christinamguerrero.com ~ the official site ~
The psychology
of the Main Street Electrical Parade
Copyright 2005 Christina M. Guerrero
In memory of the Main Street Electrical Parade (1972-1996), now known as Disney’s Electrical Parade, which shows at Disney’s California Adventure as of June 2005.
It’s the end of a long day at Disneyland. You’re walking around the park, remembering
bits and pieces of your latest visit to “The Happiest Place on Earth:” ice cream at the
Carnation Cafe; getting a hug from Mickey Mouse; spinning on the teacup ride; walking
through the castle; those jovial pirates singing that infectious song.
And as you walk along Main Street, wondering if you should pay a few dollars for a
souvenir, you realize “Wait, there’s more!” because people are lining up along the
sidewalk, sitting down on jackets or folding chairs or towels. They’re waiting for the
final show: The Main Street Electrical Parade.
It’s almost dark. The sky is a dark blue, leading to a purplish-black. Stars twinkle.
Towards the center of the park, the Matterhorn is lit up, and towards the front, the train
and monorail race by as they drop off and pick up passengers.
More and more people are lining up along the street, now two and three thick. You find a
good spot at the last minute, and have a front-row view.
People talk quietly. Every so often, a cast member or two or several walk down the street,
selling candy or flourescent lights or balloons. One of the park bands shows up and plays
something uplifting and patriotic.
Suddenly the lights flicker and go out, and cheers and clapping echo up and down the
street. An electronic voice speaks slowly but distinctly, addressing “ladies and
gentlemen,” describing the show that is about to begin. Even the voice itself sounds
excited as it concludes with “The Main Streeeet Electricalllllll Paraaaaaaaaaade!”
The music is incredible -- a happy, bouncy, cheerful tune. Its official name is “Baroque
Hoedown,” and it sounds like electricity having a square dance party.
The synthesizer transmits the music to speakers along the street, filling the air with happy
electrical sounds. The very air has changed. What was formerly an attraction imitating
small town Americana turns into a stage as brightly lit floats move slowly along the
street.
“Baroque Hoedown” is a lively tune, and people clap along in time for quite a while until
they become distracted by the astounding sights of 500,000 light bulbs attached to 45
floats and all the beloved Disney characters waving to you as a reminder and a review of
your day in the “The Magic Kingdom.”
The song plays continually, with the themes from each movie playing along in time, such
as “A Very Merry Unbirthday” from Alice In Wonderland.
You’re minding your own business, lost in thought, pretty much overwhelmed by the
bright lights, and the colors, and the happy music when a bespectacled turtle moves
toward you and bows. Delighted, you either wave or laugh and watch in wonder as it
moves down along the crowd, greeting other park-goers.
If you’ve got synesthesia, this is the best thing in the world. The colors have sounds. The
sounds have textures. The lights are pulsing. The beautifully-dressed characters tug at
your heart. It’s a symphony of sensations.
Your favorite characters glide by on their floats: Cinderella, Snow White; Peter Pan and
the Pirate; Pete and his Dragon. The Sleeping Beauty entourage steps by in perfect time
... so beautiful.
Just as you think maybe this song just might ... just may be ... just a little bit too much to
handle ... since it’s been playing for quite some time, you feel sad because here comes
the end: A float dedicated to America, reminding you of the great place you are
privileged to live in.
As this last float glides by, you see some confident souls walking together, arms linked,
following the America float. You get up and join them because it’s time to leave.
You walk out the front gates, still humming the tune, hearing it in the air around you as
you walk to your car with your memories. This parade is a good thing ... it’s what people
in Louisiana call “a little something extra.” This extra stuff has wrapped up your day and
reminded you of the highlights of your visit, like an extended goodbye from the park to
you and a thank you for your business.
The music will stay in your head. And every time you remember it, you will feel warm
and happy inside, because you got to enjoy that last wonderful gift from Disney several
times as a child, when things were brand new and clean and bright and almost perfect.
You go home and snuggle into bed, with all those lights and sounds mixing into a
wonderful blend of pure joy that entertains you until you fall asleep with a big smile on
your face, and fall into wonderful blissful dreams of lights that sing.
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