I have a few photos from what I believe is the classic, long-lived "Fantasy On Parade" at Disneyland. In my mind I can almost hear Jack Wagner saying the parade's name, though I don't know if he actually voiced any commercials at the time.
Our photographer had primo spot near the Plaza, and he boldly stepped out into the street to get the best view possible (at great risk to his own personal safety). Leading the way is Dumbo, who had probably seen a parade or two in his circus days. Riding that giant drum is Mickey Mouse himself. Everybody loves him! Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Chip & Dale, and Minnie Mouse can also be seen.
Goofy ("The Enforcer") has intimidated us back onto the curb. Notice how his left hand is about to curl into a fist! In spite of the hand rail on top of the drum, it looks like Mickey could have easily tumbled through to the ground. Maybe his shoes were nailed to the drum head. There's Chip again - I never loved his cartoons that much (he and Dale were stinkers!), but I liked seeing him at the park. Just visible is "Little John" from "Robin Hood", which had come out in theaters only four months before this photo was taken.
It's the Three Little Pigs (Practical, Piper, and Fiddler). Thanks to those helium balloons, they are very light on their feet.
It's everyone's favorite crockery... teapots from Alice in Wonderland! For some reason I love that oddball features appeared in this parade. Why the heck not! Just look at the crowds, all orderly and well-behaved. Because they have all been turned into Audio Animatronics! Celebrity sighting: the Walrus. Goo-goo-g'-joob!
I love vintage parade pics! Gee, the little piggy dressed in green appears to be giving that lady a lap dance! She seems to be getting a good laugh out of it though.
ReplyDeleteNice day there at Disneyland!! Who can resist a parade, really? Even the "puppy" on the stroller there on the left in the first view is excited and getting out there in the Enforcer's patrol area for a better look lol!
ReplyDeleteTM: They had to do the occasional lap dance to supplement their income. After all - gotta bring home the bacon!
ReplyDeleteThose tea cup floats are so unique. But Mickey atop a drum is Disney parade bread and butter. ( I'm not complaining. It's always my favorite part!)
ReplyDeleteJust simply wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I will never ever be able to look at that photo again without imagining a lot of grinding going on. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNancy, to be honest, I can often resist parades at Disneyland, though of course there are some that I do like a lot.
Scott Lane, you had to go there?! ;-)
Medley, I agree; Mickey atop that big drum is the image that I remember from many MANY commercials. He was always waving his arms around wildly, as if he’d had way too much coffee.
DrGoat, yes, these definitely have a vintage charm that is very appealing.
ReplyDeleteScott Lane, I understand that the piggy had to make a living, but did he have to ham it up so much?
ReplyDeleteYou never sausage a spectacle.
DeleteI love a Parade! Especially a Disney Parade. One of my favorite pastimes is sitting on the curb and watching the parade go down Main Street. Thanks, Major.
ReplyDeleteTM!, Thanks for the laugh. Both times.
I remember those teapots could spin wildly..was fun to watch them do that. Amazing it didn't affect the drivers. KS
ReplyDeleteThat blue teapot was used in the Alice meet 'n greet area over by It's A Small World in 1974, and was visible in this earlier post of yours, Major.
ReplyDeleteAlice Teapot - It's A Small World
Oooops! I didn't even read my own comment from that earlier post! The blue teapot is the same one, but it's backstage near the parade gate that is to the east of It's A Small World! D'OH!
ReplyDeleteThe dancing teapots are so cool; I wish they were still used in parades! I'm surprised they don't have the animated crockery from Beauty and the Beast in any parades.
ReplyDeleteChip and Dale are two of my favorite walk around characters. They always really get into the characters and I do a lot of interacting when you meet them.
TokyoMagic!, make it stop!
ReplyDeleteK. Martinez, my favorite pastime is to TP a neighbor’s house, but to each his own.
Melissa, zoiks.
TokyoMagic!, I figured that the parade teapots were the same ones as seen in those other photos, which are from the same lot - which is kind of interesting!
TokyoMagic!, oh yeah, that weird backstage shot. Even though the characters were not in the public area, they still had to be “on” when the train passed.
Melissa, now that you mention it, I really am surprised that (as far as I know) there haven’t been dancing plates, forks, spoons, etc., from B&TB in any parades. I agree with you about Chip and Dale - while I don’t love their cartoons, they are very cute and fun in the park.
I'm not a fan of the current Disneyland parades, but these older ones were simpler, less "managed" and somewhat more fun.
ReplyDeleteI do remember Mickey on the drum, but not much else.
Thanks Major.
JG