Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I will never visit again during the actual week of Christmas...It is crazier than the middle of summer there in my mind....<< Agreed. I avoid the MK at all cost between the 25th and the 31st of dec. Reason why I put up the money for one of the AP discounted nights for the MVMCP.
Originally Posted By kennect TDL, Sorry I meant to mention I saw "Babes", etc. when it first was released many years ago...The toy soldiers just blew me away...Even though the film wasn't that great of a hit I still like it today...Regardless, when I first saw the soldiers brought to life I was blown away as to how good they looked in a live situation...Therefore over the years they have become to me classic Disney even if shown in a old and tired parade...I have no clue as to what you think about them or why you wouldn't want to see them removed but that is my reason....They simply, in my mind, had to be the most clever thing about the whole film...I am greatful they found an afterlife after the film....
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite "TDLFAN and tcsnwhite, people like you need to be more respectful of WDW. All this WDW-bashing is getting old, stale and repetitive VERY fast and your elitist attitudes are becoming more and more annoying!" HAHAHAHA, ohh, I knew it was coming! sorry, but I just knew it. See TDLFAN, now they really put me in the same group with you. I'm not saying that is a bad thing either. See, what TDLFAN and myself are simply trying to do is point out the truth that WDW is severly slacking in many areas-in this case the parade department. Truly, there is no excuse that this parade is still being run in this format with the same floats and costumes and music that have been used since I don't know when, the 70's, 80's? Truthfully, it is not about trying to be blatantly negative and be the party pooper to bring everyone down. It is about pointing out what can be done SO much better by the Walt Disney World Resort. And we only do it because we truly DO care. We want to see great, high-quality disney entertainment that we KNOW they can do- but, they simply aren't because they are cheap. There is no excuse for it. The country bear christmas special is just one example. And I am not trying to spark a west vs. east coast debate, but the DLR truly puts on a better holiday parade that has a sense of cohesiveness and artistic direction and story. The proof is in the pudding, watch and compare. And with productions such as Block Party Bash and Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams, and Finding Nemo:The Musical now at AK, the bar has been raised and a new standard has been set. Steven Davison (one of DCE's creative directors) even said it himself. It is not about bashing and it is not about elitist attitudes. It is about QUALITY entertainment and QUALITY investment by Disney. Now I am not trying to say that they need to be like Tokyo in every way (because we know that is not going to happen), but they certainly can learn from them and do a bit better job than they are doing now-especially with what they charge now. People like myself, and TDLFAN, and so on are folks that hold Disney to a high standard (which they really set for themselves anyway) and we hold Disney in a very special place in our hearts. There is an emotional connection. We know what true Disney standards are & what Disney is capable of doing...and we can clearly see that it is not happening in the Walt Disney World Parade dept.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite Also, I am not saying they need to mess with tradition. There are certain elements of a Disney christmas parade that are traditions- the toy soldiers (which I love) for one- but it is time to freshen up the artistic direction and design of the parade. New costumes and new music (with a new theme just for the Mk) would be nice, but overall I really feel their parade floats are sad and ancient. Really, it is time to update them and design some new ones. They could phase these changes over several years if they didn't want to do it all at once. At DL, they have added a new Santa float, new costumes every few years, and they change up the choreography. WDW, with this supposedly being their best parade of the year, can do better. While nice, it's just looks...old. Classic should not be an excuse for stale.
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 I like the parade no matter how outdated it is. I just love watching all the floats going by with the music playing and the expression on my son's face is all that matters to me. I love the part where the wooden soldiers march around. Agreed it could use some updating. We can't wait to see it next week.
Originally Posted By Boardwalkbum I'm looking forward to seeing it for the first time in a few weeks! Something tells me that "outdated" wont be one of the adjectives I'll be using to describe it to people.
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 Boardwalkbum - You will enjoy the parade. We have seen it quite a few times and still see different things every time. With the music, atmosphere, children dancing, parents buying them stuff,(me included) it's great.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I have never seen this parade. I am looking forward to seeing it in 9 days. I know its going to be fun. What I don't understand is why Disney doesn't tape this show and sell the DVD.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I'm excited, I didn't think I would be able to see the parade. Now that I can I can't wait. Thank You Doobie for sharing these photos and a great video.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite "All this WDW-bashing is getting old, stale and repetitive VERY fast and your elitist attitudes are becoming more and more annoying!" ok, my last reply to this got deleted for some reason that I have no clue about. If it was offensive to anyone, I am sorry. But what I will say is that I am NOT trying to be elitist or anything like that. No way, no how- I love Disney. I just think Disney can do better-mainly from an artistic point of view with this parade. I do thoroughly enjoy WDW though, and wish I could be back soon to see the Nemo musical, unfortunately I can't right now. To stay on topic, I do enjoy what WDW has to offer, and I do think this parade is nice. I don't feel it is outright bad, just needs refreshening here and there. I will say I do enjoy seeing the green army man band, the toy soldiers and all the characters. I would like to see some better lighting though, it is hard to see them at night.
Originally Posted By Pollyana And yes, I am a pollyana...Always see the best in every situation. I have never been to WDW. I don't know what to expect as far as parades, but from watching the video, I must agree that it was somewhat dark.... I am a true Disneyland nut and will continue to enjoy the parades there. Thanks for the video Doobie. One day I will get to WDW.
Originally Posted By kennect Dixie, Those snow machines are getting pretty cheap these days...If you love that snow you can easily get one for yourself like we did two years ago....Great effect and it blows the neighbors away whenever we crank it up....
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I attended MVMCP tonight (28th) and we only had snow on Main Street during the last hours of the party (between 11pm and midnight).
Originally Posted By Rebekah While I enjoy this parade it is very clearly a daytime parade and it doesn't translate well to nighttime entertainment. There is not a lot of light along the parade route except for Main Street and the parade units do not appear to have much lighting on them. I will admit that I miss Disneyland's A Christmas Fantasy parade's snowmen and even its incredibly repetitive soundtrack. I'm really hoping to see it during the day later this season. Despite the darkness those around me were cheering for the characters and were wildly cheering the arrival of Santa Claus -- or -- as they declared Father Christmas and seemed to enjoy the parade. Rebekah.
