From the 2022 version of Main Street Electrical ParadeMain Street Electrical Parade is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. I know I’m not the only one with a deep love for this parade! I’ve shared before that I first saw it when it was just a couple of months old. That was during my first visit to Disneyland, and it was one of the best family vacations that I went on as a child. Today, Main Street Electrical Parade takes me back to when I was a little girl, holding my Daddy’s hand, eyes filled with wonder and awe. I had never seen anything like that before.
I’m lucky enough to have seen Main Street Electrical Parade on both coasts. It thrilled guests at Walt Disney World for many years! The first time I saw it in Florida was a magical experience. Who am I kidding, every single time I’ve watched it’s been magical. I had remembered the parade as something special, and seeing it again proved that my memories were correct. Somehow, it was even better than I had remembered it.
When I finally returned to Disneyland decades later, guess what was back on the West Coast! I was able to experience Main Street Electrical Parade on trips in 2017, 2019, and then the most recent revival in 2022. In 2019 my daughter and I didn’t plan to go to Disneyland because we were in town just for the D23 Expo, but we decided to spend one evening in the park, specifically to see Main Street Electrical Parade.
I know a lot of people think that Main Street Electrical Parade belongs at Walt Disney World, but right now I’m glad that it’s just at Disneyland. To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, it belongs exclusively where it all began. I would love to see a new nighttime parade at the Magic Kingdom, or the return of SpectroMagic. I haven’t heard any rumors about the return of a nighttime parade in Florida, but I hope that something is in the works.
I’ve been adding videos from the 2022 version of Main Street Electrical Parade on the Disney Over 50 Facebook and Instagram accounts. I’ve been adding them on Monday evenings. People seem to enjoy them, they’ve had an impressive number of views and shares. Some people have shared their memories with me, I love hearing your stories! I’ll keep adding one a week until I run out.
What is so special about Main Street Electrical Parade? I think it’s a combination of classic and extra characters, lights, and, of course, the music. When it all comes together, it provides the perfect escape from reality. We hear people talk all the time about what Walt Disney would or wouldn’t want when it comes to the theme parks. I think that Main Street Electrical Parade and its ability to stand the test of time is something that Walt would have been proud of.