Several unexpected and new entertainment offerings have debuted today, September 28, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A new band named HollyGroove Swinging is now playing some jazzy music for guests to enjoy, and guests might catch a comedic juggling performance called That’s A Record.
HollyGroove Swinging
Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios may be able to spot a new quartet of musicians by the Chinese Theater or making their way down Hollywood Boulevard. Named HollyGroove Swinging, this band comprised of four members is a new entertainment offering for guests to enjoy during their park day.
The four instruments played by the members include a trumpet, trombone, drums, and a tuba. Their set, which lasts for several minutes at a time, includes a mixture of classic Disney songs played with a jazzy twist. Chip and Dale also stopped by to dance around to the music during our performance.
HollyGroove Swinging can usually be found performing near the Chinese Theater for most of their set. However, they enter and exit along Hollywood Boulevard, so you might also spot them playing their instruments as they walk down the street.
The band is expected to return multiple times throughout the day. However, their performances are not currently listed online or on the My Disney Experience app, so guests who want to watch a set might need to speak with a nearby Cast Member for the latest information.
That’s A Record
Another new entertainment offering that debuted today is a juggling-focused act called That’s A Record. Like HollyGroove Swinging, the performance takes place several times throughout the day. The performer usually set up his small stand near the Chinese Theater, though this one is off to the left side closer to Echo Lake.
The performer introduces himself as Ben, and he explains that he has traveled to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the goal of setting a world record. After meeting some of the nearby guests and performing a few tricks with his “juggling hat,” he breaks out some other props.
The performer juggles multiple props including balls and pins, but the feats are scattered between comedic skits and interactions with the crowd. There are also portions of the show where the performer encourages audience participation. For the show’s finale, he juggled three pins while also balancing on top of a board. Donald happened to be walking by and stopped to offer some encouragement, which seems to be a repeating segment with Donald’s appearances synced roughly around the performance schedule.
Also like HollyGroove Swinging, That’s A Record has no current page on the My Disney Experience app or listed showtimes. The full performance lasts a little under 10 minutes.
New Entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The performances of HollyGroove Swinging and That’s A Record alternate times, so one arrives a little while after the other finishes.
Our reporter was later able to have a conversation with a nearby employee, who was not wearing a Disney Cast Member badge. The employee confirmed That’s A Record is not a Disney-produced offering, but rather an act from an outside company. The same is true of HollyGroove Swinging, though the two entertainment offerings are not from the same third-party company.
We also confirmed with employees for both That’s A Record and HollyGroove Swinging that they are expected to be permanent offering through at least the end of 2025. They also alluded that more entertainment is “coming” in the future, and additional acts may be appearing at the park in the coming months.
What do you think of the more lively atmosphere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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