The Red Car News boys at Disney California Adventure

The Red Car News Boys at Disney California Adventure

There is a fun little show that happens in front of the Carthay Circle Theater at the end of Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. The Red Car Trolley comes rolling down through Hollywood Land to the Carthay Circle and singing as they come, hanging out the windows are the Red Car News Boys. This is a 1920’s style song and dance show with music from that era ramped up to tickle the ears of today’s listeners.  When the Red Car stops in front of the Carthay Circle the boys jump out and start singing.

The theme of this high energy show is a suitcase and a dream. If all you have is a suitcase and a dream you can do anything, as long as you are willing to work hard and have the right stuff. They sing Make them Laugh, Take Me Out to the Ballgame and many other songs that are well known from the music of the 1920’s/30’s.

As they sing the signature song of the show, A Suitcase and a Dream Mickey Mouse, dressed in his 1920’s best with a suitcase proudly stating “California or Bust” comes out of the Red Car to join the boys in some songs.

What I love about this show is the hopeful feelings and the attitude that with hard work you can succeed and reach your dreams no matter what they are.

So the next time you find yourself on Buena Vista Street and you see the Red Car pulling to a stop in front of the Carthay Circle stop and watch this amazing little show. The dancing is amazing and the singing matches the quality. Maybe it will give you a little hope and a smile.

Buena Vista Street! Entrance Way to Walt Disney's California Adventure!

Buena Vista Street! Entrance Way to Walt Disney’s California Adventure!

A lot of hype has gone into Cars Land. Cars Land deserves the hype and excitement! It is a major addition and a good one to Disney California Adventure. But let’s not forget another change/addition to DCA, Buena Vista Street.

Buena Vista Street is the new Main Entrance into DCA. Until this time the area was called Sunshine Plaza and was a place to walk through. Buena Vista Street is a place to experience.

The buildings on Buena Vista Street belong in the early 1920s. This brings you to the time Walt Disney arrived in California and started his first successful animation studio, The Disney Brothers Studio. As they do in New Orleans Square there are apartments and shops in the second story of some of the buildings on Buena Vista Street. You would be surprised to see who is “living and working” there today.

There is the “Eye Works Special Optometric Processes Shop”. This is a tip of the hat to Ub Iwerks, Walt’s friend and partner. When the two had a studio together called Iwerks Disney people would come in thinking it was an eye doctor’s office.

Oswald has a gas station, Mortimer has a market and Elias Disney, named after Walt’s father has a grand high in department store! They are not the only citizens of Buena Vista Street! As you walk around BVS keep your eyes open for BVS most famous citizens! Yes, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale are there but those are not the people I’m talking about!

On Buena Vista Street watch for Donna the Dog Lady (with her dog, Lady), Molly the Messenger (riding on her messenger trike), Fifi the photographer and Officer Blue. Each has a story to tell and a rich history to share. Just ask them! Donna will let you pet her doggy. Molly delivers smiles. Fifi is out to take pictures of the world’s most beautiful locations and people but will be glad to pose with you if asked. Fifi will tell you about some of her adventures as well. Officer Blue loves to stop and chat a moment as he travels his assigned beat of Buena Vista Street. You better watch your behavior when he is around or he may give you a ticket! Yes, he may give you a ticket for any number of reasons including one he just makes up!

Add the Red Car Trolley to the street and it is fully alive! Wait a moment there is more! Red Car News Boys and the traveling band the 5 & Dime come out to entertain! Street performing was a common thing in Hollywood during the 1920s so this fits in perfectly!

Both groups perform in front of the Carthay Theater, Disney reproduction of the theater where Snow White premiered and yet another nod to Disney History. Carthay Theater is an upscale restaurant and lounge. It also houses Club 1901, the sister club to Disneyland’s Club 33.

Standing in the middle of it all is Walt and Mickey. The Storytellers Statue shows a 22 year old Walt Disney arriving in Hollywood with just $40 in his pocket and a dream in his heart. On his face is a smile of eternal optimism. You can feel his excitement and hope for the future. At his side is the not yet created Mickey Mouse. Together they would become America’s Storytellers and create an entertainment empire that is unmatched. You can walk right up to the Storytellers Statue and have your picture taken. This life-size statue is beautiful and sure to capture the heart of any real Disney Fan.

5 & Dime and the Red Car News Boys

5 & Dime and the Red Car News Boys

We LOVE street shows! There are two new “street” shows on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. They trade off and happen throughout the entire day. Both are in front of the Carthay Circle.

5 & Dime is a jazz band that comes out in a BIG beautiful old car. They sing and dance right in the middle of the Carthay Circle and at time ask people to dance with them. The music is 1920s Jazz and very playful. The 5 guys in the band are fantastic musicians and Dime has a beautiful voice and engaging personality that draws you into the show.

When we saw the 5 & Dime show with some friends Dime pulled one of our friends into the show! Mitch was asked to step up and dance with Dime! What a fun time we all had and a fantastic memory was made! A little later in the show my husband joined in the fun and danced with another man and two little kids to “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.” Again another memory made!

Later in the day we came back to Buena Vista Street and caught 5 & Dime a second time. This time we just stepped to the back of the crowd and danced! Yet another fun memory to hold onto!

Look at the tire!!!

The Red Car News Boys hawk their papers from the Red Car. The Red Car stops its service when they News Boys perform. The News Boys come from the Tower of Terror stop of the Red Car singing all the way through Hollywood Land and stop in front of the Carthay Circle Theater. Here they jump out, quite literally to sing and dance for you.

The Red Car News Boys sing an updated group of songs from the 1920s-30s. California Here I come and Take Me Out to the Ballgame are just two of the songs they sing. They have speeded up the tempo and made the songs more appealing to those that like pop music. Still the songs hold onto the Jazz feeling of yesterday.

We did not get to see the full performance of the Red Car News Boys as they had technical problems. Sound would cut out and come back playing the wrong song. The News Boys kept it light and covered the problems adapting as things happened. After few songs it was clear the show could not continue so they exited with a song and a smile.

If you enjoy toe tapping music and catchy upbeat songs that will stick with you for the rest of your day and memories that will be with  you for the rest of your life make sure to take the time for these enjoyable shows. Don’t be afraid to join in if Dime asks you to dance with her. Make sure you check your schedule for show times.