By Chris Lyndon

It's time to continue our series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the magical sounds of Disneyland. Join us today for our seventh stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we enter the "Paris of the American Frontier," New Orleans Square...





At contributing writer Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of over 1500 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 27 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Each chapter of this Disneyland Magical Audio Tour highlights one aspect or specific area of the park. Today we resume the tour at Chapter 7 by taking a look at the "Paris of the American Frontier," New Orleans Square. Found below are a collection of some of the best tracks you will find on this chapter. To view the entire chapter be sure to visit DisneyChris.com.





(For your listening pleasure, please remember to pause the Disney Avenue Music Player located at the top of the page prior to playing the tracks below if you are on a desktop computer.)



Walt Disney Takes You to New Orleans Square





Walt Disney invites guests to one of the Magic Kingdom's most charming and elegant destinations. Among its twisting back alleyways and shady courtyards, with it's many distinctive wrought iron balconies, are quaint little gift boutiques, romantic street cafés and wandering sidewalk Dixieland musicians playing New Orleans style jazz...





This is now track number 393 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



New Orleans Square Attraction Preview - Jack Wagner





Premiering in 1966, New Orleans Square was the first new land to be added to the Magic Kingdom since the park originally opened in 1955. Jack Wagner provides us with an orientation of the many attractions found within this land, including two of Disneyland's very best... Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion...





This is now track number 394 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



New Orleans Square Medley





Walt Disney made no secret about his love of Dixieland music, and from Disneyland's very beginnings, the sweet sound of New Orleans jazz could be enjoyed throughout the park. One song in particular, Swanee River, has become a sort-of unofficial theme song for New Orleans Square, having been performed by dozens of musical groups...





This is now track number 395 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Disney Gallery Original Area Music





The second story floors of several New Orleans Square buildings were originally intended to be used as a luxurious residence for Walt Disney and his family. The area remained unfinished and unoccupied for many years, but in 1987 a new staircase was constructed and a gallery area was opened to guests, showcasing the art of Disneyland...





This is now track number 396 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



Pirates of the Caribbean Advertisement





Pirates of the Caribbean premiered at Disneyland in 1967, and remains the crowning jewel of all Disney theme park attractions to this day. This exciting journey into the legendary days of hidden treasure and swashbuckling buccaneers is one Walt Disney's greatest achievements and is a true living legacy of the master showman. Here is an advertisement from the early days of the attraction...





This is now track number 397 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



Pirates of the Caribbean Overture





The theme song heard throughout Pirates of the Caribbean, "Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life for Me," is one of the most instantly recognizable pieces of music ever written for a Disney attraction. It was written by former Disney animator turned script writer Xavier Atencio, who also wrote the theme music for the Haunted Mansion...





This is now track number 398 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



Port Royal Curios and Curiosities Area Music





A popular activity for New Orleans Square guests is browsing through its many quaint little gift shops. The first store guests often encounter is a pirate themed mercantile named for the notorious port of call in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Many veteran guests may remember when this was the One-Of-A-Kind antique shop...





This is now track number 399 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Bootstrappers Pirate Band





The success of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise has sparked a new popularity for all things pirate related, bringing many new themed elements back to Disneyland, including a motley band of musical buccaneers often seen wandering the streets of New Orleans Square, or performing across the river on Tom Sawyer's Island...





This is now track number 400 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Jambalaya Jazz Band





In New Orleans Square, the sight and sound of marching jazz musicians is an every day occurrence, and guests are always encouraged to join the parade. A favorite of these wandering troupes is the Jambalaya Jazz Band. These energetic performers are often joined by a vivacious character known as Queenie who dances alongside them...





This is now track number 401 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



New Orleans Square Waterfront Area Music




New Orleans Square rests along the banks of Disneyland's romantic Rivers of America. Along the waterfront the air is filled with the syncopated rhythms of New Orleans style Dixieland jazz. Here guests pause and watch the activity along this bustling riverbed as the graceful Mark Twain and Sailing Ship Columbia peacefully glide by...





This is now track number 402 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Dukes of Dixieland





Through the years, Disneyland's New Orleans Square has hosted some of the greatest Dixieland jazz musicians of all time. A crowd favorite was always the Dukes of Dixieland. They often participated in the Dixieland at Disneyland festival held every year throughout the 1960's, and made several other guests appearances year-round...






This is now track number 403 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Original Dixieland Jazz Minors





Many musical acts have come and gone at Disneyland over the years. From the late 70's to early 80's a troupe of college age musicians called the Jazz Minors performed in New Orleans Square every summer. This rambunctious bunch of boys exuded energy that was infectious among guests, specializing in Roaring 20's style Dixieland...





This is now track number 404 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Reynolds Brothers Band





The two brothers who formed this group in the 1990's had earlier appeared in separate parks on separate coasts, one as a member of the Banjo Kings in Walt Disney World and the other as a Main Street Maniac in Disneyland. After a brief stint in New Orleans Square, they moved to Disney's California Adventure, where they can be seen today...





This is now track number 405 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Bayou Brass





The Bayou Brass first appeared in Disneyland in the late 90's. An unusual act for 19th century themed New Orleans Square, they were more reminiscent of the contemporary groups that frequent the venues of the Crescent City in the 21st century, fusing together traditional jazz styles with a spectrum of modern day musical influences...





This is now track number 406 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The Royal Street Bachelors





The Royal Street Bachelors are thee New Orleans Square staple jazz ensemble, having performed their daily sidewalk concerts here since 1966. Although all the founding members have long since retired, the group and its definitive New Orleans Square sound continues to this day as one of Disneyland's longest standing traditions...





This is now track number 407 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The French Market - Teddy Buckner and the Jazz All-Stars





The bandstand located within the outdoor patio area of the French Market restaurant in New Orleans Square has hosted dozens of famous jazz groups over the decades. For several years, this was the venue for world-renowned musician Teddy Buckner and his band of Jazz All-Stars who were a regularly featured act at this popular eatery...





This is now track number 408 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



The French Market Area Music





The French Market restaurant in Disneyland is based on the New Orleans original in the historic French Quarter. This large outdoor café offers delicious Creole dishes and southern fried soul food. When there are no live musicians performing, guest will instead hear a collection songs performed in the Cajun style of the Louisiana bayou...





This is now track number 409 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



Singing Busts Song - The Dapper Dans





In 2003, Walt Disney Pictures released a Haunted Mansion feature-length movie based on the Disneyland attraction. Many characters from the attraction were highlighted, including the singing busts from the graveyard scene. Recruited to provide their voices for the film version were Disneyland's own Dapper Dans barbershop quartet...





This is now track number 410 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



I hope you enjoyed Chapter 7 of our Disneyland Magical Audio Tour featuring the sounds of New Orleans Square. For more fun facts about the history of New Orleans Square you can check out episode 89 of my podcast called Jiminy Crickets - by clicking HERE.







Be sure to stay tuned for the next installment of this Disney Magical Audio Tour series coming soon. See you then!

— Chris Lyndon, DisneyChris.com



You can find other Disneyland Magical Audio Tour Chapters below:


Chapter 1: Welcome to Disneyland

Chapter 2: Town Square

Chapter 3: Main Street USA

Chapter 4: Central Plaza
 
Chapter 5: Disneyland On Parade


Chapter 6: Adventureland 


Chapter 7: New Orleans Square