No, I think its totally cool that Disney is actually putting some new stuff on this old classic- but this just got off refurbishment, and I don’t think I quite like the idea they used for our Space Mountain. The speakers idea is stupid. Let me point out why.
It’s a continuous loop and not a composition that “follows” you.
In the other Space Mountains around the world, the speakers are on the car, with you. Not scattered around the entire building. Like Ricky Brigante, of Inside the Magic says:
It’s like they just added a dance club to the middle of space- you hear the sound coming and going, on the left and on the right… It’s kinda weird.
And I couldn’t agree more- I mean, why couldn’t they just put the damn speakers on the car and not make people come out of the ride confused, wondering what in the name of Chernabog was that!
Sure, the music is fine, but what was the answer they gave us for not putting the speakers on the cars?
We don’t want to close the ride since it just got off refurbishment.
Then why didn’t you just extend the refurbishment a bit more? Surely you could add speakers to the new cars while the -entire ride was being refurbished-?
By God, Disney, this is no excuse for not doing something! This is lazyness! You can’t just add something, you gotta do it right? Isn’t that your motto? “Just don’t do something, do it right”? Putting a bunch of speakers around a track is not right, Disney.
NOT RIGHT!
Maybe… maybe next time… you can add on-board music.
Welcome to Stratoblog’s first August post. We all love to sing, dance and hear music. And the best place to hear the best tunes has to be EPCOT. Don’t agree with me? Well, I got some folks over at Mousebits to join me on this one. How? Well, they voted their Top 10 EPCOT tunes. On each tube, I’ll talk a little about it, then I’ll add some of the comments from the folks at Mousebits. Simppe, clear and fun. So hang on tight and lets discover the Top 10 EPCOT Tunes! Oh, and perhaps you can listen to them while reading?
WARNING: After number 9 I started to notice that some of the top 10 lists we’re written starting with 10 and ending with 1 and some starting with 1 and ending with 10. So constantly I found myself thinking I was looking at number 8, but was looking at number 2. So I went back and decided to choose everything by “number of mentions”. Also, I didn’t consider some of the impossible-to-find-unless-you-are-a-man-called-TyphoonLagoon-on-Mousebits, and I placed every single “Feel the Flow – Version One Thousand/That Song that Plays in the Middle of Illuminations/Journey into Imagination Bathroom loop” into just “Universe of Energy/Illuminations”. I would like to also say sorry if you think I did it wrong.
10. Canada ( You’re a Lifetime Journey )
This song came from the old “O Canada” show on the Canada pavillion. I would like to take this moment to add a few words from Mousebits user Cxrbrett:
A great song and really stirs up some emotions. Very beautiful. New version is just not as powerful to me.
Well, I would also love to add my own words.
I’ll enter in the Fantasia part of my brain and think. And when I think while listening to this music, I imagine seeing Canada’s landmarks and nature all around one solo singer, with the female voice being the voice of the wind. Its so soft, yet, so powerful. Like that video I just posted right above these words. This post will be a lot like this: audio>words>video>words. To end this really short review, I want to say one thing about the lyrics: they’re smart. There’s a thousand dawns and sunsets I could see, and still not know you well~ That’s… fantastic.
9. Standing in Motion
Sometimes music can do the job of the words. And sometimes visuals can do that too. Except for this tune in particular. I don’t have much to say about it, but man, this is one of these songs that makes you want to dance. This tune comes from the Fountain of Nations, and its just… Well, watch for yourself. After that, I’ll add a few of my own words on it:
What I was talking about when I mentioned “visuals can do that too – except for this tune” is that I cannot imagine this, for example, with animation (again entering the Fantasia side of things), only with water- and water visuals is something that got re-done in a much bigger concept: first Fantasmic and now World of Color. And thats a prime example of water visuals. Also, some songs don’t really need lyrics, but if this song had lyrics, it would be something along the lines of… I don’t know… Raining along, figthing the storm, standing in motion. Something like that.
8. Universe of Energy (both versions)
This one actually surprised myself. I personally incline more towards Ellen’s Energy Adventure score, considering its made by Bruce Broughton, my favorite Disney composer and, second, it was not taken from Adventure Through Inner Space. Although I have to consider that the original Universe of Energy did have a huge resemblance to Adventure Through Inner Space, I just did not fully enjoy the soundtrack.
But what the original soundtrack really wanted to send to everyone was its more scientific, more heavy theming. It starts with the relaxed “Energy, You Make the World Go Round”, which is more like an Ode to Energy. Then we are taken to the primeval world, where the mood is more dark, more historical, and the soundtrack changes to reflect that. Instead of the 80′s cheesy music we got at the start, we got the ATIS music, which more sounds like the BGM to “You Studying Chemistry”. And then, the Ellen’s Energy Adventure score is more… silly, more adventurous (is that how you spell it?) and more out-of-this-world. Its also stronger than the original version, but, anyway, thats my opnion.
7. Soarin’
I can’t say I’m surprised- I was really counting on this tune to be here. Heck, this was the number 5 on my original-pre-Mousebits list. Soarin’ is Soarin’. Made by the late great Jerry Goldsmith (who also composed Mulan’s soundtrack), this is another song that I can compare to Standing in Motion. Here’s why:
Soarin’ is, how to put this, Soarin’. I don’t know a song that compares to the majesty that is Soarin’. The music, together with the visuals, make for one of the most amazing experiences you can have at the parks. “Legend” tells that Goldsmith came out of the ride crying and saying that Disney should let him score that ride. And by Godfrey, good thing they did. This song really reflects on what it is showing you, which is the majesty of the state of California. Beautiful countryside, forests, rivers, mountains, cities, and, of course, Disneyland!
6. One Little Spark/Magic Journeys
This one didn’t surprise me either. At least a bit- I was surprised to see that one of the Mousebits users voted for the current version of One Little Spark. Y’know, the one sang by Eric Idle and David Goelz. I can’t say I like it because I don’t- I still prefer the original and I am going to talk about the original. So, in this user’s homage, you can listen to the current version of One Little Spark.
One Little Spark and Magic Journeys were two songs written especially for the Imagination pavillion. They were written and “made” by the Sherman Brothers, the creators of such classics as Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, It’s a Small World, Miracles for Molecules, and others (the only EPCOT Pavillion that had that honor was Horizons with its original theme song, “Reach for New Horizons”, but then it changed to the George Wilkins score). And it was one of the few songs that were really out-of-mind. The first song is all about imagination itself (one little spark, of inspiration) while the second song is about a child’s imagination (all at once you’re on your way, to a place that cannot be, no one knows what holds the key). They are just so relaxing… Except for One Little Salsa, the current version of One Little Spark.
5. Horizons/World of Motion Score
I mean the entire score.
THE ENTIRE SCORE.
FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING TO EXITING IT.
Why did I put the word ENTIRE SCORE in bold? Because its fantastic. Why is it fantastic? I don’t know.
World of Motion’s focus was more sillier, more fun, so its no wonder that it followed the good ol’ “it’s a small world” premise, where the song is repeated in different variations on different rooms. You would hear “it’s fun to be free” every single time on World of Motion. You can say Journey into Imagination was the same, but those were variations of One Little Spark with different lyrics.
And Horizons was a more futuristic, more majestical focus. As you exit the building and you hear this different version of the New Horizons theme song, its just inspires you, and it makes you look forward to the future. Horizons was a different type of score, an ambiental score, where this score can transmit a message in every ambient. You’re in the 50′s scene, you hear classical jazz music, you think fun, dance, music! And thats what the narrators talk about too. See what I mean?
4. Tapestry of Nations/Dreams
I have to admit right now that I -NEVER- have listened/seen the Tapestry of Nations/Dreams parade. So I’m going to put a Tapestry of Nations music and a Tapestry of Dreams theme.
Since I have never listened to these tunes until now, I have to put this here: unknown language chorus just makes everything way more awesome. And Tapestry of Nations was unique: it was a parade… on EPCOT. It could be considered the theme for World Showcase, with everyone united making 0ne-big Tapestry of Nations. Its just incredible to hear the power this music has when you consider it talks about all the countries in World Showcase acting together.
3. Innoventions Exterior Loop
This song just screams “new” for me. I don’t know why, but it does. Or else…
Or else this song screams “the new creation”. The new creation it is! Innoventions is all about them, and when you can capture the future feel that Innoventions transmits (the new creation, the new invention, the inovation). This song screams new! It screams innovative! It screams we have the future here, in marvelous innoventions! I don’t know why isn’t this feel replicated on Disneyland’s Innoventions, but I think this is what makes EPCOT’s Innoventions unique. Its the new. Its the future. The word this song transmits is the word new.
Or else “the future of the 90′s”?
2. Spaceship Earth
- “But Strat”, you say, “what version?”
- I’m sorry, reader, let me fix myself.
2. Spaceship Earth (1986 – 2007)
Spaceship Earth is EPCOT’s weenie. And thats a lot. I mean, Magic Kingdom has land weenies. But Spaceship Earth is the weenie to a whole park. And if you’re the weenie to a whole park. And you have to be awesome. In every term of the word. Story, scenes, narration, ride vehicle… But, especially in music:
Music plays an important part on attractions, as we have seen in this post, but Spaceship Earth holds EPCOT’s message, and the music has to transmit this to the audience. Starting with Tomorrow’s Child, we had a very abstract song, with some of the best lyrics ever (holding the spark, as we embark, on a great journey) which was all about the journey of the future and how today’s child will shape tomorrow. Then we move on to the more historical, more deep 1994 score. With the incredible finale, you could hear that every instrument was a line, a line that started on the past and went to the future, creating a new one. Each line meant a new form of communication- the music was transmitting the history of the ride to us. Soft violins with musical choruses made this one of the best Spaceship Earth scores ever. But then we move on to the 2007 score, my favorite. Bruce Broughton took the famous “sense of adventure” from his compositions at Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Honey I Shrunk the Audience and placed it on Spaceship Earth. The soft sounds represent stars twinkling on the sky, a sky thats full of possibilities for the future.
1. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
Evening in EPCOT, World Showcase awakes
To the Reflections of Earth
The fireworks pops, the countries illuminate
To the Reflections of Earth
To the big sounds as loud as a thunder
To the little sounds soft as a psalm
And some say the soul of the lake’s
The Reflections
The Reflections of Earth
Listen, they’re beautiful, no? Reflections of Earth has actually a scene list. And it tells the story of humanity, from the loud bang of our beginnings to the end with the incredible song “We Go On”. Reflections of Earth is an incredible show. You can listen to the music of the show and feel amazed. You can see the show and be amazed. Everything in that show is amazing alone, but it becomes a majestic festival of colours, sounds and feelings when everything is together. The message of Illuminations is the same message that We Go On transmits (we go on, through the joy and the tears, we go on, to discover new frontiers). We should all act together, in peace, towards a bright future. And together we shall light as one nation, together as Illuminations. There is something about this show that just hits me in the heart, and I’ll tell you all what it is. When you are listening to We Go On, you can clearly hear a kid singing with everyone, saying “moving on”. I don’t know, that just brings a tear to my eye. If Future World can have its message transmited in Spaceship Earth, EPCOT as a whole can transmit its message on Reflections of Earth. Its a composition that makes you think. It makes you feel. And in the end, it always brings a smile to your eye. Especially when you are watching with the New Year’s Eve tag.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Living Seas Score (relaxing, under-the-sea music for you to ignore the outside world and submerge and this delightful place)
- Land (incredible compositions using instruments as banjos made this one of the best places to hear music)
- Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Bruce Broughton once again brings the sillyness to the music with a great theme song and score)
- Journey into YOUR Imagination/With Figment (funky, “scientific” tunes with the sillyness and impending adventure sense)
- Wonders of Life (soft and simple: one of the best scores to hear on the bed on a rainy day)
- All World Showcase loops (each country has its own mood, its own instruments, but when we put it all together, we have Reflections of Earth)
CONCLUSION:
I would like to put here a few words from one Mousebits user that contributed to this list. That will be my “conclusion”, thanks for bearing with us through Stratoblog’s longest post ever.
I don’t have time to talk about each track in greater depth but will say that in general I much prefer the music of EPCOT circa 1982-1996. There seemed to be a greater sense of dynamics, mystery, and emotional range in most of that music. There’s sort of a duality in songs like “Magic Journeys” or “Fun to Be Free” — on one level they’re very whimsical, very mellow and innocuous, yet, as crxbrett pointed out about “Magic Journeys,” there’s also an element of melancholy, bittersweetness, and reflection that I find to be very resonant. Moreover, there was a wide variety of styles and genres throughout the park during that time — you had very melodic pop/tin pan alley stuff (i.e. World of Motion, The Land, “Making Memories”) but also music that was ambient and somewhat free-form (i.e. parts of El Rio del Tiempo, Horizons, The Living Seas). And then there was stuff like Journey Into Imagination or the original EPCOT entrance loop that represented a mediation; very melodic yet also full of tangents and sections where the melody wanders off into some other musical realm.
On the contrary, most of the recent music (specifically Test Track, JII with Figment, Mission: SPACE) don’t do anything for me. I don’t know what it is exactly. Maybe they sound too rigid and derivative of contemporary Hollywood scores.
Have a magical day, and remember:
We go on.
This post would have never happened without the folks at Mousebits. Thanks for sharing such great Disney tunes and your opnions on the Top 10 EPCOT tunes.
All the songs here may be removed after complaint.
"This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival. Head over there to see more great Disney-related posts and articles."
Those are some of the strangest words I’ve seen in my entire life. Yet, they can be used perfectly as a subtitle for certain things in this world. Imagine you’re in your car, ok? Close your eyes- no, don’t close your eyes in the car, well, think about it, you’re in your car, then suddenlyI just pop up from the backseat and go HEY! You just whack me in the head wouldn’t you? Well- that wouldn’t be nice for me to do such thing, but did you lock the car? Maybe it was your fault, maybe I was teaching you a lesson. But the point is, what can you describe, in the Walt Disney World resort history, as whimsically appealing?
I think we all know the answer.
Journey into Imagination was whimsical. And was appealing. People came back day and day to see the incredible visuals this ride had, and the awesome characters it created. For years, Imagination was a whimsical appealing ride, and it was something for all kids to enjoy, day after day, ride after ride, in a park where the focus was also fun, but an educational fun, and was Imagination fun? It was fun. It was beautiful. It was imaginative. But then, something “better” came, something that wasn’t so whimsically appealing, something that went for a more heavier, more educational– but that in the end wasn’t educational at all. People still liked the original, and so Figment went back to pavillion in 2002 to make people go back.
Now this sort of story where you have an original who is whimsical-fun-classic and a new version which is heavier-different-realistic has already happened, believe it or not. And this is where Imagination can finally relate to a movie. Yes, 27 years of a building can relate to two movies, one in 1971 and the other in 2005. So yeah, what movies are those? Behold as I present the only movie that has a history and can relate to Imagination. That movie is…
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
Now, I have memories of first seeing this movie when I was a little itsy bittsy kid, so when I heard there was going to be a 2005 remake of the 1971 movie, I got excited. Until I saw the director: Tim Burton. Then, I knew 3 things for sure:
This movie was going to have a heavier, more grim, more realistic visual style.
This movie was going to have a score composed by Danny Elfman.
This movie was going to star Johnny Depp.
And I was right, wasn’t it? And the remake wasn’t so good at all, I still prefer the 1971 original. Sure the 2005 has its goods and bads, but the 1971 one is classic, and the songs were better. The theme was more lighter, more imaginative, more…
“Whimsically appealing”!
Conclusions?
In all WDW history, I’ve never heard of a time where an attraction’s history (as in, real world history) would compare to a movie, and when I re-watched the 1971 original, I started seeing how it looked so much like the original Journey into Imagination. The amazing imaginative visuals, the free-spirit score, the happy feel to it, the gently trip, and doesn’t Willy Wonka kinda reminds you of Dreamfinder? And an Oompa-Loompa of Figment?
To finish things, I think I can wrap up this post with one simple thing: Journey into Imagination was a big Wonka’s Factory.
Hey, you, reader!
Stratoblog is going on a quick hiatus starting the 17th of July and ending on the 22th of July.
So don’t go away!
See ya rrrrrrrrreal soon!
Stratofarius
Hey, you, blogger!
Stratoblog wants you to make a small short post on your blog too, with your definition of whimsically appealing.
Put a link to this blog post at the end!
Stratofarius
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D-History
Check out the D-History podcast, a Disney podcast with short, audio (as in music) focused shows about Disney Parks history!
Now, I’m not against it.
