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Disneyland throws the switch on an old friend
November 27, 1996
Web posted at: 5:45 a.m. ESTFrom Correspondent Dennis Michael
ANAHEIM, California (CNN) -- A little bit of history has come to an end at Disneyland. After 24 years, Mickey Mouse flipped the switch on the Magic Kingdom's Electrical Parade for the last time Monday night.
Parents and kids crowded Disneyland's Main Street for hours, ignoring favorite attractions like the Matterhorn and Tom Sawyer's Island, in anticipation of catching the final act in a glowing Disney tradition.
Nostalgia ruled the evening as onlookers remembered years of magic moments and delight sparked by the bright, colorful parade.
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Since 1972, about 75 million people have watched the Electrical Parade, which involves about 200 Disneyland cast members, including 84 costumed performers.
But the parade has fallen victim to progress. Next year, it will be replaced by Disney's Light Magic parade, a high-tech extravaganza of fiber optics and video displays.
"We have a brand new parade that is going to have new technology," said Disneyland Resort President Paul Pressler. "So, we can never replace the magic of the Main Street Electrical Parade, but certainly the new parade next year will be all Disney; creative and over-the-top."
But saying goodbye to an old friend turned into its own over-the-top spectacular Monday night. The crowds were so prolific that park officials had to close the gates on the parade's final evening.
And now, even though the Electrical Parade is gone, Disney is making sure it won't be forgotten.
Disneyland is selling thousands of lightbulbs from the parade, the proceeds going to charity. So far, nearly $750,000 has been raised. That should leave a pretty bright memory.
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