Fans turned out to bid farewell to the iconic Disneyland Band early last week as the first notable changes to the band came to its line-up. The Disneyland Band in its current form only has about a month left in its 60-year run as Disney prepares to replace the historic 16-piece musical group with a new high-energy version of itself later this summer. Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure debuted a new pre-parade celebrating Pixar‘s latest animated film, Inside Out. In A Bug’s Land, Marvel’s Ant-Man has moved in for a special sneak peek.
Don’t miss your weekly Disneyland Resort crowd forecast — provided by our friends at Mouseaddict — in the Weekly News and Information Roundup at the end of today’s update!
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We’ve got a big, musical update for you today so let’s get started.
Welcome to Disneyland! |
The Diamond Celebration continued as the summer heat finally arrived in force last week.
Trolley Treats celebrates Grad Nite
Grizzly Peak Airfield is really delightful
Marching into History |
On Monday, a group of fans gathered in Town Square for the Disneyland Band’s 12:15 p.m. Town Square Concert. The meet-up was to mark the final day of the current Disneyland Band line-up before two members left the band to begin rehearsals with the new version of the Disneyland Band which will debut on July 17.
Monday’s final performances with the band’s full lineup were noteworthy because they, in many ways, marked the end of the original Disneyland Band’s 60-year run. As you may remember, in March Disneyland announced the Disneyland Band would expand from 16 to 18 members for the 60th anniversary and unveil “new musical arrangements,” “themed performances,” and “high-energy choreography.” That re-imagining of the band is now underway backstage as the new band begins to meet for rehearsals and Monday marked the final performances the full original Band would play together.
The recasting of the Disneyland Band forced long-time band members to re-audition for roles many of them have performed for years. Many of the existing 16-piece band simply chose to not re-audition at all and of those who did audition, only two made it through to the new version of the Disneyland Band. One of those two members is conductor Kurt Curtis, and Monday marked Kurt’s final time conducting the original Disneyland Band as he left to begin rehearsals with the new version of the band. Luckily, Disney isn’t letting go of the remaining 14 band members, as those who chose not to audition or didn’t make the cut will continue to have full-time employment at Disneyland in smaller musical groups throughout the park. Still, band members being reassigned to other groups are concerned that they may not enjoy the same long-term job security in their new positions that their open-ended Disneyland Band positions offered.
The changes come with fierce opposition from fans, with many arguing that recasting and reinventing the band effectively marks the end of the classic Disneyland Band that Walt Disney started in 1955. It’s a claim that may seem dramatic at first blush but isn’t necessarily out of line. The Disneyland Band is a 60-year institution steeped in tradition and history; with musical arrangements written, collaborated on, and passed down by long-time band members. The question now is — as the band changes to a likely more scripted affair — will there be room for band members to write their own new musical arrangements and will they be able to play from the library of spectacular arrangements handed down from their predecessors?
The changes have sparked fan involvement including the creation of the “I Support Walt Disney’s Disneyland Band” Facebook and Twitter pages, a change.org petition, and coverage from local media including the OC Register and KCET.
Monday’s final Town Square concert was a passionate and emotional affair, not only attended by a couple hundred fans and park guests but also by special guests including Disneyland Resort Creative Entertainment casting director Stan Freese, former Disneyland Band conductor Art Dragon, Chef Oscar Martinez from the Carnation Cafe and others.
Below, band conductor Kurt Curtis with Art Dragon and Stan Freese following Monday’s Town Square concert.
Below, is the Disneyland Band’s final full Town Square concert from Monday, June 15.
Fans took to Twitter to express their concern over the week:
And really, @DisneylandToday, ousting the Disneyland Band the day before the park's 60th birthday during a nostalgia campaign is insulting.
— Matthew Gottula (@DLthings) June 11, 2015
It's astonishing to me that, of all things, @Disneyland would sack the Disneyland Band. And I thought losing Billy Hill was a dumb call…
— E. Cardon Walker (@ECardonWalker) June 15, 2015
Pretty awful about the Disneyland Band.
— Henry (@bearband71) June 16, 2015
So long, Disneyland Band. I'll miss you.
— Scott Renshaw (@scottrenshaw) June 15, 2015
On a serious note: it was deeply saddening to hear that the World Famous Disneyland Band played their last town square concert today
— Lord Blomquist (@Blomquist33) June 16, 2015
If I don't get to see the Disneyland Band one more time before it is replaced I will cry
— mana (@i_hug_things) June 16, 2015
After 60 years of faithful service, Walt Disney's Disneyland Band played its final Flag Retreat this afternoon – truly heartbreaking.
— Walt's Band (@WaltsBand) June 17, 2015
It's just stairs
It's just the best themed area
It's just music
It's just a historical stage
It's just tradition
It's just Disneyland
— Bryan Pugh (@BryanOCA) June 18, 2015
Luckily, if you’re looking to see the Disneyland Band between now and July 17, you’re still in luck. The Disneyland Band’s final flag retreat ceremony performance was on Tuesday (the All-American College Band will now perform at flag retreat for the rest of summer), but the band is still performing multiple times daily. The interim conductor, Bob (seen below conducting the band on Friday), does a wonderful job and the band still sounds great. If you want to see the band before it becomes a high-energy, choreographed show, now is your chance.
Below, video of the band from Friday.
In a park that was designed to incorporate and celebrate American traditions, the irony in Disneyland changing one of its longest traditions on the eve of its 60th anniversary is particularly palpable. While I’m sure the new version of the Disneyland Band will be high quality and entertaining, sometimes it would be wise for Disney to simply leave some traditions alone. The current Disneyland Band may not be high-enegy or heavily choreographed but does it need to be? There’s value in having a variety of entertainment and sitting on a bench to listen to the Disneyland Band’s daily Town Square concert is as every bit rewarding as watching the high-energy afternoon parade roll down Main Street. I’ve seen kids and adults get just as excited to see Mickey leading the band down Main Street as they do when they see Ariel or Elsa waving from the parade. And not only do these changes make little sense from the guest perspective, but they show a startling lack of care by Disney for its own history and people. You don’t just dump 60 years of tradition and history like this and call it progress.
For more on the recent Disneyland Band changes, see these excellent news stories:
- OC Register 4/3: Staffing changes coming to Disneyland Band, which worries musicians’ union
- The Hollywood Reporter 4/22: Disneyland Band to Disband After 60 Years
- OC Register 5/29: Disney replaces Disneyland Band members, a move that has some of the musicians concerned
- KCET Artbound 6/10: The Music Stops for the Original Disneyland Band
- MousePlanet 6/15: And the band played on
Disney Movieland Adventure |
In Disney California Adventure, the new “Inside Out” pre-parade is now appearing before daily performances of the Pixar Play Parade. The pre-parade debuted Friday and is set to appear throughout the summer, with no end date currently scheduled. The float features animated figures representing the five emotions in a parade-version of Headquarters from the wonderful new animated film.
Jugglers walk alongside the float with “memories”
Video of the new pre-parade
Anger gets so mad he occasionally bursts into flames
The Pixar Play Parade’s lead drum unit now says “Celebrating 60 Years of Fun” as part of the Diamond Celebration.
In Hollywood Land, Award Wieners has a few special Inside Out-themed menu items
Inside Out is in theaters now and is one of Pixar’s absolute best. Don’t miss it.
In A Bug’s Land, the Bug’s Life Theater is now home to a special extended preview of Marvel’s Ant-Man, which hits theaters on July 17.
Signage for “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is covered up
Bug-themed movie posters are once again removed for the movie preview
Inside the lobby, Ant-Man’s suit is on display. A nice little bonus to check out.
Like Disney’s other recent movie previews, this one also features a full scene from the film that segues into an expanded movie trailer. The sneak peek is presented in 3D and utilizes many of the in-theater special effects, including water and the bee-sting poking effect. The Ant-Man sneak peek will be open through August 2.
Below, the official movie trailer.
Refurbishment Roundup |
Refurbishment projects are still underway in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, along with the installation of an all-new ride at Luigi’s Flying Tires in Cars Land.
Not much to see in terms of progress at Peter Pan’s Flight, although work behind the blue curtains should be clearing up as the ride nears its July 1 reopening date.
No changes at the recently repainted shop space between Pinocchio’s Daring Journey and the Village Haus
The big Innoventions project continues, despite no official word from Disney on what is underway inside the building or when it will reopen.
Last week we mentioned the marquee had been removed but no replacement has yet been installed. Will the building retain the Innoventions name or will we see something entirely new here?
Lots of work underway on the side of the building, near Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port.
Of course, no visible progress at Luigi’s Flying Tires in Cars Land, but work continues with the new “Festival of the Dance” trackless flat ride expected to open later this winter.
This & That |
In Grizzly Peak Airfield, a new Coke Freestyle drink station has opened up next to Humphrey’s.
- 6/1: Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration in full swing as summer hits the resort
Catching up with the Diamond Celebration as it enters the busy summer season, including a look at new 60th Anniversary food and drink, fine art, and collectibles. - 5/26: Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration dazzles with new decor, entertainment, and attraction enhancements
A look at Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration decorations, updated daytime entertainment, and enhancements at attractions in both parks. - 5/25: Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration kicks off with a bumpy 24-hour party
A recap of Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration 24-hour party plus full coverage of the new nighttine entertainment including Paint the Night, fireworks and World of Color. - 5/22: Your Guide to Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration Merchandise
Take a look at a sampling of the over 500 new items designed specifically Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration. - 5/21: Your Guide to Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration & 24 Hour Party
A complete guide to Disneyland’s 24-hour party complete with information that’s useful throughout the entire Diamond Celebration
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Weekly News & Information Round-Up | ||
Weekly Theme Park Hours June 22-28, 2015 |
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[B]Disneyland Park[/B] | [B]California Adventure[/B] | |
Daily: 8 am – 12 am | Daily: 8 am – 10 pm | |
[CENTER]For a complete listing of theme park hours, visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar[/CENTER] |
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[center]Closure and Refurbishment Schedule[/center] | ||
[b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b] | ||
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[b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b] | ||
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[b][center]Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels[/center][/b] | ||
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June 22 — 28
The free Mouseaddict app for iPhone and iPad features more than five dozen categories of searchable resort information, weather forecasts, park and show schedules, the latest news and articles from MiceChat, and more. Download free on the App Store or at mouseaddict.com. |
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[center]Headline Roundup A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web.[/center] |
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Ok, that wraps up this week’s edition of Dateline Disneyland. Where do you stand on the Disneyland Band changes? Is it good progress or a disappointing disregard for tradition? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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