We were just wondering how the bands that perform in the Rose Bowl Parade affect the crowds at Disneyland. We would assume that most of the bands that come from out of town would plug DL into their schedule. Does anyone know if that happens and if it makes the crowds even worse?

Yes, they do. They won't be there today, but they definitely show up within the week.

The Rose Parade affects DLR all over the place. You have people coming in from out of state to watch the game and cheer for their teams. Then there's the bands and all their chaperones. Add to that the tour groups. Many travel companies arrange packages this time of year as an opportunity to see the parade, sight-see around LA, and get out of the cold. Many of these tours include a stop at DLR.

Adrienne

I was in a marching band and marched in the Rose Bowl parade three times. We plugged Disneyland into our schedule, but we usually went in the days prior to the parade, not after. This year, many schools are off until the 7th, so they might have some extra days for sightseeing and hitting the local attractions.

There have been 1-2 bands playing before each parade most of the week.

Can I be difficult for a moment?

There is no Rose Bowl Parade. Remember that the football game is just an add-on so that people can have something else to do after the Rose Parade. Interesting history really, there would be no "Bowl Games" if it wasn't for the Rose Parade.

The parade had been an institution for decades before an annual football game was added to the festivities. As the game became more and more popular, eventually a new stadium was built, and named the "Rose Bowl" after the parade. The game itself started to be known as the "Rose Bowl", after the name of the stadium.

Other cities with warm climates decided this was a good idea for pulling in winter tourists, and organized their own football games. They played off the Rose Bowl name, creating events like the Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

Sorry to digress from the topic, but I think it's a fun story. Way back in 1890 folks decided to have a big festival because Pasadena has blooming roses in January, when most folks back east are shoveling snow. And because of that little festival, today (for good or for bad) we have this odd Bowl tradition, instead of a more typical end-of-season tournament.

I actually realized after I posted this that it is just the Rose Parade, but what do you do? ;)

Thanks for the history. I sure do like that parade. I am just amazed when I look at those floats. It is probably the only parade I like to watch on t.v. To me, the Macy's Day is boring. I do like the Disney Christmas one, but I always forget about it. Only got to see about 1/2 hour of it this year.

:-) It was a nice parade this year, it felt more like a true parade than in some years. There didn't seem to be as many big corporate floats this time - even Disney sat this parade out!

Maybe companies are concerned about the economy? Anyway, as a result most of the floats actually matched the theme of the parade, instead of advertising some company. And the few corporate floats didn't overdo the self-promotion this year - although it sure would be cool if Honda was actually selling that spaceship car!