Looking Back: Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday Parade with 17 Vintage Photos From Jeff’s Collection
Hi everyone!
Donald Duck’s 90th birthday is today, and we are rewinding with some photos of Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday Parade in 1984 at Walt Disney World! These pictures are from the Jeff Lange Collection. Jeff has been photographing the parks for a very long time and we occasionally post a vintage article (including the Splash Mountain vintage article from opening).
The most unique part of Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday Parade is that live ducks were used in the Magic Kingdom Parade.
The first photo is a Donald Duck 50th Banner. It says 1934 to 1984. Donald debuted in “The Wise Little Hen” in 1934.
Mickey and Minnie are on this float with a Donald backdrop.
Performers wear Donald costumes.
Dopey looks so different than the character we see in the parks today.
A float features the popular duck.
There is a character float with Br’er Bear (Br’er Fox is on the ground), as well as Clara Cluck and more.
Captain Hook and Mr. Smee walk alongside the floats.
Here is another birthday float.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum were in the parade.
The Sheriff of Nottingham marches near Robin Hood, who is holding balloons.
More performers wave ribbons.
Pluto wears a birthday hat with Goofy on this birthday cake float.
Another float goes by.
Check out the live ducks on the back of the float!
I believe this is Grandma Duck.
Daisy stands higher.
And Donald Duck wears a commemorative party hat as he celebrates 50 years.
Thank you to Jeff for sharing photos of Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday Parade at Walt Disney World! I never did see this parade in person.