Mickey Mouse led a 16-piece band here on Disneyland’s opening day, July 17, 1955. The bandstand first stood in the middle of Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., but just before the park’s grand opening Walt Disney had it moved to Carnation Plaza Gardens because it obstructed the view from Disneyland Railroad Station to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. In 1956 it was moved again to what is now New Orleans Square and used as an entertainment venue, where the Mouseketeers performed daily during Easter Week 1958 and the Kid’s Amateur Dog Show was held in front of it in April 1959 through 1961, with judging and awards ceremonies within the bandstand. In 1967 it was retired to the backstage area shortly before the debut of New Orleans Square. In the mid-1970s, Roger’s Gardens acquired the bandstand and moved it to its present location, where it serves as a place for visitors to relax in the gardens.
