the television parade debut of the Babes in Toyland soldiers, replicated exactly from the 1961 Disney musical feature, The soldiers, later seen in Mary Poppins, continue to be highly recognizable symbols of Disney Parks holiday parades and shows. Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade began on the ABC network 1983 with Joan Lunden as the first (and longest-running to date) host and Mike Douglas as co-host. Alan Thicke later replaced Douglas, and Regis Philbin was later added as an on-street interviewer. In 1991, the first year there was a parade from both Magic Kingdom Park and (then) Disney-MGM Studios, Philbin and Lunden began a lengthy run as hosts with Mayim Bialik as the guest interviewer. Eventually Philbin was also joined by his colleague Kelly Ripa from Live with Regis and Kelly. Over time, the Disneyland Park in California gained more prominence, going from segments to parade coverage. The parade has been aired every year since 1983 except in 2000 and 2020. Over the years, the program has gone through a number of name changes. During the 1980s and 1990s, the program was known as The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade. The program's name was then changed to Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. From 2009 through 2013, the program was referred to as the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. For a few years after that, the program's name would change on a yearly basis, being known as Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration in 2014, Disney Parks Unforgettable Christmas Celebration in 2015, Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration in 2016 and 2017, and finally Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade in 2018 and 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the 2020 edition (branded as the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration) was stated by ABC to have been "reimagined", with plans to include highlights from past editions among other features. The parade celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2008. Hosts and entertainers Announcer Original announcer, Dick Tufeld; Joe Hursh, current voice of Walt Disney World 1983 Hosts Joan Lunden & Mike Douglas 1984 Hosts Joan Lunden; Bruce Jenner & Regis Philbin; 1985 Hosts Joan Lunden and Ben Vereen; on-street interviewer Regis Philbin. Regis Philbin previews The Living Seas at EPCOT Center and Ben Vereen previews Captain EO. Ben Vereen sings Go Tell It on the Mountain. Special holiday messages from US President Ronald Reagan, UK Prime