Let's Dance at Disneyland

Just off the Central Plaza, between Sleeping Beauty Castle and Frontierland, is Carnation Plaza Gardens, a real step into Disneyland history. The little area beside the castle originally hosted a small bandstand and park. The area was expanded in 1956 and has been here ever since. Even the Carnation name has lasted, although that particular operating participant is now part of Nestle.

Big bands still play here on weekends, but anytime you step under the canopy you can imagine yourself in a time gone by. Everyone from Count Basie and Benny Goodman to Louis Armstrong and the Osmond Brothers have played this stage.

This was also the spot in the late '50s for the Date Nite at Disneyland events, held on Friday and Saturday nights to encourage locals to come out and enjoy the park. The Elliott Brothers Orchestra took the stand at Carnation Plaza Gardens as the Disneyland Date Niters and kept the joint hopping.