If you only visit Disneyland rarely, it's tempting to spend your time
catching up on the newest rides and your old favorites. But one thing
that keeps Disney's parks above the rest is the overall atmosphere:
the detailed theming of each area, the beautiful and well-themed
landscaping -- and the live entertainment.
Because only a few performers (such as the Dapper Dans barbershop
quartet and the Disneyland Band) are listed on the park's Times
Guide, you may not be aware of the wealth of entertainment available
in every part of the park. Musicians abound, but there are also
comedians and some other types of acts.
Here are three tips for finding Disneyland's live performances:
- Ask a cast member whether there will be any musicians or other
entertainers appearing in the area.
- Inquire at City Hall. The cast members there can look up schedules
on their computers. This works better if you know the name of the act
you want to see.
- Sit down, do some people watching, and wait for something to
happen! There's a good chance that some sort of entertainment will
start up within earshot of you.
MAIN STREET, USA

Dapper Dans
Disneyland's famous barbershop quartet can be found at various places
along Disneyland's main thoroughfare--including sometimes on the Main
Street vehicles.
Dapper
Dans
Dapper Dans on
Main Street Trolley

Disneyland Band
They'll welcome you to the park in the morning and put a lump in your
throat at the late-afternoon flag retreat. In between, look for them in
Town Square or
marching down Main Street in their classic band outfits. You can see
the Disneyland Band's schedule on the Times Guide.
Disneyland
Band performing inside the main entrance
Disneyland
Band in front of the castle

Hook and Ladder Company
Decked in old-fashioned firemen's uniforms, this piano, percussion,
and brass group performs in front of--what else?--the Disneyland Fire
Department building.

Refreshment Corner Pianist
That upright piano sitting outside the Refreshment Corner
isn't just there for decoration - ragtime pianists entertain visitors
with classic ragtime and Disney tunes - they even take requests.
Pianists generally perform daily from early afternoon to park closing
or the start of the fireworks, whichever comes first.

The Main Street Strawhatters
This brass and drum group, nattily dressed in turn-of-the-century
attire (with straw hats, of course!) performs classic old-time favorites in
the area of Town Square. Occasionally they are joined by familiar
characters such as Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto who might conduct the band,
dance the Charleston, or challenge a member of the audience to a drum or
dance competition.
Strawhatters and Pluto
Donald
Duck and the Strawhatters in a drumming contest
Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party
Disneyland provides the swing band, you provide the dancing! This
Disneyland tradition takes place every Saturday evening at the Plaza
Gardens Stage. The Calendar on the Disneyland web site provides
the schedule of the bands who will be performing.
Other groups
Disneyland often invites musical groups, singers, and dancers from
local schools and cultural organizations to perform on the Plaza
Gardens Stage. You might see Mexican folklorico dancers one time and
a string ensemble the next. Check the board at Plaza Gardens for
upcoming performances.
FRONTIERLAND

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
The headline act at the Golden Horseshoe is a bluegrass band entirely
composed of brothers named Billy. It's a good thing the saloon's food
counter doesn't sell corn on the cob, because combined with the corn
coming from these guys, you'd overdose! But don't let their silliness
distract you from noticing that they're very fine musicians. The
Times Guide lists the schedule for this fun group's 20-minute
performances.
Golden
Horseshoe stage
Billy Hill
does Elvis
Billy Hill
and the Hillbillies

Farley the Fiddler
Frontierland's fiddle master holds forth around the porch of the
Pioneer Mercantile. Around Halloween and Christmas, you may also see
him performing at Big Thunder Ranch. If he calls for a square dance,
join in! He'll teach you all the simple steps you need to know.

Laughing Stock Company
Whether it's the mayor trying to find a husband for his suspiciously
ugly daughter, or the sheriff chasing inept robbers, the partly
scripted, partly improvised skits by this troupe liven up the streets
in front of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. Audience members are
recruited to participate in some sketches. Check the Times Guide for
their schedule.
Laughing
Stock Co. - Sheriff
Laughing
Stock Co. - Sheriff and robbers
NEW ORLEANS SQUARE

Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band
Just the kind of brassy, shout-it-out music you'd expect in New
Orleans Square. Clap along with your favorite tunes, and maybe even
get into the act when they hand out washboards and tambourines, or
collect some of the Mardi Gras beads they throw out to the audience.

Royal Street Bachelors
Get yourself some fried chicken or clam chowder at the French Market,
take it to the patio outside, and enjoy your meal as you listen to
this fine jazz trio. They also perform on Rue Royale.

The Bootstrappers
This roving band of scurvy pirate musicians perform sea chanteys,
Disney favorites, and even a song or two about Captain Jack Sparrow.
They can be found in Lafitte's Tavern on Tom Sawyer Island or in
areas around New Orleans Square when the Island is closed.
Bootstrappers
on Tom Sawyer Island
Bootstrapper
pirate
FANTASYLAND

Disneyland Pearly Band
In the tradition of London's pearly kings and queens, the members of
this band are dressed in natty outfits decorated with mother-of-pearl
buttons. Look for them in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle (perhaps
with Mary
Poppins and Bert joining them) or anywhere between the castle and
Dumbo.
Pearly Band and
Mary Poppins
Pearly Band in
front of the castle
TOMORROWLAND

Trash Can Trio
As its name implies, this group makes music from garbage cans (and
drumsticks). They generally perform near Space Mountain, but you may
also find them in Fantasyland or on Main Street.
Trash
Can Trio

Tomorrowland Terrace
On weekends and summer nights, a live band performs on the Tomorrowland
Terrace stage. Come and groove to the beat or dance the night away
on the dance floor. Check the daily Times Guide or the Calendar
page on the Disneyland web site for the schedule of performers.
Additional AllEars Links
Aladdin and Jasmine's StoryTale
Adventures
Jedi Training Academy
Princess Fantasy Faire
Sword in the Stone Ceremony
If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disneyland,
please email us. Thank you.