Swing
Dancing at the Disneyland Resort
AS I’ve shared
before Swing Dancing has been a part of Disneyland since 1958. There was a
stage dedicated to hosting Jazz Bands with a dance floor for the guests to
dance on. Walt and Lillian danced there and enjoyed listening to some of the
Jazz greats of history.
The Carnation
Gardens stage and dance floor next to the castle are gone and the area is being
rethemed for a princess meet and greet during the days. A bandstand and dance
floor will be installed in the area and the dancing will return to inside the
park spring of 2013.
For now the
dancers gather in Downtown Disney from 6 pm to 10 pm and dance Saturday nights away.
Disney provides the stage, the band and dance floor and all are welcome to
swing. In between sets there is a group dance lesson and all are welcome to
give it a try. Seasoned dancers gladly offer to help those that need and
partner up with those that need a partner. People gather early and bring
folding camp chairs to sit in as they watch and rest between dances. It is a
jovial and friendly atmosphere.
Last Saturday
night we joined the dancers for 50's themed night. We thoroughly enjoyed trying to dance even if we
were not quite able to do it up to speed. We got lots of support and
encouragement from the experienced dancers and those that just come to watch.
To be honest the
dance floor was so crowded we spent most of the time we danced off behind those
watching the fun or resting from dancing. Yes we felt self-conscious but the
reason for stepping back was more because we did not have room to move on the
dance floor.
It was fun to see
mothers and fathers on the floor with their young children. Some knew the moves
and others were just doing what they wanted moving to the music and showing
their children how to just have fun. I’m glad that Disney kept the tradition of
having Swing Dancing at the Disneyland Resort.
Besides the Friday
and Saturday in Downtown Disney there is the Ellis Island Boys and other band
around the parks to dance to. Not all the bands are listed on the Disneyland
website entertainment schedule so you need to look them up other ways.
If you want to
know more about the Disneyland Dance there are two Facebook pages that I have
found that help with knowing what bands are playing when.
Downtown Disney Swing
(only has info on DTD)
Disney Resort Dance Band Schedule
(Covers danceable bands in both parks and
DTD)
Ellis Island Boys
(They play in DCA. Just the EIBs
information)
Sligo Rags
(They play in DCA. Not Swig but still fun!
Celtic/Irish music that some clog to)
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