On this day, October 1, 1971, Disney World‘s Magic Kingdom opened to the public in Florida. On the same day 11 years later, EPCOT would open, marking the second park in the Florida collection. The Magic Kingdom attracted more than 10,000 people on opening day, with EPCOT bringing in a massive 110,000 attendees in 1982. These two beloved parks recently celebrated milestones as well—Magic Kingdom turned 50 in 2021, and EPCOT turned 40 in 2022.
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To celebrate yet another year of iconic Disney World attractions, we’ve ranked a selection of the ambient music of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. You know, the songs you hear as you walk from The Haunted Mansion to the Country Bear Jamboree, or Spaceship Earth to Mission Space. How did we rank your favorite attraction theme songs?
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Disney World Ambient Music Ranked
#12 “It’s a Small World” (It’s a Small World)
What is there to say about “It’s a Small World”? This song has long been the bane of many Disney fans’ existence. While it’s a sweet attempt at bringing cultures and countries together, something liminal happens when you listen to this song by itself and not in conjunction with the ride. Though, we’re not sure if it’s better to be floating by on your little boat or to be sitting alone on your couch when you’re confronted with this song’s reality. Neither option moves it up on the list, sadly.
#11 “Swisskapolka” (Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse)
The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse is a beloved staple of the Magic Kingdom, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook it. It’s hard to imagine the current generation of kids knowing much about the Swiss Family Robinson story, so it sadly falls near the bottom of the list. Additionally, the harsh polka music just doesn’t do it anymore—essentially, the Swiss Family Robinson is aging out of Disney World.
#10 “Flitterin’” (Main Street)
Once you enter the Magic Kingdom, you’re put right onto Main Street, where this song plays in the background. It’s a sweet little ditty that sets the scene, creating the ambiance that Disney World is known for. Strolling through Main Street has never felt more immersive than when this song is on a loop in the park.
#9 “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” (The Enchanted Tiki Room)
The Enchanted Tiki Room is an interesting show which opens with this equally interesting song. It’s a bit outdated, with the birds affecting stereotypical accents. However, some clever lyrics highlight the show you’re about to see.
#8 “The Little Mermaid Medley” (Journey of the Little Mermaid)
This is the music you hear while you’re in the queue for the Little Mermaid ride at Disney World, and it essentially tells the story of The Little Mermaid through music. It’s cute and jolly, which entertains you while you wait. There are cameos from Sebastian, who tells you the rules of the ride, as well as Scuttle who tries to regale you with Ariel’s story. It’s a fun medley that prepares you for the world under the sea you’re about to enter.
#7 “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” (Carousel of Progress)
Located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, the Carousel of Progress takes park-goers through inventions and technological advances of the 20th century. It’s an old standard for Disney fans, with a beloved tune that sets the stage—it takes a hopeful stance on the future, even as it looks back into the past.
#6 “One Little Spark” (Journey Into the Imagination with Figment)
Over in EPCOT, Figment takes center stage. The curious little purple dragon takes park-goers on a ride through imagination, cracking all sorts of jokes as he teaches us how important it is to be imaginative. “One Little Spark” is all it takes to get a creative project going, so this song is the perfect inspiration for anyone looking to stretch their imagination muscles.
#5 “Soarin’” (Soarin’)
Soarin’ is already an epic ride, taking Disney World fans on an incredible journey on a hang-glider over mountains, oceans, and everywhere in between. The music is similarly epic, with sweeping violins and regal horns. It sets each scene with precision and careful execution to match the flight simulator, completely immersing riders in the bird’s-eye view of the world.
#4 “Spaceship Earth” (Spaceship Earth)
“Spaceship Earth” is similar to “Soarin’” in orchestral scale, but while the Soarin’ ride takes park-goers on a tour of the Earth’s natural wonders, Spaceship Earth (AKA the EPCOT Ball) takes Disney fans through different civilizations and monumental moments in time. Spaceship Earth is a dignified old ride, and it deserves a dignified soundtrack. Its theme plays with cultural music and diverse instruments, traveling a sonic journey along the ride track.
#3 “Yo Ho A Pirate’s Life For Me” (Pirates of the Caribbean)
This beloved Disney ride has an even more beloved song—one that was even featured in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie in homage. While the ride has gone through some changes over the years—most notably incorporating animatronics of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow—the song has stayed the same. Reliable, raunchy, and delightful.
#2 “The Bear Band Serenade” (Country Bear Jamboree)
The Country Bear Jamboree has since had a makeover, but there’s nothing like the original “The Bear Band Serenade” to get you in a toe-tapping mood. This song introduces the band with clever lyrics and jolly melodies. There’s a fiddle, a jug, a washboard, a mouth-harp, a banjo, and a Thang, which “sounds just like a guitar / but it’s only got one string.”
#1 “Grim Grinning Ghosts” (The Haunted Mansion)
What Disney fan doesn’t have the opening monologue of “Grim Grinning Ghosts” memorized? When the discordant organ dirge turns into that jazzy tune, you know things are about to get swingin’ in the graveyard. This is arguably one of the best Disney Park songs, and it holds a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere. The Haunted Mansion itself is a special place just in its construction and the technology it used at the time. Now, we urge you to hurry back, hurry back, and be sure to bring your death certificate.
Featured Image by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
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