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Vote of the week: What's the parade you most want to see in Orlando this summer?

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Published: May 11, 2012 at 7:52 AM
With Universal's Superstar Parade debuting this week, let's talk about parades.

Spongebob in Universal's Superstar Parade

Many observers don't realize this, but there's a simple logistical reason for top theme parks to run parades in the middle of the afternoon. That's the busiest time of day at a theme park - even the late-comers have arrived by that point and few of the earliest-arriving guests have left for the day. So the park is packed.

Having a parade at that time helps draw visitors away from crowded queues, making wait times a little more manageable during the worst part of the day. The guests who opt for the parade get to enjoy a fun show, instead of more frustration in hours-long queues, and those who don't get to enjoy slightly shorter wait times for their favorite attractions.

This summer, with attendance rising at the Universal theme parks after 2010's hit debut of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando's jumped in the game, too, with a cartoon character parade in the Universal Studios Florida theme park.

It's early to see what impact this new parade will have on Universal's attendance patterns, but it's not too early to draw some impressions about the new show and how it matches up with existing parades from Walt Disney World, especially with our Domenik Jost's full video and photos of the Universal's Superstar Parade.

My first thought was to ask what you think is the best parade in Orlando? But that question seems a bit simple, and even a touch cheap, given how few people have seen Universal's new parade by this point. So allow me to tweak the wording a bit, and to ask - based on what you know and have seen of these parades - which parade would you most want to see in Orlando this summer, if you were going to Orlando and could pick only one parade?

Your options are (click the links for videos):


Tell in the comments why you voted the way you did. Or if you just want to answer the "which is best" question, go ahead. Thanks for reading Theme Park Insider, and have a great weekend!

Readers' Opinions

From Tracy Bates on May 11, 2012 at 8:20 AM
I most want to see the universal parade because I haven't seen it yet.

I least want to see the one at Animal Kingdom because it's just plain boring.

From 80.238.1.135 on May 11, 2012 at 8:41 AM
there's no options for "None - parades don't interest me other than I can ride the rides while everybody else is away watching the parade"
From Dominick D on May 11, 2012 at 8:56 AM
I love MSEP, so that got my vote.
From David L. on May 11, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade, which I have scene a little of, is the one I want to see the most. The few floats that I did see seemed neat and unique.
From 208.54.85.176 on May 11, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Does the Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! Street Party at Magic Kingdom count as a parade?
From Amy Smith on May 11, 2012 at 8:13 PM
I love that Universal's parade is beating celebrate a dream come true. Dear Disney executives, please take this as a message that you need a new parade!
From Mark Kausch on May 11, 2012 at 10:12 PM
I voted for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle simply because DAK is the only (major) park at WDW I haven't been to. Plus I'm pretty sick of the MSEP, especially the music.
From AJ Hummel on May 11, 2012 at 10:20 PM
The only theme park parade I've ever cared for is the Main Street Electrical Parade, but that was the original version at Disneyland. I haven't seen it since the year it first opened at DCA, but based on the music and float changes I don't know that I'd enjoy it as much anymore.
From James Koehl on May 12, 2012 at 3:56 AM
I'd be happy with ANY parade I could see without a basketball team standing up in front of us.
From Anthony Murphy on May 12, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Baroque Hoedown!
From 216.51.189.177 on May 13, 2012 at 7:34 AM
My family is going to Orlando to do the two Universal Parks (especially the WWOHP) this summer along with Sea World and few other things. We are looking forward to seeing what the these parks have to offer and this includes the Parade at Universal. While our child is out of the Dora/Diego/Sponge Bob phase, we all like Despicable Me, Hop, etc., which makes this parade sound like fun!

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