND YOU NEVER KNOW IF WE WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE MK (DUE TO ATTENDANCE LEVELS).

 

[danny1649]

Looking forward to seeing new version at 12/9/03 MVMCP.

 

[CarolA]

Thanks! I thought things had changed, but... my memory is not what it could be on these things.

I thought the parade was very nice this year. And my fav, the Chip/Dale cookie machine was still there!