Chapter 30 - Magic Kingdom - Parade's of the 1980's  posted 11/14/19

Magic Kingdom Parades
Magic Kingdom Parades have become a tradition, these Parades have puts on fantastic displays of theatrics, music and dance. In the 1980’s, new parades were continuously developed as well.
Below is a list of the parades that had make their way down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom over the years!
Picture
Parade Route for the mid-day Parades
List of Parades of the Magic Kingdom:
 
In the previous Chapter 29 – we presented Magic Kingdom Parades that started in the 1970’s
  • Grand Opening Day Parade October 25, 1971
  • Character Parade October 1971 - December 1971
  • Christmas Parade 1971 - present
  • Character Parade (Pooh for President)1972
  • Happy Easter Parade Easter only 1972 – 1998
  • Character Parade 1973-1974
  • Character Cavalcades1974-1975, 1977-1978
  • America on Parade June 1975 - September 1976
  • Mickey Mouse Club Parade September 1976 - June 1977
  • Main Street Electrical Parade (evening parade) 1977–1991, 1999–2001, 2010–2016
  • Mickey's 50th Birthday Parade November 1978 - December 1978
  • Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade/ Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Christmas only 1978 – present
  • Dumbo's Circus Parade January 1979 - December 1979
 
In this Chapter 30 – we will view Magic Kingdom parades that started in the 1980’s
  • Pinocchio Parade January 1980 - June 1980
  • Tencennial Parade October 1981 - September 1982
  • Mickey Mouse Character Parade October 1982 - May 1984
  • Donald's 50th Birthday Parade May 1984 - December 1984
  • Mickey's Street Party January 1985 - November 1986
  • 15 Years of Magic October 1986 - September 1987
  • Spirit of America September 1987 - November 1988
  • Mickey's All-American Birthday Parade November 1988 - November 1989
  • Disney Character Hit Parade October 1989 - September 1991
 
In Chapter 31 - Magic Kingdom parades that started in the 1990’s will be presented
  • 20th Anniversary Surprise Celebration Parade September 1991 - December 1992
  • Surprise Celebration Parade January 1993 – June 1994
  • SpectroMagic (evening parade)1991 - 1999, 2001 - 2010
  • Mickey's Christmas Cavalcade 1993/1994 – 2006
  • Mickey Mania June 1994 - September 1996
  • Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary "Remember the Magic" Parade October 1996 – January 1998
  • Magical Moments Parade February 1998 - September 2001
  • Mickey's Boo to You Parade(during the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party) 1996- present
 
Chapter 32 - Magic Kingdom parades that started in the 2000’s
  • Share a Dream Come True Parade October 2001 - August 2006
  • Main Street Trolley Parade (morning event) February 2003 – present
  • Disney Dreams Come True Parade August 2006 - January 2009
  • Disney's Enchanted Adventures 2007-2009
 
Chapter 33 - Magic Kingdom parades that that represented the 2010’s
  • Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade January 2009 - January 2014
  • Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party February 2009 – October 23, 2014
  • Festival of Fantasy Parade March 2014 - present
  • Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play it! Street Party October 24, 2014 – December 1, 2018
  • Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party January 18, 2019 - Present
  • Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
 
Then in Chapter 34 – the `Magic Kingdom Christmas Parades from 1971 to present will be described.
  • Christmas Parades in the Magic Kingdom 1971-present
It appeared in the 1980's a new parade was introduced to entertain the Magic Kingdom guests almost every year. there was always something to celebrate at the Magic Kingdom, Pinocchio's 40th Birthday, Donald's 50th Birthday, Mickey's 60th Birthday, then 10th and 15th Anniversaries of the Magic Kingdom.

So Let’s move on to the Magic Kingdom Parades that started in the 1980’s, and some even continued beyond.
Pinocchio Parade January 1980 - June 1980

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Disney animated feature film “Pinocchio”, Walt Disney World celebrated, the little wooden puppet with his own parade at Magic Kingdom.
 
The parade, which began in January 1980, presented the story of “Pinocchio” with special floats that denoted scenes from the film.
 
One float showed Geppetto playing with a tiny Pinocchio puppet.
 
Another featured dancing marionette puppets.
Stromboli watched the crowd from yet another float.



Pinocchio, of course, appears atop a float with friends Figaro and Cleo the goldfish in her bowl.


The parade ran through June 1980.
 

Jiminy Cricket made an appearance riding atop a large conscience medal float,
 
And the Blue Fairy was also represented in an oversized window float.

 Sources:
TicketCity
Tencennial Parade October 1981 - September 1982
 
The Magic Kingdom celebrated its 10th anniversary from October 1981-September 1982.
It was a year-long event filled with spectacular parades, live musical concerts, guest appearances by a multitude of top-name celebrities, fireworks galore and a host of thrilling surprises done up in a grand Disney style.
 
The Tencennial Parade debuted in grand fashion on October 1, 1981, with comedian Bob Hope serving as the parade’s grand marshal, and an additional 1,000 band members joining the lineup.
First in the parade lineup were Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who rode atop a blue and silver 10th anniversary logo float to the new theme song, “Walt Disney World Is Your World.”
 
The rest of the parade’s floats represented tour of each of the park’s six unique “lands.”
  • The Main Street Trolley brought in the Main Street, U.S.A., section of the parade, with dancers giving a performance of “Clang Clang Clang Went the Trolley”, as well as a garden gazebo with musical performers.

  • Followed were The Dapper Dans, plus Pluto dressed in barbershop quartet gear, followed. They rolled along on penny-farthings and bicycles built for two, singing “In the Good Old Summertime.”
  • The Walt Disney World’s team of championship Percherons were pulling the old fashioned 1907 calliope, which provided the music.
  • A futuristic punk band represented Tomorrowland.  
  • Cinderella traveled the parade route in a glass pumpkin coach pulled by six miniature white horses.

  • A Casey Jr.-style train served as the Fantasyland representatives, which also included appearances by the Seven Dwarfs, Aristocats, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Winnie the Pooh and friends, the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.

  • Frontierland had can-can dancers from the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon performing on a moveable stage.  (more on the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue in Chapter 14)
The theme song for the Tencennial Parade was "Disney World Is Your World". The song was originally used for Disneyland's 25th Anniversary but with different lyrics. The song was revised again for Tokyo Disneyland.   
A television special showing the parade aired on January 21, 1982 called Kraft Salutes Walt Disney World's 10th Anniversary.  The show featured Dean Jones and Michele Lee, stars from the Disney movie “Herbie the Love Bug.”
During the 10th Anniversary Celebration activities in the park included a Kids of the Kingdom stage show in Tomorrowland called Walt Disney World is Your World, which ran years beyond the 10th Anniversary in a revised format. (more about the Kids of the Kingdom in Chapter 26)
Note:  EPCOT Center opened the day after the celebration ended!
Guests to the Magic Kingdom in early 1982 were given a four-page pamphlet presenting all the 10th anniversary-related festivities in the Park. It included an advert for the Walt Disney World Village (Disney Springs today) and the EPCOT preview center...
Resources:
Mickey Mouse Character Parade October 1982 - May 1984
 
After the Magic Kingdom’s Tencennial celebration ended in September 1982, Disney directed its attention on Mickey Mouse. Mickey became the focus of celebration for afternoon parade and, of course, it was called the “Mickey Mouse Parade.”
The procession kicked off on October 1, 1982, where Mickey Mouse appeared in the parade leading a marching band and cheerleaders.
The parade ended in May 1984 to make way for Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday Celebration Parade.
 
Sources:
he floats that followed donned Mickey Mouse banners and, some of Mickey’s best friends, including the Seven Dwarfs, the Three Little Pigs, friends from animated films like “Robin Hood,” “The Rescuers” and more.
Donald's 50th Birthday Parade May 1984 - December 1984
 
In 1984 the Magic Kingdom celebrated Donald Duck’s 50th birthday in a big colorful way with an exciting parade.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse led the celebration down Main Street, U.S.A., riding atop a Donald Duck-themed float that was surrounded with Donald’s cheerleaders.
Donald Duck and Daisy Duck celebrated atop a float, and at the bottom row of the float was Grandma Duck, Donald’s grandmother. who first appeared in the Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color short, “This Is Your Life Donald Duck.”
 
Donald’s fellow fowl friends – Daisy, Ludwig Von Drake, Uncle Scrooge, and nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie – also appeared.
 
 The parade featured the song Happy Happy Birthday to You. The birthday ditty was written by Michael and Patty Silversher. The song was later used with different lyrics in the post-show area in Mickey's Birthdayland.
Today at Walt Disney World today, guests can still sometimes hear a variation of this song in restaurants when Cast Members sing to guests celebrating a birthday.  
Note: Silversher & Silversher, are an American songwriting team known for writing themes and songs for Disney and Jim Henson television series, shows and specials.
One of the major promotions for Donald’s Birthday was a 15 city tour across the country on a private jet. 
Below is a video of Donald's 50th Birthday Parade:
Mickey's Street Party January 1985 - November 1986
 
Mickey’s Street Party filled the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon Parade gap between Donald’s 50th Birthday Celebration, which ended in December 1984, to 15 Years of Magic Celebration that started in October 1986.
 
The parade featured a bright color scheme of pink, purple, yellow, orange and red, with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck appearing on the lead “party” float.
The lead float was followed by the Seven Dwarfs and a cast of 40 Disney characters that included Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear (“Song of the South”), Alice, Tweedledee and Tweedledum (“Alice In Wonderland”), friends from “The Jungle Book” and many more.
Cinderella had her own special float, which was surrounded by waltzing couples and her mice frienda.
While another float featured Goofy, Pluto, Huey, Dewey and Louie.
There were many parade performers that twirled ribbons, waved flags, and danced along the parade route. The procession concluded with a float of “Winnie the Pooh” characters.
The Mickey's Street Party featured a very danceable disco beat soundtrack, with lots of neon colors and glittery ornaments on the floats.
 
Videos:
Sources:
Fantasy On Parade 1986-1993
 
Believe this was one of the names used for Christmas Parades. Need to verify.  It appears to have been only in Disneyland, but not sure. Will continue researching for the upcoming Christmas Parades Chapter.
In the carriage are the Kids of the Kingdom (see more about the Kids in Chapter 26)
15 Years of Magic October 1986 - September 1987
Mickey and Minnie were followed by a large, top open present, which was one of several to be featured in the parade. There was a 15th ANNIVERSARY PRIZE CLOCK which timed out that Guests could win prizes every fifteen minutes from pins to Cavalier convertibles from Chevrolet.
In October 1986, the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World Resort celebrated its 15th anniversary.
 
The parade featured Mickey and Minnie in the lead off float, which was decked out in 80’s best.
 
The Parade music was captivating and memorable with 80’s sound.
During these special events many of the more rare characters are present. Which Included King Leonidas (Bedknobs & Broomsticks), Lulubelle (Bongo segment of Fun and Fancy Free), Penguins (Mary Poppins), Stromboli (Pinocchio), and even Suzy and Perla (two of Cinderella’s friendly mice).
It was a year-long party that included all sorts of special decorations, and constant giveaways.
 
Other major floats included a band float with Chip, Dale, Pluto, Tigger, Br’er Bear, and the Big Bad Wolf.
 
The Fairy Godmother and Donald have their own respective floats and a number of musical performers and dancers stood atop the glass castle float.
One of the most notable floats was the one with Liver Lips McGraw, Wendell, and Shaker of Country Bear Jamboree
References:

Spirit of America September 1987 - November 1988
(also called All America Parade)
 
As the 15 Years of Magic anniversary celebration came to a close in fall 1987,
1987 marked the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Disney was ready with a new parade  called the Spirit of America Parade” to celebrate the event, which stepped off in September 1987.
The procession featured Mickey and Minnie in colonial attire riding a Parade float with an oversized Constitution of the United States of America and a replica of the Liberty Bell.
The float was surrounded by a marching band.
There was a float for country bears with a country band.

And there were floats based on “American” sights, including a lighthouse, steamboat and a barn with Dumbo in the loft window, among others.

Disney characters appeared in attire themed to the floats they followed, such as Goofy dressed in cowboy gear.
References:
Mickey's All-American Birthday Parade November 1988 - November 1989
 
Immediately after the Spirit of America celebration the Magic Kingdom followed it with a Parade called Mickey’s All-American Birthday Parade.
 
1988 was Mickey's 60th birthday and the Magic Kingdom decided to celebrate this in a very special way. To the East of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was replace be a land called Mickey's Birthdayland. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, guests would hear announcements from Minnie Mouse regarding a special surprise party she was having for Mickey at this new land. A new train stop was added (theToonTown Station) and guests made their way into a land called Duckburg.
 
A Circus-style tent was the location for Mickey's Surprise party. Guests were treated to a show that featured the Gang surprising The Big Cheese (Mickey, of course) with a 60th birthday party.
 
Birthdayland's popularity was so great that Disney decided to make it a permanent land at the Magic Kingdom. It was remodeled and turned into called Mickey's Starland, then later it was renamed Mickey's ToonTown. (See Chapter 22 – Fantasyland That Once Was)
 
 The Spirit of America Parade was recycled in 1988 and renamed Mickey’s All American Birthday Parade. The new parade used a lot of the same floats and costumes but added a couple new ones plus a new theme song. The new parade starts with bakers, one of which is carrying a birthday cake, and the rest of the characters, dancers, and singers, celebrate Mickey’s birthday. This parade ran for a year until 1989.
 
However like most parades there was a surprise float announcing the stars of the latest feature animated film “The Little Mermaid” which would be released in November 1989. Ariel and friends rode atop The Little Mermaid float.
Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh” animated films, needed to get into the act by surfing on a float with a giant wave.
Source:

Disney Character Hit Parade October 1989 - September 1991
(It was also known as the Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Parade)
After Mickey’s All-American Birthday Celebration ended, a new parade debuted at Magic Kingdom Park in October 1989. It was named the Disney Character Hit Parade, but also known as the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Parade”.
 
The procession was led by a gleaming steamboat float. The Dapper Dans were singing from the bow of the steamboat, called the S. S. Disney! Also on the float were Roger Rabbit and characters such as Chip and Dale.
 
Surrounding the float were the Country Bears, as well as Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear.
 
Over 100 performers depicted moments from Disney films.
  • Captain Hook and Mr. Smee had a small boat with which they try to escape from the Tick Tock crocodile.
  • Snow White and the prince rode on a waterwheel float while Whistle While You Work was sung and the dwarfs marched to Heigh-Ho.  
  • Cinderella rode in her coach pulled by six white horses.  
  • A Mary Poppins float depicted the rooftops of London.  
  • Stromboli drove his puppet wagon while Pinocchio performed with can-can dancers representing marionettes while Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life For Me) was sung.  
  • The penultimate float featured a tornado slide and skateboarders.  
  • Another notable fact was that this was the first parade to feature an appearance by the cast of “The Little Mermaid,” which was released earlier that year. The float featured Ariel, Ursula, Prince Eric and Sebastian.
  • A Jungle Book float featured King Louie's monkeys and had Baloo and Mowgli wrestling with each other.  
  • Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood were represented with a float featuring the Silly Old Bear's tree home and Tigger sang his theme The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers.
  • Teapots rolled down the street and characters from Wonderland sat in a gazebo and sang The Unbirthday Song.  
  • Other members of the Country Bears rode on a float with Davy Crockett and sang about him while the King of the Wild Frontier shot blanks from his rifle Old Betsy at the top of the float.  The soft-hearted bears had "live" coonskin caps on their heads.   
  • Mickey and Minnie rode on the last float as The Mickey Mouse Club March played.  The float also featured characters such as the Gummi Bears, The Three Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf, Bongo, The Rescuers, Robin Hood, and others.

The song that tied the whole parade together was a special version of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.

References:
In the 1980’s Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom was getting its entertainment footing going and it showed in the grand Parades during that period. But it didn't stop here Parades have become the mainstay of /the Magic Kingdom's entertainment. See what's in store in the upcoming Chapters.
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