Swing Dancing?

[tea4two]

Has anyone heard what will happen to the Saturday night swing dancing once Carnation Gardens closes at the end of this month? I looked on the DL calendar, but there is nothing listed for this past 4/28/12. Is the dancing on hiatus until further notice or will it be moved? Thanks for any info.

[MousePlanet AutoPoster]

As Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs and Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis announced at the D23 Expo in August of last year, Carnation Plaza Gardens at Disneyland park is being reimagined into the new Fantasy Faire – an enchanting village square that will immerse guests in the stories of their favorite princesses. Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage will become the Fantasy Faire Stage, where the tales of Disneys fairy tale heroes and heroines will be brought to life each day.

This transformation will begin with the closing of Carnation Plaza Gardens at the end of the Disneyland park operating day on April 30. There are three more chances for Disneyland park guests to enjoy the Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party at Carnation Plaza Gardens before it closes:

• April 14 – featuring Doc Anello & the Swing Machine
• April 21 – featuring Stompy Jones
• April 28 – featuring Swingtown

And starting May 5, Disneyland Resort guests can keep on dancing each Saturday night when the Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party continues at the Westside Stage in the Downtown Disney District.
Carnation Plaza Gardens at Disneyland Park to Begin Transformation to New Fantasy Faire Experience on April 30 by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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[AVP]

Disney JUST confirmed that Carnation Plaza Gardens will close on April 30, and that swing dancing will move to Downtown Disney:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blo...e-on-april-30/

[Tink60]

Disney Parks says that Swing dancing will be at the westside stage. Where is the stage? Since it is the westside that should be over by the theater, Espn zone etc. but I do not remember seeing a stage in that area. Do they set up a temporary stage area?

[tea4two]

That's funny that the Disney Parks Blog posted this today! Thanks, AVP. I'm really glad that DLR is keeping the swing dancing going during the construction, but that area of DtD isn't ideal for this -- the dance floor is so small, super crowded, and we've had negative experiences with rude/intoxicated people who don't know about the dancing (or the safety rules) and shove others around the floor.

@Tink60: The Westside Stage is the one between the movie theaters, Rainforest Cafe, and ESPN Zone. It is there all the time. Usually we see the band Alturas playing there. There will be a small, temporary dance floor put down on the concrete in front of the stage.

[olegc]

well, now you don't need entrance media to go dancing on the weekends... one more thing gone. Oh well.....

OT-Just wondering where my son and his orchestra mates will perform on May 3rd. They were told Disneyland and not DCA (they received confirmation from Disneyland) but I doubt it unless they put them in town square. The ol' fine print clause you did not see trick will be in force.

and this is what I will miss...

[wwomant]

I am glad that DH and I got one last swing dance in IN the park on our last trip in November. We didn't know it'd be the last at the time.

I do undertand the need for changes and updates at times, and the Fantasy Fair sounds nice, but for us personally swing dancing IN Disneyland has always been special, and I don't know that we'll be interested in leaving the parks to go dance in DtD on our trips.

[LacyBelle]

I don't think there's too much need to worry about the elimination of the swing dancing inside the park. As announced at the D23 Expo, it sounds like it will return once the Fantasy Faire is opened.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/9721/Disn..._Resort_Update

[tea4two]

I don't think there's too much need to worry about the elimination of the swing dancing inside the park. As announced at the D23 Expo, it sounds like it will return once the Fantasy Faire is opened.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/9721/Disn..._Resort_Update

This was my impression, too, and I hope that Disney doesn't change their mind on this. The DtD location just doesn't have the same magic as dancing inside DL.

[olegc]

This was my impression, too, and I hope that Disney doesn't change their mind on this. The DtD location just doesn't have the same magic as dancing inside DL.

you know how that goes... "subject to change and nothing is locked in until it is formally announced"
you can see in the first rendering on the older MP update post that the red tapestry from the stage "tent" is there - but I just wonder how it will all work. Here's hoping they do bring dancing back. While I go to the parks alot by myself the musician in my loves the swing-era music.

[bumblebeeonarose]

Perhaps they will keep that old stage that all of those stars stood on, and just relocate it to where it fits best in the new Fantasy Faire.

[olegc]

i don't think it will be relocated.... it will stay where it is and they will work around it and redress it to fit the theme. Since they will need a "stage" for the different events they do each day for the princesses.

[bumblebeeonarose]

Well then there is less to be sad about. The stage that Walt built will still be there, just with a village around it. I think the new Princess area will be nice. I also think it will be nice to have a show back in the theater. WDW has a lot more shows that DLR.

[unclewalt]

What I don't really like, I don't consider that area to be in Fantasyland. It is Main Street, not a place to put Fantasyland themed events/shows.

[lovechows]

We were at DL today and saw a wonderful jazz group from New Zealand...which leads to my next question: What will happen to all of the student music and dance groups who have been performing on the Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage all of these years? We saw a wonderful jazz band from New Zealand today and met a young lady from a CA high school who was told her school will no longer be performing at DL. It's so sad that after all these years of having so many students have the opportunity to come from all over the world to play or dance on that stage that others will no longer be able to do that. And, I love the princesses, too, but to lose that part of history for an opportunity for TDA to make money selling more princess apparel seems so short-sighted. It's like the thinking that led WDW to disband an incredible entertainment show at Epcot (the World Dancers, their top level performing troupe) for the Barbie Show. We're losing so much of the heart and soul of Disney parks in each of these actions--and depriving our future generations from being able to develop their own talent. It's so sad!

[bumblebeeonarose]

Although it may not be the same; groups can perform at DCA. We saw some little dancing groups there over Spring Break. I imagine they will find ways for these groups to perform, even if it isn't on Walt's stage.

[disneyobsessed]

We were at DL today and saw a wonderful jazz group from New Zealand...which leads to my next question: What will happen to all of the student music and dance groups who have been performing on the Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage all of these years? We saw a wonderful jazz band from New Zealand today and met a young lady from a CA high school who was told her school will no longer be performing at DL. It's so sad that after all these years of having so many students have the opportunity to come from all over the world to play or dance on that stage that others will no longer be able to do that. And, I love the princesses, too, but to lose that part of history for an opportunity for TDA to make money selling more princess apparel seems so short-sighted. It's like the thinking that led WDW to disband an incredible entertainment show at Epcot (the World Dancers, their top level performing troupe) for the Barbie Show. We're losing so much of the heart and soul of Disney parks in each of these actions--and depriving our future generations from being able to develop their own talent. It's so sad!

Maybe this will help:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blo...sneyland-park/

[cvcgolf]

The Orange County Register posted this article today after covering last nights big Carnation Plaza weekly swing scene.. There are some great photos from the night and if you can take a few moments to sign the petition it may possibly save the swing dancing in the future.. Lots of people enjoy the sounds of the Big Bands and watching the dancers having a blast.. Change isn't necessarily a bad thing but there's no reason to completely eliminate the swing dancing which only takes place Saturday nights for 4 hours..

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2012/...-venue/111343/

[MadasaHatter]

What I don't really like, I don't consider that area to be in Fantasyland. It is Main Street, not a place to put Fantasyland themed events/shows.

I always thought the hub was the hub....once you pass COCA COLA CORNER I feel that Main St. is done and you enter into a no man's land of sort....sort of a bit mad (that's why I like it.) If you are facing the castle on the right you see the wishing well and the Snow White and 7 Dwarves statues and the little bridge which I think looks more castle-like than Main Streety.....now on the left you will see the little village and they were indeed always OUTSIDE the castle....like in Tangled. So I think it will be themed very nicely hopefully with a lot of shrubbery and trees so it isn't in your face or too distracting from the actual castle itself. I just got back from DLR last week and really walked the grounds and was really surprised just how tucked away that area really is. Not as bad as I had feared myself. So maybe it won't be so distracting. I for one don't think I will spend too much time their but will really enjoy having the theatre back! I think that was so makeshift and sad use of space. Of course...I am mad you know.

[tea4two]

Here is a video of the last night of swing dancing at CPG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF2ct...feature=colike
Note the Maynard sightings!

[SigalTchelet]

Here is a video of the last night of swing dancing at CPG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF2ct...feature=colike
Note the Maynard sightings!

Thanks for sharing! End of an era... Go Maynard!