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January 3, 2014

Farewell Disney Parade, Hello New Shamu Show

Happy New Year from Theme World!
The holiday crowds are still in town for a couple of more days, but Magic Kingdom fans may still want to head there anyway Saturday. It can't be THIS bad anymore, right?

Why hit the park with tens of thousands of your closest friends?  Because after nearly 12 years, the "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade will roll down Main St, USA just two more times: 12:30pm & 3:30pm.

This version of Disney's daytime parade debuted in 2009, but the floats and some of the costumes really  have been rolling nearly every day since 2001, where it started out as the snowglobe-inspired parade called "Share a Dream Come True"  

After tomorrow, there will be no daytime parade for the next few months. The good news: an ambitious new parade is being finished up as we speak, and the performers will start rehearsing soon. The "Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade" is being created by legendary Disney Showman Steve Davison -- who created the MK's Wishes fireworks show -- and dozens of other spectaculars worldwide. Look for it to debut in the Spring.
Here's the concept art for "Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade"

While Disney's parade is saying goodbye, SeaWorld is about to say hello to a new Shamu show.  Now don't freak out "One Ocean" fans.

It's only going away temporarily so SeaWorld can make some much-needed upgrades to Shamu Stadium, including new acrylic panels. While that work is done, a new temporary show called "Shamu Up Close" takes its place at the "Dine With Shamu" facility.

No food there for now, well, except fish for the whales, but the new show will show the relationship trainers have with the Orcas. It'll take place every hour and promises to be more educational than the splashy "One Ocean". It'll be kind of like SeaWorld Shamu shows USED to be like before "Once Ocean's" predecessor, "Believe" debuted in 2006.
Shamu Up Close debuts  on Tuesday. If you want to catch "One Ocean" -- there are shows at Noon & 2 p.m. on Saturday, & Noon & 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
It should return in April.
 

More from Theme World next week.

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