“Mickey’s
Jammin’ Jungle”
The new parade at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a traveling, interactive island street party that
features Disney characters “on expedition” and a tribute to their animal
friends. As the procession winds through the park, a menagerie of abstract
animals comes to life in handcrafted theatrical designs -- “bursts of living
color,” says producer Paul Nichols.
During each parade
presentation, nearly two dozen guests get in on the action in customized
rickshaws that accompany the Disney characters traveling in safari vehicles.
Minnie Mouse, for instance, appears as if she brought all the comforts of
home along on her safari, with steamer trunks, wardrobe cases, hat boxes,
even a bathtub (with bubbles continuously floating out).
Party Animals and
energetic Party Patrols coax the audience into a sing-a-long music fest as
the parade winds throughout the park.
'Mickey's Jammin' Jungle'
Parade Fast Facts:
Parade Length:
Approximately 15 minutes
Location:
Starts at the Tusker House Gate at Harambe Village. It winds through
Disney's Animal Kingdom and returns to the Tusker House Gate.
Design Elements:
The procession consists of individually designed elements that bring a
variety of heights, colors and abstract animal visuals to create a fun,
theatrical showcase for the Disney characters. The elements include five
character-based safari vehicles, four drum sculptures, three rickshaw taxis,
eight animal puppets, 16 Disney characters, 10 Party Animal stiltwalkers and
10 Party Patrols. The eight abstract animal puppets were designed by Michael
Curry Designs in Portland, Ore., which created the puppets for Disney's "The
Lion King" on Broadway.
Music:
The main musical score was written by Disney Show Director Reed Jones and
Music Director Dan Stamper, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work
on Super Bowl 2000 in Atlanta. All musical arrangements were orchestrated by
Gordon Goodwin and recorded in Los Angeles.
Costumes:
"Mickey's Jammin' Jungle" parade costumes were designed by Matt Davidson.
The prototypes for the puppeteer costumes were crafted in Africa by native
artisans. Parade costumes were created at Walt Disney World Creative
Costuming, Parsons Mears in New York, Costume Armor in New York and Vegas
Costumes in Las Vegas.
Performers:
Features 60 cast members including performers, drivers and coordinators.
Highlights:
As "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle" winds through the park, a menagerie of abstract
animal images comes to life in fun, theatrical designs handcrafted from an
eclectic mix of natural materials and fabrics. Soaring animated puppets and
towering percussive drum sculptures create bursts of living color against
Disney's Animal Kingdom's dense jungle greenery. Elaborate rickshaw taxis
put selected guests in the middle of the parade, accompanied by Disney
characters in customized musical safari vehicles.
A troupe of 8-foot-tall
Party Animals and energetic Party Patrols interact with guests and direct
them in the creation of the live call-and-response sing-along music fest. Up
to 25 special guests will be selected daily to ride in the opening unit,
three guest rickshaws and the finale unit. Guests will be given Kodak
disposable cameras so they can capture the special moment aboard the parade.
Adventure Rover -- This opening rover is a brightly colored red, orange and
yellow safari vehicle. It carries the beloved Disney character Rafiki, from
the Disney animated film "The Lion King." Rafiki rides with a guest family,
which is selected daily to participate in the parade.
Character Jeeps -- These three jeeps carry several of the most famous of all
Disney characters including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. The
vehicles and floats are themed to the personalities of each character.
Donald's jeep pulls a float painted in various hues of blue with a sports
and nautical theme. Minnie's jeep and float are painted with her signature
red and white polka dots adorned with a big red and white, polka dot bow. Goofy's jeep and float feature a hodgepodge of items, ranging from oversized
snowshoes to a pair of pajamas.
Bon Voyage Caravan -- The Bon Voyage Caravan features a brightly colored
jeep carrying Mickey Mouse. This jeep pulls a float consisting of several
different safari-themed segments. The float carries Mickey Mouse and a guest
family, which is selected daily to participate in the parade.
In addition to the myriad of characters participating in "Mickey's Jammin'
Jungle" parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom, guests can see Disney characters
including Pluto, Baloo, Louie, Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, Timon, Terk and Chip
'n' Dale.
Parade
Photos
Baloo & Louie
Wildebeest
Giraffe
Elephant
Monkey
Rafiki
Donald's Parade Float
Goofy Vehicle
Mickey Float
Minnie Float
Camel
Goofy and Friends Jam Through the Animal Kingdom.
An Artist's Concept for Mickey's Float.
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