A Christmas Fantasy Parade

did they cut the Toy Soldiers from the Parade? here's a video from the 1st performance yesterday and they weren't in it:

 

Seems like an odd thing to cut, since they were such an iconic part of the parade. WDW's Christmas parade still has them; in fact they've always had more than DL, with a smaller group playing instruments and a larger group marching in formations. I think they have about 25 all together

Are the skiiers-on-rollerblades new this year? They're definitely an addition since the last time I saw the parade (though a longtime part of the WDW parade), so maybe they decided to swap them out; that still seems like a very odd choice to me. It looks like the roller skating snowflakes have also changed since I last saw the parade, but some of that could be due to wind (though it doesn't look windy in the video)

 

apparently they were removed to save on musician wages. there are still a few on the toy float but nothing like the grand procession of years before.

 

I have a friend who is involved with parades. Someone posted on FB to ask about the toy soldiers, and they said that they would be coming at a later date. The question was worded specifically about the trumpet-playing ones, but I would assume the 2(?) drummers would be included in that as well

 

I was on Facebook last night saying that I was tired of this parade seeing it year after year. I then asked the question how long has this parade been running. The answer I got was 22 years! I think that even with the adding and subtracting little things from the parade it's time for it to be retired.

 

Me too! But that's how I feel about every Disney parade. With the crowds the way they are nowadays, parades just add to the misery......

 

Me too! But that's how I feel about all DL parades. With the crowds the way they are nowadays, it is just too crazy getting around the parks when there are parades running.

 

I think Max is still in the parade. Does anyone even know who Max is anymore?

 

I doubt the kids do, but I'm sure there are a lot of younger adults who know him. Plus he's really big in Japan, appearing in most of their seasonal shows and parades, since they like the partner their characters up and he's the logical match for Goofy

I agree that it's time for something new with the Christmas parade. I've never been a fan of the music, and most of the floats pre-date the parade's official debut by many years (check out the World According to Goofy parade some time for a fun "I Spy" game to find familiar floats!). WDW's Christmas parade has floats that are even more dated, so I guess that's something DL has going for it, but both need a top-to-bottom overhaul

 

Max is Goofy's son, right? I vaguely remember him from "A Goofy Movie" and probably some spinoff TV show.

 

I have a soft spot in my heart for this parade. It's where the wife and I met each other for the first time as entertainers in the parade.

This photo was from the second season 1996.

 

I love the Christmas Fantasy Parade. One of the main reasons I will put up with the December crowds.
I just got one of the credit card magazine/add fliers. It had a picture of the Toy Soldiers, said they started in 1960 and referred to them as "the now-iconic toy soldiers." It said nothing about them going away though.
My favorite part.


They don't let that much flour into the air anymore though.

 

Toy Soldiers returned today. Apparently their contract limits how many performances of the parade they do and the complete run exceeds that limit.