By Paulo Camacho
The spectacles of Walt Disney Theme Parks are a treat for all of the senses — especially sight and sound.
Whether you are a child or a child at heart, you can imagine the magic and the wonder that is the Disney theme park. From the fantastical characters, to the wondrous sights, to the unforgettable experiences, a trip to a Disney park can create quite the memory for fans of all ages.
But one of the underrated aspects of the Disney park experience is the use of its music. It can be heard in just about every facet of the Disney theme park: from the rides, to the restaurants, to the loudspeakers around the park, itself — it makes up a large part of the overall ambiance. Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort has always had its mainstays in memorable music: The Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, the Country Bear Jamboree, just to name a few. But many park-goers could argue that it is the music of their nightly shows that truly define the remarkably nostalgic feeling that a Disney park can evoke.
Here are a few examples of Disneyland and Disney World’s renowned musical extravaganzas:
Paint The Night
Considered a direct descendant to Disneyland’s famous Main Street Electrical Parade, “Paint The Night” is Disneyland’s resident nighttime procession, featuring many of Disney’s most treasured characters. The fully LED-lit parade was the first of its kind to cross over into the United States in May of 2015, as it followed in the footsteps of its Hong Kong Disneyland counterpart, which premiered the October before. All told, the parade uses over 1.5 million LEDs to light up the park in the evenings.
The intro section to Paint The Night’s music reflects the event’s recognition of its predecessors, echoing the introductory motif from the Main Street Electrical Parade. The music even goes so far as to use the latter’s own main theme — something familiar to Disney Park goers of the past.
The music then uses its retro-futuristic theme to its advantage, combining the themes from “Baroque Hoedown” and the 2014 Owl City hit song “When Can I See You Again” (from the Wreck-it-Ralph Soundtrack) in an harmonic electronica marriage of sound:
Ultimately, the music serves both as a tribute to the past, and a nod to the present, as generations of park goers can bond over the cheerful melodies of “Paint The Night.”
Happily Ever After
The fireworks spectacle, which currently takes place every night at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, began in May of 2017. It is a wonder to watch, as a wide array of images from beloved Disney films from the past three decades are projected onto the park’s famed Cinderella Castle. The show closes the night at Magic Kingdom, and for good reason, as a treat for anyone who watches it live:
While the visuals, themselves, are altogether breathtaking, the music rounds out the entire 23-minute experience. As the program evolves, it seamlessly weaves through over 30 years of Disney music — from Aladdin to Brave; from the Little Mermaid to Frozen; from The Lion King to Moana; for fans of Disney, it represents a musical journey through many of their childhoods.
The medley of classic Disney songs is anchored by an original tune — “Happily Ever After” by Angie Keilhauer and Jordan Fisher — adapted from Hong Kong Disneyland’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The pop ballad reflects the fantastical escapism that is the core representation of the Disney theme park: from the lyrics that speak of dreaming of something greater than the everyday experience, to the dramatic, sweeping melodies that make up the song, itself, it transports the listener to an emotionally nostalgic world that grants the permission to be a kid again, no matter your age.
World of Color
One of the marquee shows to feature at Disney’s California Adventure Park, World of Color premiered to the public at Paradise Pier, on June 10, 2010. For those that don’t know, World of Color can best be described as a fantastical light and laser show, utilizing almost 1,200 water fountains, giant high-definition projectors, and a system of “mist screens” to create a unique and elaborate Disney musical experience.
The program has changed over the years, but the show format, for the most part, remains the same — a nearly 30 minute spectacle featuring many of Disney’s most beloved films and characters, against the watery backdrop of Paradise Pier’s iconic Mickey’s Fun Wheel. The marriage between familiar Disney music and stunning visuals is what has kept the attraction so popular — But it’s the music that propels the show to another level. A combination of original compositions and classic Disney melodies comprise the unique soundtrack to the show, in an all-encompassing experience that nearly no other show besides World of Color could achieve — a sensory treat of sight and sound:
Fantasmic!
Originating with Disneyland in 1992, Fantasmic! Is a nightly show featuring a number of special effects sequences, including fireworks, pyrotechnics and water effects. The show appears in three separate parks: Disneyland Resort in Anaheim; Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando; and the Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort.
While the show varies at parts from place to place, Fantasmic’s premise remains the same throughout all three parks: interspersing scenes from popular Disney films, the main story revolves around main protagonist Mickey Mouse, and his imagination — from the wondrous, nostalgia-filled dreams he conjures up at night, to the Disney villain-fueled nightmares that invade his subconscious.
The soundtrack, conceived and directed by Barnette Ricci at both American Disney parks, helps narrate Mickey’s journey through his imagination. The program starts with its main theme: a triumphant melody based in a major brass sound. As the strings and piano sweep in, the music continues to build on its main melody, until Mickey invokes his wizard persona, and the program runs through a medley of familiar themes, including Fantasia, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Hercules and Cinderella, among others.
The music turns ominous, and plays a medley of Disney villain songs, when the program turns dark. This portion features characters like Ursula, Scar, Jafar, and Maleficent. The music’s dramatic swell culminates in Mickey facing the villains and eventually vanquishing them, with the help of some Disney magic. The musical narrative comes to a close when Mickey has triumphed, and the beloved Disney characters reappear on the Mark Twain riverboat.