[Question] Live music locations

[Bob Weaver]

I'm considering taking my Mom to Disneyland this Thursday for her 91st birthday. In past years the thing she enjoyed most at the park was the live music that seemed to appear at unexpected places. I looked at the park's schedule but the only thing listed for that day is Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe, but I don't think she would enjoy the bluegrass music much. (Years ago she even saw the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton at various times at Disneyland). I'm wondering what spots in the park are we most likely to encounter live music in the daytime this Thursday (Sept. 24)?
Thanks!

[DisneyKid1994]

Re: Live music locations

TLT at night?

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

Thanks, but I don't think we're going to last until the night time. She is really only good for a few hours in the morning and then gets too tired to enjoy much else.

[Ron W]

Re: Live music locations

On a Thursday in the off season there might not be as much available. Pick up an "Entertainment Times Guide". They can be found at the gates when you enter the park, or if you miss picking one up you can get them at the information booth in the Central Plaza area in front of the Plaza Pavilion. Also, the "sweepers" carry them in the pouches that hang from their belts. The in-park guide has much more information than the online guide.

There are some that aren't even in the "Times Guide" like the Ragtime piano player (I think he's at the Coca-Cola place on Main Street) and the Royal Street Bachelors jazz band who play at the French Market in New Orleans Square (they leave their instruments on stage when they are taking a break, so you will be able to tell if they are playing that day).

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

Thanks!

[dland_lover]

Re: Live music locations

There's also the Dapper Dans, Firehouse five plus two, the Strawhatters and the Disneyland Band, that all mostly perform on Main Street. Also, Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band usually play in New Orleans Square, but I'm not sure about during the week right now...

And there's always Farley the Fiddler in Frontierland. He's usually roaming around near the Davy Crockett store at the entrance. While he mostly does Country/Bluegrass, he well versed in many different styles, and takes requests, I believe.

[FI183]

Re: Live music locations

Oh if she like blue grass take her to DCA in front of GRR, they have the Miner 49ers and they are a great bluegrass band! Very relaxing to hear them.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

Cool, thanks for all the suggestions! I think she will enjoy it.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Live music locations

Live music has gone WAY downhill since the days when you could see Count Basie or Louis Armstrong or Woody Herman, just to name a few.

Since the school year has started up again they might have some school bands playing on the Carnation Gardens stage. They're no Count Basie, but many of them offer fine performances.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

Thanks, I think my Mom enjoys any live music, even just the piano player as she plays piano herself. Although her tastes run more towards Glenn Miller than Marilyn Manson, obviously. I think she would enjoy the school bands.

[Bruce Bergman]

Re: Live music locations

1. If your Mom fades that fast, rent an Electric Convenience Vehicle (scooter) for the day - not having to hike through the park will stretch the endurance out a lot. And if the DL rental price is too steep, see if you can borrow one from an acquaintance for the day. (We picked up a hand-me-down, a new set of batteries and it is good to go.)

2. To find out what will be going on in almost too much detail, call a day or two ahead or stop at City Hall when you arrive. They have the 8 to 12-page Cast Member Resource Guide booklet (distributed to Cast Only!) that is printed weekly and lists almost everything going on in the parks - Parades, shows, Atmosphere Talent, restaurants, Character Mets, photo opportunities, etc. The CMRG has the Who, What, Where, and When. (Why? Because we like you! )

They can't give you one, but if you have specific questions any CM with a copy of the CMRG on them can look it up and get you specific answers.

Thursdays are kind of thin considering that school is starting up again, but there's still a lot going on. Flag Retreat at 5-ish in Town Square (between City Hall and the Opera House) is a little thing that they do really well, just because. Live music if it's available.

(There are Marines there {Ernie, et. al.} making sure Flag Retreat is done properly every day - remember, there's no such thing as an Ex-Marine, just active duty and retired. Respect for Flag and Country is one thing that proves the opposite, you can't take the man out of the boy.)

Robert is there during the day playing Ragtime Piano at Coke Corner - he's no Rod (took a while to get the hang of the gig) but still an excellent pianist. And if your Mom feels up to it, he'll let her play a number or two. It's a full-size Yamaha U-1 upright and sounds rather decent.

If they have a 'Magic Music Days' school band or orchestra there, there will be an afternoon or early evening concert at Carnation Plaza Gardens, and marching bands often do a pre-parade march down the parade route and play. You'd need to check with a CM and a CMRG schedule for things like that.

--<< Bruce >>--

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

That is awesome - thanks! My Mom was a Marine in WWII and she loves any ceremony involving Marines. So we'll try to stay for that. Thank you!

[Bruce Bergman]

Re: Live music locations

That is awesome - thanks! My Mom was a Marine in WWII and she loves any ceremony involving Marines. So we'll try to stay for that. Thank you!

Note: Just so you aren't looking for things that are not there, they are DL Security Officers in uniform doing the Flag Retreat, but it will become obvious that in their past lives... And my Mom answered to both Patricia and "Rosie" during those years, so I know where you're coming from - the term "No Nonsense Lady" ring any bells?

If you are coming a fair distance, it might be worth it to get a hotel room for the night - so everyone can go nap for a few hours in the afternoon, come back fresh for Fireworks and/or Fantasmic, and then stay overnight and don't have to stay up driving home. If you shop around, you can get rooms very reasonably.

I do this if we go on New Years Eve - even though it's only an hour home, I'd rather spend a bit on the room rather than have to avoid and evade all the amateur drunks on the road while I'm physically running on empty at 2 AM.

--<< Bruce >>--

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Live music locations

Thank you. Those are great suggestions. I do have a room for Wednesday night. My Mom is at her best in the morning so we'll probably be in the park from 10 am until 3 or 4 however long she can last before getting too tired. Unfortunately they aren't doing Fantasmic or the Fireworks on the day we are going there, we'll have to go again and make an evening visit sometime. Appreciate your help!

[Cowboy Jim]

Re: Live music locations

Farley the Fiddler, on the front porch of the Davy Crockett Mercantile on the left as you enter Frontierland. 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30. Absolutely not to be missed, no matter what your taste in music.

The Bootstrappers Pirate band, in New Orleans Square, usually n the alley where the streets converge (between the Blue Bayou and the Railroad station. 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:50, 2:45, 3:45, 4:45. Great entertainment, with some incredibly good musicians.

The Miner 49'ers, Disneyland California Adventure in front of the Grizzly River Rapids entrance. 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30. In spite of their billing as bluegrass, they do Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Disney movie songs, Dwight Yoakum ... a very gifted and eclectic group.

There also several wonderful bands that play on Main Street and in New Orleans Square - I just don't have their schedules committed to memory.

And Billy Hill and the Hillbilly's at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland are a great show anytime, no matter what your taste in music. 11:15, 1:00, 2:35, 4:00, and 5:15.

[Cowboy Jim]

Re: Live music locations

btw, the schedules above are good for Thursday. The Bootstrappers are only there Tues-Thurs, and Farley is only Monday-Friday.

[Wendygirl]

Re: Live music locations

What Jim says. Farley can and will play anything for her and he also makes a big deal about Birthdays. A couple of weeks ago in the Golden Horseshoe for the Billy show they had a woman and her family in Walt's Booth (the one on the right side as you are looking at the stage) and it was her 100th Birthday! If you talk to the gals at the counter, I'm sure they can get you that booth and the Billies will make a big deal over her birthday also. And if she likes Jazz the Royal Street Bachelors are really good - cool jazz. They do have schedule of sorts posted by the stage.

Happy Birthday to your Mom! My Mother-in-law went to Disneyland for the first and only time when she was 92.