Disneyland Pulls a Switch, Adds Parade Dates

Disneyland officials put an extension cord on the Main Street Electrical Parade on Thursday, announcing that the event’s farewell season will now run nearly to Thanksgiving.

Citing “overwhelming” guest demand and concerns about crowded conditions at the park, Disneyland Resort President Paul Pressler said the parade, originally slated to end Oct. 15, will be held over for an additional 25 days in November.

“We want to give our guests the opportunity to view the park in a less crowded condition,” Pressler said. “It has been challenging to provide the kind of guest experience we want.”

Anaheim safety officials are investigating visitor complaints of overcrowding at Disneyland as crowds have surged leading up to the finale.

More than 80,000 people jammed Disneyland on Saturday, a day of near-record attendance that snarled traffic outside the park and created periods of human gridlock inside.

The crowding has been especially severe as visitors try to exit following the two nightly performances of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Anaheim Fire Marshal Gary Wilder said Wednesday that visitors have expressed concerns for their safety trying to leave the park.

“We’re carefully measuring and monitoring that,” Pressler said. “The safety of our guests is our primary concern.”

Hordes of nostalgic parade fans have responded to Disneyland’s all-out media blitz reminding them to catch the parade before it “glows away.” Although Disney officials express surprise at the “overwhelming” response, the very mania they helped create has given them a welcome excuse to extend the parade another 25 days.

Following the Oct. 15 performance, the parade will take a two-week hiatus to accommodate a previously scheduled Halloween event at the park.

The parade will resume Nov. 1 and will continue through Nov. 25, when Pressler promised it will be permanently unplugged.