My Five Favorite Disney Musical Moments
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Music can be a powerfully emotional thing. It can evoke a wide range of feelings; from elation and happiness to heartbreak and – even a bit of fright. But one of the most powerful feelings that music can create is that feeling of nostalgia. For that brief moment (like Anton Ego in Ratatouille) you can be transported back to a cherished moment in time. Perhaps it’s an early memory from when you were little…fleeting, elusive, but one that brings out that child in you. Or maybe it brings back memories of a milestone moment in your life. Or, and this is the best one of all, it simply takes you to your happy place…a place where all your cares wash away. Walt Disney World is filled with wonderful musical moments, but here are five that have always tugged at my heart strings. A caveat before we begin; the first item that would have definitely been on my list is the music from Spaceship Earth that you heard on your decent in the previous version of the attraction. However, since I’ve written about that one so many times, I thought I’d place that in my “Hall of Fame” case and talk about five other moments that are no less powerful.
Star Tunnel
The TTA is one of my all-time favorite attractions (admittedly that’s a pretty long list!), and part of what always made it so endearing was the Star Tunnel music you heard as you entered the inky blackness of outer space at Space Mountain. In the previous narration (the one that took you on a fictional tour of Tomorrowland, rather than the literal attraction-by-attraction tour you hear today), the music was much more pronounced as you took that sharp right past the Space Mountain logo and entered the attraction building. Coupled with the narration that fleshed out the fictional backstory of Tomorrowland, the music was a perfect complement to the retro-futuristic world that you were visiting. Not only was it suitably spacy, it was ethereal, calming, and made you feel like you were literally floating through outer space. While traces of a melody could be picked out here and there, it was the slow, ambient nature of the music that took you on that imaginative journey. Absence of any visual cues (until you saw the astronauts overhead), you were fully immersed in the music, and it always brought me back to childhood memories of being an astronaut, as well as transporting me to the world of the future where anything was possible. Of course, you soon started hearing the screams of Guests on Space Mountain, and you would think to yourself “perhaps the future isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!” But somehow…floating serenely through “space” on the slow-moving TTA while spaceships raced through the darkness in the near distance put you even more in the moment. Just remember to keep those tentacles in your car (you know who I’m talking to, visitors from Galaxy M31!)
Haunted Mansion
Ah, the Grim Grinning Ghosts! The Haunted Mansion has the rare feature of having a theme song that’s played in several different styles throughout the attraction. (“it’s a small world” would be another, and almost made my list…but we’ll save that for part two!). There’s the version in the ballroom, where the ghosts dance and cavort to the quirky, stilted, slightly out of key version played by the organist at the end of the hall. And then there’s the jaunty version that plays in the graveyard as the ghost come out to play. But for me, it’s the ominous, slow, version you hear in the stretching room that really send chills up and down my spine. The howling wind sounds that accompany it certainly don’t help put my mind at ease, but that’s what makes this version so perfect. The Haunted Mansion is one of those attractions that’s so intertwined with its music that you just couldn’t imagine it without it. (How creepy would it be if you were to experience the ride with no music?) Just like in any good film, horror or otherwise, the music of the Haunted Mansion plays a vital role in setting the mood for what’s to come…perhaps even more so than the scenery and characters. Though that caretaker still gives me the creeps…
Christmas on Main Street
Ah, Christmas at Walt Disney World! What could be better! The elaborate trees, the free hot chocolate on party night, the falling snow (-like substance), it all serves to create a winter wonderland that instantly takes you back to your childhood, especially during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And (in my case), when I say “takes you back to your childhood,” I’m talking specifically about the music. Growing up (and yes, I’m showing my age) my Christmas memories were filled with the old records my parents would play, filling the air with holiday tunes sung by Johnny Mathis, Mitch Miller, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, the Ray Conniff Singers and more. Today, though many radio stations play Christmas music 24/7 throughout the holidays, most of those songs tend to be newer (though a few classics can be heard here and there). But as you enter the Magic Kingdom on party night, those songs from my childhood ring throughout Main Street U.S.A. – and the first time I heard them I literally gasped… “wow, they’re playing MY songs!” At that moment I was a kid again, putting out cookies for Santa, listening for reindeer hoof steps on the roof, and calling out at 3 in the morning… “is it time yet??” You might expect the Christmas music played at the Magic Kingdom to be more current, or more Disney themed, but these are the true classics that most of us knew growing up. And if you hadn’t heard them in years, you’re instantly whisked back to that wonderful time, and you’re six years old again. It’s a nostalgic, heartwarming moment when the magic of Disney and Santa Claus come together….now if only they had free cookies. (Wait, they do!!! It’s a Christmas miracle!)
Wilderness Lodge
Neary every Disney resort has suitably themed music playing in the lobby, adding to the theming of that particular resort. When you think of those musical moments that stand out, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra and piano player surely come to mind, but for me, my favorite is the Wilderness Lodge. The music there fits in so perfectly with the rustic Pacific Northwest theme of the resort that sometimes you don’t even notice it…but when you do you’ll swear you’re in the midst of a majestic forest, with groves of noble trees, babbling creeks, and even a hint of fog settling over the landscape and giving you a wintry chill. (Thank goodness for that fireplace!). With songs as varied as “The Buffalo Hunt” and “Ride to Fort Hays” by John Barry, and “Grand Canyon Suite: On The Trail” and “Buckaroo Holiday” by Leonard Bernstein, the soundtrack evokes images of the untamed wilderness of the great Northwest. This is a perfect example of how Disney uses music to set a mood, even when that music might not be readily apparent. But it’s there in the background, almost subliminally, and even though you’re just a few minutes away from the Magic Kingdom’s fairy tale lands, you’ll feel miles away. Now let’s go rustle up some chili…
We Go On
Second only to the aforementioned music from Spaceship Earth, the signature song from IllumiNations never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Written by Don Dorsey and performed by Kellie Coffey (who was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2018), this song perfectly embodies the spirit of IllumiNations, and of Epcot itself. It’s a hope that we can all live in harmony, and that we can (and will) move forward as one on this tiny little blue planet. The most moving part of the song is the false ending of sorts that precedes the launching of the final barrage of fireworks. As the final unity torch emerges from the Earth globe, followed by the launch of 1,000 white fireworks, the music builds to a heart-rending crescendo, and the message of the song is brought to life as hundreds of Guests watch the finale together, most of them singing along with Kellie. It’s a beautiful moment, and one that chokes me up every time (I confess I even get weepy when I listen to the soundtrack on CD!). Will the new nighttime shows coming to Epcot evoke the same emotions? I’m sure they will, and I can’t wait to see them, but there will always be a place in my heart for this wonderful song filled with hope and optimism.
Moving on
With a spirit born to run
Ever on
With each rising sun
To a new day
We go on
Yep, I’m crying.
So those are just a few of my favorite musical moments from Walt Disney World! Do you have any of your own? Share them with us in the comments below and we can celebrate the music of Disney together!
I’m going to miss We Go On so much 🙁 Also no Tomorrow’s Child?!
Yep, I’m going to miss that a lot, good thing I have it on CD….(and yes, I’m singing it in my head as I type this…)
Thanks Tim, clear to me you have a special relationship with WDW as do I. I just hope I can remember all your special places and events for my next visit – with a 2 year old and 3 month old grandsons it will be s few more years until I plug them into that most special of all places – thanks again for the insight.
Thank you Greg!! That will be so great when you take your grandsons…I still never forget those first times I took my daughter…the wonderment in her eyes, all her dreams coming true. One of my favorite memories was when I took my nephew on Star Tours (he was around 4 or 5 and had never been before, and was a huge Star Wars fan). He just stood transfixed in the queue, mouth hanging open, and just said, “this is my dream.” Those are the memories you’ll never forget!!
So many to choose from! 🙂 I’ll have to check out the Wilderness Lodge music sometime- I’ve never been there. The original Soarin’ music still gets me choked up, and it makes me proud that my 12-yr-old daughter has that and Impressions de’ France on her favorite Alexa playlist. Thanks for sharing your favorites!
P.S. I can totally relate to the Christmas music that you grew up on, as it is the same music that I pull out every year. Add Roger Whittaker and you’ve pretty much got my list!
Oh gosh, Impressions de France…if it’s possible to wear out a CD I definitely did on that track from my “music from the parks” CD. Clair de Lune always reminds of “When You Wish Upon a Star”…, ah, now I’m transported away to a quaint French countryside 🙂
I love We Go On, Tomorrow’s Child and Listen to the Land. But, amongst a large catalog of excellent music, I would say Golden Dream from the American Adventure still elicits emotion in me a the drapes are drawn from the silhouetted statues. Bob Moline provided great music for EPCOT.
That’s a great one Kenneth, I know that’s my parents’ favorite…no trip for them is complete without a trip to the America Adventure (and for what it’s worth the also love “it’s a small world,” and they actually have a little music box of the song that they play to cheer them up whenever they feel down 🙂
Tim, once again you’ve hit the nail on the head with your list! And so much so in fact that you have touched on a subject very dear to my heart. As the late great Don McLean sung, “Can music save your mortal soul?” YES! IT! CAN Don… yes it can.
Two of your points resonated with me particularly. I’ll start with the latter of the two, We Go On. As I regaled to you in a previous comment/post, my Wife and I honeymooned at WDW for our very first trip there in 2001. Epcot was our first park on our first day and we were there from opening to close. So when we watched Illuminations: Reflections of Earth for the very first time, I was blown away by the spectacle: the lasers, the lights, the fireworks and the music! It was an experience that I’ll never forget having never ever encountered a ‘nighttime spectacular’ like that before. And the CD of the soundtrack, which is on high rotation at our home, and which also includes the music from the Tapestry of Nations parade, still fills me with wonder. When the We Go On part comes on, it gets cranked. Even better in surround sound when you feel you’re surrounded by a 1000 voice choir and an immense Philharmonic Orchestra.
Your second, Tim, touched me deeply because it precisely reflects my memories of Christmas. Christmas in my house growing was filled with classical Christmas music from the romantic and baroque periods including beautiful choral singing from pieces like the Messiah etc. My Mother was a classical music nut and I loved growing up with that always on in the home. However, closer to Christmas, we would drive as a family up to my Grandparent’s place and spend it with them. War generation, my Grandparents ALWAYS had the very same music by the very same artists you list playing at Christmas time: Perry Como, Bing Crosby (the film ‘White Christmas’ was also on very high rotation right over Christmas), the Andrew Sisters, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole and so on. I’ve always found them synonymous with Christmas.
So, you could imagine my delight on our most recent trip to the World in 2017 – the one where I got to meet your good self along with Mr Mongello. Piped right around WDW from the parks, to the resorts, to Disney Spring and even the Disney transportation system, and intermixed with the more modern Christmas music were those same very tunes. And it just made the whole experience so much more magical. Now, when I hear those tunes, I’m not only transported nostalgically back to my late Grandparent’s place at Christmas, but back to WDW, fondly recalling that first trip to WDW with our daughter in 2017 and hearing those tunes around our favourite place on the planet.
Sorry for the length of this comment Tim but I needed to share those and I thank you for sharing yours as well.
I still have that IllumiNations CD! And I remember the funny looks I would get in the car as I drove around, sobbing uncontrollably when We Go On would come on (I shudder to think what my fellow commuters must have thought of me!). But I love your story about the Christmas songs…every time I hear them on Main Street I’m instantly a five-year-old kid again, waiting forever and ever for Christmas morning to arrive. Even as I drive around today when they start playing holiday music, I get a little misty-eyed when those old songs come on (and my daughter has her own take on White Christmas…but that’s a story for another time!)
Thanks for the wonderful story Luke!
Soarin, the songs of Main Street with all the old musicals, Fantasmic, Wishes
Thanks Laurie!! SOOOO many great choices, it’s so hard to know where to start (but now I’ve got Soarin’ going through my head….I can smell the grassy earth from the Elephant scene now!!!) 🙂