Did you know that yesterday was National Barbershop Quartet Day? Neither did I until I made it home from New Caledonia just in time to read about it in the evening. It got me thinking about how much we love the Disney Parks Dapper Dans and what an icon of Disney culture they have come to be. Something so simple and seemingly old-fashioned outside the parks has become a celebrated tradition for families when spending time in the magic of Disney. I love the cheer and excitement they bring to Main Street, U.S.A., not to mention the sheer talent of the individuals themselves. If the park weren’t calling my name, I would be able to spend hours sipping on a Disney beverage and listening to their songs.
The first Dapper Dan group was formed in Disneyland in 1959, only a few years after the 1955 opening of the Anaheim-based theme park. Park Talent Supervisor Charles “Chuck” Corson sourced performers from a popular singing group back in the day called Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, who became the first official Barbershop Quartet, now-known as the Dapper Dans. It was an idea inspired by an earlier performing group in 1957 at the park called Four Guys and a Girl! The move proved to be a popular one and has become synonymous with the Disney Parks brand.
If you are interested in more of the Dapper Dan history, check out this article from Disney Parks Blog with everything you need to know to satisfy your Barbershop love.
If you like the Dapper Dans image featured at the top of this article, you can download the wallpaper from Disney to use on your computer here: Dapper Dans Wallpaper – Apple Watch/Mobile | Desktop/iPad
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
