Main Street Winter Wonderland

One of the things I love most about the parades at Christmastime, is how the regular floats are decorated to embrace the holiday season. Such as in Disneyland Paris' Christmas Parade:




And from the Walt Disney World Holiday Parade, here are some of my favourite floats:

March On

A Disney Christmas Parade wouldn't be a Disney Christmas Parade without the famous Toy Soldiers. And the Parade at Disneyland Paris is no exception!





Can you notice any differences?

Sing Along Sing The Song Of Christmas

What exactly makes up a Disney Parade? Well, you have the characters, of course, and the music. And then you have the floats - they are usually spectacular, right? And the theme of the Parade itself is very important. But I feel like I'm missing something... Of course, it's the dancers and performers!

Performers work so hard to keep us entertained as we're waiting for the next float, or holding out to see our favourite character. And the Disneyland Paris Christmas Parade is no exception, hosting some of the best dancers and most beautiful holiday themed costumes. Let's take a little look at some examples of these cast members...

T'is the Spirit of the Season

As I have said before, Disneyland Paris is breathtaking during the holiday season. Just the Castle alone is enough to leave me speechless!

Of course, in true Disney style, the Christmas Parades are just as marvellous. The past couple of years has seen a departure from their regular Christmas pararde, due to the 15th Celebratory Parade 'Once Upon A Dream Parade'. However, back in 2006 I had the opprtunity to see their full length Christmas parade.

Over the next couple of days, I thought we could have a look at the various floats and characters making an appearance. Let's start with the fab five, shall we?

What's a Motto With You?

Disney Cinema Parade - Script

One of the most important items in any movie - and potentially the starting point for any future film - is the script. So, of course, the Disney Cinema Parade has to have a script. But who could possibly introduce the script to us? Why, 'The Lion King' characters, of course. One of the most memorable and moving stories from Disney, with some of the most memorable characters.

And who better to headline the float than Rafiki, a great and wise storyteller. The float itself is in the shape of a large book, with Simba stepping out of the pages. Timon is also on hand, just to give that script some extra flair!

Disney Cinema Parade - Clapperboard

We have the lights...we've definitely got the camera...now all we need is the action. And what better way to introduce this than with our old friend and favourite wooden boy, Pinocchio!

Accompanied by Gepetto, and with Jiminy Cricket hanging around somewhere too, you can bet that our movie is almost ready to get started. With a clapperboard this size, surely there can be no mistaking when our director shouts 'Action!'.

Spotlight On... Disney's Cinema Parade

It's a Friday, and what better way to start the weekend than having a look at one of the original Disneyland Paris parades! Specifically, the Disney Cinema Parade, over at Walt Disney Studios Park.

A daily event, the Disney Cinema Parade brings some of your favourite Disney characters and friends together in a parade inspired by all things related to the movies. We have director Donald Duck, Tinkerbell getting ready to shoot, Minnie getting the costumes ready and Mickey Mouse overseeing the whole shebang! Of course, like most things Disney, the parade tells a story too - and over the next few posts, I'd like to share this with you. Through the magic of photographs, maybe you can feel like you're really there...

The Disney Cinema Parade premiered in the Studios on June 1st 2002, and has experienced many changes. The floats were created in towns in Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern France, while the costumes were imagined and brought to life in Beniche, a carnival town in Belgium. Until early 2004, the Parade also included a 'warm up', with Goofy going along the parade route, along with some of the Park's movie stars, interacting with guests. This was removed as it was thought not all guests could enjoy it, due to the fact that Goofy was solely speaking in English.

Similarly, the "Lights! Camera! Action" 'parade stops' (in which the floats stop and the characters dance/interact with the guests) were removed from the parade in September 2004. However, these were reintroduced in 2006. The parade runs along from right to left (as seen on the map), finishing up at Backlot Express/Rock N' Rollercoaster. As I previously mentioned, instead of ropes, guests can sit along the 'film strip' of Mickey Ears to get ready for the parade.

The Parade has 9 different themes making up the story: Camera, Costuming, Script, Clapperboard, Movie Reel, Movie Can, Director, Filmstrip and Cinema. Each of these themes are represented by Disney characters or movies. There is also one ongoing theme throughout the Parade too, in the form of the dancers all being dressed as Ushers.

As far as I am aware, this parade no longer runs at the Walt Disney Studios. At present, guests can enjoy High School Musical On Tour and High School Musical 2: School's Out instead. I have heard that the Stars and Motor Cars Parade from Disney's Hollywood Studios shall be making an appearance in the near future at the park.

In the meantime, hold onto that Ticket to Disneyland Paris (I hope you all still have it!) and get ready for one of the funnest Parades in the Disney Parks!