Sunday, October 9, 2016

Disneyland Magical Audio Tour - Chapter 1: Welcome to Disneyland

By Chris Lyndon




Today we begin a new series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the sounds of Disneyland. At Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of more than 1250 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 25 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Join us for our first stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we begin at the Main Gate, the entrance to the Happiest Place on Earth...








Each chapter of this Disneyland Magical Audio Tour highlights one aspect or specific area of the park. The first chapter is a look at the Main Gate area of Disneyland. 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 above prior to playing the tracks below if you are on a desktop computer.) 




Welcome to Disneyland






For over six decades, this wondrous place called Disneyland has brought endless enjoyment, fascination, illumination and a lifetime of memories to millions of visitors from around the world. And now, you are invited to step into Walt Disney's kingdom of fantasy for your own magical Day at Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth...








You can now find this track and listen to it whenever the mood strikes by scrolling through the Disney Avenue Music Player above and selecting track number 196.




Disneyland Theme






In 1954, Disney musical director Oliver Wallace composed a special instrumental theme just for Disneyland. Its purpose was to be utilized as underscore music whenever Walt Disney would showcase the Magic Kingdom to his weekly television audience. Special lyrics were also written for the theme and released as a Little Golden children's record...








This is track number 197 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




A Gala Day at Disneyland






This 1960 theatrically released short-subject chronicling the grand opening festivities of the all-new Submarine Voyage, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Monorail System, each of which had premiered in the summer of 1959. The many familiar musical themes from this production would be reused in other television productions over the following decade...








This is track number 198 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Take Me to Disneyland






This rare promotional recording from the early 1960's musically captures the public's love affair and immediate fascination with Disneyland, which became a true American icon of the mid 20th century, well illustrating the sense of fun and excitement that could be experienced during a Disneyland visit as it existed in its early days...








This is track number 199 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Vintage Disneyland Radio Ads






In order to attract Southern California residents, Disneyland began running ads on local radio stations in the 1950's. Voice over artist Dick Wesson, the announcer of the Disney TV series for over three decades, would often record these commercials, as well as local talent such as singer Kay Bell, who was a regular park guest performer...








This is track number 200 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Music to Ride Monorails By






The dramatic sight and sound of streamlined Monorail trains, gliding along a sleek overhead beam-way across the Disneyland Resort, romantically transports us back to the future forward optimism of the mid 20th century. Here is a collection of musical impressions from this era when a big, bright, beautiful tomorrow was in clear view...








This is track number 201 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Main Gate Ticket Booths - Original 1956 Announcements






When Disneyland first opened, general admission to the park was only $1.00 for adults and 50¢ for children. However, this did not include admission to any of the rides or attractions. Individual ride coupons had to be purchased separately, but for a better value, a book containing several coupons could be purchased at the main entrance...








This is track number 202 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Disneyland Main Gate - Original Area Background Music






The original atmosphere music heard in Disneyland was mainly provided by live musicians throughout the park. Over time, Disneyland began to feature pre-recorded background music appropriate for its many themed areas. The music one would hear at the main entrance consisted of Disney standards and other childhood favorites...








This is track number 203 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Ticket Book Facts - Jack Wagner Announcements






Prior to 1982, almost every Disneyland attraction required an individual ride coupon for admission. These attractions were each given a letter grade from A-E, and the top attractions required an 'E' ticket. It soon became a common figure of speech, even outside of Disneyland, to refer to any exciting experience as an 'E' ticket ride...








 This is track number 204 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Disneyland Storage Lockers Area Music






To maintain its reputation as the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland continually sets the industry standard in customer service, offering special amenities for the comfort and convenience of its guests. Located at the main gate are self service, coin-operated storage lockers, which can be rented for a modest fee to help ease a heavy load...








This is track number 205 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.



I hope everyone enjoyed Chapter 1 of our Disneyland Magical Audio Tour featuring the vintage sounds of Disneyland's Main Gate. Be sure to stay tuned for Chapter 2 coming soon which will feature the nostalgic tunes of Disneyland's Town Square. See you soon!

— 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






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Chris Lyndon grew up in Southern California, near Disneyland. He formed a lifelong fascination with all things Disney from a very early age, especially Disney music, and has studied the history of the Walt Disney organization for decades. His very first summer job was at Disneyland at age 16, and he also worked at the Florida parks during his college years, as part of the Walt Disney World College Internship Program. His lifelong passion for Disney music has evolved into his website, DisneyChris.com. All manner of Disney music can be enjoyed there including the Disney Song of the Day, but the main focus is audio from the original Disneyland theme park in a collection he calls the "Disneyland Magical Audio Tour," with over 1200 audio tracks, full color imagery and historical information for every track posted. Chris also provided archival Disneyland audio for the September 2015 PBS Walt Disney American Experience documentary. In 2014 he joined the Sideshow Sound Theatre podcast group as a co-host on the MouseMusic podcast, and in December 2015 he began his own weekly podcast covering all things Disney, called Jiminy Crickets! He is now also co-host of Magical Day Radio program, where he interviews notable people within the Disney community.

You can find all of Chris's articles here.

2 comments:

  1. I am enjoying this wonderful music and the history behind it. You guys did a great job!

    ReplyDelete