Disneyland Scraps Parade’s Public Rehearsals

Just days before debuting its “45 Years of Magic” parade, Disneyland scrapped two public rehearsals and worked through the night this week trying to improve it, according to sources at the Anaheim amusement park. Recalling how the park’s “Light Magic” parade misfired in 1997, sources said officials had serious misgivings when they saw the show at a trial run Sunday. However, a Walt Disney Co. spokesman downplayed the revisions being made, characterizing them as “fine-tuning.” The parade is the park’s new top draw this year--the main effort to attract patrons. Attendance has been down partly because visitors must pass through a labyrinth of construction work to get inside. Many tourists also want to wait until next year when road work is done and Disney’s second theme park, the $1.4-billion California Adventure, opens next door. The parade, celebrating Disneyland’s 45th anniversary, is expected to open to the public Friday.