Back in Episode #91, I covered the 1988 Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular and Episode #101 was the 1987 Christmas Day Parade both a the beginning of the “Disney Decade”, the period of time starting in the late 1980’s into the 1990’s.  Michael Eisner was CEO, and Michael leveraged a formula that Walt himself had perfected: leverage television to promote Disney Parks.  Not the same way it’s done today, but in a “let’s show the audience why they should come to the parks” sort of way.  Something that the company has gotten away from recently.  Have you noticed the recent televised Christmas celebrations aren’t really parades at all, but a showcase of Disney recording artists performing in front of park icons? That’s a story for another blog.

By the mid-1990’s, the cadence had been set; audiences, especially youngsters, could expect an Easter Day parade, 4th of July fireworks and Christmas Day parade all “live” from Walt Disney World.  Live, in quotes of course; but as one of those youngsters and before social media, it sure looked live to me.  Originally airing March 30th, 1997, the 97 version of the Easter Day parade featured a Cinderella Castle cake… no, not a Cake Boss cake, but Cinderella Castle with a makeover turning it into a 25th Anniversary cake.

With Walt Disney World in preparation for the 50th Anniversary just a few years away, I thought this episode of SamsDisneyDiary would be a great time to look back at the 1997 Happy Easter Parade and all the exciting new attractions ready for Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary.  Hosted by Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel from “Boy Meets World”, and J.D. Roth from Walt Disney World Inside-Out, join all your Disney friends for television’s biggest Easter celebration.  Plus, get an inside look at Walt Disney World’s exciting new attractions, Disney Wide World of Sports, Test Track, Remember the Magic 25th Anniversary Parade,

Some interesting things I noticed:

• The parade kicks off with a “backstage” look at the parade preparations, complete with Mary Poppins and Peter Pan flying in, just in time.

• The parade kicks off with the Gateway High School Marching Band all the way from Monroeville, PA (Just outside of Pittsburgh) with traditional Easter music.

• Disney characters and dancers continue the parade with “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” and “The Hop”.
• A segment on the new Community of Celebration, Florida includes an interview with Roy Disney: “Celebration is really Epcot I think… in the sense of what Walt was looking for…  a place where real people come to, to live real lives, and have the advantages of modern technology and all the things industry can bring us while adding value at the same time.”  Interesting to hear from Roy and some of the residents; of course, Celebration is alive and well today.
• A parade segment with Pluto and his baseball themed band, playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” – A perfect segue to a segment on the brand-new Disney Wide World of Sports complex.  J.D. Roth gives us a quick tour of the facility; something for every athlete with “big time” competitions in over 30 sports.  The field house holds 6 basketball courts and is the new training home for the Harlem Globetrotters.  The facility is set to open in May 1997, and the crown jewel of the facility, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves.
• Mickey and all his friends are returning to the Magic Kingdom to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.  We get a sneak peek of the new 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World parade, new at the Magic Kingdom, “Remember the Magic”.

• J.D. Roth invites a few lucky guests watching the parade at the Magic Kingdom to take a special preview of the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World, the new Test Track.  The first live proving ground open to the public.  Keep in mind, Test Track isn’t open yet and won’t open for another 2 years (April 1999), though the segment suggests that it will be opening this fall 1997.  J.D. spent some time with an Imagineer in the “Visitor Center”, or the queue as most people would call it, getting some details on exactly what Test Track is, before taking a ride on the newest attraction at Walt Disney World.

Other interesting notes and observations:

• The Castle Cake looms in the background of the Main Street USA parade shots.
• The parade features lots of Easter floats, costumes and characters, none of which I have ever seen during a parade at Walt Disney World, Easter or not.
• The Country Hoe Down includes characters from the Country Bear Jamboree, including some parade floats still used today.
• A small segment of the show is a tribute to Bub Thomas, an original member of the Main Street Barbershop Quartet – the quartet dedicates their performance to his memory, singing on a barbershop parade float.
• The Disney Magic, the first ship of the new Disney Cruise Line is under construction.  We get to see some early concept art, and a construction video shows the bow being installed in Italy.  We also get to see images of Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. It sure looks like the island, but there is no construction or sign of anything that is to come.  While it’s mentioned in the show that the Magic would set sail next March (1998), the Magic first sets sail on August 15, 1999.
• In an interesting segment, the parade hosts “race” to set the table during the parade with help from Lumiere and “Be Our Guest”.
• The Test Track segment is amazing.  We get to ride almost two years before the attraction is open to the public; very interesting to see the theming that isn’t in the building – and the creative camera work, including the loading area.
• The Swan and Dolphin get some love during the closing credits.