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The Magic Kingdom's original daytime character-parade lineage ended permanently; the various Character Parade / Cavalcade of Characters versions ran their final season in 1978.
Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Former Parade · the memorial record
⚰ Permanently closed · 1978operated 7 years · 1971–1978
Also known as Character Parade, Cavalcade of Characters.
This parade is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.
Parade history
the lifetime record- 1978
- 1977
Cavalcade of Characters returned after the Bicentennial, adding new units including Herbie the Love Bug and Elliott from Pete's Dragon.
Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes - 1975
Put on hiatus as 'America on Parade' took over the daytime parade slot for the U.S. Bicentennial (1975 through 1976).
The Cavalcade of Characters was shelved, not retired, during the Bicentennial run.Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes - 1974
Relaunched as the Cavalcade of Characters — the first Magic Kingdom daytime parade to feature moving floats, headlined by the Casey Jr. train carrying King Richard the Lion (Robin Hood) at a pipe organ.
walking characters and antique cars→full moving floatsTracked byTheme Park Patch Notes - 1971
Opened as the Character Parade on Magic Kingdom's first day — the park's first regularly presented daytime parade, sending a marching band, antique cars, and walk-around Disney characters down Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey led a red-uniformed band; Snow White's Seven Dwarfs carried balloons; Minnie rode a yellow antique car with the Dapper Dans. Initial run ended Dec 9, 1971.Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Questions & answers
When did Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters) open?
Per the documented record, Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters) at Magic Kingdom opened on Oct 1, 1971.
When did Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters) last close for refurbishment?
The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters) is dated 1978: The Magic Kingdom's original daytime character-parade lineage ended permanently; the various Character Parade / Cavalcade of Characters versions ran their final season in 1978.
What changed recently on Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters)?
The latest documented change (documented 1978): The Magic Kingdom's original daytime character-parade lineage ended permanently; the various Character Parade / Cavalcade of Characters versions ran their final season in 1978.
How many changes are on record for Character Parade (Cavalcade of Characters)?
5 documented changes, dating back to 1971 — the fan-kept parade changelog nobody else keeps.
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