By Chris Lyndon

It's time to continue our series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the sounds of Disneyland. At contributing writer Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of over 1400 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 26 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Join us today for our fourth stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we reach the center of the park, Central Plaza, gateway to the many themed realms of Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom...








Each chapter of this Disneyland Magical Audio Tour highlights one aspect or specific area of the park. The fourth chapter is a look at Central Plaza. 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 Introduces Central Plaza






At the northern end of Main Street, in the very center of park, is the hub of Disneyland, also known as Central Plaza. From here all paths to the distinctively themed realms of Disneyland begin. Shooting off like the cardinal points of a compass, guests depart from here to enter Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland and Fantasyland...







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 280.




Central Plaza Area Music (1992 Loop)






The popular songs of early 20th century America provide a musical backdrop to the bustling activities of Central Plaza, and with no shortage of comfortable benches, the Hub is the ideal place to rest a spell and take in all the scenery. Many parents will send the kids off to have fun, and schedule a later reunion in this designated location...







This is track number 281 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Central Plaza Bandstand






The original Disneyland bandstand staged afternoon concerts with the Disneyland Band. It was first installed in the center of Town Square, but before opening day it was relocated to an area just off the Hub after Walt realized it obstructed the view of the castle. After two years, the gazebo was replaced by the Plaza Gardens dance pavilion...







This is track number 282 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Popcorn Wagon






Disneyland has always been a feast for the senses, and one of the most popular snack time treats in the park taps into all five of them. There are several colorful popcorn wagons stationed throughout the Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and one of the busiest of these outdoor vending locations is in the very center of the park, right on the main hub...







This is track number 283 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Inn Area Music






Located at the far end of Main Street, facing the hub from the east side, is the Plaza Inn restaurant. The music heard within, and in the outdoor patio area surrounding this establishment, has consisted of a mixture of classical music, Broadway showtunes and other recognizable standards, all played in fully orchestrated arrangements...







This is track number 284 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Inn Quartet






In earlier days, the Plaza Inn often hosted a live quartet to provide musical ambiance in the main dining room. This ensemble played in a unique style often referred to as Salon Music, popular during the early 20th century and commonly heard in the private tea rooms, palm courts, sporting clubs and the conservatories of the social elite...







This is track number 285 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Inn Character Breakfast






A favorite for both young and old, Minnie and company host the popular character breakfasts at the Plaza Inn Restaurant. These breakfasts are a special reservation only dining experience where parents and children have an opportunity to share an intimate encounter with their favorite Disney friends, take photos and collect autographs...







This is track number 286 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Jolly Holiday Bakery Café Area Music






At the western end of Main Street, facing Central Plaza, stands a Victorian gabled structure formerly known as the Plaza Pavilion restaurant. The entire establishment underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2012 as the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, taking on a new aesthetic inspired by the Walt Disney classic, Mary Poppins...







This is track number 287 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Pavilion Hawaiian Bandstand






When Disneyland first opened, the Plaza Pavilion was one of the most unique dining locations in the park. Guests entered a late Victorian themed building facing Central Plaza, but were led to the back side of the building to dine under a thatched covered roof, facing the Adventureland jungle river, with live Hawaiian music as entertainment...







This is track number 288 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Monsanto House of the Future Queue Area






Monsanto's all-plastic home of future living opened on the outskirts of Tomorrowland in 1957, flanking the hub, and overlooking a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired lakefront garden. Guests were invited to tour this model family residence to preview the latest concepts in design and construction, as well as new advancements in home appliances...







 This is track number 289 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Alpine Gardens Swiss Polka Band






In the 1950's and '60's, a live Polka Band would entertain guests in designated areas throughout Fantasyland, but when the House of the Future was removed in 1967, they began to more commonly appear in the Hub, usually near the Tomorrowland entrance and in the adjacent Alpine Gardens, right in the shadow of the Matterhorn...







 This is track number 290 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Pixie Hollow Area Music






In 2008, the Alpine Gardens underwent yet another transformation, and today it is known as the enchanted glade of Pixie Hollow. Here guests magically shrink down to the size of a fairy and discover the secret garden home of Tinkerbell and her pixie friends, where they share many of the mysteries behind their magic...







This is track number 291 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Castle Forecourt Mary Poppins Arrival






The Sleeping Beauty Castle forecourt in Central Plaza has served as a backdrop for many special appearances by everyone's favorite British nanny, Mary Poppins, ever since the Academy Award winning Disney classic was first released in 1964. Today she and Bert the chimney sweep still make guest appearances here with the Pearly Band...







This is track number 292 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




The Pearly Band






Disneyland's Pearly Band was inspired by a scene from the film Mary Poppins. Pearlys are a tradition derived from the British music halls of the mid 19th century, and are so named for their colorful costumes, adorned in white mother-of-pearl buttons. This brassy musical troupe has performed in the Hub's castle forecourt for many decades...







This is track number 293 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Gardens Band Concert Announcement






While the Plaza Gardens was most notable for its after dark swing dances, during the day the stage served as the perfect venue for live stage shows featuring the Disney characters and performances by visiting amateur organizations. The Disneyland Band would often appear here as well to perform one of their popular afternoon concerts...







This is track number 294 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Gardens Disneyland Band Concert






A crowd favorite for decades, the afternoon Disneyland Band concert at the Plaza Gardens included all the best from their musical repertoire. They were often joined by the Dapper Dans to perform a few numbers together, and the program always concluded with John Phillip Sousa's patriotic anthem,"The  Stars and Stripes Forever"...







This is track number 295 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Plaza Gardens Fantasy Follies






From the late 1970's and into the '90's one of the most popular live shows presented at the Plaza Gardens was known as the Fantasy Follies. This all-singing, all-dancing musical revue featured many original songs, as well as memorable favorites from the Disney songbook, and included special appearances by  favorite Disney characters.







 This is track number 296 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




Royal Hall Area Music






The main attraction at Fantasy Faire is the Royal Hall. Here guests have a chance for some great personal encounters and photo opportunities, for found within these regal rooms are favorite Disney princesses from classic animated films. The current royal roster  includes Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel from the Little Mermaid...







This is track number 297 in the Disney Avenue Music Player.




I hope you enjoyed Chapter 4 of our Disneyland Magical Audio Tour featuring the sounds of Disneyland's Central Plaza. Be sure to stay tuned for Chapter 5 coming soon which will feature the sounds of Disneyland on Parade. 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