Rhythm is king when the magic of Disney music is taking to the streets in the new "Mickey's Soundsational Parade" in Disneyland park. A bevy of favorite Disney characters including Aladdin, Ariel, Cinderella, and Peter Pan follow "the leader of the club," Mickey Mouse, as they lead guests on a journey of sound and story. BroadwayWorld's Audra Stafford was on hand for the big event and takes you to the Disney streets below!
"Mickey's Soundsational Parade" comes alive with Disney characters, performers and nine new parade floats, each designed in the style of a children's "pop-up" story book with eye-catching visuals and whimsical elements. Each parade unit is brought to life through the fun and lively rhythms of drumlines, percussion teams and jazz horns. Images of musical instruments and oversized drums decorate the parade lineup.
Mickey Mouse leads all the performers onto the Disneyland parade route and demonstrates his own rhythmic prowess sitting atop the first float and playing an acoustic drum set. Just ahead of Mickey's float are six live drumline musicians who drive the beat and set the tone for the entire parade. The drumline performers playfully interact with guests as they make their way down the parade route. Also included in this classic character unit are Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip ‘n' Dale, and Goofy.
Next, the Genie from "Aladdin" takes over the street, brandishing a drum major's baton and leading six Cymbal Dancers who set a new rhythm. Aladdin himself commands the top of this float as he strikes a large gong and greets guests. Bringing up the rear is an animated version of Aladdin's pet monkey, Abu, who claps and plays cymbals of his own.
From there, "Mickey's Soundsational Parade" takes guests "Under the Sea," accompanied by a distinctively Caribbean sound including steel drums and marimbas. The world's favorite mermaid, Ariel, "floats" above this whimsical parade unit while a humorous octopus shows off a multi-armed talent for music making.
The next unit looks to land south of the border as The Three Caballeros introduce the spirited sounds of Latin America. Flower dancers and piñata dancers complete the scene around this rhythmic parade unit where Donald Duck dangles a piñata overhead for Jose and Panchito, Donald's friends from the 1944 classic film, "The Three Caballeros."
Disney's newest heroine, Rapunzel, leads a royal procession including Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White on a float dominated by Rapunzel's tower. This "Heroines" unit also features graceful court dancers in a lyrical tribute to the timeless tales of Disney princesses.
Jungle drums sound the arrival of Disney jungle inhabitants, including Simba perched majestically atop Pride Rock. The unit's music includes nods to such Disney melodies as "I Wanna Be Like You," "Trashin' The Camp" and the score from "The Lion King."
The parade next transports guests to New Orleans and the world of Princess Tiana, with jazz rhythms bursting from a classic Mississippi riverboat as it rolls down the parade route. Mardi Gras dancers beat tambourines in celebration as they surround Tiana's riverboat.
Adventure waits in Neverland as Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and some bumbling pirates appear with the next float, locked in a comical battle. Above them, Tinker Bell plays on mushrooms as if they were drums and three butterflies flutter below her.
Mary Poppins and her friend Bert bring "Mickey's Soundsational Parade" to a close riding astride two carousel horses that appear to have just leaped from their perches in search of a musical adventure. This grand finale unit includes a moving, musical carousel and a "rooftop unit," meant to suggest the rooftops of London. Eleven chimney sweeps complete the parade with a high-energy broom dance.
"Mickey's Soundsational Parade" is being presented daily along the Disneyland parade route between Main Street, U.S.A., and "it's a small world" in Fantasyland. For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com or call (866) 60-DISNEY.
