Part 3 - The Parades

WOW is all I can say. I had seen several Disneyland parades in previous years, but this time was by far the best and most elaborate. The parade is called the Parade of Dreams and was designed specifically for the 50th Birthday celebrations, which actually ended while we were there on 30 September. I have head that it will continue to run until mid November. Meanwhile everything else related to the 50th disappeared during our last couple of days there, to be replaced by the Halloween decorations... but more on that later.

We got to see the parade several times, both at night and during the day on the weekend. The day/night versions are definitely a different experience, I think I prefer the nightime for more atmosphere with all the lights.

Here are some pics of some of the floats, these things were massive and the photos just don't do it any justice. I have some great video footage of the full parade which goes for about 15min. So will have to had a video night.

The Lion King float was my favourite, it was so massive, this picture was taken with no zoom on my little digital camera. It had an acrobat doing rope work, water features and a huge animatronic Simba at the top. It was definitely Evan's favourite too. The "Circle of Life" theme song played as it went by and its now one of Evan's favourite songs. I have a DVD of Disney songs and this is the one he wants again and again. He is even signing along.

The parade was opened by Tinkerbell and closed by Minnie & Mickey dressed in their finery. Along the route the minor characters walked, danced and interacted with the crowd. This is my favourite picutre of Grumpy.