Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade was created in 2006, and debuted in 2007. However as with most Disney creations, this parade had its roots years before the first Just Like we Dreamed It!, was heard along Main Street. The rumours for the parade go all the way back to a year 2001 when the ImagiNations Parade entertained, however was taken off the parade route for maintenance reasons. In its place was the already aging Wonderful World of Disney Parade, which had already been performing none stop since early 1998, and had been stopped in late 1999. Some of the floats were so old they dated back to 1992, when the Resort first opened, this was hardly the amazing new parade people had hoped for in 2001. So as usual the fan rumour mills went mad month after month with ideas of new parades in the resort. The most obscure being a rumour stating that Dancin' a Catchy Rhythm had been remixed, when in actual fact it was no more than a fake lie. It did ask the question, just when would the Resort finally give its crowning glory a new daytime parade?
Skip ahead 5 years and a few Wonderful World of Disney Parade name changes later, Katy Harris announced in January 2006, that the new parade would finally arrive in time for the 15th Anniversary celebrations in 2007. This new creation was the first parade actually ever built in France, and was designed by Disneyland Paris, which had not been the same for the previous parades, Cinema Parade and ImagiNations.
The parade also was then announced to take you into a dream of five senses, view, touch, smell, hear and taste. Most of these are featured in most ordinary Disney parades around the world, however smell is new and exclusive for Once Upon A Dream. Each float features its own smell that has been created especially for the floats. The parade was also stated to be like the parades from the past, it would run for about 5 minutes and then a parade stop would occur using the parade stop version of Just Like We Dreamed It. It would then continue on as before until it finishes.
Throughout the year concept art was released, Disney officially started advertising for this parade in November 2006 when they released the official 15th Anniversary brochure. As the fans got excited, the countdown was on for the floats to be constructed by March 2007. First reports of cast rehersals were stated at the beginning of March, following sightings of the floats being driven around backstage, to train the parade drivers. With the launch of the 15th Anniversary website, a video was created, featuring the entertainment directors of the resort, mentioning the wonders of dreams in Disneyland Resort Paris. It also included a glimse into the construction of Dreams of Imagination and Dreams of laughter and fun floats.
People who had hoped to wave goodbye to the Wonderful World of Disney/ Princess Parade on the 30th March 2007 were sadly disappointed. As with most new creations in the resort, it needed a bit of time rehersing in front of the crowds. This helps to make the parade perfect for its official first performance.
On 31st March 2007, the parade was officially being performed, sadly to a rather wet and rainy crowd. Before the parade there was a marching band playing Disney classic music, followed by hundreds of children, adults and cast members from the local area holding blue balloons and some holding giant balloons with the numbers 1 through 15 on. When they reached Town Square they let these go, celebrating officially the beginning of the 15th Anniversary and recreating a moment used before on opening and the 5th Anniversary day. Mickey and the gang arrived in style on their very own float, there was reason why Snow White had not been given her float during the final few performances of Wonderful World of Disney Parade. This was so the creative visionaries behind the press weekend, would be given chance to deck the old float out with a new style. A slide with a red carpet on was placed on the float. Along with a 15th Anniversary logo on the side. This pre parade was only performed on 31st March 2007, it shall not be performed during every performance of the parade.
What could have been such a simple day for the resort, turned out to be rather a confusing day for not only guests, but also the cast. As the parade began all was well, though within around 4 minutes the music was cut in Fantasyland, and the performers were left to carry on, though without the backing track. Suddenly came the show stop music, "Just Like we dreamed it", instead of stopping however, the parade continued. This move could have been disatrous if all the press were viewing it here, however it was done so the show stops could be performed twice in Town Square. Making this location the perfect area to see the parade.
The Parade now runs every afternoon, and during the evening of Halloween and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year, Once Upon a Dream Parade was given a nighttime performance. Making use of some details, which can only be seen in the dark, such as the led lights on the floats.
Floats
Dreams of Imagination:
Chip, Dale and Pluto wave hello from their dream. Smell that fresh sweet smell and it's just like you dreamed it. Pick up a pen, open the book and see bubbles of imagination come flying out, Mickey and Minnie a top a hot air balloon of the sun and Donald on the moon. Goofy waves his magic wand, and your dream has begun.
Dreams of Laughter and Fun:
He's late, he's late, follow the white rabbit through wonderland, which leads you to the White Rabbit's house. Alice is stuck inside, too big to escape. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum sit on her feet looking and laughing at her mistake. The Queen of Hearts is on the lookout, but the Cheshire Cat is being his usual self hiding. Pinocchio, the little wooden boy, joins your dream with bouncing Wooden manikin friends in Gippetto's workshop, even sense that freshly carved wooden smell and see even more puppets. Pinocchio after all dreams himself, of one day being a real day.
Dreams of Friendship:
The Toy Story crew are about, but don't fool around, the green soldiers are here to keep everything in line and find what Andy's latest toy is. A storybook apart and you'll find Winnie the Pooh and his friends too, care to join them for a tea party. Tigger's bouncing around having a great time, why not try to bounce along with him as they pass.
Dreams of Fantasy:
Peter Pan brings a sense of adventure to the dream, him and Wendy are out to tease Captain Hook with the ticking crocodile. Though don't get too close to the ship you may get a cannon ball blown at you. On the other side of Big Ben Mary Poppins and Bert await on their Jolly Holiday riding around on a carousel of dreams. The penguins have even arrived to invite you to dine in your dream of fantasy.
Dreams of Power:
All cannot be happy ever after in the realm of dreams when the villains appear. Out in force, Maleficent, in her fire form, the snake form of Jafar, Hades, Scar, the Evil Queen, Ursula and Chernabog atop Bald Mountain, steam forming from the volcano. The villains are ready to take the power of dreams and turn it into a nightmare. Fire jugglers dance in front of the float, the smell of fire and burning can be smelt around the villains as they unravel their plan.
Dreams of Adventure:
Simba, Timon, Pumba and Rafiki welcome you to the jungle, a wonderous place, a top Pride Rock, they stand, and sit to sing along to the Circle of Life. The tree even holds life of many jungle animals, and behind them Kaa hangs out, while Baloo and King Louie boogie on down to the Jungle beat in the ruined temple.
Dreams of Romance (Part 1):
The flower girls dance in as Ariel and Eric welcome happily ever after from a picturesque waterfall, cupid has arrived to give the fairytale newly weds that extra spark of love. The scent of flowers fills the air as behind Eric and the mermaid, is Aladdin and Jasmine on a swing in a beautifully flowery garden.
Dreams of Romance (Part 2):
A rose covered gazedbo makes way for Belle and the Beast as they dance to the fairytale waltz, Snow White awaits her Prince on a bridge crossing between the two sections of the dream. Aurora and Prince Phillip on the side of the mountain and Prince Charming along with Cindrella close the dream in the reflection of a crystal castle. A dragon hides in the rockwork, down below with a message "Just Married".
