Top 10 (or 15 or so) Walt Disney World Songs

Today I wanted to bring you a little music. You may be listening to Christmas music exclusively since it is fast-approaching… but maybe you need something different :)  Look no further!

There is something truly magical about the music throughout the Disney parks. I remember one of the first times I went back after being a “Disney Nerd”. I had been listening to the audio online, was very familiar with the area music and ride soundtracks… and then found myself there when absolutely none of it was playing, because they were instead playing a holiday track everywhere. A self-proclaimed (or at least, at one point in my life) Christmas music junkie, I was actually quite disappointed not to find myself in the middle of perfectly orchestrated, deliberately chosen music that I had come to expect from my Disney park experience. (Now make no mistake about it – Disney chooses its holiday music wisely as well, to fit the area its playing. It was just different.)

Do you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about? Listen up next time you’re at a Disney park. It’s just lovely, the way every park and every land and every area transforms with the help of a soundtrack and sound effects.  But without further ado (and likely in no particular order despite apparent numbering)…

10. “it’s a small world” theme. No, I’m not joking. I mean, I don’t listen to this one when I’m not on the ride, and even Disney makes fun of itself with the familiar earworm. But have you heard the original version by Richard Sherman? And honestly, I love the ride… so the song is quintessential, and could never not be on a list like this for me.

9. Hapa Duniani. Now, if you know what song this is without listening, you are my kind of Disney nerd. ;) If not, don’t worry. It may sound familiar if you give it a listen. Played only in part on the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride, this is the song (out of many African- and Asian-inspired tunes from the park) that most brings me to the Animal Kingdom and even the Animal Kingdom Lodge – two of my favorite places on earth.

8. Golden Dream. Sam Eagle would be disappointed that this is not first on my list, but I have to admit – I’m picky. I love when Voices of Liberty sings it. I love the version on the Official Walt Disney World Soundtrack from the mid 2000’s. The song is great regardless (and how can any patriotic American not love the sound bytes throughout?!) but some of the singing on the versions I’ve heard irritates me a little. There, I said it. But if you listen to this version? You’re golden. No pun intended.

7. Go with the Flow. This gem in Finding Nemo: the Musical makes the list over the others because I find myself singing it on rough days. Honestly, I do. I’m that big a dork. The entire …Nemo soundtrack is brilliant, especially for a show that didn’t have musical tracks to begin with. I adore “Big Blue World”. This one stands out though because of its consistent show-stopping performers and positive, upbeat message.

6. There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. Much like “it’s a small world”, this one gets some eye rolls from people. Sure, it gets stuck in your head for like 65 big, beautiful tomorrows. But call me a dork (wait, I just did that…), it really does make me smile. And there’s actually a lot of wisdom in this little ditty.

5. Wishes. The song that makes me cry even when they play just an instrumental version of the climax during a Disney Cruise Line show, there is absolutely nothing I don’t love about this entire fireworks soundtrack. The singing, the storyline, the chorus and finale – it’s just wonderful. The fireworks at Disney Parks are top-notch, but its soundtracks like this one that really make them worth seeing over and over again, in my opinion.

4. Sonny Eclipse’s entire set. I mean, “Bright Little Star” is the sweetest alien ballad I have ever heard but I also truly think it’s a beautiful song. But just try not to tap your toes to the jazzy, wonderful “Yew Nork”. Any 30-minute set filled with terrible puns (I loathe puns) that still makes my list must have some pretty special songs. I adore Sonny Eclipse from start to finish, and maybe even from start to finish a second time through.

3. Spectromagic theme. Is it cheating to put a song in that can no longer be heard in parks? It’s my site, and I say no – so here it sits. Contrary to the popular argument that your favorite nighttime parade is the one you saw first, I actually saw Main Street Electrical Parade first and more frequently, but I sort of can’t stand it. Spectromagic, on the other hand, was majestic – in large part thanks to this brilliant and beautiful song.

2. Magic Kingdom Welcome Song. I like the entire soundtrack of the Magic Kingdom welcome show, but my favorite is the opening song of the medley. “Wondrous lands of make-believe will fill your heart with joy… It’s all pure magic wrapped up in pixie dust; welcome to a place where dreams come true! A timeless journey through lands of fantasy, where only a wish creates things like this to appear… the most magical place on earth is here!” Nothing says I’m home like this one, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will see every one of my kids faces light up (and match my own) during the welcome show. If you aren’t rope drop people and haven’t made it to a Magic Kingdom opening, please do. The show is pure joy.

1. Soarin’ Over California ride track. I can’t explain this one without likely sounding crazy. If you’ve ridden Soarin’ you know that throughout the experience you are immersed in the smell of orange groves and forests of pine. When I listen to the soundtrack at home, almost 1000 miles away from the nearest Soarin’ attraction, I swear I can smell those familiar scents at just the right time. The brain is funny, isn’t it? Further, it’s not uncommon for me to literally experience a calming reaction when I hear the soundtrack, much like I do on the ride itself. I have joked that I don’t ever need Xanax (which I don’t take or endorse ;)) or blood pressure medicine (which I don’t take), I just need this track readily available. That statement is only spoken halfway in jest.

So there you have it. But wait! How could I not mention (11) Grim Grinning Ghosts (especially by Barenaked Ladies)?! And the breathtaking, if not really at all parks-specific, (12) Impressions de France soundtrack? And (13) One Little Spark? (Honestly? I like both versions). I really, really actually love (14) Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)! And the (15) Epcot Entrance area music is always the first thing I think of when I think of park music, and the first thing my daughter suggested as well. And (16/17) Promise/We Go On is so lovely, and the perfect way to wrap up a day at Epcot after Illuminations. And what about all of the music that makes the Hollywood Studios atmosphere?! And each of the World Showcase pavilions?!

Why are “Top 10” lists a thing? Why not Top 17? or 30? Just asking for a friend.

What is YOUR favorite song from Walt Disney World? (Or Disneyland! I have some of those too, but as you can see, I already had enough trouble with just one coast. *sigh*) Leave a comment below or join the discussion on Facebook!