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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Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Trolley Treats celebrates Grad Nite
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Grizzly Peak Airfield is really delightful
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies



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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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?
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Below, band conductor Kurt Curtis with Art Dragon and Stan Freese following Monday’s Town Square concert.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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:

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

For more on the recent Disneyland Band changes, see these excellent news stories:

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Jugglers walk alongside the float with “memories”
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Joy at the console
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Video of the new pre-parade

Sadness
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Anger gets so mad he occasionally bursts into flames
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Fear
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disgust
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

The Pixar Play Parade’s lead drum unit now says “Celebrating 60 Years of Fun” as part of the Diamond Celebration.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

In Hollywood Land, Award Wieners has a few special Inside Out-themed menu items
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Signage for “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is covered up
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Bug-themed movie posters are once again removed for the movie preview
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Inside the lobby, Ant-Man’s suit is on display. A nice little bonus to check out.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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.

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Off to Never 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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

No changes at the recently repainted shop space between Pinocchio’s Daring Journey and the Village Haus
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Changing the Future

The big Innoventions project continues, despite no official word from Disney on what is underway inside the building or when it will reopen.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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?
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Lots of work underway on the side of the building, near Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Re-Tired

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.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
This & That

In Grizzly Peak Airfield, a new Coke Freestyle drink station has opened up next to Humphrey’s.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Enjoy retro fun just steps away from Disneyland at
Howard Johnson Hotel & Water Playground

A short walk from the park, HoJo Anaheim is conveniently located next to Matterhorn Mountain at Disneyland with nearby dining, freeway access, FREE parking and FREE Wi-Fi. For more information on HoJo Anaheim, room rates, or to book your stay today, visit HoJoAnaheim.com/MiceChat

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The HoJo Anaheim is now offering daily discounts for MiceChat members and even DEEPER discounts for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders! For more information visit the HoJo Anaheim Innsider Boards which features an up-to-date listing of available nights, or call (714) 776-6120 and ask for In-House Reservations to book. If your date isn’t listed, the HoJo Anaheim still offers rooms for 20% off their best available rate if you call (714) 776-6120.
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Weekly News & Information Round-Up
Weekly Theme Park Hours
June 22-28, 2015
[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]
[center]Closure and Refurbishment Schedule[/center]
[b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b]
  • Peter Pan’s Flight: Closed through July 1 for refurbishment and enhancements.
  • Innoventions: Closed indefintely.
  • Starcade: Closed indefintely.
  • Tomorrowland Theatre: Closed indefintely.
[b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b]
  • Bug’s Life Theatre: “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is dark through August 2 while theater hosts “Ant-Man” preview.
  • Luigi’s Flying Tires: Closed for re-Imagineering into new attraction. Reopening not yet announced.
  • Muppet*Vision 3D: Dark indefinitely while theater is used for Frozen-themed show.
  • [B]Blue Sky Cellar:[/B] Closed indefinitely.
[b][center]Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels[/center][/b]
    None.
Tomorrowplan Crowd Estimates for Disneyland Resort from Mouseaddict

June 22 — 28

Mon
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Tue
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Wed
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Thu
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Fri
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Sat
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Sun
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

  • For those busy times, try our unique new Wait Watcher! Just tell us how long you’re willing to wait for an attraction, and we’ll notify you on your iPhone or Apple Watch when the wait time goes lower. Only in the Mouseaddict app.
  • Look even further into the future with two months of Tomorrowplan crowd projections. Activate now, only in the Mouseaddict app.

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.

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

[center]Headline Roundup
A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web.[/center]
  • Disney has canceled layoffs of 35 Disney/ABC tech workers after backlash over similar Walt Disney World layoffs. (New York Times)
  • A blogger infiltrated Shanghai Disney’s construction site after buying construction worker uniforms from nearby shop (White Confucius)
  • Disney is Orange County’s largest water user, spending $3.35 million on water in 2014. (OC Register)
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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For more Disneyland news, be sure to read MiceChat’s weekly In the Parks blog. And be sure to check out our sister blog, Dateline Disney World – a fantastic weekly photo blog covering Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!

Thanks for reading. See you at Disneyland!
[B]- Andy[/B]

Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies

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Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies Disneyland Band, The Disneyland Band marches into history as Disney California Adventure celebrates new movies
FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Promotional consideration for this edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel & Water Playground.
Andy Castro
Andy is a Southern California native and a life-long fan of Disney theme parks and animation. From 2007-2016, Andy wrote the weekly Dateline Disneyland photo, news and opinion blog here on MiceChat. Today, Andy continues to produce occasional Dateline Disneyland articles and additional special guest content for MiceChat.