dpic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2001
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- 1,107
I was going to post this as part of my trip report, but I thought it would be interesting enough for a post of it's own here. We were asked to be in the Jungle Jammin" Parade, and it was the most incredible event of our trip (Oct 22-31).
During our trip, my sister's family (DW, DH, DD) met us (DH, DW, DD, DS) for a few days at WDW. On Oct. 25th, we were at AK. We had just met Mickey in the Character greeting area near Festival of the Lion King. It was early in the day around 10-11:00 and as we left Mickey, an older CM approached us and asked if we would be interested in being on a float in the Mickeys Jungle Jammin' Parade. Seriously, I thought he was kidding. I said we had never seen the Jungle Jammin Parade, but that we had a PS at Boma and were planning on leaving the park early to tour AKL. He seemed disappointed and said he had been looking for a family of seven and really could use us--it was for the Mickey float. I looked at the rest of our group, and they looked back at me like I was crazy. It dawned on me that this was serious. I immediately agreed. The CM was very relieved and took our names and told us to meet him by the Safari area at 3:00.
Sure enough, we were in the area at 3:00 and the CM came out and took us "Backstage." He said there was one rule before taking us back, "No Photos." I love to take pictures, but I agreed. He said they would take pictures of us on the float and give us the camera (a Kodak disposable). Once the parade left the backstage area, he said, we could take all the photos we wanted. Deal. (For the record, we saw no secrets. The parade equipment was very organized it rows, and, thankfully, all the Characters were completely costumed).
Once we were backstage, we met up with a few others in a small waiting area (3-4 other smaller groups for Donald float, etc). We had a rack of vests to go through to pick one out, plus we each received pit helmets with the required ears featured prominently.
Then we were taken to the float. The "float" was a themed jeep pulling a trailer. It was high enough they used a special platform ladder to get us into it, and once seated were we belted down. We were then given earplugs--"the music gets load because we hide speakers on your roof."
I can't tell you how nice everyone was. From the maintenance people walking by to the other CM's in the parade. Everyone came up to say, "hi: the guys on stilts (which was nice because we didnt have to bend down to talk to them), the guys that walked the bug things came by to have their critters say, Hi, the Characters stopped by for a quick handshake or wave, and all the costumed CMs made a point to make sure we felt part of the crew. It was wonderful. Lastly, Mickey was brought in and we had a few moments with him before he was helped onto his platform right behind us.
Before we knew it, off we went. As soon as we hit the gate the music on our jeep kicked on, and it was loud. I pulled the earplugs out of my pocket and crammed them in. Then for the next half-hour or so, I waved. I waved a lot. I have never waved so much in my life. After a while, we developed moves with the music and danced in our chairs while we waved. It was awesome. We were under no illusion, howeverMickey was the main event. We were just fluff. For a brief time, though, we were part of the magic. Thousands of people waved while we passed (every CM along the route made a point to wave specifically at usthey didnt have to, and we appreciated their thoughtfulness). The look at the faces of young children, or handicapped kids was amazing as they saw Mickey. I was extremely impressed with the work of the all CMs in the parade. It was a hot day, and they danced the whole route. I felt especially sorry for the Characters. They had no shade (our jeep was covered), and it must have been very hot. I was extremely impressed with Pluto. He was right in front of us, and he danced the whole way. Gosh, he/she must have felt like dying in that costume.
When we finished up, we were helped out of the jeeps and given water (thank-you!). The Characters quickly were hustled off (and probably hosed down out of sight). Many CMs stopped by to say, Thanks and good-bye.
Thats it. Regretfully, when we had the Kodak camera developed, it had had a light leak and many of the photos were ruined. Some were saved with a great deal of Photoshopping. Luckily, I took a couple with my digital along the route. Below are a fewI hope you enjoy them. Also, if you happened to be there on Oct. 25th and took photos of the Jungle Jammin Mickey float, Id love to see them. One last thought, if you attend the Jungle Jammin Parade, the section of parade route north of Discovery Island was pretty deserted. I remembered this because I had a few minutes when I could give my arms a rest.
Our next trip, thats where Ill watch it. I still havent seen this parade.
During our trip, my sister's family (DW, DH, DD) met us (DH, DW, DD, DS) for a few days at WDW. On Oct. 25th, we were at AK. We had just met Mickey in the Character greeting area near Festival of the Lion King. It was early in the day around 10-11:00 and as we left Mickey, an older CM approached us and asked if we would be interested in being on a float in the Mickeys Jungle Jammin' Parade. Seriously, I thought he was kidding. I said we had never seen the Jungle Jammin Parade, but that we had a PS at Boma and were planning on leaving the park early to tour AKL. He seemed disappointed and said he had been looking for a family of seven and really could use us--it was for the Mickey float. I looked at the rest of our group, and they looked back at me like I was crazy. It dawned on me that this was serious. I immediately agreed. The CM was very relieved and took our names and told us to meet him by the Safari area at 3:00.
Sure enough, we were in the area at 3:00 and the CM came out and took us "Backstage." He said there was one rule before taking us back, "No Photos." I love to take pictures, but I agreed. He said they would take pictures of us on the float and give us the camera (a Kodak disposable). Once the parade left the backstage area, he said, we could take all the photos we wanted. Deal. (For the record, we saw no secrets. The parade equipment was very organized it rows, and, thankfully, all the Characters were completely costumed).
Once we were backstage, we met up with a few others in a small waiting area (3-4 other smaller groups for Donald float, etc). We had a rack of vests to go through to pick one out, plus we each received pit helmets with the required ears featured prominently.
Then we were taken to the float. The "float" was a themed jeep pulling a trailer. It was high enough they used a special platform ladder to get us into it, and once seated were we belted down. We were then given earplugs--"the music gets load because we hide speakers on your roof."
I can't tell you how nice everyone was. From the maintenance people walking by to the other CM's in the parade. Everyone came up to say, "hi: the guys on stilts (which was nice because we didnt have to bend down to talk to them), the guys that walked the bug things came by to have their critters say, Hi, the Characters stopped by for a quick handshake or wave, and all the costumed CMs made a point to make sure we felt part of the crew. It was wonderful. Lastly, Mickey was brought in and we had a few moments with him before he was helped onto his platform right behind us.
Before we knew it, off we went. As soon as we hit the gate the music on our jeep kicked on, and it was loud. I pulled the earplugs out of my pocket and crammed them in. Then for the next half-hour or so, I waved. I waved a lot. I have never waved so much in my life. After a while, we developed moves with the music and danced in our chairs while we waved. It was awesome. We were under no illusion, howeverMickey was the main event. We were just fluff. For a brief time, though, we were part of the magic. Thousands of people waved while we passed (every CM along the route made a point to wave specifically at usthey didnt have to, and we appreciated their thoughtfulness). The look at the faces of young children, or handicapped kids was amazing as they saw Mickey. I was extremely impressed with the work of the all CMs in the parade. It was a hot day, and they danced the whole route. I felt especially sorry for the Characters. They had no shade (our jeep was covered), and it must have been very hot. I was extremely impressed with Pluto. He was right in front of us, and he danced the whole way. Gosh, he/she must have felt like dying in that costume.
When we finished up, we were helped out of the jeeps and given water (thank-you!). The Characters quickly were hustled off (and probably hosed down out of sight). Many CMs stopped by to say, Thanks and good-bye.
Thats it. Regretfully, when we had the Kodak camera developed, it had had a light leak and many of the photos were ruined. Some were saved with a great deal of Photoshopping. Luckily, I took a couple with my digital along the route. Below are a fewI hope you enjoy them. Also, if you happened to be there on Oct. 25th and took photos of the Jungle Jammin Mickey float, Id love to see them. One last thought, if you attend the Jungle Jammin Parade, the section of parade route north of Discovery Island was pretty deserted. I remembered this because I had a few minutes when I could give my arms a rest.
Our next trip, thats where Ill watch it. I still havent seen this parade.
Great story, Dan! What memories! We saw this parade once - and it was the first day they ever had it (just there by chance). Enjoyed having my frozen banana and watching the fun but it was so hot even standing there, I can't imagine how hot you and the characters must have been. I hope you get some photos from some DISers who were there...
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I love to hear stories like this when Disney makes great memories for their guests!
