April 11, 2014 - On the Go in MCO

Yesterday the Walt Disney World Resort joined in with the other Disney Parks around the world to celebrates the 50^th anniversary of It’s a Small World.

It’s a Small World opened as a tribute to peace and hope at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and is an important part of my family’s heart.

It is my father’s favorite attraction (he makes us ride it at least twice per visit), it was my first ride at Walt Disney World, and we brought it full circle as my father and I rode with Zoe for her first ride ever at Walt Disney World.

As part of a live global sing-along connecting all the Disney Parks around the world, international cast members from the countries of Epcot will lead a choir of children and cast members in song in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=050ZVhjPiNk&list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA&feature=share

Throughout the day, in-park performers – the Dapper Dans, Coke Corner Pianist, Notorious Banjo Brothers, Royal Majesty Maker Musicians and Main Street Philharmonic – are scheduled to include “it’s a small world” in their appearances. And, a special moment is planned for Magic Kingdom guests to join in singing the iconic song prior to the 3 p.m. Disney Festival of Fantasy parade.

Thank you so much to John from Big Fat Panda.com for creating an AMAZING video!!! Make sure that you check out his amazing show (especially show #1 with your’s truly) and videos on his chanel.

Little did I know, and I imagine many of you didn’t either, until just now, that today is National Barbershop Quartet Day. So, since I have a love for barbershop quartets, I thought I’d bring back some of my favorite pictures and talk about a few. I could profess my love of the Deagan Organ Chimes played by the beloved Dapper Dans on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Or, I could go off on a tangent about the Be Sharps. But instead, I will provide some videos and clips to let them speak, or should I say sing, for themselves.

The Be Sharps (The Simpsons)

This quartet of Homer, Chief Wiggum (later replaced by Barney), Apu and Principal Skinner was relatively short lived, but fantastic nonetheless. These guys are meant to mimic the Beatles in their meteoric rise to fame, eventual fighting within the group, and even rooftop concert. Their style, however, is pure barbershop quartet. I love their cover of Goodbye, My Coney Island Baby. I would love if Universal Studios would add walk around characters like the Be Sharps. I hear there are several pictures around Springfield of them. I’ll have to see if I can find them on my next visit there. Guess who provided the singing voices for the Be Sharps …?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pURFU3pL93o

The Dapper Dans (Disneyland & Magic Kingdom Parks)

These mainstays have always had a place in my heart and a place in the Disney parks since 1959. The guys that you may see walking right down the middle of Main Street USA, or riding, if you’re lucky and in Disneyland, serenade guests with classic tunes from centuries past even. I love seeing these gents in their bright uniforms singing songs from the Music Man, Disney tunes and songs I learned from my grandparents like Marizy Doats and Shave & A Haircut. Last year, I did get the opportunity to catch the Dapper Dans giving the barbershop quartet treatment to some contemporary boy band songs. It was quite entertaining. During special events, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom, the guys don makeup and sometimes even pickaxes and perform ghoulish songs as the Cadaver Dans. I love their colorful outfits throughout the year also, but my favorite is probably their Christmas costume. I’ve even been lucky enough to have the Dans sing to me in Harmony Barbershop while I was getting my haircut!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A7G6Bczj-k

Okay, I couldn’t not include one of my favorite recent discoveries in the barbershop quartet genre. This is Jimmy Fallon’s cover of R. Kelly’s song Ignition (Remix) as his group the Ragtime Gals. If you haven’t seen this segment before, take a break from your day and enjoy a few minutes by searching for the other renditions they’ve performed.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LiFsdrXF4

Happy National Barbershop Quartet Day!