Armchair Imagineering: An All-Inclusive Disney Parade
Yesterday, Disney announced a €2 billion expansion of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. A few of my friends and I started discussing what a new parade there would look like. My friend from 360 degrees of Disney noted how this expansion would be the first park to have significant presence of both Star Wars and Marvel and we wondered if a parade there would include these franchises.
While it would be controversial for some who are not keen to mix these worlds, I, for one, have always believed they can all belong together. For me growing up, Star Wars and Marvel superheroes were my fairytales, myths and legends.
I always had this idea of a heroes themed parade that would include all aspects of Disney. It's always fun to armchair Imagineer something. So, I thought I'd flesh this idea out. This is not, though, specifically for Walt Disney Studios Park, but my dream parade.
That said, while this is for fun and my dream parade, I'm going to try to fit it all into a format that is realistic for a Disney Park. So, in other words, no 2 hour parades with 40 floats. Taking an average of several parades, there is usually about 7-10 units. Given the daunting task of trying to fit all of Disney into one parade, I will make it 10 units.
Okay... Here we go!
Pirates The parade starts with a pirate ship with pirate dancers in front. The first thing people hear is the sound of a cannon similar to the way they opened the Peter Pan sequence in Fantasmic at Disneyland. Aboard the ship is Peter Pan rescuing Wendy from Captain Hook. Hanging off the back of the ship would be Captain Jack Sparrow. The music playing would alternate between Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Legends
This unit would start off with hula dancers followed by an outrigger carrying Moana. Behind her are performers in togas followed by a mobile Pegasus carrying Hercules and Meg. Behind them would be performers dressed in outfits inspired by the ancient Scotts followed by a mobile Angus carrying Merida. And, then finally behind her would be Chinese warriors followed by a mobile Khan carrying Mulan dressed as Ping. These mobile horses would resemble the giant Khan featured in Mickey's Storybook Express at Shanghai Disneyland and Moana's outrigger would be similar to the one she rides in Summer Blast also at Shanghai Disneyland. Each mobile unit would feature instrumental music from the films represented.
Wreck-It Ralph
This unit would begin with performers dressed as Sugar Rush Racers. The float would resemble Sugar Rush with a giant candy rainbow track. Vanellope Von Schweetz would be in her race car with Ralph behind her. The music would alternate between "Sugar Rush" and "When Can I See You Again?."
Incredibles
This unit would begin with Incredibles inspired dressed performers. Behind them would be a float inspired by Edna Mode's Mid-Century Modern house. The float would feature Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and Edna Mode (since they announced her debuting at Walt Disney World this summer). The music would be The Incredibles theme from the movie's score.
Big Hero 6
This unit would begin with dancers dressed in multicolor uniforms resembling the Big Hero 6. They would be followed by a giant float that looks like armored Baymax. On his back, Hiro, Go Go, Wasabi, Honey Lemon and Fred all dressed in uniform would be waving at the crowd. The music would be of Immortals.
Avengers
This unit would begin with performers dressed as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. A float will be broken into 3 sections. The front will resemble Avengers HQ with Captain America, Iron Man and Black Widow in the front. The middle will resemble Odin's throne room with Thor and Loki. And the back end will resemble T'Challa's throne room in Wakanda featuring Black Panther flanked by two members of the Dora Milaje. The music would be the Avengers theme.
Guardians
This transition I cannot take credit for. My friend at 360 Degrees of Disney came up with this idea and I thought it was inspired. This transition would take us from the world of super heroes to a galaxy far, far away. The unit would begin with performers dressed as Ravagers. The float would be inspired by an alien planet. Star Lord and Gamora would be in front. Giant Groot would be in the back with a statuette of Rocket Raccoon. The music would naturally feature music from Guardians of the Galaxy's pop soundtrack.
Original Trilogy Star Wars
This unit would begin with Stormtroopers (of course!). A float resembling the Emperor's throne room and would feature Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia and Darth Vader. Luke and Vader will have lightsabers and challenge each other. On the back will be R2-D2 and C-3PO. The music would feature themes from the original trilogy.
New Trilogy Star Wars
This unit would begin with Captain Phasma leading First Order Stormtroopers. The float behind it would resemble the interior of Starkiller Base. Rey and Kylo-Ren have lightsabers and are challenging each other. In the back is Chewbacca and BB-8. The music would feature themes from the new trilogy.
Finale
This unit begins with performers representing the different units. A float featuring Mickey and Friends (because what would a parade be without them!) dressed in outfits also representing the different units. Mickey would be dressed as Captain America inspired. Minnie would be Mulan inspired. Goofy and Donald would be Star Wars inspired, harkening to their Darth Goofy and Stormtroopers Donald outfits. Daisy would be Sugar Rush Racers inspired. Pluto would be Incredibles inspired. Chip n Dale would be pirate inspired. The music would be the overarching theme song for the parade.
And that's a wrap!
How would you design your dream parade?