Today, back in 1975, America on Parade took to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park, saluting the bicentennial of the United States of America.
Larger-than-life, doll-like characters measuring nearly eight feet in height, called “People of America,” were developed specifically for the parade. Floats throughout America on Parade represented historical, cultural and scientific achievements throughout the first 200 years of our nation.
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Viewed by an estimated 25 million guests on both coasts, this parade was performed 668 times at Magic Kingdom Park and 678 at Disneyland park and marked the first time the two parks worked jointly on a production that would appear simultaneously in both parks.
I think the above sandwich is most likely a salute to the American appetite. Gigantic!
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I was just going through old slides last night and found pictures of this parade!! I had to laugh because the “big heads” were really kind of creepy, lol!
I marched in the Bicentennial Parade in Disney World in 1976. I was in the band of the Lake Charles High School, Lake Charles Louisiana. Wow…. wonderful memories.
I have pictures of this parade from Feb of 76 and march of 76 I don’t remember it exactly but I have the pictures to help remember it as I was only 9 at the time
Would love to see this in color!
My first visit to WDW was in 1975 – and yes, I saw the America on Parade parade! We have clips of it on our home movies – I loved it! (filmed on 8mm, transferred to VHS, and then to DVD!!) I’ve thanked my parents for nearly 40 years for taking me there when I was 10. I now go to Walt Disney World YEARLY, at least. Because of that trip in 1975, I am a WDW fan for life.
I’ve pick up whatever America on Parade mementos that I can (Love the lunch box!) and display them proudly in my office.
I’m planning a BIG trip in 2015 to celebrate 40 years of Walt Disney World vacations!
Awesome! I always wanted to know more about this parade. Thank you for posting this! I have a relating-story that I think you might find neat:
A couple of years ago, when I had started collecting vinyl records, my friend was having a garage sale. At the end before I helped him pack it up, he let me go through his grandpa’s old record collection, and the “picture-disc” record was in it’s midst in mint condition, and still had the original price-tag still stuck onto the record sleeve.
I was lucky enough to see it in both parks. The summer of 1975 was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, and we spent the summer traveling across the country from California to visit my mother’s parents in Orlando. My father’s parent lived in Downey,CA and we visited Disneyland at least twice a year.
I would like to see that sandwich float in the Main Street Electrical Parade!
@Matthew– perfectly said, my thoughts exactly.
@Nate– LOL your last point!
Glad you get my sense of humor. 🙂
When I was 13 my family took our first trip to Disneyland. We passed through the entrance tunnels at 3:15 one June afternoon and the very first thing I saw in Disneyland was America on Parade coming around Town Square. What a magnificent introduction to the Happiest Place on Earth! This has been my favorite parade ever since.
It was a Great celebration of the Bi-Centennial of the United States and I went to the Magic Kingdom several times to see the parade. I still have an America On Parade bumper sticker I purchased as well as several somewhat faded Kodak style polaroid photos I took at the parade.
I remember this parade as a kid. I have a Disney “annual” from that same period.
I remember this parade!! I saw it November 1975. My 1st EVER family vacation. Disney made a deep impression on me.
I’m jealous. I never saw this parade.
Patriotism is one of many traditions started by Walt that I am glad to see the Disney Company continue. Walt loved America, and yet he was also very appreciative of other cultures as well, and that spirit continues to be on display at the Disney Parks.
Agreed!
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