Who else has done this?

[Tigger79]

My 1st trip to WDW was in 1994 when my high school band was able to march in the Spectro Magic parade(actually we were before the parade). It was just a magical experience. I'm f/a town of about 9000 and people were screaming and cheering for us as we marched down Main Street. When I saw my family on Main Street(they later told me they had picked out their seats 3hrs. before the parade) I started crying because it was so magical! That has to be my favorite Disney moment-Marching Down Main Street in front of about 60,000 people!

 

[Baloo]

That sounds like a wonderful time...what a great memory to have!!!

I've never exprienced that but my cousin's kids got to march at WDW several years ago.I'm hoping my DS Erich and Jonathan get a hance to do it one day.

 

[Philadisney]

my HS did that as well in 1996. it was a wonderful trip

 

[Hippychickali]

My sister did this last April (2004). She had a wonderful time. It was really a big deal around here. The band does it every few years. I wish I could have been there to see her. Not only that but it was her birthday on top of it all!

Ali

 

[Matt'sMom]

I too had the opportunity to march in the parade(s) at MK, on three separate occassions, with our HS band. First time was just a year or so after MK originally opened. (OK... so that dates me, doesn't it?!)

What we enjoyed the most was having the opportunity to go 'behind the scenes', seeing the back lot, costume warehouses, CM's practicing for the Christmas parade, etc.. Really wild to see the animals on the Jungle Cruise from behind--did you know that they do not move until/unless a boat is actually approaching? One minute they'd all be standing quietly, then a boat would come along and they'd 'come alive' (begin to move about and make animal noises). Boat would pass, and they would all go quiet and still again.

Gosh... back then you didn't even get a full day (unlimited ride) park pass for MK. They gave you a book of tickets, and different rides required different 'levels' of tickets from out of the book. At that time, MK was the only park in WDW. So when you over hear some of us 'more mature' folks slip up and refer to MK as WDW on occassion, it's because we were there at a time when the MK really was pretty much all there was to visit at WDW.

 

[Maude4Disney]

I too was fortunate enough to have this experience. Only it was much longer ago... 1985. ouch! Anyway, it is a great and very memorable experience and one that I will cherish forever. I keep hoping now that my son is in band that he will get to have that same experience. What a feeling it was to be the first ones (best friend and I were front and center) leading the nighttime parade down Mainstreet!

 

[snappy]

We just got back last night from Orlando. Our son marched with his HS band before the 3 pm parade. We clapped and cheered like heck and alot of the other guests did the same, it was great. I think there were a lot of people there from Louisiana escaping Mardi Gras. While the band traveled by bus and stayed at the Holiday Inn, we drove separately and stayed at Old Key West (this place is great). The kids had a great time, they toured the parks for three days with their friends. A lot of of parents went in addition to the school chaperones, at least 30 families. Lots of pictures were taken and the band boosters are going to fill up the band room at school with everyone's pictures. I choked up last night after we got home when my 16 year old son threw his arms around me and hugged me and thanked me for paying for his band trip to Disney. What a memory!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Our HS did the Candlelight Processional. It was amazing, and we got to be with Ben Vereen!

 

[aunties]

I too was lucky enough to be able to march down Main Street way back in 1977. I still get teary eyed every time I look down Main Street. I can still remember all those people cheering despite the fact they had no idea who we were or where we were from. We were a part of their Disney magic and they let us know they appreciated it. It was really great being backstage back then. The characters were waiting with us. Mickey decided he wanted to learn how to twirl my baton! Snow White had appparently had a few baton lessons before she met the Dwarves! I later spent 13 years working as the twirling and flag instructor and chaperoned 5 trips and got to see my students have that special magic of performing in Disney. As I always said, "Anyone can go to Disney World, but not many people get to perform there!"

 

[DisneyVillain]

1976, for the USA bicentennial celebration. And I agree, it was definitely an e-ticket experience.

 

[ricktib]

Yes - that was my first Disney experience also in Jan. 1988. I think they called the program 'Magic Music Days'. We did it again in 1990 and were at MGM for the opening day of Star Tours. George Lucas was there, and Michael Jackson and his handlers sat a few rows in front of us at the Indiana Jones stunt show (not quite as big of a deal now as it was then).

 

[snappy]

I found out while working on washing clothes last night that Disney gives each band student a cool t shirt that says Disney magic music days with a set of mickey ears inside a treble clef. I am trying to talk my son into giving it to me since I paid for his trip.

 

[nkjzmom]

It's nice to see so many DISers that have had this opportunity!

When I was in college our band traveled down with the football team to play UCLA. We were also invited to perform in Disneyland. I had never been there before so I was thrilled to be marching down Main St.! We marched through Disneyland and stopped on Main St to perform another song. It was something I'll never forget.

 

[Rachie0507]

I did it in 1995 with my HS marching band. We marched in the 3 o'clock parade at MK, a parade at MGM, and played a stand-still at Epcot. It really was a magical experience.

 

[Hippychickali]

My sister's jazz band also got to play at Comic Ray's on the stage that comes up out of the floor.

Ali