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The Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Walt Disney World For One Night Only

Parades and nighttime firework spectaculars are a beloved part of the Disney experience in the Walt Disney World Resort for many Guests. There are currently three options available to Guests visiting Lake Buena Vista when it comes to fireworks spectaculars: Disney Enchantment in Magic Kingdom; Harmonious in EPCOT; and Wonderful World of Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In just a few days, a fourth option will be available for Guests to enjoy, with the return of the much-awaited Fantasmic! The show returns to Sunset Boulevard on November 3, with two shows available for Guests to enjoy; an earlier show at 8 p.m. and a later one at 9:30 p.m.

The Electrical Water Pageant is also available for Guests enjoyment each evening. Guests of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake Resort hotels are treated to spectacular sights and sounds as sparkling sea creatures cruise the waters to iconic Disney tunes in electronic form. Whilst the Electrical Water Pageant is visible to Guests using the Disney Monorail and Ferry Boat to and from Magic Kingdom Park, the best viewing spots are from the Walt Disney World Resort hotels that are neighbors to the Disney Park. The Electrical Water Pageant is visible from the following Resorts:

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at 8:35 p.m., visible from the Beach, Gasparilla Island Grill Patio and Narcoossee’s
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at 8:45 p.m., visible from the Beach, Seven Seas Marina and Polynesian Village Bungalows
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at 9:35 p.m., visible from the Wilderness Lodge Boat Dock, Beach or path in front of Geyser Point Bar & Grill
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at 9:45 p.m., visible from the Fort Wilderness Marina and Volleyball Court
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort at 10:05 p.m., visible from the Beach and Boat Nook Marina
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Credit: V Mills

But there’s one nighttime event that has very much been missed by Disney Guests since its last performance on October 9, 2016 – the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Main Street Electrical Parade

The nighttime parade had run since 2010, when it replaced Spectromagic. Famous for iconic Disney characters and thousands of lights that illuminated each float, the Main Street Electrical Parade was also known for its synthesised soundtrack, inspired by ‘Baroque Hoedown’ with favorite Disney music blended in. The nighttime parade would run twice per evening in the Magic Kingdom, making its way through Frontierland and Liberty Square, before traveling down Main Street USA. 

Main Street Electrical Parade

Credit: Disney

This year has seen several pieces of Disney merchandise be released in honour of the Main Street Electrical Parade, including 50th Anniversary Loungefly backpack and ears, as well as limited edition Disney Pins, a MagicBand+ and even a popcorn bucket and premium sipper. It’s fair to say that the Main Street Electrical Parade is a well-loved parade within the Disney community, and The Walt Disney Company are aware of this given the release of merchandise specific to the Disney parade. 

Whilst the nighttime parade ended its run in the Disneyland Resort in California earlier this year, in September, it in fact returned to the Walt Disney World Resort for one night only, during October!

Halloween Golf Cart Extravaganza

This fun event takes place in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Guests who are staying in the Disney Resort over the Halloween weekend, are able to rent a golf cart to decorate and take part in the Halloween Golf Cart Parade. This unique Halloween parade is one of three golf cart parades that take place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness each year; Guests can also take part in the Independence Day Golf Cart Parade and the Christmas Golf Cart Parade too.

This year’s Halloween Golf Cart Extravaganza took place on October 30. Guests who wished to take part in the contest arrived at the Hitch & Unhitch area by 4:30 p.m., where judging took place. The parade then traveled around Disney’s Fort Wilderness between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort could attend to see the wonderful creations that starred in the parade.

Amongst the creations this year, were the Dapper Dans in a Main Street Trolley and a spooky Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue inspired cart.

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Credit: Disney Tips

One golf cart had been completely transformed into Avatar, featuring foliage and the towers that are iconic from the Pandora mountains. The team who were responsible for this creation even dressed like Avatar residents.

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Credit: Disney Tips

There was even an Enchanted Tiki Room cart, complete with straw roof, tropical flowers, and Tiki columns. The occupants of the cart wore bright Hawaiian shirts to complete the look.

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Credit: Disney Tips

Cart 101 was a scooter that was decked out with Dalmatians, aptly followed by Cruella De Vil in Cart 102. Other carts were inspired by Disney characters, including an AT-AT Walker from Star Wars, with the team inside dressed as Stormtroopers. Fitting for Halloween, there was also a giant Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).

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Credit: Disney Tips, Mousesteps, fort_wilderness_halloween

Favorite Disney Transportation inspired a couple of carts. One cart was inspired by the Walt Disney World Railroad, complete with steam coming from the front of the ‘train’ and the drivers blowing a whistle similar to that blown by the driver of the Walt Disney World Railroad as it pulls into each station. Meanwhile, cart 179 was Monorail Red.

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Credit: mousesteps, fort_wilderness_halloween

Our favorite carts of all though were inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade. Two carts are featured in this design: the first inspired by the train known to be driven by Goofy; and the second that featured as the round float that introduces the Main Street Electrical Parade to Guests. Both carts were decked out with plenty of fairy lights, paying an incredible tribute to the beloved Disney Parade. 

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Credit: Disney Tips

Did you get to watch the Halloween Golf Cart Extravaganza at Disney’s Fort Wilderness this year? What was your favorite cart? If you haven’t got tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this evening, then why not visit Disney’s Fort Wilderness? It’s a great place to trick-or-treat for candy in your Halloween costume, while admiring the Halloween decorations that Guests have put up around the Disney Resort. 

About Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!