Making Memories: Splendor, Spectacle, and Sparkling Sensation

on August 24, 2021

Each week through the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary, we will be taking a look back at various parades, entertainment, and nighttime spectaculars throughout the history of the resort. Walt Disney World has seen so many different things come and go throughout its 50 year history. So, let’s take a look back at what people remember dearly or forgot quickly.

We are continuing with parades again this week but this is an extra special one. Disney fans miss this one dearly and it has a special place in Disney history. SpectroMagic debuted in October 1991 and ran until 1999 during its first run. The nighttime parade made a comeback in 2001 and ran into 2010 that time until it was lost forever, but more on that later. This magical parade debuted as part of the Walt Disney World 20th anniversary celebration.

SpectroMagic replaced Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World and was composed by John Debney. John was also behind other Disney entertainment such as: World of Color Celebrate!, The Magic, The Memories and You! and Celebrate the Magic. During the brief down time between SpectroMagic runs, Main Street Electrical Parade did return from 1999-2001. When SpectroMagic returned some changes were made to the parade. The SpectroMen received new heads, the Genie replaced Roger Rabbit, Sebastian was added to the King Triton float, and Jimmy Cricket was added to the finale.

SpectroMagic did have a special voice announcer in none other than Jimmy Cricket! Here is the opening narration:

“Welcome to the splendor, the spectacle, the sparkling sensation, where the romance, the comedy, and the thrill of Disney fantasies come to electric life. And now, the Magic Kingdom proudly presents, in a million points of musical light, the magic worlds of Disney…in SpectroMagic.”

SpectroMagic included 23 units where some units consisted of more than one float. The first section included the Trumpeters unit, Whirly-Balls, Title float, Mickey Mouse, and the Silly Symphonies unit which was four separate floats connected together. The next section was The Wonder of Sleeping Beauty’s Garden with three separate units. The Fantasy of the Little Mermaid’s Ocean section included a Giant Fish, School of Fish, Ursula, Little Mermaid and Orange and Gray Fish units.

One of the most famous sections of this parade was the Imagination of Fantasia section. This included the Fantasia Opening unit, Bacchus unit, Diana unit, and the Chernabog unit. This led to the finale section which included three units consisting of several floats. Overall the parade had over 65 performers and over 45 Disney characters. From SpectroMen to Butterflies this parade had it all.

And that brings us to something special we have this week. Friends of the Crescent Lake Club who were part of this parade were kind enough to share some stories, memories, and insights to being apart of this one of a kind spectacle.

First we have some stories about what was called the Roy Bus. This was a white school bus that took parade cast members from the utilizer to parade central or back. One former parade member shared that there was a night on the Roy Bus where Roy was wearing Cinderella’s wig and when he approached the security shack Roy said “Excuse me sir, do you know how to get to the ball?”

Another SpectroMagic performer shared that being a Trumpeter was a rush. He was “locked and loaded waiting for the gates to open as you hear the music begin.” Many of these performers have it so ingrained in them that they can still performer their routines to this day. They also shared that many of the costumes were heavy given the lights and batteries that were part of them.

And finally, one former Spectro performer shared that “rope girl” was probably the easiest role to perform. Roger Rabbit seemed to be the hardest role. Those as part of this parade gave every performance their all and would seem defeated after their performance. Thats the level that was put into this majestic spectacle that was performed nightly at Magic Kingdom.

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