Walt Disney World’s nighttime parade, SpectroMagic may have taken its last parade route at Magic Kingdom in 2010 but that doesn’t mean that some Disney ® fans aren’t still hoping for a return of the beloved parade. Since retiring in 2010, Disney has reintroduced the colorful Main Street Electrical Parade back into its parade repertoire, and it has been dazzling guests with its thousands of light-filled floats ever since. But because the question of whether SpectroMagic will return still pops up in Disney circles Best of Orlando decided to compare the two Disney parades, and find out once and for all, which is better. What’s Similar?
Let us begin by saying that SpectroMagic and Main Street Electrical Parade are very similar. Both incorporate elaborate and brightly lit floats, a musical score, Disney characters from popular Disney films, and of course both run at night. But the two do have differences, and it is those differences that have fans battling over which is better. Differences
When SpectroMagic returned from hiatus in 2001 it had a new conductor of the parade, Genie from Aladdin, prior to that SpectroMen trumpeters led the parade. Meanwhile, Main Street Electrical Parade has Tinker Bell, who waves her wand to light up the thousands of twinkling lights on the floats and begin the processional. SpectroMagic welcomes spectators with an opening announcement provided by Jiminy Cricket who says, “Welcome to the Splendor, the spectacle, the sparkling sensation, where the romance, the comedy and the thrill of Disney fantasies come to electric life... And now the Magic Kingdom proudly presents in a million points of musical light, the magical worlds of Disney in SpectroMagic!” Main Street Electrical Parade does not have an opening announcement. Instead, the parade offers the bouncy tune “Baroque Hoedown,” which was written in 1967 by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley. MEP also ends with an American tribute featuring dancing patriots, and even a bald eagle made from golden lights. The differences continue with the floats and who is on them. While SpectroMagic did have Disney characters on their floats including Ariel, Sebastian and Ursula from Disney’s “Little Mermaid” and many more, the parade also carried other non-Disney characters like SpectroMen (remember those trumpeters from above) who rode Whirly-balls. There was also a Spectro Coachmen who rode a traveling marquee, which spelled out the parade’s name. If SpectroMagic is ever to return to Magic Kingdom or anywhere else in Disney, you can be sure that Best of Orlando will be the first to let you know. The Main Street Electrical Parade is on its third season. It first opened in Magic Kingdom in 1977 until 1991, then from 1999 to 2001, and its latest run has been open since 2010. So, it is possible to see the return of SpectroMagic again or an updated version of it, possibly with the Frozen sisters, Anna and Elsa, is a good bet. In the meantime, you can enjoy Main Street Electrical Parade twice nightly at Magic Kingdom with discounted Walt Disney World tickets right here on Best of Orlando. Orlando, FL -- 08/07/14 By: Jena Pugh | 
