Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade to end its run this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
After more than 12 years, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade will go through the streets of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the last time.
Disney has confirmed to us that the daytime parade, which debuted on Oct. 1, 2001, is expected to close in June to make way for Animal Kingdom’s largest expansion ever, which includes a new Avatar area and new nighttime entertainment. No replacement parades are planned. Disney said a significant part of the Jungle Parade’s viewing area will be removed because of the construction.
UPDATE: 5/31/14 – Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade has had its final performance. See the full final parade below:
The new entertainment experiences coming soon include an after-dark spectacular centered around and above Discovery River featuring live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. In addition, there will be new nighttime entertainment including live performers on Discovery Island and a new night version of Kilimanjaro Safaris. No date has been given for when these experiences will debut.
Here’s a look at the full parade featuring rare Disney characters from Earth Week as part of last year’s Limited Time Magic:
During the holidays the parade would become Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade, which you can watch below:
I am sure there are multiple reasons. I work in DAK and understand why. They are putting The Lion King show directly in transit with where the parade would be going now that it moved to Africa and the entrance to the show is right at the bridge where the parade passes. Also, the show itself was a good way to keep people a little later in the park and push them further into the other areas, but DAK was always an early park because half of the experiences would close after sun down because of animal feeding times and activities. With the expansion it gives more time for evening projects thus eliminating the need for a parade. There will be activities similar to a parade at nighttime also.
I honestly feel that this is well and truly for the best. Like most guests, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade is very special to our family. The ‘up close’ feel and the lack of floats make this a very personal kind of experience, but that’s about it really.
The park is chaos leading up to and during the event as the place practically grid locks.
Bearing in mind Disney are wanting more guests in the future, the parade at AK just doesn’t add up really. Sad to see it go in one sense, but very glad to see something bigger and better when the Pandora area opens with light shows and extended opening hours.
This is one of those few times that less actually does mean more!
(I hope!!!)