resented here, for your enjoyment, is a magical and musical virtual Audio tour of the Happiest Place on Earth, both past and present. From this comprehensive collection of rare Audio recordings, the stay at home listener is granted their very own 'E' Ticket to adventures that recreate the ambiance and simulate the you-are-there sensation of an actual trip to the park. Just close your eyes and let your mind run free. It won't be hard to imagine you are really inside the Magic Kingdom for an exciting day at Disneyland, the place where dreams really do come true... |
• FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL AVAILABLE TRACKS & NEW ADDITIONS: CLICK HERE
• A COMPLETE CHAPTER DIRECTORY IS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH PAGE •
• SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE TO HEAR TRACKS IN CONTINUAL LONG-PLAY MODE •
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1 - Carnation Plaza Gardens 04:01
For decades, at the end of Main Street off the central hub of Disneyland stood a colorful bandstand known as the Carnation Plaza Gardens. Since it premiered in 1956, it played host to some of the greatest Swing and Big Band orchestras of all time. In 1957 it would become the focal point venue of the highly successful Date Nite promotional events.
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2 - Date Nite with the Elliott Brothers - The Plaza Gardens 37:46
The Elliot Brothers Orchestra and singer Tony Paris were the original regulars at the Carnation Plaza Gardens bandstand, a popular night spot where guests were always encouraged to join in and dance. The repertoire of The Elliot Brothers included swing, rock n roll, and a lively rendition of the traditional Mexican dance: the La Raspa.
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- Tomorrowland Bandstand -
Another popular date nite dancing spot during Disneyland's first decade was the bandstand adjacent to the 20K Leagues Under the Sea exhibit in Tomorrowland. Many legendary Big Bands from the golden age of swing music made frequent guest appearances here, including the orchestras of such greats as Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Les Brown, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman and Duke Ellington.
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3 - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra 20:08
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4 - Count Basie & His Orchestra 34:49
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5 - Les Brown & His Band of Renown 37:09
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6 - Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra 1:00:47
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7 - Tex Beneke with Ray Eberle & The Modernaires 33:24
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8 - Harry James & His Orchestra 40:14
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9 - The Wayne King Orchestra 31:49
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10 - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 47:53
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11 - Stan Kenton & His Orchestra 41:12
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12 - Woody Herman & His Orchestra 35:01
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13 - Legendary Jazz Singers in Disneyland 43:28
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14 - Cavalcade of Big Bands 1:05:44
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- Dixieland in Disneyland -
A highly anticipated annual event held in Disneyland after dark throughout the 1960's was the Dixieland in Disneyland music festival located along the Rivers of America. In addition to fantastic guest stars such as Teddy Buckner, Louis Armstrong and the Dukes of Dixieland, there were regular acts including Disneyland's own Strawhatters, The Young Men from New Orleans and the famous Firehouse Five Plus Two.
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15 - Dixieland in Disneyland: Special Guest Stars 1:20:12
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16 - The Strawhatters 42:28
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17 - The Firehouse Five Plus Two 1:00:28
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18 - Kid Ory & The Young Men from New Orleans 36:05
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19 - Louis Armstrong 58:55
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20 - Teddy Buckner 50:21
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21 - The Albert McNeil Choir 40:39
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22 - The Dukes of Dixieland 56:53
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23 - Sweet Emma Barrett 51:28
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- Disneyland A-Go-Go -
From the mid to late 1960's, Disneyland hosted a recurring rotation of bubblegum style rock n' roll groups, drawn from local talent. These groups performed nightly at both the Plaza Gardens and the Space Bar in Tomorrowland during peak seasons. Then in 1967, the Tomorrowland Terrace became the new hot spot for night time dancing. Here go-go dancers flanked the stage as young guests danced along to the latest in pop sounds.
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24 - Annette Funicallo and Bobby Rydell 04:17
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25 - Kay Bell & The Spacemen 09:18
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26 - The Astronauts 25:23
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27 - Tina & the Mustangs 09:53
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28 - Tanya & The Thunderbirds 04:51
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29 - Tomorrowland Terrace - Pop Pourri 43:45
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30 - The Sound Castle Ltd. 14:49
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31 - The New Establishment 18:34
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32 - Better Half 18:48
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33 - Entertainment Committee 18:33
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34 - Cement Gravel and Rock Co. 17:01
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- Fantasyland Theatre -
The original Fantasyland included a large indoor theater where cartoons from Disney's classic film library were shown on a constant rotation. Often in the evenings, this stage would feature live music with top level performing artists. During the mid 60's, there were two weekly concerts presented here in an ongoing series. Humdinger presented the latest in pop sounds, and Hootenanny capitalized on the current folk music revival.
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35 - Humdinger! 1:20:24
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36 - Hootenanny! 60:00
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- The Tomorrowland Stage -
In 1967, a large amphitheater premiered as a predominant feature of Disneyland's all new Tomorrowland. This venue soon began presenting nightly concerts featuring the very best in big name entertainment. In 1972 the stage was remodeled as part of a new concert series called The Great American Music Machine, featuring a "Top Ten of the Week" musical montage, exploding jukebox and special guest performer every night.
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37 - The Kids of the Kingdom 32:38
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38 - On Stage USA 1:10:09
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39 - Rock n' Roll Reunion 17:13
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40 - The Great American Music Machine 1:23:35
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41 - The Great Rock Circus 1:14:33
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- The Legends of Country in Disneyland -
In 1966, Disneyland began a weekly concert series called, Country Music Jubilee, a major showcase for some of the greatest stars in country music who were invited to perform a live program of down home music. It became a huge draw for local guests lasting well into the 1980's. Beginning in 1971, an annual after-hours party called, Country Music Spectacular, had country entertainment throughout the entire park.
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42 - Country Music Jubilee 1:48:48
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43 - Country Music Spectacular 1:03:38
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44 - Danny Davis & the Nashville Brass 34:20
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45 - More Legends of Country in Disneyland 1:09:27
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- Tomorrowland After Dark -
Throughout the 1970's, on any given night in Tomorrowland, one could expect to see the very best in live entertainment. This included dance bands such as Papa Doo Run Run, an immensely popular Beach Boys cover band, and live concerts at the Space Stage. Of the featured performers here, perhaps the most unique was a group known as Halyx, a hard rock band inspired by the sci-fi look of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica.
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46 - Pizzazz 17:44
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47 - Friendship Train 17:05
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48 - Sunshine Balloon 12:47
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49 - Grupo Tabasco 20:40
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50 - The Space Stage - Space Age Disco Concert 1:47:50
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51 - Disneyland Disco Dance Party 1:51:39
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52 - The Space Stage - Meco 55:42
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53 - The Space Stage - Voyage 19:33
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54 - Papa Doo Run Run 38:18
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55 - Michael Iceberg - The Amazing Iceberg Machine 37:00
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56 - The Space Stage - Halyx 12:58
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- Rollin' River Revue - Featured Performers -
Rollin' River Revue was a 1981 outdoor concert series presented on Tom Sawyer Island and viewed by guests positioned along the banks of the Rivers of America. Each weekly presentation had a special musical theme unique to that evening's performance. Week one was 60's surf music, followed by swing, country, jazz, Latin, pop, and bluegrass. The show was then extended with a weekly guest star throughout the rest of the summer.
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57 - Surfn' 60's Week 12:06
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58 - Swing Week 25:46
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59 - Country Week 20:00
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60 - Jazz Week 36:19
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61 - Latin Week 26:09
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62 - Pop Week 18:48
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63 - Bluegrass Week 17:52
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64 - Special Guest Stars 41:27
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- Big Bands in Disneyland - Summer Concert Series -
Disneyland had a long standing tradition of hosting world famous swing bands at the Plaza Gardens, and by the 1970's this evolved into an ongoing Summer concert series known as "Big Bands in Disneyland." Such greats as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Artie Shaw, Les Brown and Lionel Hampton were invited to participate, and starting in 1984 a special Disney Channel TV series televised many of these fabulous live music events.
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65 - Big Bands in Disneyland 02:36
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66 - The Glenn Miller Orchestra Directed by Dick Gerhart 45:29
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67 - The Count Basie Orchestra Featuring Joe Williams 50:53
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68 - Woody Herman & The Young Thundering Herd 49:57
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69 - The Cab Calloway Orchestra 48:41
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70 - Bob Crosby & The Bobcats Featuring Kay Starr 50:32
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71 - The Ray McKinley Orchestra Featuring Ella Mae Morse 53:11
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72 - The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Lee Castle & Helen Forrest 50:24
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73 - The Artie Shaw Orchestra with Dick Johnson & Artie Shaw 32:28
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74 - Lionel Hampton & His Big Band 50:19
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75 - Les Brown & His Band of Renown Featuring Jo Ann Greer 51:19
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76 - Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Buddy Morrow & Connie Haines 50:36
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77 - Buddy Rich & The Buddy Rich Orchestra 49:28
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- More Legends of Jazz in Disneyland -
Had the short-lived Disney Channel TV series, "Big Bands in Disneyland," continued beyond its 12 episodes, there is no doubt that the following bands would have also been represented. Each of these great orchestras, headed by legendary band leaders, were regularly featured in the park throughout the 70's and 80's, when the musical program was as diverse as jazz itself, including swing, Latin, modern, Dixieland and polka.
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78 - Big Band Festival - Special Guest Stars 55:33
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79 - Freddy Martin & His Orchestra 27:19
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80 - Doc Severensen and the Tonight Show Band 43:29
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81 - Neal Hefti and His Orchestra 31:59
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82 - Louie Bellson & The Big Band Explosion 58:51
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83 - Pete Fountain & His Orchestra 28:29
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84 - Maynard Ferguson 39:20
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85 - Mickey Finn's 32:03
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86 - Myron Floren & His Orchestra 29:44
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87 - Horace Heidt Jr. & His All-Star Big Band 27:19
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- Totally 80's After Dark -
The 80's were a totally awesome decade for Disneyland After Dark, when the line-up of musical performers read like a who's who of the music industry. Videopolis was the new hot spot for the MTV generation, a state-of-the art dance complex featuring live bands and TV monitors that displayed the latest music videos. Here high-energy dance parties were held nightly, and it soon became the center of the action for Grad Nite events.
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88 - Videopolis 06:11
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89 - Krash 25:21
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90 - Airplay 26:15
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91 - Polo 14:31
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92 - TranStar 36:33
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93 - Live on Stage - All-Star Performances 1:39:18
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94 - Disneyland Grad Nite 04:02
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95 - 1980's Grad Nite Party Part 1 - 1980-1984 1:49:53
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96 - 1980's Grad Nite Party Part 2 - 1985-1989 2:11:17
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97 - 1990's Grad Nite Party 1:38:15
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- Swing Bands in Disneyland -
The tradition of Big Bands in Disneyland carried on throughout the 90's, and well into the new millennium, reinvigorated by a new wave in the popularity of swing dancing that was sweeping the nation. Soon the youngsters, often referred to as "Swing Kids," were outnumbering the oldsters. The final dance at Plaza Gardens was on April 30th 2012, as work began to transform the area into the new Fantasy Faire Village.
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98 - Stanford Freese & the Disneyland Big Band 34:37
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99 - The Swing Kings 34:09
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100 - Doc Anello & The Swing Machine 39:38
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101 - Jump, Jive and Swing: Swingtown 39:44
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102 - Red & The Red Hots 1:08:22
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103 - Stompy Jones 58:35
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104 - Mickey's Mambo Club 1:04:26
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105 - Gary Tole & The Legends of Swing 47:20
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106 - Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band 1:17:47
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107 - Royal Ball: The Wise Guys 38:37
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108 - Royal Ball: Swing Cats Big Band 1:28:32
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109 - Royal Ball: Tim Gill All-Stars 55:58
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110 - Swing Machine 00:00
---------- COMING SOON ----------
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- Tomorrowland Terrace -
Dancing at the elevating Tomorrowland Terrace bandstand is a long tradition that continues to this day. Although, musical styles have changed tremendously since this venue first opened in 1967, what has remained unchanged is its function as a showcase for local talent, with a rotating roster of regular performing musical groups, many of whom have gained a following among teen and young adult local guests.
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111 - Club Buzz - Sandbox 34:28
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112 - Club Buzz - The Jakes 27:43
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113 - The Aquabats 47:08
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114 - Aly and AJ 47:34
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115 - Steve Rushton 16:32
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116 - Soto Band 49:43
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117 - Hard Day's Night 58:22
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118 - 80z All-Stars 47:54
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119 - Barrage 46:09
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120 - Stellar Show Band 42:42
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121 - The Suffragettes 23:38
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122 - Instant Replay 30:16
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123 - Suburban Legends 43:43
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124 - Scot Bruce 25:43
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125 - The Bolts 41:16
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126 - Tomasina 32:37
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127 - Tomorrowland Terrace - Dueling DJs 1:04:15
In recent years, the focus on live local bands at the Tomorrowland Terrace has shifted more towards presenting rave like dance parties hosted my master mixologists. In the summer months, as well as for Grad Nite, New Year's Eve and other after hours special events, Disneyland hosts some of the most talented DJ's in Southern California.
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128 - Tomorrowland Terrace - Summer 2017 32:10
The nighttime entertainment at Tomorrowland Terrace went on a hiatus in 2015, but in the summer of 2017 the local bands made a highly anticipated comeback. Many fan favorites returned and ten new groups premiered, including Crimson Apple, Polyester Express, Undecided Future, Ride the Tide, Radio 70's and Grilled Cheese Soundwich.
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129 - Disneyland After Dark - Throwback Nite 18:41
In January of 2018, Disneyland began a new series of special after hours events called "Disneyland After Dark." Each of these events will have its own theme. The kick off was an evening of entertainment hearkening back to the parks nostalgic early years. There was a Polynesian troupe, a swing band, a riverboat crooner and a do-wop quartet.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CONTINUAL PLAY
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New Tomorrowland: 1960's • Tomorrowland: 1970's & 1980's
• FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL AVAILABLE TRACKS & NEW ADDITIONS: CLICK HERE
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• Special thanks to RocketRodsXPR for his many invaluable contributions to this page and to this site.
• Special thanks to Scott Wolf at "WWW.MOUSECLUBHOUSE.COM" for providing the image for track 90,
and for providing interviews on his YouTube channel essential in doing research for this chapter. |