5 Original Songs You Will Hear At Disney World And The History Behind Them

Disney World’s four theme parks are home to some of Disney Imagineering’s finest work. Each attraction and show was built from the ground up with a dedicated team taking each detail and bringing it to perfection. Disney World’s attractions captivate all of your senses. Not only are attractions fun rides, but they are also full of story elements, visual components, and music. Many attractions within Disney World have their own original songs behind them that became instant Disney classics. Here are 5 original songs you might hear during your trip to Disney World and the history behind them.

The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room

You can hear this original song during The Enchanted Tiki Room attraction in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. This show was the first audio-animatronic show and featured a cast of tropical birds. Walt Disney knew he needed an original song for his innovative birds to sing. Written in 1963, The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room was the first of its kind. The famous Sherman Brothers composed the song and wrote the lyrics, and it was recorded by The Mellomen. This tune can still be heard to this day during this classic attraction that hasn’t changed since 1963.

It’s a Small World (After All)

When Walt Disney asked the Sherman Brothers to write one song that could be easily translated into several languages and looped continuously, they came up with It’s a Small World (After All). This tune is played during the classic attraction “it’s a small world“. Released in 1964, this song was originally a slow ballad but was changed by the request of Walt to be more cheerful and upbeat. The song was an instant hit and went on to be one of the most popular songs in the world. It is still played throughout the classic Disney attraction that exists in several Disney parks throughout the world.

Grim Grinning Ghosts

Composed by Buddy Baker with lyrics by X Atencio, Grim Grinning Ghosts is an iconic song that was written for the Haunted Mansion attraction. Several variations of this song are heard throughout different areas of the attraction, with the full song and its lyrics being heard during the graveyard scene. Like other attraction tunes, this song is able to be looped continuously without guests feeling like there is an ending to the song. This tune sets the mood for the Haunted Mansion attraction with its eerie undertone but lighthearted lyrics.

Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)

Another classic Disney attraction with a classic Disney tune is Pirates of the Caribbean, where guests can hear Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me). This song was composed by George Bruns with lyrics written by X Atencio. Following suit with other attraction tunes, this song doesn’t seem to have a true ending so guests never feel as if it is being looped during the ride. Several variations of this song are heard throughout the attraction, with the audio-animatronic pirate cast singing the lyrics throughout the ride.

There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is an attraction that features another Sherman Brothers song. There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow is the theme of the attraction, with the audio-animatronic host singing it during each transition. This song was written for the attraction during its debut at the World’s Fair in 1964. It has an optimistic message behind it that guests still enjoy singing along to.

What is your favorite song that is original to a Disney attraction? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray