Saw SpectroMagic for the fist time. It was strange.

[WVParkfan]

This was our 7th visit to WDW, and there are very few things that we haven't done. One was the SpectroMagic parade.

So, last Wednesday night, we waited for the parade and I must say that it was unusual. It was magnificent, but not really what I expected.

We were tired, and we waited a LONG time for the parade to arrive in our area in FrontierLand. It was nearly 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the parade before it reached us. So, we actually stood there for over an hour before the parade arrived in our area. We could actually see the floats on Main Street, and it truly took 20-30 minutes before they reached the front of the Hall of Presidents.

It was the SLOWEST MOVING PARADE I've ever seen, and I certainly didn't understand the "Spectro" creatures in the balls at the beginning of the parade. Their little giggles and noises reminded me of the TeleTubbies. My wife told me that she thought they were "creepy" and didn't belong in a Disney parade.

The parade really didn't make sense, either, as they had different characters walking together that really didn't fit. For example, Giopetto (from Pinnochio) was with Stitch. There really wasn't a story or theme to the parade, and it wasn't as "magical" as I expected.

Now, the technology was fascinating, and I'll never figure out how they got all of those lights to change colors at the same time. The music was good, and despite the fact that it took way too long, it was a neat experience.

I doubt we'll ever wait to watch this parade again, but I'm glad we did it once.

 

[Robo]

We were tired, and we waited a LONG time for the parade to arrive in our area in FrontierLand. It was nearly 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the parade before it reached us. So, we actually stood there for over an hour before the parade arrived in our area. We could actually see the floats on Main Street, and it truly took 20-30 minutes before they reached the front of the Hall of Presidents.

Yes, that's how parades work. They have to start somewhere and it takes awhile to get to other places.
(Similar to it taking awhile for guests to walk from one part of the park to another.)

It takes Spectro 24 minutes to reach the Country Bears area.

 

[WVParkfan]

Thanks for the smart-alek response. I don't think that was necessary.

Yes, I know how parades work. But, this is the SLOWEST parade in history. Parade started at 9pm. Arrived in front of us at 9:30 pm. Parade finished near Splash Mountain at 9:55pm, and fireworks for Wishes started 5 minutes later at 10pm.

 

[loriandmatt]

My wife told me that she thought they were "creepy" and didn't belong in a Disney parade.

i totally agree. i have always found these things to be creepy (the older ones and these newer faced ones) and my DD is down right scared by them. hides her face in my lap until they are gone. if she didn't love the rest of the parade so much i am sure she would be just as happy to skip the entire thing because of these creepy dudes.

 

[litlpixie]

Spectro has never been my favorite parade, and I agree with with how creepy the spectro-guys are!!! Hope you had a nice time anyway

 

[WVParkfan]

Don't get me wrong, we had a fabulous time and really are happy that we saw the parade. I'm sure that it is some people's favorite, and I can see why. The costumes on the "Princesses" were really beautiful.

 

[dizzi]

I always ask which way the parade is moving so i know becasue i always forget if there is a rhyme or reason to it.

Somone will know.

But if it is going to start closer to the castle we sit down that way and vice versa!

BUT we do LOVE THIS PARADE and not havign to wait makes it better, i am sure...but itis Tradition in our famil to get a GREAT snack and eat it on the curb while we wait for the PARADE!

 

[Robo]

I always ask which way the parade is moving so i know becasue i always forget if there is a rhyme or reason to it.

Somone will know.

They run Spectro AWAY from the front gates so that there will not be a dangerously dense crowd FOLLOWING it toward the exit as it concludes. (Its bad enough as it is.)


The beginning floats of Spectro take exactly the same time every night to reach certain areas in MK.

Why?
Because the whole parade is timed to the pre-recorded audio track (which is running from a computer system as well,)

and that track takes "X minutes" to repeat itself, over-and-over,

and that determines when each new "cel" of the parade route "wakes up" (pre-announcement, lighting changes, first float in the distance) ready to present the beginning of the parade.

If the parade starts right on time (it does so 99% of the time,) it will reach the same "cels" along the MK route at the same timing a pace every single time it runs.

The parade at DAK is NOT like this, so it can arrive at its own unique pace everytime it is performed.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Sorry it wasn't what you were expecting and that you didn't find it "magical." I really love SpectroMagic. I love the lights and the music and the characters.

 

[mcqueengroupie]

Wow, I don't think anyone was trying to be nasty here!!

Thanks for the smart-alek response. I don't think that was necessary.

It's just their answer, don't be too testy!! I agree the faces are creepy, but my family loves this parade! It is an old parade, so maybe the floats just don't move that fast. I think all the parades move pretty slow.

 

[CheshireVal]

Thanks for the smart-alek response. I don't think that was necessary.

It wasn't, but that's how it works here on the Theme Park board sometimes.

Yes, I know how parades work. But, this is the SLOWEST parade in history. Parade started at 9pm. Arrived in front of us at 9:30 pm. Parade finished near Splash Mountain at 9:55pm, and fireworks for Wishes started 5 minutes later at 10pm.

Spectro does seem to take a while sometimes-- the floats are spaced pretty far apart in some places. This is why we always catch it on Main Street!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Spectro is a slower timed parade than some others and it does take slightly longer to traverse the parade route than some of the daytime parades.

For what its worth -- a night time parade must move slower for safety reasons for the most part.

Knox

 

[stopher1]

It is strange. The Spectromen are just freaky. Our family MUCH PREFERRED the MSEP to Spectro. But it is what it is. My DD still likes the lights and the traditional characters in this parade - it's not our favorite, so it's never a "must do" for us...it's just gravy sometimes. A nice cap to a day, but nothing to write home about.

 

[bradk]

interesting.. i don't think i've ever seen stitch in the parade. it should be gepetto, pinocchio and dopey I believe on that float. unless one of them was sick.

 

[Tyr23]

We aren't crazy about Spectro either so we usually just hit the rides while the parade is going on.

 

[CheshireVal]

I still miss the Main Street Electrical Parade.

 

[WVParkfan]

interesting.. i don't think i've ever seen stitch in the parade. it should be gepetto, pinocchio and dopey I believe on that float. unless one of them was sick.

They weren't on a float. They were walking behind the float of one of the Princesses (I can't remember which), and interacting with the crowd. It really seemed out of place.

 

[dizzi]

Where u from WV ?????

My son goes to WVU

 

[MariDisney]

I've always been afraid to admit around here that I think Spectro is creepy to me and freaks be out a little. Now, if DD or DH want to see it, I will, but generally we just skip it.

 

[Jozymouse]

The parade really didn't make sense, either, as they had different characters walking together that really didn't fit. For example, Giopetto (from Pinnochio) was with Stitch. There really wasn't a story or theme to the parade, and it wasn't as "magical" as I expected.
QUOTE]

Stitch in Spectro? Wow, thats a first. Was he wearing a shiny outfit? Do you have a pic? Thanks.