BY RAIN BLANKEN
In 2008 , my kids were eating ice cream on Hollywood Boulevard for the first time . They comically bumped into each other as “ Celebration ” by Kool & The Gang descended upon our family — suddenly we heard barking orders : “ Start boogying , soldier !”
We were now in the middle of the Disney • Pixar Block Party Bash . Amid the music , giant construction cones and building blocks lumbered down the street . Mr . Potato Head , now a fixture in Toy Story Mania !, walked on his own through the streets , flanked by Bo Peep , toy soldiers , and dancers .
For the first towering float , Andy raided his crayons , Barrel of Monkeys , and Tinkertoys to create a tall winding staircase for Woody and Jessie . Buzz Lightyear partied just behind them atop a spaceship . With more building blocks and traffic cones between them , a Monsters , Inc . float followed . It featured giant scream laugh containers , rotating doors , and Mike and Sulley grooving to the beat . Then came A Bug ’ s Life , with a giant saxophone and tape deck on their float to amplify the party .
WHEN THE PARADE STOPS , THE PARTY STARTS This wasn ’ t just a parade ; it was an interactive bash ! The floats were parked for most of the parade time . Building block floats turned into trampolines with flipping acrobats . My kids , huge Toy Story fans , boogied on the street right below Buzz ’ s ship and high-fived Woody when he came down to street-level to dance . Each float had an emcee who directed the crowd to complete dance moves , jump , and play games . Ours was a toy soldier who regularly yelled , “ Lookin ’ good , recruits !” Dancers passed large balls back and forth with guests in the crowd , and each side of the street competed in a scream competition . The Incredibles were announced toward the end , and Frozone , Elastigirl , and Mr . Incredible appeared in puffs of smoke atop the floats as giant ribbons plumed out of the tops of all the traffic cones .
The Block Party Bash was a whirlwind , if not a workout . As the parade prepared to move on , Buzz threw out these Nerf Block Party squishy balls to the crowd , and dancers handed out Buzz Lightyear stickers ( free souvenirs light up the eyes of kids and parents alike ). My kids put their stickers on their faces , and our family danced so emphatically that we were approached by Cast Members and rewarded with FastPasses to Rock ‘ n ’ Roller Coaster ( as part of A Year of a Million Dreams , when surprises like these were given out on the spot ). “ You ’ ve Got a Friend in Me ” played out the parade as the floats moved on . Now ages 24 , 21 , and 19 , my kids still talk about the Block Party Bash as one of their favorite WDW memories , and you can still find them having screaming competitions . Thanks for that , soldier .
Rain ’ s scrapbook memories of Block Party Bash . PHOTO BY RAIN BLANKEN