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parveen50
08-07-2003, 09:09 PM
Hello Everyone,

Just in the process of planning our trip in last week of August.

We're booked for 1 night at the HOJO (got a great rate and terrific service from William Simpson at HOJO - think it was Darkbeer that referred us to him...) and then 4 nights at the DLH.

We got the DLH for $145/night through Expedia - and we're not annual passholders - so if anyone has any other ideas for a cheaper rate - it would be much appreciated!

ANYWAY - Our trip would be absolutely fabulous if someone can tell us how to improve our chances of actually participating in the DL Parade of Stars - Is there a specific area that we should be in at a specific time? Or should we just generally look around for anyone dressed a peculiar way??

Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks!

Darkbeer
08-07-2003, 11:49 PM
OK, here is how to do be in the Parade of the Stars...

First, dress for it...

Two big issues, No advertising on your clothing, wearing a T-Shirt with a large Pepsi Logo, NOT GOOD!

The right pair of shoes, they HAVE to have a closed heel, sport sandals are OK, or a pair of sneakers. You will more than likely be dancing and kicking your feet, so they are very strict about this.

Next, where to go. There are normally 2 parades a day, the first parade starts near it's a small world (iasw), and the Double Decker Bus, and the CM's that are looking for suckers (oops, volunteers) starts at the opposite end of the route, and works towards the floats. You need to get there about 80 minutes early. So for the first parade, stand near the Emporium on Main Street (near the flagpole) and look for the bus. Once the bus stops, look for the CM's. For the second parade, stand near the iasw entrance.

Be perky, outgoing and smile... If you have someone under 18, an adult has to also participate, and sign a release.

Have fun with it, you will end up acting like a fool in front of thousands.... (I speak from experience, I did the evening parade on DL's 48th BD, ended up doing ballet moves with King Louie and Baloo in a tutu... what a workout that was!):fez:

Have fun....

P.S. Glad to hear more good comments about Willie Simpson, he is an amazing guy!

PurpleDove33
08-07-2003, 11:49 PM
I think about an hour before the parade, look for the double decker bus going up the street and the CM's wearing blue overalls with clouds on them. Look for the one carring a clip board. And they look for people who are happy and excited. There shouldn't be a problem getting picked if you show a lot of enthusiam. My advice is, do the parade at night time and it won't be so hot for you. Also if you have family that won't be doing it, let them hold onto your backpacks and stuff. Other wise you will have to dance and carry them with you. Its a lot of fun. I have gotten to do it and I never thought they would pick me, because of me being in a wheelchair. But they did and it will be a Disney memory I will treasure for a life time. Let me know how it goes and how you enjoyed doing it. And when you finish and give back the costumes you wear, they will give you a special pin that only people in the parade get. It is not one you can buy on one of the pin carts. One other thing, make sure you have comfortable shoes on your feet to wear as you will be dancing all the way up the parade route. Have fun.

cryan71
08-08-2003, 08:18 AM
Definately be perky! Act like you want to be part of the parade.

Do they still give participants the blue fairy guest performer pin after the parade?

leota's necklace
08-08-2003, 10:21 AM
My friend and I were in the parade around Memorial Day. We had just come out of the Mad Hatter wearing our new mouse ears and we were laughing ourselves silly, and one of the parade CMs actually came up to us and asked if we'd like to be in the parade. We got her to admit it was the ears...we looked like we were having a grand time, which we were.

Be prepared...the parade is a lot harder than it looks. We also got the Louie/Baloo segment, and we had to do high kicks (say, eight to ten in a row), cheers, and sideways one-footed hops across the street, all the way from the train station to IASW. It's very aerobic, and the trolley tracks are there to kill you. :) I was definitely feeling it by the time we got to the castle, and I'm a dancer.

You will have only a few minutes to learn your choreography. Listen carefully to what the nice CM's tell you to do.

The only bummer was the fact that we had no one to hold our stuff. I clipped my purse around my waist like a fanny pack and wore the tutu on top of that. I made the mistake of keeping my jacket on, thinking it was chilly. You are moving a lot, and the lights are hot. You will sweat. Keep smiling and waving!

So, in short: Dress appropriately. Look for the bus. Be happy. Warm up first. Have someone hold your stuff. Get pictures. Have fun!

gliterrboy
08-08-2003, 11:05 AM
run a quick search of parade of the stars on this message board, there was a really long post about this topic about a month back, it had a lot of great advice, just so you know. being in the parade is a blast, good luck!

Mistress K
08-09-2003, 01:53 PM
I've managed to be in the parade 4 times (escorting various guests from out of town). My favorite was for my daughter's 6th birthday. (I don't think anyone has mentioned an age limit, but that's it.) She wanted to celebrate her big day by being in the parade since she was finally old enough. But she specifically wanted to dance with the line of characters near the end of the parade. Since she had her birthday button (from the info booth, City Hall, or the full-service restaurants), they referrd us to the right CM (each CM is in charge of a specific section of the parade) to sign up. (Normally, they won't tell you which section you're going to be in -- you just take what you get.) Not only did they accept us, they asked questions about her favorite characters (she danced with Meeko, since she said she liked Pocahontas), and they sat us in the front seat of the bus with the driver (she even got to ring the bell). Everyone really went out of their way to make her special day simply amazing.

Also, if you're not up to dancing like a dervish but want to be in the parade anyway, the last group holds the rope at the end of the parade and takes turn dacing with the Jolly Holiday Penguins in pairs. It's still fun, but not super strenuous.

parveen50
08-12-2003, 08:05 PM
Thank you everyone!!!

I'll let you know how it goes - we'll be there in the last week of August!!!