RIP Swing Dancing in Disneyland?
 

The Carnation Plaza Gardens area is closing down on 4/30 for the Fantasy Faire renovation. Saturday dancing is moving to Downtown Disney (the stage near ESPN Zone) but apparently the bands are only booked through June and there are no plans to bring dancing back into the Park. This is not the only place I dance. In fact, it's not the best place to dance in my opinion because there are so many couples and groups of people who stay with their friends so sometimes I spend more time watching than dancing. But it's where I got started dancing so it's a special place to me and a lot of other people.

Disney will do whatever they're going to do but I wanted to pass along a couple of things. First there's a petition. Second there are plans for April 28, the last Saturday in April to get as many people as possible there for the final night. I haven't decided if I'm going that night (there's a better band in Pasadena) but if it looks like it will be a big deal I might need to be there too.

Is anyone interested in a Memorial Swing Out LoT Meet?

Sad news if the dancing doesn't return on a regular basis. :(

I wish I could be there on the 28th !!

I can be there the 28th. I was there a couple of weeks ago just watching while the girls were off doing something else. It was a wonderful way to pass an evening. I can't dance at all but it's always fun to stop and watch those that can for a while.

I can't dance that stuff, but I love to watch (and am so envious of those who cut that rug to shreds). I'll try to be there on the 28th, as this sounds like a very special if somewhat sad occasion.

I can probably make it for the 28th. I remember, during the last rehab of CPG, they moved the swing dancing into the Golden Horseshoe. So much fun to watch the dancers from the balcony! I wish they'd come up with a balconied dance pavilion over in DCA, either in the Hollywood Land/Backlot area (forever to be lost to high concept, alcohol sales based, dance parties) or on Paradise Pier.

Cue the melancholy for me too. I've got a few very specific and special memories tied to the Carnation Plaza Gardens, and the handful times I've been there for the dancing, it has made me feel extra privileged to be at Disneyland. There's certainly nothing like it here at WDW.

FWIW, the 28th is a block out day for all but Premium APs. Would love to go, but would have to upgrade.

I'll be there this Saturday because Stompy Jones is playing but I'm not sure about the 28th. There's a classic flame war going on over at the Disney Dancers Facebook page over what everyone should wear. I think I'm going to see what the atmosphere is like this week before I decide.

I saw Louis Armstrong play at that very spot. I'm not sure what their reasoning is behind this.

The purpose is to restore the Fantasyland theatre back into a theater (hosting a new character show) and move the princesses into another location, still castle themed.

Plaza Gardens will still host jazz bands, but also host fantasy coronations.

I'll txt Steve for more info

After months of saying dancing is supported, yadda yadda yadda, now there seems to be a real question about Disney bringing bands and dancing back to this area.

:(

Sad. I first learned at CPG too. I'd venture a guess that most of the Orange County swing dance community would say the same.

I think that might be a tad optimistic.

As a first exposure? I don't think it's all that unreasonable to think so

Disneyland was the only venue for many years.

What time on the 28th?

The band plays from 7:00 until about 10:40. I'll be there all evening.

Last night was epic. The photos in the slide show of this article don't really show how crowded the dance floor was. And there were crowds just watching all night, too. The shot of Elizabeth hugging Chris (Stompy Jones vocalist) is really sweet. She was close to tears all night. The attached video is actually from the previous week when Doc Anello (yawn) played. Apparently he used to book the entertainment for Disney which is one of the reasons he's played there for so long.

You will also notice in the article that there is a statement from Disney saying that dancing will return when Fantasy Faire opens next year. For some reason a few of the regular Disney dancers have decided not to believe it and they've stirred up everyone else.

I don't plan to be there next Saturday even if it is the last night for a while. If you do stop by you should see another big crowd and there are plans for a dance performance to a song about dancing at Disneyland that someone dug up. People are saying they will keep dancing after the band finishes "until they throw us out" but if it's anything like last night people will probably just stand around chatting with the band.

I've decided against going because I spent too much time last night just watching as other people danced. I don't mind so much when it's Stompy Jones because I love the band but I won't do that for Swingtown. I'll be in Pasadena where I'll be able to dance most of the night.

And I'll be back when Stompy Jones plays in Downtown Disney in May.

From today's Al update:

Wow, I almost want to go down there just to enjoy the charming bridges one more time, and a bonus if there's crazy swing-dancing in what's always been a part of Main Street before it forever becomes a part of Fantasyland.


I don't think the Princess change will be horrible, but certainly weird. I will, however really miss those beautiful, curvaceous bridges between the Castle and Carnation. I fear this is going to change the mood of this whole area, and it's one of my favorites. Le sigh.


Is anyone still going on the 28th??





I think I will continue call the area "Carnation" for the rest of my days, Fantasyland be damned.

Coronation Plaza Gardens.

Eh? Ehh?

Go on the 28th and meet hundreds of people who are convinced despite what Disney is saying that dancing will not come back to the park. Go up to random people and tell them you heard they're tearing it down the next morning. Could be fun.:evil: