CHARACTER MAGIC :
CHIP ' N ' DALE
BY TRISHA DAAB
GREETINGS FROM A DISTANCE : Chip ‘ n ’ Dale scurry around the lawn near EPCOT Imagination Pavilion , but you can also find them with the EARidescent Eight in fancy 50th gear at the Main Street Train Station . But my favorite : Find them jamming to “ Bad to the Bone ” in dino costumes in a cavalcade with Goofy at Animal Kingdom .
MEET CHIP ‘ N ’ DALE : You can find the chipmunks posing ( sometimes ) and making trouble at Garden Grill at EPCOT . During normal operations , Chip ‘ n ’ Dale also have meet-and-greets in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios . In Animal Kingdom , don ’ t miss their meetand-greet in adorable dinosaur costumes .
NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY ? Bring a drawing , letter , or old photo of them . Characters love this . Ask if they ’ ve seen Donald or Pluto .
MAKE SURE TO : Visit the Chip ‘ n ’ Dale 50th anniversary statues in Magic Kingdom . It ’ s a perfect photo spot .
BEYOND THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK : Go vintage with a Rescue Rangers shirt or Golden Book . They love seeing their friend Gadget . Get themed ears and have them each sign an ear .
Remind them of their holiday fun hounding Pluto with an ornament or holiday plush . They love pestering Donald so a red bowtie or Donald plush can spark shenanigans .
Electrical Parade Dreamlights is an amazing update to this classic nighttime parade . We hope to see it come stateside one day . PHOTO BY TDR EXPLORER
Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights One word to describe Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights is “ legendary .” If you can only catch one parade when you ’ re at Tokyo Disneyland , make it this one . It ’ s a modern take on the classic Electrical Parade — and constantly updated with new floats and music every few years .
It all starts with that electrifying voice announcing , “ Good evening and welcome , one and all . Tokyo Disneyland proudly presents our most spectacular pageant of nighttime dreams and fantasy in millions of sparkling lights and brilliant musical sounds : Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights .” Then comes the iconic Baroque Hoedown . You can ’ t help but smile as this parade kicks off .
This modern take on the Electrical Parade debuted on June 1 , 2001 , at Tokyo Disneyland as a renewed version of the former parade , Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade , which ran from March 9 , 1985 , to June 21 , 1995 .
From the Cinderella Pumpkin Coach to Rapunzel ’ s iconic tower lit up with lanterns , this parade has left everyone I know who ’ s seen it in absolute awe . Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights is an absolute must when you visit . I recommend checking the closures calendar on the official Tokyo Disney Resort website to make sure it ’ s not being refurbished when you plan to visit . The refurbishment calendars are about six to eight months out .
The parade steps off in Fantasyland , so the best spot to catch it is right across from Haunted Mansion . The second best spot is at the Partners statue at the end of the World Bazaar . That way , you can directly view the parade coming down the route with Cinderella Castle in the background .