One often overlooked Disney Parade is the one that occurs each afternoon in Disney's Animal Kingdom.  It is called Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade and it may be the best day time parade that runs at Disney World.

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade is a lively processional of creative animal shaped vehicles and gigantantic puppets all moving to the beat of the music.  The parade starts in Harambe Villlage in Aftrica, makes its way towards the Tree of Life, continues around the  Tree of Life towards Asia, and completes the loop by continuing on and returning to Harambe.

As part of this special night time parade will be a new float with Tinker Bell leading the festivities.  This float will look like a hot air balloon with Tinker Bell in the basket.

Pinocchio and Snow White will also be seen in new floats during this parade that will arrive at the Magic Kingdom for its summer-long run starting in early June.

The Magic Kingdom will also be getting a new special fireworks show for the summer.  This show will feature fireworks in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.

The Magic Kingdom is not the only park that will see changes during the summer as each of the 4 Disney World theme parks will be part of the Summer Nightastic! fun.

At Epcot you will see a return of the Sounds Like Summer Concert series, where great tribute bands perform nightly at the America Gardens Theater recreating the music of legendary performers.  Showtimes are scheduled for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

The Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios will see a special change this summer.  New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.

Lastly, Disney's Animal Kingdom will see more night time hours added to the park schedule on certain nights of the week.  Enjoy your favorite Animal Kingdom attractions during these extended hours.

Drew Brees, the MVP of Super Bowl XVIV, is the latest in a long line to celebrate his victory by uttering the now famous phrase "I'm Going To Disney World!"

Drew's commercial for Disney World becomes the 42nd installment of this very successful series, dating back to the Super Bowl in 1987 when Phil Simms of the New York Giants became the first.  The series which started out being excusively for Super Bowl winners has expanded to include other champions including American Idol winners.

Drew earned this honor by leading the New Orleans Saints to their first ever Super Bowl  victory over the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31-17. For his spectacular effort he earned the Super Bowl MVP award, completing a Super Bowl record-tying 32 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns.


Drew Brees At Magic Kingdom On Feb. 8
The Monday after the Super Bowl (February 8th) at 11:55 am, Drew will take part in a celebration parade to honor the Super Bowl Champion in the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL.  During the parade Drew will be joined  by NFL Youth Football players, who will participate with the Saints star as the parade goes down Main Street, U.S.A.

Congratulations to the Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints!  Not only does Drew win the Super Bowl, but he earns the honor of being one of a select few to star in the "I'm Going To Disney World!" commercials.

One of the new attractions during this year of "What Will You Celebrate?" at the Walt Disney World Resort is the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party at the Magic Kingdom.

This high energy parade starts with 4 floats decorated like giant packages moving into position in front of Cinderella's Castle.  Along with the floats come stilt-walkers and other performers dancing in the street.

Once positioned in front of the castle the packages burst open and the Genie from "Aladdin", Lumiere from "Beauty and the Beast", Sebastian from "The Little Mermaid", and the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland" appear on top of the 4 floats.

After the packages are opened then the party really gets going.  Lively music plays and the performers lead the floats down Main Street as the park guests are encouraged to Dance along.

In addition to the 4 package floats there is an additional one that has Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse.  All are dressed up for the party and dance to the music.

The float with the Mad Hatter leads the way carrying Chip and Dale, those fun loving Chipmunks of Disney fame.

Riding with the Genie was Frozone from "The Incredibles" movie.

Sebastian was joined by Baloo and King Louie from the 1967 animated classic "The Jungle Book."

Bringing up the rear of the parade was the float with Lumiere accompanied by Woody and Jessie from "Toy Story 2."

The Electrical Water Pageant debuted at the Walt Disney World Resort in October of 1971. It started its daily presentation on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon within one month of the official opening of Disney World.

This parade at sea consists of 14 floats on barges that contain screens with lights and speakers to broadcast the music for the parade.

Since the parade occurs on the water the theme is aquatic in nature and the screens display images that have to do with the water. The images depicted include: Sea Serpent/Dragon, Whale, Turtle, Octopus, Dolphins, Crocodile, Brachiosaurus, and King Triton being pulled by 4 Seahorses.

The Electrical Water Pageant was originally conceived as an entertainment for guests as they left the Magic Kingdom at the end of the day and a way to illuminate the Seven Seas Lagoon as they departed.

The Pageant passes by the Magic Kingdom, but also makes appearances for guests at the Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and the Ft. Wilderness Campground. The schedule changes depending upon when the Wishes fireworks show plays, so check at Guest Services for the Magic Kingdom or your resort for the schedule for the particular night you wish to see the EWP.

Despite its longevity the parade has only gone through minor changes during its 38 years of existence. The technology used is not state of the art, but the whimsical nature of the parade makes it entertaining nonetheless.

The current rendition plays a different musical tune as each of the Water Floats are illuminated. The musical selections are coordinated to match the theme of the image shown.

The Show
The approximately 10 minute show proceeds as follows:
It starts with no lights and the playing of “Fanfare” from The Little Mermaid. Then The first 4 floats light up to create a Sea Serpent while "Boo Bop Bop Bop Bop (I Love You Too)" from Pete's Dragon plays.

The Sea Dragon is followed by a playful Whale that is accompanied by the song “Whale Of A Tale” from the movie 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

Next to be illuminated is a Turtle that raises and lowers its head ( I have not been able to determine the song for the Turtle – comment if you know!).

A bright, happy Octopus is coupled with Ursula’s dark rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid.

The next 3 floats show 3 spirited Dolphins playing in the surf. (I have not been able to confirm this song either unfortunately.)

Although not known for swimming a Brachiosaurus follows the dolphins to the music of Was (Not Was) - "Walk the Dinosaur".

Disney Classic Peter pan is represented by a Crocodile and the song "Never Smile At a Crocodile" from the movie.

Last, but certainly not least, King Triton is being pulled along by a team of four Seahorses to the songs - "Fanfare" & "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid.

The Finale
For the finale the Electric Water Pageant transforms the Sea Creature images to those of United States Flags and red, white, and blue stars as patriotic music ensues. You will hear excerpts from "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Yankee Doodle", & finally "America the Beautiful".

Great Free Entertainment
All in all it is a fun activity to see. The Electrical Water Pageant consistly gets mentions in lists of great FREE things to do at Disney World.

Whether you see it at the end of your day at the Magic Kingdom, or if you catch the show from the beach at one of the resorts bordering the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake, the Electrical Water Pageant should be part of your list of activities to do during your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation.