The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade, created by Robert Jani and project director Ron Miziker. It features floats and live performers covered in over 600,000 electronically controlled LED lights and a synchronized soundtrack triggered by radio control along key areas of the parade route. The predecessor to the 1972 Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade was the Electrical Water Pageant, a show made up of fourteen 25-foot-tall screens with electrical lights placed on them. Not long after the Electrical Water Pageant debuted, Card Walker commissioned the development of what became the Main Street Electrical Parade to provide Disneyland with a similar nighttime visual spectacle. The parade's design used nickel–cadmium batteries, which the Disney movie studio had recently started using, and Italian-made miniature bulbs that Disneyland staff had seen in light displays along Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Disney arranged for the parade's original floats to be constructed by Silvestri, the Chicago-based company responsible for those holiday displays. Two months to deadline, Disney discovered the float contractor was far behind schedule and decided to finish the floats themselves in a backstage area at Disneyland. Disney brought on welders, electricians and other temporary workers to assemble the floats and hand-tint and install 500,000 bulbs. The engineers who helped create the parade also created the first automated parade show-control program. This allowed the 2,000-foot long parade route to contain multiple radio-activated "trigger zones". Using radio-activated triggers as each float entered a zone, the audience would hear float-specific music through the park's audio system. Each zone was between 70 to 100 feet long, and the zoned system meant that every person watching the parade would experience the same show, no matter where they stood along the parade route. The story of the the Little Red Wagon is not widely known. The restaurant was actually the Plaza Inn. On opening day, Walt's main restaurant on Main Street was the Red Wagon. It was in operation for 10 years and closed 1964. Later after a remodel, it was opened in 1968 under the name Plaza Inn. Little Red Wagon sits at the east end of Main Street near the Plaza Inn, serving corn dogs, chips, and soda. No seating. It is tribute to the original restaurant. Read more about the HISTORY OF THE LITTLE RED WAGON INN.
City Hall, Main Street U.S.A. Inside City Hall, you'll find this iconic photo of Walt and mickey. The last photo of him at his beloved Disneyland. As Disneyland was constructed, Walt Disney wanted a place to stay and watch the activity. So, he had a special apartment constructed on the second floor of the Main Street Firehouse. Private, and hidden from the rest of Disneyland, it was the perfect place for Walt to do quiet work, or enjoy with his family. Walt's Fire Station pole. Floor door upstairs from Walt's Apartment made it easy for Walt to make a quick exit (like Batman!) Rumor has it a child climbed up the pole and opened the door to the apartment. It was sealed up after the incident. There is a small display inside the theater hall of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, where the inspiration for Disneyland began. Walt visited Griffith Park Carousel with his daughters and the two smaller photos are of the carousel in Griffith Park. The park bench is from Griffith Park as well. The original map/acreage of Disneyland, Anaheim. The Disneyland News, Vol. 1, No. 1. The first issue of the Disneyland newspaper, July, 1955 headline read "50,000 Attend Gala Park Opening". 24 pages. 16" H x 11-3/4" W. Walt Disney's baby photo hangs inside the baby Center on Main Street. Walt was very fond of miniatures. A lot of the beautiful miniature collections can be found on the Storybook Canal ride in Fantasyland. In addition to Walt's 500 square foot apartment near City Hall on Main Street, is the Dream Suite overlooking the Rivers of America in New Orleans Square. In 1987 it was opened as the Disney Gallery where visitors could view and purchase Disney art. (Now housed in the theater entrance of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln as shown above). Originally not outfitted with a kitchen, the neighboring Club 33 would have served meals for the Dream Suite. Walt passed away before the dream suite was ever finished. 2002 my daughter standing on the stairs inside the courtyard. 2002 inside the Disney Gallery above the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean. The original location for the Dream Suite. December 15, 1966 Walt Disney passed away at age 65. The lamp always stay on as sign of his presence at his most favorite place. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA.
Mary Poppins is... well...practically perfect in every way. And it was such fun meeting her at Disneyland. You can typically find both her Mary and Bert on Main Street near the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Once inside there's much to choose from, light sandwiches or my favorite - brownies, cakes, and the famous Matterhorn macaroon! Outdoor seating is available on the patio or in front of the bakery. Tables topped with bright yellow umbrellas make the perfect spot for parade watching. A short jaunt down Main Street leads you to the Disney Emporium. You'll find every kind of Disney themed merchandise inside. If you look up over head, you'll see character vignettes. Here is Bert with Mary and a few dancing penguins. Mary Poppins will always be one of my favorite movie characters. I HIGHLY recommend seeing the film Saving Mr. Banks.
I absolutely love Dumbo. He is the sweetest thing. His LIVE ACTION movie is Great!! GO SEE IT. Disney Dumbo plush doll is so cuddly and soft. He holds a black feather with a smile on his face. The Disney Gallery on Main Street, is displaying concept art and costumes from the film. The Opera House Theater features a sneak peek. How adorable is Dumbo??
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