Plaza Gardens closes April 30

[austen]

I agree, quit messing with the iconic park locations and do something positive about Tomorrowland!

Like others have said, Disneyland is always changing. Nothing is safe. While this has sentimental value to us older people (granted, I am only 20, but I do have some very nice memories there), it will now be a place for the younger generation to grow up and make memories there as well. And isn't that what Disney is about?

Tomorrowland's time is coming. I have high expectations for what they are going to do there, and I know it will be a thriving futuristic land once again. I don't think they will be refurbishing Tomorrowland with "Space" elements like people are wanting. I think they will be adding Marvel elements. But, I look forward to it nonetheless.

[PhineasTheGhost]

Marvel? In Tomorrowland?!
In other words...
Characters themed to modern times? In the futrure?!
That's the problem with Nemo.

[TaylorChandler]

This is indeed sad. Lots of memories for a a lot of people.

[Horbigast]

In all my years going to Disneyland, I must admit that the Plaza Gardens are one of the few locations that I have next to no emotional investment in. I just never had an occasion to enjoy its splendor. It was almost always empty whenever I passed by, and the few times I had seen people in it, it had been closed for a private function. But I can wholeheartedly respect people who see this as a callous step away from the past.

But America has always been mobile, always moving on, and Disneyland is a perfect symbol of that principle. Fantasyland grows and Main Street USA shrinks, just as the people who have childhoods that connect to the small towns of the early 20th Century pass on. Memories sweeten over time, and yet sooner or later, I think we all have a moment in our lives when we return to a place we knew in childhood (home, school, etc.) and find everything has changed. It makes those memories all the more important. I'd rather not Disneyland become a museum, but rather it remain one of the top vacation destinations in the world. In order for it to do that, it must embrace change. Not change for its own sake, but change towards remaining a clean place where children and adults can have fun together (while remaining a profitable business at the same time). It's that kind of philosophy that prompts me to cherish every memory I have built there.

Here's hoping that the Imagineers have a great concept in mind for such a prime piece of real estate. As for me, I'll blow a farewell kiss into the wind for the Plaza Gardens, and look forward to a new piece of magic in my favorite playground.

[1968 disney]

As much as I hate to say this, it is just another way for the park to push more princess related merchandise onto the visitors. Uncle Walt must be turning over in his grave right now. Whats a Main Street with out a band stand area. You might as well start putting the princess's at the Main St. entrance instead of Mickey and his friends! Disneyland would do just fine with out so many princess related areas. Why not just put each one in front of there prospective attraction and let the guests visit each one as they so choose to instead of making every one wait for that one princess they want to see, and not in line with those who choose to visit them all. I'm done!!

Brian
1968 disney


Just a foot note, the park is sectioned off into separate areas with separate themes for a reason. Walt would have just made it into a carnival setting if that is what he wanted. Lumped together in one big mess.

[Ezra]

I know that it's a piece of history, but I think that Plaza Gardens has outlived its era. Disneyland was once the the glamorous playground of celebrities. ("Please don't bother Ms. Mansfied.") It was a place that people dressed up for, on the off chance they might bump into high-society types. It was a draw for high-powered performers, so that bandstand was a performance spot for the likes of Louie Armstrong, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. And that's wonderful, but those days are long-since past. Other than filming TV specials, the last time I heard of A-listers performing at Disneyland was late 1970's — Earth, Wind and Fire, Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters.

I'm sorry to say it, but the bandstand's time has passed. It's now in an under-used area of the park that's quite often empty even on the busiest days.

I know people are concerned about the Fantasyland theming. It's the N-NW section of the Plaza: If you look East from there to the N-NE section, you'll find more Fantasyland — Snow White's Grotto, Pixie Hollow and a path to the Matterhorn. So the North end of the Plaza will be Fantasyland on both sides of the castle. As long as the transition isn't too abrupt, I'm fine with that.

Doc Anello and the Swing Machine are the only holdover. I do think it's sad that when Jump, Jive, Boogie & Swing returns, it will not be in an area that's themed to match. I'm sorry about that, and wish there were a better solution to the issue. It's my only reservation about the whole issue.

I know that this will come as a surprise, from someone who often writes with nostalgia about the good old days, but Disneyland is not a museum. As long as what's coming is used and enjoyed by more people than what's leaving, then I'm happy.

[Wedbliss]

I think that Horbigast and Ezra make excellent points. However, I'm not so much bothered by the fact that change is occuring as I am by why it's occurring.

A huge part of the charm of Disneyland is that there are quiet areas where a guest can go, even on the busiest days, to just relax. This is even more special considering that space is at a premium within the park. Plaza Gardens was one of those places. There might not be much going on there, but I always see guests sitting there resting, talking, eating and enjoying a little break from the masses. To turn this area into a meet and greet/merchandise location rubs me the wrong way.

No, Disneyland should not be a museum. But I don't think the most important part of Plaza Gardens is it's history. The most important part is that it exists just to exist. I find that comforting. Losing the gardens feels like losing a bit of the park's charm.

My point of view on this is also colored by the fact that I am not a fan of the meet and greet. Evidently I am in the minority here. Character meet and greets are insanely popular. That's my tough luck. But they feel cheap to me. I consider the meet and greet to be the equivalent of reality tv, which I also dislike. Just as it can be cheaper and more profitable to produce a reality tv show than it is to produce a scripted show, so it is with the meet and greet vs. a ride type attraction. This is just the opinion of a grumpy old man, but I find the trend towards more and more of this in Disney parks to be...sad.

Yes, I recognize that characters are fundamental to Disneyland. Part of Walt's original inspiration for a park was people writing to him asking if they could come see where Mickey Mouse lived. It's not characters that bother me, it's the proliferation of the larger and larger meet and greet style attractions.

And so I would rather not lose the Plaza Gardens. If Disney must do this, then I just hope they knock it out of the park, so to speak. I hope this area becomes a magical and wonderful place, full of happy guests being transported into the world of their dreams.

[Ezra]

Character Meet & Greets aren't exactly my cup of tea either. I'm not all about the PhotoPass character op. I'm not a candidate for Pixie Hollow of Princess Fairy Faire either, but many people are — and not just children either.

The location is already convenient for Meet & Greets though. On busy mornings, the most common locations are in front of the entrance, the two corners of Town Square across from the tunnels, and sometimes Plaza Gardens. They're stragegically placed to slow the funnel of guests and to draw people away from the main traffic flow through Main Street. Plaza Gardens is far enough away from the each land's main entrance to syphon off some traffic, and often it's a princess there, since it's so close to Fantasyland.

Having something a bit more permanent there will mean that guests who do enjoy character interactions will be drawn to that location, out of the path of the people rushing off to their first thrill ride of the day. It might also be beautiful to look at from the Hub, I hope (gulp).

Still, what will we do without our perfect Scavenger Hunt meet-up location? Also, I'm sure going to miss the family-style bathroom back there.

[Tom Morrow]

Online petition to save Plaza Gardens

Fans try to save iconic Disneyland dance venue Orange County Register Walt Disney himself danced at Carnation Plaza Gardens at Disneyland. Entertainers, including Duke Ellington and the Osmond Brothers, performed there. And every Saturday, dozens, if not hundreds, of swing dancers twirl on the classic dance floor tucked under a red-and-white-striped canopy. It’s believed to be the longest, continuous swing dancing event worldwide. Swing dancing events began in 1958 and the plaza opened in 1956. After next weekend, the iconic plaza will begin a transformation that will displace the regular swing dancers for awhile and move other daytime entertainment. Fans, especially the swing dancers, are trying to prevent the venue from becoming a princess meet-and-greet area called Fantasy Faire. More than 1,000 fans have signed an online petition, asking Disneyland President George Kalogridis to save swing dancing at the park. by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[snodid7]

It will be sad to see it go.... but something new is always fun

[Tom Morrow]

Performers moved to Frontierland

Disneyland moves entertainment to Frontierland Orange County Register Disneyland will move outside performing groups next month and add a new entertainment feature to a normally closed area of Frontierland. The Disney Performing Arts program will host community performing groups and run education sessions in the Festival Arena, normally closed in the back of Frontierland. The program is moving after the May 1 closure of Carnation Plaza Gardens, where performances had normally run. See more pictures of Carnation Plaza Gardens by clicking on the photo. An average of 18 groups, such as junior high string ensembles and high school choirs, perform on the plaza stage, said Kevin Rafferty Jr., a Disneyland Resort spokesman. The plaza is closing to undergo a transformation into the Fantasy Faire, a princess meet-and-greet area that will open next year. In Frontierland, the Festival Arena also will host a new entertainment event, Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, starting May 3. by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[Disney Babe]

This idea sucks!!!! I watched the video of the promotion and it is going to end up just like the fantasyland theater did, a lost cause, which disney spent a crap load of money on. Where are the imaginations any more? clearly not at disney. I love disneyland and when my daughter was little she loved the princess factor of it but this is over kill. I believe that there are a bunch of us just here on this site that could come up with a much better idea for the space.

You got that right! When I first heard about the change, which was just about a week ago or so, I was livid and almost said that is it for me. I am not an AP holder and it is very hard to keep up with the price increases. They are not making it attractive to give them money when they are taking away beloved attractions - and I do consider the Plaza Gardens and the swing bands an attraction. I purposely always plan a Saturday visit just so I know there will be a swing band INSiIDE Disneyland and I even have my favorites. I have been a big fan of Plaza Gardens from so far back that I saw Count Basie and Woody Herman perform there. And, actually, even before then when I was a little tike and a teenager (in the 60's).

This is the kind of turn-your-back-on-history and get-the-money that I expect from Cedar Fair's managment of Knott's Berry Farm. At least when I go there I now expect to feel rotten over something else being messed with or missing, but I didn't expect this out of Disneyland.

Supposedly, the stage and dance floor is now staying, but won't be open for a long time and will look different. Even though the bands are in DTD for the summer (at least), who wants to leave the park?

There is an on-line petition against the change for anyone who wishes to voice their opinion to management.