Parade of the Stars

Parade of the Stars (previously known as 45 Years of Magic Parade) was a parade at Disneyland that ran from 2000 to 2005. The name changed after Disneyland's 45th anniversary ended in 2001.
==Development==
===45 Years of Magic Parade===
As 45 Years of Magic Parade, in conjunction with Disneyland's 45th Anniversary. Initially the music for the parade was “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar, just like in the Noah’s Ark segment of Fantasia 2000. However, due to guest dissatisfaction, the song was replaced a few months later with a medley of several Disney songs.
At each performance, 70 lucky park guests were chosen to join the parade. Donning tutus and animal hats, these “guest stars” provided a bit of comic relief down the entire parade route.
===Parade of the Stars===
After the 45th Anniversary was over, the parade was renamed. A few changes were made at this time. It continued to be Disneyland’s main parade until another major Disneyland anniversary. The new design of Donald and Daisy was also used. On May 5, 2005, the new Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams premiered as part of the Happiest Homecoming on Earth, the 18-month celebration of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
==Parade Units==
*Opening Unit: Based on Blue Fairy from the 1940 animated film Pinocchio. It’s a nod to the opening float of Main Street Electrical Parade, which had to “glow away forever” in 1996. This unit was followed by some Disney characters in the early version, such as Donald and Daisy in their Pomp and Circumstance costumes (later in Final Unit), Clarabelle Cow (later in Final Unit), The Three Little Pigs, Big Bad Wolf, Thumper, Bernard, Miss Bianca, and Penguin Waiters (later in Final Unit).
*Disney Princess Unit: At first glance, the swan appears to be floating on choppy surf with Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora, but it turns out to be just a cloud.
*The Little Mermaid Unit: Based on the 1989 animated film.
*Beauty and the Beast Unit: Based on the 1991 animated film.
*The Lion King Unit: Based on the 1994 animated film. Two golden giraffes pull young Simba, who "just can't wait to be king", through the clouds in a golden chariot. This unit was led by Baloo and King Louie from the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book.
*Tarzan Unit: Based on the 1999 animated film. Tarzan sits on his elephant companion Tantor, who has been painted gold and is kneeling on a cloud. This unit was originally led by Yo Yo Flamingo and the Snooty Flamingos from The Carnival of the Animals, who were later replaced by the Flamingos from the 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland, as well as Terk and the flamingos from Tarzan.
*Pines of Rome Final Unit: Based on one of the chapters of the 2000 animated film Fantasia 2000. Whales fly effortlessly through clouds in the sky, as though swimming in water, carrying Sorcerer Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale, followed by the Penguin Waiters. This unit was followed by some Disney characters, such as Donald and Daisy (originally in Opening Unit), Clarabelle Cow (originally in Opening Unit), Pinocchio, Honest John and Gideon, Br'er Rabbit, Alice, White Rabbit, Big Al, Wendell, Liver Lips McGrowl, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Robin Hood, Roger Rabbit, Max Goof, Timon, Rafiki, Meeko, Mushu, and Flik.
==Trivia==
*Timon and Rafiki appeared in the parade, but they did not follow The Lion King Unit.
*Flik was the only Pixar character to appear in the parade.
*The Three Little Pigs, Wendell, Liver Lips McGrowl, Tigger, Robin Hood, Max Goof, Timon, Meeko and Flik were the only characters to wear capes in the parade.
==See also==
*Main Street Electrical Parade
*Disney Cinema Parade
Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts parades
Category:Disneyland entertainment
Category:Former Disneyland attractions
Category:Extinct Attractions
Category:Pinocchio
Category:Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Category:Cinderella
Category:Sleeping Beauty
Category:The Little Mermaid
Category:Beauty and the Beast
Category:Fantasia
Category:The Jungle Book
Category:The Lion King
Category:Alice in Wonderland
Category:Tarzan
Category:Robin Hood
Category:Winnie the Pooh
Category:Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Category:Pocahontas
Category:Mulan
Category:A Bug's Life
Category:Mary Poppins
Category:Song of the South
Category:Bambi
Category:The Rescuers
Category:Minnie Mouse
Category:Goofy
Category:Chip 'n Dale
Category:Pluto
Category:Crossovers