More Behind the Scenes Stories

Behind the Sounds: Inside Audio Central at Disney California Adventure Park

Shannon Swanson

by , Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort

At Disney California Adventure park, behind The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, lies Audio Central, one of the most important areas in all of Disneyland Resort. I recently spoke with Stage Technician Brian White, who explained how audio engineers make the magic of music come to life each day.

Audio Central Fun Facts:

  • Engineers control 209 full-range parade speakers and 114 subwoofers along the parade route, while controlling more than 250 background music zones in restrooms, restaurants, stores, attraction queues and more.
  • Engineers monitor 43 different cameras: 21 along the parade route, 17 for “World of Color” and 5 at additional entertainment locations.
  • During the 2013 holiday season, Audio Central was responsible for 31 shows each day: one Pixar Play Parade, five performances of “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party: Holiday Edition,” six Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street parties, ten Five & Dime performances, six Red Car Trolley News Boys shows, one tree lighting ceremony and two performances of “World of Color.” These are shows that actively require a technician as an operator. The system simultaneously runs a number of smaller events on its own throughout the day.
  • Disneyland park has its own Audio Central, located on Main Street, U.S.A., just above the Main Street Opera House.

Comments

  • Are these the same engineers responsible for the music during the rides, like California Screamin? I’m wondering why only some of the cars have music recently, rather than all of them….?

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