Disney's California Adventure

20 minutes

Disney's Eureka! A California Adventure Parade will be canceled if there are poor weather conditions, such as rain or high winds. Guests should check with a Guest Relations Host or Hostess or a nearby Cast Member for the parade's status or listen over the loudspeaker along the parade route.

The nice thing about this parade is that it is fairly easy to get a decent viewing spot, even right before show time. Guests should be able to grab spots either standing or even sitting right along the route 10-20 minutes before short time.

One of the best spots discovered for this parade is in front of Burr-bank Ice Cream and Baker's Field Bakery, both located in the California Zephyr train in Entry Plaza. This is a great place for Guests to grab a hot snack or luscious dessert and watch the parade from one of the covered tables directly along the parade route. Or if Guests choose, they can sit on the ground in front of the tables directly along side the parade.

The Eureka! Parade is nothing like the traditional parades Guests will find across the street at the Happiest Place on Earth. Led by Eureka, the spirit of California, it is an upbeat colorful and cultural celebration of the Golden State. The extravagant floats represent all parts of California, ranging from its Spanish roots to its artistically rich regions to the lazy yet beautiful beaches.

An intro plays with Eureka calling to Guests "Come away with me…" The music is upbeat but very different - it takes awhile to get into the storyline. The parade opens with dancers dressed in sleek and colorful attire, followed by a twirling float that bears the title of the parade celebration. . This is followed by the first of many exhibits that pay a tribute to one aspect of the diverse California culture.

The large Spanish float is surrounded by dancers, some in the costume of a bird mixed with the facial aspects, similar to those featured in The Lion King Parade. Two professional musicians play on drums in beat to the music aboard the float, blending in as part of two large birds flapping their wings.

Next comes an exhibit of California's rich and diverse artistic culture. Eureka is atop a float with dark skin and a beautiful turban, surrounded by dancers in a similar dress. Performers follow the float with models of famous landmarks in California, including the Hollywood Bowl, a painter, and representations of San Francisco's art district.

Surf's up, dude! The music takes a sharp change to electrifying beach tunes, mixing in the parade theme with a Beach Boys type of medley and underwater sounds. Performers wear full scuba gear, including flippers and facemasks on their heads. Fish banners are waved overhead, and a float rolls in with Eureka in the form of a beautiful babe on the beach, raising and lowering her sunglasses.

The final segment of the parade includes more models of the Golden State, including two performers sporting the Golden Gate Bridge itself. They are followed by a beautiful float representing the important prevalence of Asian culture in California, complete with Asian art, dress, music and dance. The parade ends with the same colorful costumes that started off, and a medley of the different costumes shown throughout the parade holding banners of the different faces in California.

All in all, the show is very lively and different from other Disney productions. It is recommended worth seeing once, but is probably not one Guests will come back for again and again. It is an interesting take on the culture of California and focuses on the state's cultural and ethnic diversity more than its contemporary geography. Guests may find aspects of the show puzzling, such as the chowmein noodles chasing the fortune cookie at the end of the parade. It is a unique production that is worth seeing once, but will probably not go down as one of Disney's most classic pieces of entertainment.

As mentioned above, the best Eating Locations to visit for a quick bite before the parade are Burr-bank Ice Cream and Baker's Field Bakery. However, if Guests are looking for a full meal, Taste Pilot's Grill is the nearest restaurant in the Entry Plaza/Golden State area, while Burger Invasion and Pizza Oom Mow-Mow are all near the Parade Route in Paradise Pier. Guests can also catch a glimpse of the parade while dining at one of the locations in the Pacific Wharf, or while enjoying an exquisite meal at the Mondavi Winery on the patio overlooking the parade route.

Restrooms are a little bit hard to get to along the start of the Parade Route in Entry Plaza. Guests should use the ones near the entrance to Hollywood Pictures Backlot by ABC Soap Opera Bistro or those just inside the Condor Flats area across from Soarin' Over California. Further down the route near Pacific Wharf restrooms are located behind Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, and next to Burger Invasion in the Paradise Pier area.