Date Night at Disneyland - show notes for episode 115
Monday, May 28, 2012 at 3:35PM 
Its officially summer (although not technically for three weeks) and we would like to kick off the season with a summery episode where we take a look at something we were inspired to investigate after hearing it on our 50 Magical Years CD collection: Date Night at Disneyland.
This show is both a history of both the Carnation Plaza Gardens and a history of the live music that occupied the area.
The area is was first home to the Disneyland bandstand after it was forced to move as it obstructed the view of the Sleeping Beauty Castle from the hub. It was so popular that a large outdoor dance hall was built in 1956, which stood there untl May of 2012 where it will be replaced by the Princess Fantasy Fair.
Along with nightly dance music, Disneyland decided to capitalize on the sites popularty by creating Date Night at Disneyland. The house band, The Elliott Brothers even released an album recorded at Disneyland.
Disney also released a special ticket book for Date Nighters (via Vintage Disneyland Tickets)
Some ads from 1957 and 1959
This one is interesting
And my favorite,
Enjoy!
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We want to thank you again for listening!
Carnation Plaza Gardens photo via Dateline Disneyland
Reader Comments (5)
Loved this show! I really am not happy about this changing. I wrote Disneyland and they responded to me saying well Walt always said Disneyland will always be changing. I agree, but somethings need to be left alone. Plaza Gardens was awesome in the 90's because I remember there was a food location there and they had burgers, fries, malts and ice cream sundaes. I do think that the swing dancing would be most appropriate at DCA now, in the Hollywood area. Well great show guys!
Thanks Lynn,
I cant believe that they inserted that sentiment about Walt. I would write back and ask for a citation. When did he say thos, and in what context?
this was another great show!! Wish i was around CA in my youth so i could have been a "date-nighter"! Sorry to see it leave, we saw a great college band preform there last summer...
Really enjoyed this show. It made my flight back from California more enjoyable. I have to laugh because I was singing the songs from Elliot Brothers right along with Nate! The Disneyland after Dark is one of my favorite episodes from the Disney Treasures DVD's. Great show again guys. Really love how you guys treat DLR and WDW as two unique places.
Dan, I feel the same way. I wish I could have experienced the 1960's Disneyland.
Kevin, glad we could make your flight more enjoyable. While editing the show I purchased the entire Date night at Disneyland album. I wish more treated WDW and DL as unique places.