Disney Stars on Parade is a parade at Disneyland Paris that debuted on March 26, 2017, as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.[1]
The parade reuses two floats and themes from Tokyo Disneyland's former daytime parade, Jubilation!,[2] which ran until early 2013, at which point it was replaced by Happiness is Here Parade and the Toy Story Float re-used some elements of the Finale Unit.
On March 12, 2020, Disneyland Paris announced that the parade would close temporarily due to the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on Paris. The parade returned on January 10, 2022 with the almost same number of performers and units.
“Start dreaming as Peter Pan's flying ship sails by, let Elsa's delightfully icy wind carry you away, and tremble at the deafening entrance of the fire-breathing dragon!”
From March 26, 2017, Disneyland Paris presents Disney Stars on Parade, a brand new Parade, which is more stunning than ever, featuring a plethora of Disney Characters to celebrate the 25th Anniversary in style. Mickeya and Friends journey through Disney and Pixar masterpieces to the land of imagination. Four new exclusive floats, new music, more than 2,000 new costumes, and never-before-seen choreography: the new Parade will dazzle guests in a whirlwind of joy, laughter, emotions, and color. It is now more than ever the highlight of any visit to Disneyland Paris.
“In Disney Stars on Parade, we will follow Mickey and Friends on a journey of discovery to the land of imagination” explains Emmanuel Lenormand, the Show Director. “We started with the words that are most frequently used by our guests when they talk about Disneyland Paris. This helped us to create a story with eight chapters, and as many emotions. We then associated these emotions with major Disney and Pixar animated films that have proved a huge hit with the public”.
Parade Units[]
Characters Tuesday is a Guest Star Day:
Since July 4, 2017, each Tuesday features a special pre-parade in Disneyland Paris: “Tuesday is a Guest Star Day”. Each pre-parade will feature rare characters. Each week, new characters made their way down the parade route. The pre-parade coincides with the actual parade time for the day, and pays tribute to the segment with the same name that was shared on the Mickey Mouse Club, when Mouseketeers welcomed a special guest for an exclusive on-stage performance each Tuesday of the first two seasons.
The pre-parade was on hiatus during Festival of Pirates and Princesses from March 30 to May 31, 2018.
Unfortunately this unit never made a comeback after the pandemic.
Opening Announcement: "Et maintenant, mesdames et messieurs, et vous les enfants! And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Disney Stars on Parade!"
Discover the Magic:
The parade opens with Tinker Bell, who escapes from the pages of an enormous storybook. This is followed by an amazing float featuring Mickey Mouse and Friends dressed as explorers of the future... The float is really impressive due to its size but also by the fact that the front part of the float where Mickey, Minnie and Goofy are located is constantly tilting. The float is inspired by “A future in which technology retains a magical aspect” according to Olivier Dusautoir, the Set Designer.
When the weather conditions do not allow it (in case of strong wind), Mickey and Minnie take the place of Donald and Daisy who then take the place of Chip and Dale. The latter then find themselves in their classic costume on foot at the back of the float.
The songs accompanying the float are "Lost in the Magic" (the Main Theme), "A Whole New World" and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah". However following Disney's new inclusion policy, the "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" segment has been removed.
During the 25th Anniversary celebrations, the celebration logo could be seen through the lens of the huge telescope at the back of the float. This effect was removed at the end of the celebrations.
Discover Friendship:
Based on the Disney and Pixar film, Toy Story. The second highlight pays a dazzling tribute to children’s games. Buzz Lightyear’s rocket pulls an oversized truck in which Andy Daly has placed all his toys in carefree disarray. Woody, Jessie, and the other toys celebrate true friendship and take us to infinity and beyond!
The float is lead by three Toy Soldiers, two Cowgirls, and two Cowboys dancing in front of the float.
The wheel of death of this float is the retheme one of the Finale unit from Jubilation!.
When the weather conditions do not allow it (in case of strong wind), the wheel of death is not used and no performer is inside.
When the parade reopened, some effects disappeared in particular the fact that the aliens under Buzz no longer turn and Slinky Dog no longer moves.
Discover Adventure:
Who better than Simba form 1994 animated film, The Lion King or Baloo and Mowgli form 1967 animated film, The Jungle Book to embody the spirit of adventure? A high rock overlooks the exuberant jungle flora, while the percussion and shimmering colors release the wild instincts of an exotic world where, fortunately, it takes very little to be happy.
The float is lead by the "Goddess of the Jungle", two monkeys and two bird women dancing in front of the float.
This float was recycled from Tokyo Disneyland's former daytime parade, Jubilation!. The main notable changes are the complete change of the top of the float (now representing Mufasa) as well as the addition of Zazu's animatronic to the front of the float (yet from 2018 until its reopening Zazu was missing).
When the parade reopened, Mowgli was replaced by a monkey.
Discover Imagination:
Based on the 1953 animated film, Peter Pan. From Skull Rock to another, this one is in the shape of a skull and serves as the throne of Captain Hook. Peter Pan is close by, at the helm of a ship suspended beneath an immense, dreamlike moon. “After all, Disneyland Paris is – quite literally – the Land of Imagination!”, Emmanuel Lenormand reminds us.'
This float was recycled from Tokyo Disneyland's former daytime parade, Jubilation!. The main notable changes are the complete change of the aspect of the Moon as well as the addition of purple clouds everywhere on the floats.
A few months after its reopening, the float suffered major technical problems which led to the loss of the second part (the most important of the tank where the moon is located). Since that day, only the part with Skull Rock circulates on the parade route and therefore only Captain Hook and Mr. Smee are on the float; the other characters are all on foot in front of the float.
Discover a New World:
Based on the 2003 Disney and Pixar film, Finding Nemo. A Crush animatronic (as well as four small animatronic baby turtles) swims above a majestic float, covered with coral. Dory, Marlin and Nemo remind the guests of their philosophy: “Just keep swimming!” and leave guests starry-eyed. Sea stars, of course. This float is really impressive because Crush fins protrude from the float and fly over the crowd in a whirlwind of bubbles.
The float is lead by three shell women as well as the puppets of Dory, Marlin and Nemo dancing in front of the float.
This is the only float in the parade where no character or performer is on it.
During the 25th Anniversary celebrations, Crush wished a happy birthday to Disneyland Paris. This effect was removed at the end of the celebrations.
A few months after its original opening, the float experienced some minor technical issues which led to the removal of Dory's parents from the back of the float. This problem was solved in a few months and the fish came back.
After its reopening, the float has lost a lot of its pace. The puppeteers at the front of the tank were totally suppressed as well as by concequent Dory, Marlin and Nemo. The Crush animatronic also became totally inanimate leaving the float empty of life. Only baby turtles animatronics are still animated.
A few months after its reopening, baby turtle animatronic was replaced by an animatronic of Nemo.
Discover Enchantment:
Based on the 1959 animated film, Sleeping Beauty. The story would not be complete without an epic battle starring Prince Phillip against an evil dragon as the wicked Maleficent, described by Olivier Dusautoir as “mechanical, made entirely of copper with visible mechanisms, as if it has been taken straight out of Jules Verne’s imagination”. Faced with a fire-breathing monster, will good win out?
The float is lead by Prince Phillip and four Maleficent bramble creatures dancing in front of the dragon. The tail of the dragon is also led by a gargoyle (malefic servant) at the rear of the float.
The float was duplicated from Magic Kingdom's daytime parade, Festival of Fantasy Parade. Although in appearance they might appear to be identical, they have many differences including going details and colors used. The steampunk side is even more accentuated in this version and the colors are lighter.
Discover Romance:
Fortunately in fairy tales, good… and love always triumph in the end. Contrasting beautifully with the impressive floats that precede them, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Belle and Prince Adam, and Cinderella and Prince Charming make their entrance on three graceful carriages. A romantic moment which will melt the hearts of little girls… of all ages.
The carriages are reused from its former daytime parade, Disney Magic on Parade. Although in appearance they might appear to be identical, the main noticeable changes are the addition of arches and character figures from the movies (eg the owl from Sleeping Beauty) behind the carriages.
After its reopening, the carriages gave way to the big float from the Festival Pirates et Princesses which was already a recovery of the float from its former daytime parade Disney Magic on Parade and more previously from the Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade. Now only the three fairies are on foot in front of the float and the princes unfortunately never returned. However some princesses have appeared including Merida and sometimes Pocahontas, Moana or Mulan.
Discover Wonder:
Based on the 2013 Academy Award-winning hit animated film, Frozen. The great Disney storybook closes with a flourish with Anna and Elsa, on a massive sledge pulled by a rocking horse depicting Sven being ridden by Olaf. Like Elsa’s silvery blue cape floating in her wake, a sense of wonder fills the air and remains long after the last float of Disney Stars on Parade has passed by.
The float is lead by Kristoff and four snowflake women with traditional Russian inspirations dancing in front of the float. A snow cannon is also placed at the back of the float covering the whole crowd following the parade with snow/soap.
During the 25th Anniversary celebrations, Anna and Elsa wished a happy birthday to Disneyland Paris. This effect was removed at the end of the celebrations.
After its reopening, the rocking horse swing effect has been removed leaving Sven in a fixed position.