Swing Dancing at the Disneyland Resort

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)

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/DowntownDisneySwing

Disney Resort Dance Band Schedule

(Covers danceable bands in both parks and DTD)

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Disney-Resort-Dance-Band-Schedule/287783243272

Ellis Island Boys

(They play in DCA. Just the EIBs information)

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Ellis-Island-Boys/335140316497998

Sligo Rags

(They play in DCA. Not Swig but still fun! Celtic/Irish music that some clog to)

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/sligo.rags

Changes at Disney California Adventure

Changes at Disney California Adventure

Excitement builds for all the changes at DCA. For the past couple of years there have been many changes at DCA Rides have been closed and rethemed. Some rides have been taken out altogether. The entire feel of the park is changing.

Before the changes DCA was a mix of themed areas. There was Condor Flats with its aerospace inspired feel. Hollywood Backlot with its salute to all things Hollywood past and present. Bugs land was/is the Fantasyland of DCA. Bountiful Valley had a fantastic farm feel that allowed kids to explore and learn about agroculture.

Now DCA is pulling the entire park together in one overall theme. DCA is taking a step backward in time and from its entrance area of Buena Vista Street to the back of the parks Paradise Pier the feel is retro 1920-40s.

At the entrance you will find the Storytellers Statue of a young Walt and Mickey. The statue shows the enthusiasm and excitement Walt felt when he first arrived in Hollywood, Ca in 1928. Hollywood Land will have the Red Car Trolley as did Hollywood of the 40s. Many of the rides in the rest of the park harken back to the pier rides of the 1920-40s. Even the Screamer’ has the look and feeling of an old time wooden coaster. Carsland is all about the old rout 66 and will have the feel of years past.

Even the bands that play at the Paradise Gardens Band Stand are old school. There is the Ellis Island Boys with their classic Jazz. Sligo Rags has an Irish/Celtic selection that once again plays back to the 30-40s. Even the Swing Dancers that use to dance Friday and Saturday nights at the now closed Carnation Gardens come over to DCA to dance as do some Irish Folk dancers.

I can hardly wait until the transformation is finally completed in June. I am excited to see the entire park transformed and Carsland opened.