Re-used Parade Floats

[Disneydanny]

They also used one of the Spectromen whirly things in the Micky's Not So Scary Halloween Party Parade

They are all new units. None of the POD units are older units. Now the new Ratitoulle (sp?) Pre Parade unit is a older unit. The front axel squeaks and makes horrible noises when it turns.

Originally Posted by Disneydanny

They also used one of the Spectromen whirly things in the Micky's Not So Scary Halloween Party Parade

One they are called Whilry Pods
Two they didnt use one in the Boo To You Parade, the one in the parade is much larger than the Spectro Balls

[DisneyFanatic13]

^Yet, it looks like one.

Originally Posted by DisneyFanatic13

^Yet, it looks like one.

You are right there. It was meant to look like one. If you ask a Parade CM they will tell you why. I cant remember off the top of my head. but its much wider and a little taller, than the spectro balls. But it has been removed from the parade. The last unit used now is the Goofy Candy Unit

[echoscot]

You guys are right that they do re-use a lot of floats. However sometimes they strip old ones down to bare infrastructure and completely rebuild.

At WDW there is a place called Central Shops. In there, they do a lot of that kind of work. When we opened Spectromagic in 1991, they built a whole new fleet of floats(I think that's the correct phrase) some weren't fully ready for rehearsals, so we went to Central Shops to practice on them.

The Castle float does go waaaaaaay back. Tencennial was its first incarnation. There is another float that you guys may not notice now, but it is called "The Rolling Stage" it goes back before Tencennial, though I believe it has now been decommisioned or rebuilt.

This unit was a set of round platforms at different levels. You can see performers and characters on it throughout the years. Starting in the mid 70's it was used for character parades, America on Parade, the Dumbo unit of Fantasy on Parade (Now known as Mickeys' Very Merry Christmas Parade), Mickey's Street Party, 20th Anniversary Parade(Surprise Celebration) and so forth.

[ohtherain]

I have just noticed that Mickey's Street Party and Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Parade use the same floats (redecorated) and the same music but slightly different lyrics (fitting each park). Also, Donald's 50th Birthday Parade used a few of those floats, but entirely redecorated, and some came from Mickey's 50th Parade in 1978. It also had similar music, but had that "Happy Happy Birthday" song that I know and love...

This is the first time I have posted in a while!

[res01]

The castle float is also in the pirate and princess parade along with the princess float from the 3 oclock parade is also used for the P & P parade
Disney should invest in some new floats and a NEW PARADE at 3 its been the same parade for at least 5 1/2 years that i can remember.
Disney just keeps reusing the same floats and it makes it seem that nothing changes.
Or is this the way Disney is saving money and.........

[DisneyFanatic13]

^In DL, they used an old float, but they redid it for Ratatouille. But the wheels squeak really badly!

[echoscot]

^ The annoying squeek may not be from the re-use as much a maintenance issue. The driver needs to report it to maintenance. At WDW, the character dept drive the floats so they would fill out a report for the maintenance crew after the parade.

Its not the wheels its the axel.

[echoscot]

I would be surprised if there was an axle on most of the floats except for the drive wheels. Quite often they use castors. High strength. They may have changed the design, though.

Originally Posted by echoscot

I would be surprised if there was an axle on most of the floats except for the drive wheels. Quite often they use castors. High strength. They may have changed the design, though.

All the floats at DLR have 4 wheels like a car with caster in certain places for extra support.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...3247314&size=l

Tokyo Disneyland uses two axles with no casters.

You can also see in this pic the two front turning wheels. (One between the hand and leg of the dancer, and one on the left)

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6523851&size=l

[DisneyFanatic13]

^I see a door in the first pic.

Originally Posted by DisneyFanatic13

^I see a door in the first pic.

That gives access to the wheel.