“WALT DISNEY’S PARADE OF DREAMS” PREMIERES DURING

‘THE HAPPIEST HOMECOMING ON EARTH’ CELEBRATION

New Parade to Feature One of The Largest Gatherings of Disney Characters Ever

 

ANAHEIM , Calif. , May 5, 2004 – Premiering on May 5, 2005 with the Disneyland 50th anniversary “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration, the all-new “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” will highlight the many classic Disney stories and characters that have contributed to the magic of Disneyland over the past five decades.  Planned for two performances each day during the 18-month long golden anniversary festivities, “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Combining heart-warming Disney moments and beloved characters with visually stunning floats, timeless tunes and energetic performers, the parade (designed especially for the golden anniversary celebration) will be unlike any previous Disneyland parade spectacular, in scope and presentation.

 “The parade will be a grand procession and performance that will thrill, engage and amaze our audience,” said Anne Hamburger, executive vice president, Disney Creative Entertainment.  “We have pulled out all the stops to include one of the largest gatherings of Disney Characters ever, plus fantastic dancers, rhythmic gymnasts, trampoline performers and aerial artists whose talents will take this parade to a whole new level—literally.”

“Our ‘Parade of Dreams’ will be a wholly unique, entertaining and truly theatrical presentation,” said Steven Davison, creative director, Disney Creative Entertainment.  “We have four performance stops along the parade route that will dazzle audiences with unbelievable musical production numbers presented by over 100 performers.”

Raul Rodriguez, famed float designer for the world famous Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, served as a key production designer in the creation of “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams.”  The parade floats will act as rolling stages, featuring not only distinctive design but such whimsical elements as jumping fountains, confetti blasts, wafting bubbles and elaborate puppetry.  Some of the float units will reach heights of nearly 20 feet.

 

 

Choreographed to the signature tune “Welcome” by Academy Award® winning composer Phil Collins (from the Disney animated film Brother Bear) the parade also features a host of classic Disney songs selected for each of the six individual parade units:

·         Gateway to Dreams – Everyone’s favorite pixie, Tinker Bell, will “Welcome” everyone and lead off the impressive procession with a generous sprinkling of pixie dust from her perch atop a shimmering golden locomotive.  Tinker Bell will be joined by a host of Disney magic makers, including Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio’s Blue Fairy, Sleeping Beauty’s Flora, Fauna and Merryweather and little King Arthur’s Merlin the Wizard.

·         Dream of Enchantment – The enchanted characters from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” invite everyone to “Be our Guest,” as dancing silverware, salt and pepper shakers and a flirtatious feather duster join Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts in a show-stopping musical spectacle.   

·         Dream of Laughter – Geppetto’s workshop comes to life in a fantastical display of toys and life-sized marionettes that astonish the audience with their breathtaking antics utilizing elasticized “shock” chords, choreographed to the appropriate tunes of “I’ve Got No Strings” and “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actors Life for Me).”  Pinocchio joins the world of wind-up toys along with Jiminy Cricket and Cleo.

·         Dream of Another World – Taking guests to the charming ocean kingdom of “The Little Mermaid,” Sebastian the Crab contributes his famous Caribbean flair.  Ariel and Flounder float nearby to the tune of “Under the Sea,” complete with bubbles, dancing fish and leaping fountains.  Rhythmic gymnasts perform with pearl balls while the evil sea witch Ursula, a giant articulated puppet, lurks in the background. 

·         Dream of Imagination – Mr. White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts and all of the whimsical and wonderful characters from Walt Disney’s “ Alice in Wonderland” happily celebrate “A Very Merry Unbirthday” at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.  Tweedle Dee and Dum chase the White Rabbit down the parade route while a pair of wild cards bounces atop the trampoline tea table.  Meanwhile, the Caterpillar puffs smoke rings into the air as performing “flowers” bloom with the use of bounce stilts.

·         Dream of Adventure – This gathering atop Pride Rock utilizes amazing puppetry to portray a the regal couple of Simba and Nala, while all the creatures from the Pride Lands (represented by live performers, puppets and kites) join in the “Circle of Life” celebration, along with Rafiki, Pumbaa and Timon.  A rising tree features two twirling acrobatic dancers performing as exotic birds. 

·         Dreams Come True – The finale float representing the majesty of Sleeping Beauty Castle provides an incredible backdrop for Disney Princesses and their Princes, along with regally-dressed Mickey and Minnie and an array of favorite Disney characters.  “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (from Walt Disney’s animated feature Cinderella) and “When You Wish Upon a Star” (from Walt Disney’s animated feature Pinocchio) bring the parade to a “happily ever after” conclusion.

Premiering on May 5, 2005 “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” an extraordinary celebration of the golden 50th anniversary of Disneyland, will pay tribute to the millions of guests and Cast Members who have contributed to the rich legacy of “The Happiest Place on Earth” over the past five decades.  The 18-month long occasion represents the biggest celebration in the history of Disney theme parks and is the first truly global Disney event

 

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