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 CDsdesigned to look like 45s, with plastic grooves in the top and everything!
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. To grab the MP3 file, right-click on the song title and select “Save Link As…” or its equivalent. 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
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. Ihr Kinderlein Kommet – A Music Box Christmas
27. Deck the Halls – Felix Slatkin
28. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Lawrence Welk
29. Jingle Bells – A Music Box Christmas
30. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Ed Sullivan Presents Music of Christmas
Emeric
December 1, 2018Thank you so much!
My children (and I) will be happier for Christmas with these soundtracks of Disneyland!
Carrie
December 1, 2018You are very welcome!
Robin
December 17, 2016I can’t thank you enough! This has just warmed my heart beyond belief after my last trip to Disneyland with my children. I can swoon to the sounds in my house anytime I want! Thank you for all your hard work! I will be downloading in the AM! Merry Christmas to you! You have just made mine a little brighter !!
Carrie
December 17, 2016That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoy it!
moira
December 3, 2016Oh my goodness!!! I was searching for my old favorite Christmas song from when I was a kid to let my sons listen to. I had nothing to go on, other than the melody (there are no lyrics) and the fact that I remember hearing it at Disneyland. My search led me to your site and unbelievably, the very song is #2 on your list of songs!! The Christmas Tree by David Rose. Thank you so much for sharing this and letting me share my memory with my seven-year old!!
Carrie
December 5, 2016Wow! That is amazing! I’m so glad I was able to help. 🙂
Malorie Lifferth
December 17, 2015You have NO idea how excited I am to have found this!!! All I wanted for Christmas this year was the Christmas music they play at Disneyland – and YOU performed a Christmas miracle!! I can’t stop smiling, this makes me so happy. I can’t imagine how much work this took, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Carrie
December 28, 2015Hooray! I’m so glad to be able to help!
June
December 9, 2015Thank you! You’re an angel 🙂
Carrie
December 28, 2015😀
Jen
November 6, 2015Wow….THANK YOU!! This brings back so many memories of the park at christmas. Such a bummer they don’t sell these albums….they would make a mint. You rule for posting these songs! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
Carrie
November 22, 2015So glad I can help!
Heather
March 9, 2023Thank you so much for posting this. These songs take me to a happy place ?
Carrie
March 9, 2023You’re quite welcome! I feel the same way!
wendi
July 25, 2013This is AMAZING!! Where can I order a copy of this CD?? We are going to Disneyland in December for the first time and this would be perfect for our trip!! Thanks!!
Carrie
July 25, 2013Hi! There’s no CD for sale, but you can burn your own by right-clicking on each track to download it from this page. There’s also a link at the bottom to my CD cover art, which you can print and cut out to stick in the jewel case. Enjoy!
luis
December 24, 2012Thanks a lot for this music, It´s wonderful to find those christmas treats on this date! Have a wonderful Xtmas!
Carrie
December 24, 2012You too!
Jenni
November 13, 2012Just wanted to thank you so much!
I was just at Disney World last week, and they had begun the holiday decorations/party/music. You can imagine how disappointed I was to find out none of the shops were a CD of the Christmas music they were playing in Magic Kingdom. Your list is awesome, and I’ll be playing these tracks at work for the new few weeks.
Carrie
November 13, 2012They must not want to have to chase down all the copyrights, or something, but I think they’d make a mint on a Christmas soundtrack album!
Kate
November 12, 2012Oh my gosh! I have been looking for this soundtrack everywhere, thank you for putting it together 🙂 Maybe I am missing something though, every time I click download it just takes me to a page that plays it. How do I download it for real? Sorry I am not very computer literate…
Carrie
November 12, 2012No problem! Instead of doing a normal click on the link, do a right-click and then select the option that says something like “Save File As…” or “Download Link As….” If you don’t have a mouse, your computer will have some alternative way to right-click using the keyboard. For example, on a Mac you hold down CTRL and then click. Hope this helps!
Kate
November 12, 2012Thank you SO much 🙂
SeptemberJoy
October 30, 2012Thank you so much for this. My trip was cancelled this year, and I’ve never got to experience Disney during the holidays. I know I’m a year late, but Disney <3
Carrie
October 30, 2012Oh dang! I’m sorry to hear about your trip! Hopefully this album can add a little Disney to your holiday celebration. 🙂
Frank Parisi
January 27, 2012Lurky, 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.
lurkyloo
January 27, 2012Hi 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!
Joe
January 25, 2012Thank 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!!
lurkyloo
January 25, 2012There’s a small chance I might have it in my stash—I’ll look tonight!
Joe
February 4, 2012Thank You!
Joe
March 1, 2012Hi! I was just wondering if you ever found it. If you didn’t that’s OK. If you did, could you please post it on this page. Thank you. PS: I am not trying to be a pest. Sorry if I am!
Carrie
March 1, 2012Argh! I’m so sorry! I got distracted by our anniversary and totally flaked on you. OK, so I don’t have it in my collection, but I’ve asked Patrick’s pal, who has a HUGE Disney parks music collection, to see if he has it. I will post here when I hear back from him. Honest. 🙂
Carrie
March 8, 2012Hi again, Joe! OK, so unfortunately, Patrick’s pal does NOT have the song either. One thing that might work is using a phone app like Shazam to try to ID the song while it’s playing in the park, but I have a strong suspicion it’s not in the Grace Note music database… Sorry I couldn’t help!
Joe
March 8, 2012It’s OK. At least you tried. Thank you so much for all your hard work! 🙂
Jane Rowley
December 24, 2011Thank 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!
lurkyloo
December 24, 2011That’s wonderful! I’m so glad I could contribute to your Christmas celebrations. Have a fantastic time!
Andrea Thomas
December 21, 2011This is great! I am a huge fan of Disney and of Christmas music!
lurkyloo
December 21, 2011Two great tastes that taste great together!
Nancie
December 12, 2011Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Glad I have the next 2 days off work, I know what I’m doing!
lurkyloo
December 12, 2011Ooh! I’m thinking hot chocolate, tree-trimming – the works!
Robin
December 12, 2011Thanks 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!
lurkyloo
December 12, 2011I love it!
Amanda
December 9, 2011Thanks! I am going to burn this and give it to my mom for christmas.
lurkyloo
December 10, 2011Ooh! Great idea!
Hope
December 8, 2011Also, 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* 😉
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011Aw… ! 🙂
Mindy
December 8, 2011^^^ What Hope said!!! 🙂
Mindy
December 8, 2011OMG, This is awesome, THANK YOU!!
Mindy
December 8, 2011I’m 10 seconds in to White Christmas and already crying. Do you use Spotify? You should set up a playlist.
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011Awwww…. it’s that good! I’ll look into Spotify…
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011Any time! Well, sorta… 😉
Lauren
December 8, 2011This is WONDERFUL! Thank you for all the hard work putting this together! Now I just need to make some Mickey ears gingerbread….
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011Oh my gosh, you just reminded me that I have a Mickey gingerbread man cookie cutter I can use! 🙂 Thanks!
Darby
December 8, 2011OH Lurky…. you just made my DAY!!!! 🙂
Now excuse me while i stroll down Main Street!!!! (in my mind!) 🙂
Thank YOU!
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011😀 Glad you like it!
James H.
December 7, 2011Many thanks to you and Patrick… for, once again, confirming my feelings of inadequacy 😉
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011Oh no! Was it something I said? I don’t want you to feel inadequate! I want you to feel merry and bright!
James H.
December 7, 2011And you were absolutely successful; I was just being facetious.
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011Whew! 🙂
Cindy
December 7, 2011I 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!
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011No problem! I hope you do get to go back soon. 🙂
Tim
December 7, 2011I can sincerely say you have made our Christmas with this. Thank you for all your diligence in putting it all together. Simply wonderful.
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011Wow! Well I’m so glad you like it!
Tim
December 7, 2011We’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.
Hope
December 7, 2011p.s. if you ever stumble upon the x-mas parade music, let me know! I can’t get it out of my head. lol
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011Golly – 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!
Mindy
December 8, 2011I second Hope’s request!
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011OK, 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!”)
Hope
December 8, 2011Yay Carrie! I had that Walt/”Disco” track but I can’t find it on my computer anymore. 🙁
lurkyloo
December 8, 2011Oh man… I WANT that thing!
Hope
December 7, 2011You’re awesome!!! Can’t wait to download everything.
Diane
December 7, 2011Truly 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!
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011So glad you like it! It is amazing the way the songs can instantly transport you, isn’t it?
Elizabeth
December 7, 2011Soooooo cool! Thanks!
lurkyloo
December 7, 2011Sure thing! May it bring you many years of holiday enjoyment. 🙂
Elizabeth
December 7, 2011Just noticed the “CarrieTone” logo…sweet!