Laissez le bon temps rouler! Fat Tuesday, better known to the world as Mardi Gras, came to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort today, and as we all know, Mardi Gras means it’s time for a parade!
Port Orleans marked the day with a Mardi Gras Pargo Parade through both the Riverside and French Quarter resorts. And as we’ve seen at Halloween, people can get pretty creative when they decorate vehicles! But where the golf carts at the parade at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground are decorated by guests, the Pargos at this parade have all been decorated by resort staff, celebrating attractions from Walt Disney World’s past. Let’s see what magical pieces of history they’ve created!
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
Resurfacing from the depths of the Magic Kingdom, this Pargo pays tribute to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage, which operated from 1971 to 1994.
The Pargo has been decorated to resemble one of the Nautilus submarines emerging from the caverns that housed the giant squid. Even though this specifically represents the attraction, it’s capped off at the front with a replica poster from the 1954 film.
Personally, I really love that this Pargo not only captures the ride vehicle, but a specific moment from the attraction.
Naturally, the portholes at the top of the Nautilus allow the Pargo driver to see out and navigate the parade route.
The rock work on the back is amazing!
The posters are a nice tribute to one of the film’s stars, the late Kirk Douglas, who passed away recently.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
It may be February, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with this Pargo paying tribute to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights!
The panels on the sides of the Pargo light up, reminding guests of the seasonal entertainment that took up the backlot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 1995 to 2016.
Of course, times have changed, so this spectacle is brought to you by “The Port Orleans Family.”
This one definitely brings up memories of holidays past.
They even remembered the cat!
The Main Street Electrical Parade
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort proudly presents a spectacular Pargo paying tribute to a pageant of nighttime magic and imagination: The Main Street Electrical Parade!
This Pargo brings a Mardi Gras twist to the nighttime parade, which roamed the Magic Kingdom from 1977 to 1991, 1999 to 2001, and 2010 to 2016.
The traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold and green adorn the Pargo, including on the replica drum…
…and it’s all topped with a Mardi Gras hat!
This float brings some Main Street magic to Port Orleans!
Jolly Trolley
While this was a Disneyland attraction rather than a Walt Disney World attraction, this Pargo resembles the Jolly Trolley, which could be found rolling around Mickey’s Toontown from 1993 to 2003. (The signage misspells the attraction name as the “Jolly Trolly.”)
There are some pretty neat touches here to resemble the original trolley, including the cow catcher and the wind-up key in the back.
Hang onto those straps, this ride can get a little animated!
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Motor-mania has made its way to Port Orleans with this Pargo celebrating Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!
The attraction took guests for a spin at the Magic Kingdom from 1971 to 1998. But that magic is back for the parade!
And of course, there’s Mr. Toad himself, with his crazed eyes from the attraction poster.
I really love how they covered the wheels to make them resemble the wheels from the ride vehicles.
Be careful not to get into an accident with this Pargo: there’s a judge on duty!
We’re glad we STOPped and checked this Pargo out!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
And finally, we look back to a more recent past, with this Pargo celebrating IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, which entertained guests at EPCOT from 1999 to 2019.
The fireworks and flags from World Showcase already bring back that epic soundtrack in my head.
While this may not be as elaborate as some other Pargos, there’s enough here to show that it represents the beloved nighttime spectacular.
While the flags of the World Showcase countries may not be in the order they appear in the park, but the American flag is in the middle, just like The American Adventure.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse appear on the front, in the style of the artwork we saw on the IllumiNations farewell merchandise.
There’s even torches on the front!
“We Go On,” indeed.
And if you’d like to see more of these Pargos, be sure to watch the video below!
Which Pargo was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
MORE:
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Spooky Pargo Parade featuring Tower of Terror at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
REVIEW: Mickey-Shaped Mint Chocolate Beignets Give Us a Taste of Mardi Gras at Disneyland Resort
Love it! Especially the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride float!