On October 1, 1991, as part of Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary celebration, a new nighttime parade debuted. SpectroMagic replaced the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade, which was shipped over to Disneyland Paris. SpectroMagic ran until May 21, 1999, when it was replaced by the original Disneyland version of the Main Street Electrical Parade, which had “glowed away” in November 1996 to make way for the short-lived Light Magic parade. That version of the Electrical Parade had made a trip to New York City for a one-night performance as the Hercules Electrical Parade to celebrate the premiere of that animated feature in June 1997, then went back into storage until it was delivered to Walt Disney World in 1999 to run as part of the Millennium Celebration. SpectroMagic returned on April 2, 2001, and ran until June 5, 2010, when it went back into storage as the Main Street Electrical Parade returned to Walt Disney World from Disney California Adventure Park, where it had ended its run to allow for better crowd control surrounding performances of World of Color.
The 20-minute SpectroMagic parade ran at Walt Disney World for almost 16 years between its two runs, and went through many changes during that time. Let’s take some time to remember the parade as it appeared during its last run with some photos from November 2009 and May 2010.
SpectroMan trumpeters lead the parade. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
SpectroMen riding Whirly-balls follow them down the parade route. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
A Spectro coachman rides a traveling marquee for the parade. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The marquee’s message changes to display the parade’s title. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The parade’s SpectroMen have gone through a couple of different facial styles after the parade returned in 2001. Originally, the SpectroMen wore full-face masks which many considered creepy. When the parade returned from exile, Roger Rabbit had disappeared from the “metronome” float due to ongoing litigation between Disney and Steven Spielberg over the rights to the character, and had been replaced by the Genie from “Aladdin,” voiced by Dan Castallaneta (who had voiced the Genie in the first direct-to-video sequel and for other theme park purposes).
Mickey Mouse is next down the parade route, with a touch-activated lightning ball on his float. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The Genie from “Aladdin” replaced Roger Rabbit on the metronome float when the parade returned in 2001. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Goofy’s percussion section, along with a singing harp, follow the Genie. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
A stand-up bass from the “Music Land” short, accompanied by trumpets, follow the harp. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Behind “Music Land” is a piano float. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Playing the piano are Chip and Dale, labeled in lights for your convenience. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Next up, a lovely peacock leads the parade’s “Sleeping Beauty” unit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Following the peacock is Fauna, one of the three fairies from “Sleeping Beauty.” Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Behind Fauna are a group of dancing dragonflies. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
After the dragonflies, Flora makes her appearance. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Merryweather’s float is the last in the “Sleeping Beauty” unit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The back of Merryweather’s float has a pretty waterfall effect. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Following Merryweather’s float is a group of butterflies. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Sebastian was added to King Triton’s float in 2001, along with a bubble-blowing system to provide more of an “under-the-sea” type of atmosphere.
Next, two large fish begin the introduction to “The Little Mermaid” unit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Smaller fish followed by two Whirly-fish pave the way for the next character float. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
A free-roaming Ursula float is constantly in motion, talking and gesturing to the crowd. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The rest of “The Little Mermaid” unit are attached to each other, strung out down the street. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
A singing Ariel is joined by Flounder aboard a sunken ship on the first of three connected floats. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Next, Sebastian conducts an aquatic orchestra. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Finally, King Triton in his chariot closes “The Little Mermaid” unit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Ben-Ali Gator and Hyacinth Hippo lead off the “Fantasia” unit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Bacchus sits atop a fountain of wine as ostriches dance around below him. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Diana, goddess of the hunt, aims her arrow above the Pegasi (Pegasuses?) following behind her. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Diana, goddess of the hunt, aims her arrow above the winged horses following behind her. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
A herd of winged horses fly across the clouds. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The last float in the “Fantasia” unit is this large mountain. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The mountain opens to display Chernabog. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The final grouping of floats in the parade changed color. They started out in color until Practical Pig dipped his brush in the white “paint” and touched it to a pillar, then a wave of white swept along all of the floats until all of them were lit solely in white. A while later, Practical Pig would dip his brush in the “colored” paint and touch it to a pillar, and then a wave of color would sweep along the floats to turn them back to their normal colors.
The finale grouping of the parade is in bright color&hellip. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
…until Practical Pig applies white paint, which turns all units in the grouping white. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Cinderella rides by with her prince in her pumpkin coach. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Alice and the White Rabbit host the next float. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The rear of the “Alice” float features the Cheshire Cat, and is followed by Mary Poppins and the Red Queen. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Dumbo is one of the animals on the colorful carousel. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Snow White and six of the seven dwarfs dance around behind the carousel float. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Captain Hook fires his cannon at parade watchers. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Captain Hook is kind enough to share his pirate ship float with the Evil Queen from “Snow White.” Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Dopey, the only dwarf missing from the earlier group, watches over his jewels while Pinocchio and Gepetto stand beneath Pleasure Island. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
On the parade’s final float, Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse ride with the parade’s narrator, Jiminy Cricket. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The Jiminy Cricket animatronic on the float’s final float was not part of the original parade, but was added in 2001.
I hope that you enjoyed this look back at the long-time Magic Kingdom parade. What do you think of SpectroMagic? Did you like it more or less than the Main Street Electrical Parade? Did you enjoy the music? Share your thoughts below!
