Xero’s Heros and Zeros : Park 7 The Modern Era

Everybody LOVES a Parade. Kids. Parents. Grandma. Grandpa. Gigi. Bobba. Papa. Sissie. Mimi. Oompa. Everyone. So this week we bring you something a tad bit different. A few weeks ago Heros and Zeros focused on Park 7 : The Early Years. We touched on The Castle Chaser, Star Jets, World of Motion, Figment, Polynesian Resort and America on Parade. This edtion will point its little eyes and Mickey ears on the rest of Park 7. What I call the Modern Era. These are the designs that represent aspects of Walt Disney World that can still be enjoyed. And just like the first Park 7 there will be no zeros or heros. Just a parade of awesome vinyl designs for your viewing pleasure.

Well it is almost time for parade. And no one needs to ask, “What time is the 3 o’clock parade?”

It is 3 o’clock all day long here. There are no clouds in the sky and the temperature is at 82 degrees with an ever so slight breeze blowing out of the west. Perfect. The weather could not be any better. So decide which side of Main Street you want to stand on, put on your sunglasses and grab some popcorn, frozen lemonade, dole whip, elephant ears, Mickey bar or whatever else your little heart desires. And please out of respect to those behind you, buy the big Mickey Ear balloon after the parade. And if you happen to be a bit late, do not, and I stress DO NOT use your stroller to force your way to the curb. That is just not right.  People have been sitting on the curb for an hour and a half waiting for this parade to start. Respect is the key to good parade enjoyment by all. I hope you all enjoy. So with out any further delay, VK proudly brings you Park 7 : The Modern Era. Cue up the music because if you look towards the Castle you can see our first float coming. And what a float it is………

As it gets a bit closer you can make out that there are actually two floats. One is big and round with colors of orange, brown and yellow. But be careful because if you get too close to this one you WILL get wet. Do you hear that, lady that pushed your way to the front, you and your stroller will get wet. Serves ya right. Your 18 monther is sleeping, so why is it that he needed to push his way into a front row spot? Anyways, now that we are all wet, some soaked, some just a little wet, we can see the main attraction

The Kali River Rapids Dragon. This fire breathing float has it all. Smoke coming out of its nostrils and fire at its base are what makes this design come alive. But the vibrant colors make it stand apart from all of the other designs. Now I just wished that I did not cancel those ressies at Yak N Yeti.

Now the Dragon has passed and, thanks to the heat he was emanating, we are all dried off and are ready for more. Unfortunately that Mickey Bar has suffered some major damage as well. So hurry up and finish that thing. It is getting messy.

As you are trying to polish off that melting Mickey bar you notice that everyone’s attention has been raised skyward. Told ya to put on your sunglasses. You did not, so you strain to see that floating in the air is a huge red and yellow air balloon. As things come in to focus you now see what all the fuss is about. The street crowd loves this one

It’s Kermit. His big smiling head is on a hot air balloon. Larger than life and floating high in the sky. Kermit has been around since 1989 at Hollywood Studios, but this is his first appearance as a Hot Air Balloon.The balloon design has been limited to Mickey. Think Balloon Chaser and 1st visit celebration, but we are happy to see Kermit added to the balloon design family.

Kermit has now floated by and you are beginning to make out what seems to be a rather large band. As the marchers approach you are amazed to see that this is no ordinary band. It is a full blown orchestra. Never before has an entire orchestra, piano and harp and all been included in a parade. But here it is, in all of its glory. As this massive spectacle marches on, you listen and hear many songs. Songs from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic and many others. But be careful. This is no ordinary orchestra, It is filled with magic and 3D effects. What else would you expect from Conductor MIckey? Just as all the instruments had almost marched on by, you do notice something a bit strange.

Donald, just had to get involved. And what a sight he makes. The creative use of the tuba bell accessory has no equal in the world of vinylmation. I will go on record saying that this is the best vinyl design that encorporates an accessory. The best. If you can think of a better one just let me know. I got an idea. Hey Baltar what do you think about doing an Accesssory only Power Ranking? That would be cool. Liberty Minnie and Sorcerer Hat Mickey have to be in the top 5 as well. But don’t forget those creative Bakery series Cupcakes….yummmmm…Cupcakes. After the parade I think that I will head on over to the Main Street Bakery and see what I can get.

No more daydreaming!

The next  floats coming into vision are the representation of two of the four worlds that make up Walt Disney World. The Hollywood, don’t call me MGM, Watertower stands tall. It is the Earful Tower

As this 189 foot water tower passes by, you are reminded of all the awesome times that you have had at Hollywood(MGM) Studios. Quick Question. If you had only been to the Studios only once and it was called MGM at the time, are you allowed to say, ” I rode Tower of Terror at MGM”? Hmmmmmmmmmm……Is that if a tree falls in the woods sort of thing? This design is pretty good although I have an inclination that it will find its way to many a trade box and low money Buy It Nows on eBay. And we just had the Hollywood Studios Clapboard in the last Park Series. You do, however really like this one, so after the parade, you have decided to make your way into the Emporium and blind box one or two Park 7s. Then check to Trade Box to see if you can score an Earful Tower.

As you dream of your Blind Boxing scores your attention falls back on the Parade that you are so immensely enjoying. But hey, where did the Stars and Motor Cars Parade go? That was one cool parade.

Next up, a slightly, and I mean slightly smaller structure rolls by.

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth. At 165 feet tall this geodesic sphere impresses everytime. Makes you think that the ImaginEars could have come up with something much cooler than a Watertower for MGM.  Makes you think, what the heck is a geodesic sphere anyways? So I pull out my Driod, type in G.E.O.D.E.S.I.C. and did a Google search.

Geodesic is a generalization of the notion of a “straight line” to “curved spaces”. In the presence of a Riemannian metric, geodesics are defined to be (locally) the shortest path between points in the space. In the presence of an affine connection, geodesics are defined to be curves whose tangent vectors remain parallel if they are transported along.

Ok, I still have no clue. But I do love my phone. Let’s just say that it is one cool looking structure that houses one of our family’s favorite rides and looks just as good stock verses street. For those non car buffs in the group. Stock means with no alteration. Street means modified. And the Millenium Celebration modifications look pretty good on this design. Maybe even better than they looked in real life.

Next up comes a favorite of mine. Well at least in real life, maybe not as a design. This lovable fairy has given our family plenty of smiles throughout the years.

We used to love going to Pixie Hollow and meeting Tink and all of her friends. Silvermist. Vidia. Terence. Rosetta. Fawn. Iridessa. We love them all. Glad to see this Tink as part of this historical Parade. Her wings, wand and bedazzling are all great touches. And all shimmer and sparkle in the midday Florida sun. This design will be hit and miss though. Not sure little Johnny will be smiling when he blind boxes this girly beauty. That’s OK Johnny, I am sure that there is a Pirate Henchman or two in the Trade Box that you can swap your TInk out for.

Before we get to the end of our little parade I have another request for the team

Xero’s Request #4 (I know that I am a bit needy lately with all of these requests, but with all the questionable changes that have taken place, I figured that these requests are not out of the question). Anyways……………….

Xero’ Request #4 – Please give us a Fairy Series. Tink. Silvermist. Vidia. Terence. Rosetta. Fawn. Iridessa. Queen Clarion. Bobble. Clank. Blaze and a Surprise Chaser. I would consider even purchasing this set on the new mold. See, I am not completely irrational

So that brings us to the end. But wait a minute. We are missing something. This parade can not be over yet. Mickey. We need Mickey. Well folks here he is and dressed for the occasion I might add

Glad to see that the Mickey as MIckey topper tradition is alive and well for Park 7.

That’s it. The crowd is dispersing. The parade is over. The strollers are all moving and that lady’s baby is finally awake. Slept through the whole parade, but at least the kid had a good spot. Or at least was pushed and forced into a good spot. Either way, security was not invloved and no one got hurt or kicked out of the park. Don’t laugh, it has happened. We all will move on and enjoy the rest of our day in the Park.

Thanks to the Vinylmation team for putting together one of the best Park Series of all time. Or at least has(had) the chance to be.