"It's Back!" reads advertising throughout the Southern California area. Commercials too hark the return of the beloved classic, the Electrical Parade. Its return was marked as the summer blockbuster for Disney's California Adventure, and the initial response seemed to indicate Disney had an instant hit. Now, three weeks later, the parades popularity seems to be waning from its initial high.

In its opening week the Electrical Parade brought in many Southern California regulars wishing to get a glimpse at the return of their favorite parade. Cast Members and family also flooded the park through free tickets given to them. The energy and excitement the first few nights were as electric as the floats themselves. Clapping, cheering, and the ever-favorite chant "spin, spin, spin" could be heard along the parade route. Some even shed tears of joy as the baroque music started and the Blue Fairy made her grand entrance into California Adventure. The first few days of its return were a blast for all.

Since the first week, the overwhelming interest in the parade has slowly died off. During the press preview Priority Seating was readied in four spots along the parade route but as early as the second night the sales of these tickets reduced usage down to two locations. Now that has been reduced to one, the Mondovi winery seating, where most nights the second seating has been removed. There is also word that the second showing of the parade itself will be cut, along with park hours.

The first showing still brings in a large number of Guests, but most leave directly after that show has completed. During the preview nights and first week many Annual Passholders and those holding park hopper tickets migrated from California Adventure to Disneyland for the evening performance of Believe…There's Magic in the Stars. Some guests even ventured to the River's of America to watch the second showing of Fantasmic!.

Disney's Electrical Parade has provided for a slight boost in attendance, along with keeping Guests in the park, or getting them to return later in the evening. Yet keeping them beyond the first show or getting them to pay the $40 for Priority Seating has been a much more difficult task. The Electrical Parade certainly has not become the summer saver, but it has helped pique interest in the new theme park, if only for bringing back fond memories of years gone by.

Discuss This News Item