There’s a looooong list of ways that Disney differentiates themselves from other theme parks. And hands down, their Entertainment Department is one of those ways! From idea conception all the way through to showtime, no one brings stories to life quite like Disney.
I’m feeling a little nostalgic this week so I thought it would be fun to take a quick trip down memory lane. Not to mention, Disney World has been quite light in the parade department recently. Festival of Fantasy and Move It! Shake It! Mousekadance It! were the only two actively running before the parks closed in March. So let’s do it! Let’s brighten our day and revisit Hollywood Studios’ Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (circa 2006).
// Theming & Story
In a theme park that honors the Golden Age of Hollywood, nothing was more appropriate than a cavalcade of characters dressed-up and on their way to a star-studded, red-carpet event. And to make sure everyone traveled in style, each group of characters had their own themed car bursting with imagination and creativity.
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade (DSMC) made its debut in October of 2001, and had its final run in March of 2008. Over the course of its almost 6.5 year run, some of the cars changed and/or were removed entirely. Photos below are from the summer of 2006.
// Soundtrack
One of my favorites — upbeat, lighthearted and so fun! It’s packed with musical snippets from movies, classic attractions, and TV shows including Walt Disney’s The Wonderful World of Color. Everyone will recognize at least a few tunes. The CD {yes, CD} I have is called Magic in the Streets Parade Memories. I did a quick search and found new and used copies on Amazon and Ebay, if you’re looking for it. I HIGHLY recommend it as it also has Share a Dream Come True Parade, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade and a few other miscellaneous atmosphere songs, also.
// Parade Cars & Characters
Special Appearance
In June of 2006, Disney-Pixar Cars was released to theaters, so naturally, Lightning McQueen and Mater led the parade that featured, well… cars. But when you have such high-profile celebrities present, the paparazzi are always tagging along. KA-CHOW!
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Toy Story
Float Characters // Woody & Buzz
Walking Characters // Jessie, Bo Peep, Green Army Men
Car Design // Inspired by Andy’s Bed (from Toy Story 2), complete with pillow seats for Woody & Buzz to sit on and a whimsical wooden headboard.
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Mary Poppins
Float Characters // Mary Poppins & Bert in their Jolly Holiday attire
Walking Characters // Dancing Penguins
Car Design // Inspired by the Jolly Holiday scene, the Mary Poppins car is adorned with artwork similar to the design that was on Mary’s carousel horse in the film. Mary and Bert enjoy their ride down Hollywood Boulevard, each upon their own carousel horse. (Although not the same horses they rode on in the movie.)
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The Muppets
Float Characters // Kermit & Miss Piggy
Walking Characters // Sweetums
Car Design // A giant Muppets blimp hovering above their car is held down by a few ropes attached to sandbags. The only thing keeping them on the ground is all of Miss Piggy’s luggage stacked in the back. And check out the original GoPro on the front hood! Look closely, this car is loaded with Muppet humor hidden in the details.
Star Wars
Float Characters // Princess Leia & Luke Skywalker
Walking Characters // Darth Vader & R2D2
Car Design // A classic tan and and brick red design, upgraded with the addition of 3 jet engines on the back. There always seemed to be two drivers in this car, but why? Hmm ;)
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Mulan
Float Characters // Mulan
Walking Characters // Mushu & Chinese Warriors
Car Design // Shaded by a whimsical Chinese umbrella, Mulan relaxes on a throne flanked by a Chinese lantern on both sides.. The car is inspired by some of the beautiful Chinese tapestries found in the movie.
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Monsters Inc.
Float Characters // Mike Wazowski & James P. Sullivan (Sully)
Walking Characters // None
Car Design // The color and grill of the Monsters Inc. car clearly takes inspiration from Mike’s red convertible seen in the first Monster’s Inc. film. As a proud employee, Mike is sporting his Monsters Incorporated hard hat.
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Aladdin
Float Characters // Aladdin (dressed as Prince Ali) & Princess Jasmine
Walking Characters // Harem Girls
Car Design // I bet when Aladdin asked Genie to take them to the event, he didn’t expect him to actually take them! You can also see Carpet in the back with Aladdin and Jasmine. It’s a good thing Aladdin was keeping the Magic Lamp close… Jafar wasn’t too far behind them.
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Villains
Float Characters // Hades
Walking Characters // This depended on who wasn’t busy doing, you know, evil things. Appearances made by Captain Hook, Claude Frollo, Cruella De Ville, The Evil Queen and Jafar.
Car Design // A black limo decked out with fiery flames. Hades sits in the back, where you notice the limo actually looks more like a hearse.
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Lilo & Stitch
Float Characters // Lilo & Stitch
Walking Characters // None
Car Design // This car screamed Hawaii! This might be my favorite one — probably because I would actually drive this one in normal life. A tropical teal and white hibiscus print covers the car with wood panelling on sides and hood. Lilo & Stitch feel right at home with their surfboards, palm trees and tiki torches. The two were often seen teasing each other and playing during the parade.
The Little Mermaid
Float Characters // Ariel
Walking Characters // Under the Sea Dancers/Puppeteers
Car Design // It looks as though the sun is dancing in the reflections of this Under the Sea inspired car. SO whimsical! Ariel is shaded by a giant seashell while her seahorse leads the way.
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Power Rangers
Float Characters // One of the Rangers (this rotated)
Walking Characters // All of the other Rangers
Car Design // Super-charged by their iconic lightning bolt, one of the Rangers would stand on the back, while the others showed their combat skills in the street.
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Playhouse Disney
Float Characters // Bear in the Big Blue House, Treelo, Stanley, Peanut & Jelly Otter, Olie Polie & Zowie Polie
Walking Characters // Jojo & Goliath the Lion
Car Design // Bear rode up front with the driver as his Playhouse Disney friends played in the purple patterned rocket ship about to launch out of the backseat.
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Float Characters // Snow White
Walking Characters // None
Car Design // I might be getting too deep with this one but I felt like Snow White’s car was reflective of her. A princess, draped in royal garments and gold embellishments. But a pure heart and soul underneath. Too much? Snow sits on a golden throne with her back to the outline of the magic mirror — symbolizing that she is the fairest of them all.
Fab Five (with Pluto walking) + Grand Finale
Float Characters // Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy & Donald
Walking Characters // Pluto, Chip & Dale, Alice in Wonderland, The White Rabbit
Car Design // A subtle (compared to the others) nod to Hollywood. Shades of silver display a star and film reel pattern across the car, as Mickey and Minnie sit centered on an Art Deco inspired gold and silver backrest.
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Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me!
With whimsy & wonder,
Jackie
