Several years ago, MiceAge.com’s Al Lutz posted an article (since updated – click HERE!) with a complete listing of the songs played on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. at the holidays. Even better, he dug up exactly which album each song came from. However, because Disneyland’s Christmas music loop was created around 1972, most of the tracks on it are from albums that are long out of print and have never been released on CD.
As a former college radio DJ and record shop rat, I zealously took on the challenge of tracking down every single song in the Main Street Christmas loop. Starting in the spring, I spent six or eight months combing local record stores, trawling the web, and stalking eBay. Along the way I may have overpaid for a couple of records, but I also enjoyed the thrill of discovery every time I came upon another rare gem.
After I’d collected all the albums (some of which, I realized, may once have been in my Lawrence Welk-loving grandma’s record collection), I had to digitize the songs with a complicated setup involving my record player, a 4-track recorder and my computer, since they hadn’t invented those USB turntables yet. Some of the records were not in the greatest shape, so a few of the songs have quite a bit of authentic hiss and pop that was impossible to filter out.
Next I spent an inordinate amount of time sequencing the songs so that they flowed seamlessly and there were no duplicates of songs or artists back to back (tricky to do when there are two versions of “Jingle Bells” and of “White Christmas,” plus five songs by the same artist). I’m not sure now why I didn’t go with the actual in-park sequence that Al documented…. I guess the me of six years ago thought she knew better than whichever cast member slaved over the very same task back in 1972!
The last project was creating packaging for my new compilation album, which I’d dubbed The Fabulous Sounds of Christmas at Disneyland! I used the various Christmas albums’ art as inspiration and found these blank CDs
I was so pleased with the results that I made copies of my album for everyone I knew who was even remotely interested in Disneyland and/or Christmas, and it’s become an annual tradition to search out new people on whom to inflict my pet project.
Which is why this year I’m giving The Fabulous Sounds of Christmas at Disneyland! to all of you! Posted below are all the songs, plus a PDF file of the cover art, if you feel like burning the album to a disc. Note that the songs on my version are not arranged in the order in which they play at Disneyland—for that sequence you’ll have to check out Al’s article. But I did include a bonus track not found on the original Main Street Christmas loop…
And for all you Walt Disney World fans, I’ve noticed that the loop played in the Magic Kingdom at Christmastime sounds an awful lot like Disneyland’s, so maybe this album will work for you too!
The Fabulous Sounds of Christmas at Disneyland
1. White Christmas – Lawrence Welk
2. The Christmas Tree – David Rose
3. Zu Bethlehem Geboren – A Music Box Christmas
4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Ed Sullivan Presents Music of Christmas
5. Twelve Days of Christmas – David Rose
6. Silver Bells – Raymond Lefevre
7. Caroling, Caroling – Hollywood Pops Orchestra
8. Still, Still, Holy Melody – A Music Box Christmas
9. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Lawrence Welk
10. Jingle Bells – Raymond Lefevre
11. The First Noel – Ed Sullivan Presents Music of Christmas
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Lawrence Welk
13. Lobe Den Herren – A Music Box Christmas
14. Toyland – David Rose
15. Deck the Halls – Lawrence Welk
16. Petit Papa Noel – Raymond Lefevre
17. Ihr Kinderlein Kommet – Felix Slatkin
18. White Christmas – Ed Sullivan Presents Music of Christmas
19. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – A Music Box Christmas
20. Carol of the Bells – Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra
21. The Christmas Song – David Rose
22. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Lawrence Welk
23. O Tannenbaum – A Music Box Christmas
24. Christmas Waltz – David Rose
25. Jingle Bell Rock – Hollyridge Strings
26. Deck the Halls – Felix Slatkin
27. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Lawrence Welk
28. Jingle Bells – A Music Box Christmas
29. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Ed Sullivan Presents Music of Christmas
30. Believe… In Holiday Magic
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Soooooo cool! Thanks!
Sure thing! May it bring you many years of holiday enjoyment.
Just noticed the “CarrieTone” logo…sweet!
Truly fabulous! I always assumed Disney would have recorded their own music. Thank you for all that hard work–in the era before the iPod, even. As soon as I started to play your first track, I was completely transported to Main Street in WDW (I guess they do use the same songs in FL!). Whenever I am in Disney World at Christmas, I get such a kick out of hearing White Christmas at that latitude. Merry, merry!
So glad you like it! It is amazing the way the songs can instantly transport you, isn’t it?
You’re awesome!!! Can’t wait to download everything.
p.s. if you ever stumble upon the x-mas parade music, let me know! I can’t get it out of my head. lol
Golly – you mean they don’t have it on a Christmas album anywhere? It always amazes me how hard it is to find Disney park music. I mean, a Christmas CD featuring the fireworks and parade music seems like it would sell like hotcakes!
I second Hope’s request!
OK, I’ll keep my eyes peeled! And maybe while I’m at it I’ll dig up the 50th Anniversary parade soundtrack (Most HIGH-larious part: Walt: “To all who come to this happy place [insert loud disco sound effect] welcome!”)
Yay Carrie! I had that Walt/”Disco” track but I can’t find it on my computer anymore.
Oh man… I WANT that thing!
I can sincerely say you have made our Christmas with this. Thank you for all your diligence in putting it all together. Simply wonderful.
Wow! Well I’m so glad you like it!
We’ve just spend so many years just waiting for the loop to come around on the various Disney park music sites that it will be great to listen “on-demand” finally. I had been discouraged a bit by the number of tracks not readily available outside of vinyl.
I agree… you are awesome! I was missing Disneyland at Christmas time, and this made me smile, and really want to go back soon! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
No problem! I hope you do get to go back soon.
Many thanks to you and Patrick… for, once again, confirming my feelings of inadequacy
Oh no! Was it something I said? I don’t want you to feel inadequate! I want you to feel merry and bright!
And you were absolutely successful; I was just being facetious.
Whew!
OH Lurky…. you just made my DAY!!!!
Now excuse me while i stroll down Main Street!!!! (in my mind!)
Thank YOU!
This is WONDERFUL! Thank you for all the hard work putting this together! Now I just need to make some Mickey ears gingerbread….
Oh my gosh, you just reminded me that I have a Mickey gingerbread man cookie cutter I can use!
Thanks!
OMG, This is awesome, THANK YOU!!
I’m 10 seconds in to White Christmas and already crying. Do you use Spotify? You should set up a playlist.
Awwww…. it’s that good! I’ll look into Spotify…
Any time! Well, sorta…
Also, a big THANK YOU for including the bonus track! I know Mindy and I both got engaged while that played in the background or just moments afterward so it gives me a personal warm and fuzzy whenever I hear it.
We already had that version of “White Christmas”, but it’s awesome to hear the ENTIRE score that played for the fireworks before I got asked to be someone’s wife. *tear* 
Aw… !
^^^ What Hope said!!!
Thanks! I am going to burn this and give it to my mom for christmas.
Ooh! Great idea!
Thanks a million, Carrie! They now reside comfortably on my ipod where I can be transported at will to the Happiest Place on Earth at the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
I love it!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Glad I have the next 2 days off work, I know what I’m doing!
Ooh! I’m thinking hot chocolate, tree-trimming – the works!
This is great! I am a huge fan of Disney and of Christmas music!
Two great tastes that taste great together!
Thank you so much for this … stumbled across it last night – we’re now listening to the cd whilst we eat Christmas Eve breakfast and I’ll be making everyone listen to it tomorrow. I’ve yet to see Christmas at Disneyland – living in the UK it makes it harder (and soooooo expensive) but this makes it feel real
Thanks again!
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad I could contribute to your Christmas celebrations. Have a fantastic time!
Thank you so much! I have been looking for this forever! One question: Do you have the version of “Silent Night” played at Frontierland or do you know a website that does? This is my favorite version of the song. Thank You!!
There’s a small chance I might have it in my stash—I’ll look tonight!
Thank You!
Lurky, this is such an amazing gift from you that I can’t put into words how grateful we are. We went to Disneyland a few weeks ago and while we made one of our many passes through main street I looked at my wife and said “now THIS, is Christmas music”. It’s been eating at me ever since. I have to have this music and thought ‘how in the world can I get it?’ I started my search and within a few minutes stumbled upon this…….amazing gift.
Thank you so much, I can’t wait until Christmas.
Hi Frank! I am so glad to know I could help out! I too feel like this is the quintessential sound of Christmas, and I am happy to be able to share it!
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