The rides and attractions at Disney World are my favorite part of the experience. One thing that often stands out is the music featured in some of the attractions. Some are inspiring pieces of music that can really move me, while others are just catchy songs that I enjoy. A lot of attractions with theme songs have decreased over the years. This is my list of the ten best songs featured in a Disney World attraction. Most songs are still there, while a few are songs that no longer exist. Here are my top ten songs in no particular order:
"Canada, You're a Lifetime Journey"
This song is featured in the Circlevision 360 movie "O Canada" in the Canada pavilion at EPCOT. This song has been featured since the show debuted in 1982, but when the show was redone in 2007 the theme song was redone as well. The original version of the song had three different singers: a male singer, a female singing in English, and a female singing in French. Eva Avilla, winner of Canadian Idol, sings the current song including lyrics in English and French. I think her song is better than the original, she sings all the lyrics as opposed to being broken up into different singers.
"The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room"
This is the theme for The Enchanted Tiki Room. It opened in Disneyland in 1963 and is noted for having the first animatronic figures on a Disney attraction. Versions of this attraction exist around the world. It was brought back to Walt Disney World in 2011 after being replaced in 1998 by the ill-recieved version "Under New Management".
"There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"
When the Carousel of Progress opened at The New York World's Fair in 1964 it featured this as its theme song during each act. The Sherman Brothers wrote this song as well as many other attraction theme songs like "Grimm Grinning Ghosts" in the Haunted Mansion. When the attraction moved to Walt Disney World in 1975 it had a new song. The sponsor of the attraction, GE, wanted a song that would encourage guests to buy their appliances today as opposed to tomorrow. GE dropped their sponsorship in 1985, but it wasn't until the attraction went through a remodel in 1994 that they brought back the original song.
"Now Is the Time"
This was the replacement song for "There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" on the Carousel of Progress in 1975. The Sherman Brothers wrote this version as well, but have said that they liked the original much more. I never went on the attraction when this song existed, but I still like it. An instrumental version can still be heard throughout Tomorrowland on the people-mover.
"Delta Dream Flight"
Another attraction I never rode, but still enjoy the song. Delta sponsored Dreamflight was located in the spot currently occupied by Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. It was previously home to "If You Had Wings" from 1972-87 sponsored by Eastern Airlines. After EA dropped sponsorship it became "If You Could Fly" from 1987-89. Dreamflight was a history of aviation using simple figures. It lasted from 1989-1996 when Delta dropped their sponsorship. It was renamed "Take Flight" featuring a new song at the end, with the same singer and tune but different lyrics, until it closed in 1998 for Buzz Lightyear. The whole attraction had different songs, but the song at the end is the one I like. It's sort of cheesy and it says Delta three times so it comes across as a bit of a commercial, but I can't help but feel happy when hearing this song.
"Universe of Energy"
The original Universe of Energy, 1982-1996, was considered a very dry attraction, but it did have two memorable pieces of music. The finale featured this catchy song. Although I don't remember riding this attraction (if I ever did) the first time I listened to this song I thought it was nice.
Test Track 2.0
When Test Track was redone in 2012 the theme song for the attraction was redone as well. The original Test Track's "song" was basically banging sounds and drill noises. The refurbished ride brought with it a new song that fits in with EPCOT's inspiring music.
"Innoventions Area Music"
This music can be found throughout Future World, it is a long loop featuring different songs. Most EPCOT fans agree that this song is one of the best at Disney World. I always know I'm back in Disney World when I hear this music. The most memorable part for me begins at 6:24:
"Illuminations Soundtrack"
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth firework show debuted in 2000 for the millennium celebration. Its inspirational message is the perfect finish for a day at EPCOT, celebrating the future and the world.
"Promise"
This song is heard after the fireworks show, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, has ended as sort of a closing theme. Usually when this is played it means the park's closed so this song is the last one most guests hear. It's the perfect song to hear as you leave as it inspires that the future has many great possibilities.
What are some of your favorite Walt Disney World attraction songs? Any you agree with on my list? Comment below!
The 1964-65 New York World's Fair has always interested me. It's mostly because Walt Disney created four attractions for the World's Fair and much of it still is used today at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World's Carousel of Progress originated at The World's Fair; and so did Disneyland's Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the original "it's a small world."The Magic Skyway was the fourth attraction, and although it wasn't used at the Disney parks, many of its aspects have been incorporated into current attractions. For example, the dinosaur audio animatronics from The Magic Skyway are now part of the Disneyland railroad.
Magic Skyway Model
Last month I went to The Eastern States Exposition, more commonly known as 'The Big E'. It's part country fair, part carnival, and part exhibition, with a focus on the six New England States. I go because it's fun, but it doesn't hold a candle to Disney. I was very excited, however, when I discovered they had a special exhibit dedicated to The World's Fair this year for its 50th anniversary. It had displays of old souvenirs, a model of The Magic Skyway, and video clips playing from the fair.
It's fascinating to learn about The World's Fair. Both my parents have fond memories going to the fair as young children and agree that many of its ideas were brought to EPCOT, where the focus is on the future and different countries.
Two EPCOT pavilions eventually used concepts from The Magic Skyway. The Dinosaur animatronic section inspired Universe of Energy's Primeval Diorama (new versions though, as the original animatronics remain along the Disneyland Railroad.) It also had concepts used in World of Motion. The Magic Skyway and World of Motion's exterior have a striking resemblance. They are both wheel shaped buildings with ride vehicles looping outside the buildings. World of Motion however used the entire circular building for its attraction, while Magic Skyway has a show building in the back that its cars travel to outside. It also had a similar scene to The World of Motion depicting the invention of the wheel, cavemen, and a futuristic city depicting the future of travel. Magic Skyway featured narration by Walt Disney himself. My father remembers receiving a clip with the exterior of the building on it and the state the visitor was from written on their clip. They would then add that to the count of visitors from there and show how many have visited the fair from each state/ country. Here's a souvenir clip on display at The Big E:
Souvenir Clip
More pictures of The Magic Skyway Model:
1965 Ford Mustang at The Big E
Magazine souvenir
A few souvenirs from "it's a small world" were at The Big E as well. There were miniature dolls from the attraction as well as a souvenir record featuring the song. It says Disneyland on the record though so I'm not sure if it's from The World's Fair.
Souvenir puzzle with the World's Fair attractions
More souvenirs displayed at The Big E:
Souvenir Toy Tram
Miniature version of U.S. Royal Tire Ferris Wheel
Other side of the Ferris Wheel
Old souvenir camera
Souvenir bags
Souvenir hats
Many companies at the fair eventually represented Disney attractions as
well. General Motors sponsored The Futurama II, a sequel to the original
attraction at the 1939 World's Fair. GM still is present at EPCOT.
It sponsored The World of Motion and its
successor Test Track. Test Track is now sponsored by Chevrolet which is a
part of GM. General Electric sponsored The Carousel of Progress at
the World's Fair, and at Disneyland/ WDW until 1985. They also
sponsored Horizons from 1983 through 1993 at EPCOT.
This exhibit was fascinating to look at. The Big E is over and the exhibit is now closed but I'm glad I got to see it. I also discovered a few other attractions from The World's Fair I didn't know about. They had their own versions of the Skyway buckets called the Swiss Sky Ride, and a monorail! Both of these were already operating at Disneyland but I had no idea the fair had them as well. The monorail at the fair had a track above the monorail, while Disneyland has its track below the monorail.
In a way The World's Fair lives on at Disney World and Disneyland. Its attractions exist in some form and they inspired new attractions as well. Hall of Presidents and American Adventure are more advanced versions of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, while World Showcase at EPCOT is still a celebration of nations where you can learn about and experience different cultures around the world, like The World's Fair.
Please comment below if you enjoyed this topic or have any knowledge of the World's Fair that you want to discuss. Tell me if you have suggestions for my next subject as well.
