DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

Radio Disney: A Soundbite of History

  • by Thomas Morrissey
  • in Other Disney
  • — 26 Nov, 2014

“Your music, your way” is a slogan we hear whenever we tune into Radio Disney. But was it always my music, my way?

The first Disney radio station first started in 1955 when Walt Disney started The Magic Kingdom radio show right out of studio at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. The Magic Kingdom show originally broadcast Mondays through Fridays and was also heard on ABC Radio from 11:35 AM to 12 noon – such a short time!

Radio Disney as we know it officially went on the airwaves on November 18, 1996, the same day that the famed Disney short Steamboat Willie celebrated its 68th anniversary. Although they didn’t have a prime radio station location inside Disneyland until later on, Radio Disney found its home with ABC Radio Networks in Dallas, Texas with the slogan “We’re All Ears.” (Ah, ears, I see what you did there Disney – clever).

0The station has since expanded into a radio powerhouse with daily programs that explore music from Disney Channel shows and the stars who act in them. Who could forget listening to The Naked Mole Rap from the hit series “Kim Possible” on Radio Disney?

Other stars whose songs used to be broadcast on the station include Raven Symoné with music from That’s So Raven, Aly & AJ with their first CD Into The Rush, Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana, Hilary Duff, and the Jonas Brothers in the 2000s. Current talent includes Ross Lynch of Austin & Ally and R5 fame, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Zendaya, and Bridgit Mendler.

Radio Disney is not simply limited to Disney tunes though. In fact, the very first song played on the network was ‘Get Ready For This’ by 2 Unlimited – it’s almost like the station was asking “y’all ready for this?” Other artists who played on the station in its earliest years of broadcast included Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, A-Teens, Hanson, and Mandy Moore (possibly foreshadowing to her role as Rapunzel in Tangled). Other artists who gained popularity due to airplay on the station included Lil’ Romeo, No Secrets, and Play.

The station is also not strictly about the music, but what happens behind the music or even what is not about music at all. The station has different segments for prizes and interviews with actors and artists such as the Code Word of the Day and Grand Prize Drawing segments for prizes and 60 Seconds With…for interviews.

Another prominent feature on Radio Disney is the N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) contest, where the station highlights songs from five up-and-coming artists or groups and listeners vote for their favorites until a winner, the N.B.T., is chosen, such as this year’s winner Shawn Mendes.

Nearly two decades later, Radio Disney has indeed come a long way since its humble beginnings at Disneyland yet the magic still lives on from the Mickey Mouse’s ears to ours! Be sure to tune in today for all your favorite music and to win cool prizes from the only station that gives you ‘Your Music, Your Way’ even today.

– – –

Do you still listen to Radio Disney? Did you like the music they played when they first started broadcasting or today’s music (or neither)? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share
Avatar

— Thomas Morrissey

DisneyExaminer writer. I wish upon stars frequently and measure my strength by my heart. Reach me at

You may also like...

  • Disney Treasures At The D23 Expo 17 Aug, 2011
  • Here’s everything you need to know about Shanghai Disney Resort 15 Jul, 2015
  • My magical journey as a DisneyExaminer intern. 13 Jan, 2015
  • DE Meets Oscar 23 Feb, 2012

2 Comments

  1. Avatar Chris says:
    December 7, 2014 at 9:04 am

    I enjoyed reading about the history of Radio Disney. It’s interesting to see how many big-name stars were once featured on Disney’s radio station.

  2. Avatar Mary Hays says:
    July 8, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    I have a picture of my family when we were on the show. I am 5 i believe and he has a ABC microphone.
    1955 I believe..We were in a contest where I finished the lines to nursery rhymes and we won the golden key to Disneyland where we could take another family as well and ride everything for free… We won a movie camera and all sorts of great gifts..

  • Previous story Turner Classic Movies teams up with Disney to revamp attraction, broadcast classic shows
  • Next story Disney Holiday Gifts For Under $10
  • Today is

  • Happening Now

    My Tweets
  • What’s Trending

    beauty and the beast behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Other Disney
  • Radio Disney: A Soundbite of History
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.