Disney prides itself in every experience being a “show” for its guests. The scenery, the costumes, the actors/actresses, and the theatrics all combine for some of the greatest entertainment in the world. And just like any great musical or movie, a fitting soundtrack that enhances the experience can create memories that last a lifetime.
Welcome to Believe Vacations Top Ten where this week, we will look at the Top 10 Soundtracks. For this list, we will isolate the sounds, music, and sometimes noises that stimulates our auditory senses on some of our favorite attractions, shows or lands within the parks.
10) Splash Mountain – I am an absolute sucker for banjos, harmonicas and anything that remotely sounds like bluegrass music. Located in the middle of the Briar Patch in Frontierland, the up-beat tunes just flood the queue and actual attraction. Why is it that animals just love to sing happy tunes? During Splash Mountain, you get your fill of singing, concluding with one of the greatest Disney songs of all time, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” My, oh my, what a wonderful soundtrack!
9) “it’s a small world” – If there was an award for most iconic attraction song, the song this ride is named after would probably win it. When you think soundtrack, you probably think it means a variety or a number of tunes. But you have to admit that without this song, this attraction is shell of itself. When you break it down, the song lyrics are poetic and positive. It is a song about togetherness. It unfairly gets a bad rap because of the high-pitched voices singing the tune throughout the duration of the ride but that should not stop you from singing along in your boat as you pass by the different nations represented.
8) Carousel of Progress – Then again, sometimes it truly is just one song that makes the experience. Think about this attraction without the song: it’s just a nice look at the progression of innovations and it would still be informative. I find it hard to believe that the attraction would be as popular without the song. “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” is Disney music at it’s best – catchy, easy to sing along to, puts a smile on your face and enforces a message of positivity. Plus, I use it to close all my posts so I have to include it!
7) Country Bear Jamboree – Please do not call today’s “country music” country at all. Listen to the stuff on the radio today and then see this close to 20-minute show. These 13 songs that fill the performance at Bear Hall are foot-stompin’, hand-clappin, join-in-right-with-em ditties that will have you laughin and singin’. The songs have stood the test of time; now we just need to update the bears slightly!
6) The Haunted Mansion – I love this soundtrack so much that I put the entire 24-minute opus on my Ipod! Starting with the welcome from our Ghost Host, the incantations from Madame Leona, the shrieks and hollers and the finale of “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” the Haunted Mansion soundtrack leaves no moment without the perfect sound effect. In fact, I’ll go so far to say it is the greatest original soundtrack written specifically for an attraction. So why isn’t it higher?
5) Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – This is the section where I say my list “cheats” a little bit. Starting with Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, the remaining entries are just recycled songs from the movies or the albums. And there is not a darn thing wrong with that because the songs are magical for a reason! Take The Little Mermaid soundtrack for example: Little girls belting “Part of Your World” to the top of their lungs, grown men throwing their deep Sebastian voice to woo the ladies with “Kiss the Girl” and everyone enjoying “Under the Sea.” No need to recreate the wheel. Just put the songs with the scenes on this attraction and it’s a great experience.
4) Festival of the Lion King – While it may not be the Elton John or movie versions you played on your cassette or CD in the mid-90s, the live performances of some iconic Disney songs will tug at your heartstrings. For an entire half-hour, you will go back to Africa, learn about the “Circle of Life,” rock out to “Can’t Wait to be King,” “Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata” yourself while an incredible show is happening before you. This makes Festival of the Lion King our Top Soundtrack for a Show.
3) Frozen Ever After – I’m beginning to think this Frozen thing may last for a while. The new ride is simply amazing and the Maelstrom defenders have even been silenced for the most part. The animatronics are the most advanced in Epcot and the ride is a fun journey through Arendal. Of course, you have those little tunes that have been in your head for about 4 years now. But to its credit, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, “For the First Time in Forever” and the iconic “Let It Go” play their roles perfectly during this attraction. And thus, the Top Single Movie Attraction Soundtrack.
2) Rock N Roller Coaster – No, I’m not cheating. One, it’s my list. Two, it’s an attraction soundtrack. Three, it’s one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time playing their greatest hits at 60 mph! I enjoy Aerosmith music but this attraction makes me a huge fan. First time I ever rode on it (front row, I may add), we squeal the tires and “Sweet Emotion” blares in my ears. From there, I was hooked and thus the Top Soundtrack for Any Disney World Attraction.
Honorable Mention
Main Street USA – Setting the scene for the rest of the day, the iconic tunes for the good old days put your right back at the turn of the century.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Throughout the entire queue and attraction, you will hear the wonderfully catchy “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me” making looting and pillaging seem like it’s a lot of fun (disclaimer: it’s not).
The Great Movie Ride – From “Hooray for Hollywood” all the way to “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” enjoy the greatest song from the greatest scenes in movie history.
1) PhilharMagic – You can not rank the attraction with the most iconic Disney songs of all time anywhere less than first. This 4D experience follows Donald Duck getting lost in some of the more memorable scenes in Disney Movie history, complete with the songs we all grew up with. From old to young, everyone will know the soundtrack and sing along as Donald keeps getting into more sticky situations. Need proof? Tell me it doesn’t get any greater than this list:
Mickey Mouse March
Be Our Guest
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Part of Your World
I Just Can’t Wait to Be King
You Can Fly
A Whole New World
Mickey Mouse March (Reprise)
Did I miss anything? What attraction soundtrack do you hum along to when you are not at the parks? Leave your comments below and as always, there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
