Ragtime Robert and his legion of faithful fans can be found at Coke Corner Fridays and Sundays. If you time it right, Alice and the Mad Hatter may also be there for a game of musical chairs.

There’s nothing like the entertainment offered at Disney Parks. The entertainment is a big part of the magic and while other theme parks offer musical acts and shows, the Disney Parks shows bring magic to life. This summer, the Disneyland Resort is offering a lot of really great shows and parades, including the all-new Mickey and the Magical Map and guest favorites World of Color and Fantasmic!. The big shows and parades are great–they are thrilling, exciting and full of special effects.

While I love the big shows and parades, the Disneyland Resort would not same with what is known as the “atmosphere talent.” That’s those magical encounters guests have with singers like the Dapper Dans or the Red Car News Boys, the musicians like Billie Hill and the Hill Billies or The Bootstrappers and even the characters found throughout the Resort. Is there anything more magical than Mary Poppins and Burt dancing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle or Alice and the Mad Hatter playing musical chairs at Coke Corner?

Experiencing the Resort’s “less grand” forms of entertainment can provide guests with magic that can be far more personal and intimate than the big shows. David Duffy, creative director of entertainment for the Disneyland Resort was more than happy to chat with me recently about some of his favorite atmosphere talent at the Resort.

Five and Dime is a must-see over on Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street

Next time you head to the Disneyland Resort, I encourage you to seek out those special entertainment experiences that can add that extra dose of pixie dust to your day. Guests can find many of those experiences in the daily entertainment guide at the main entrance and can get information on character experiences and entertainment offerings not listed on the schedule at the Guest Relations Information Boards in both parks. You can also send a tweet to @DisneylandToday or @DCAToday while in the parks if you just can’t find the entertainment you’re looking for!