For fourteen years, Disney fans looking to re-play the magic of watching the "Disney Parks Christmas Parade" in a springtime setting could do so.
From 1985 to 1999, ABC aired its counterpart, Walt Disney World's Happy Easter Parade (it aired on CBS in 1986). Joan Lunden and comedian and radio personality Rick Dees would host the first year. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of when the Parade first aired, it's the perfect time to look back at this televised Disney theme park magic of another age.
It was always great fun to see all of the Easter and springtime-themed floats, such as one featuring Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny (along with kids cuddling live bunnies), Pluto playing baseball during spring training, the ostrich's and hippos from Fantasia dancing alongside an oversized Easter egg, and Donald, Daisy and Huey, Dewey and Louie hitting the beach during spring break.
There was also a lovely finale, where the Azalia Trail Maids from Mobile, Alabama, escorted by Officers from the Orlando Naval Station, stroll down Main Street, USA, to the tune of Irving Berlin's "Easter Parade," as guests join in with a booming chorus.
Of course, Walt Disney World parades were also the perfect vehicle for the company to promote all happening at their theme parks and elsewhere.
The 1989 Parade provided a sneak peek at the all-new Disney-MGM Studio Theme park, which was set to open in about a month, 1990's Parade featured the Mouseketeers (yup, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, and everyone else) at Typhoon Lagoon, and the 1998 Parade revealed a glimpse inside Disney's Animal Kingdom, which was only ten days away from opening.
Each Parade is also a time capsule of all that was going on in entertainment and pop culture; check out New Edition performing "Mr. Telephone Man" at Epcot in 1985 and boy band 98 Degrees performing during the last Easter Parade in 1999.
There was also a "parade" of hosts and guests through the years, including Regis Philbin, Alan Thicke, magician Doug Henning, Nancy Kerrigan, Joey Lawrence, Ben Vereen, Robby Benson, and Howie Mandel.
Thanks to YouTube, the Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parades are available, and one can truly go down a...rabbit hole...with them.
Sure, they came off as glorified commercials for Disney, but that was all part of the charm. Now, through the soft lens of nostalgia, it's so nice to re-watch the Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade and return to a time when the world of Disney and the world itself seemed a whole lot simpler.
Happy Easter to one and all!
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