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Finding Disney in Music Memories

Extraordinary Magic in Everyday Life

 

Music is what drives some of the greatest moments in Disney film history. The opening notes of “Circle of Life” immediately recall the sun rising over Pride Rock and the powerful image of Rafiki raising Simba to the sky. The iconic, Oscar-winning melodies from Up‘s score instantly remind us of Carl and Ellie’s sweet married life.

The same is true for the parks. Pop in the Walt Disney World Official Album and every single track brings to mind vacation memories as we listen to the sights and sounds of the parks’ attractions and atmospheres.

And sometimes, every so often, there are specific music moments—not attractions in general, but individual memories we have of a certain time we experienced that attraction or area—that will forever attach that memory to a song.

Disney's Polynesian Resort PoolThat was a mouthful, so let me provide an example: During a Disney trip last year, my traveling crew visited Disney’s Polynesian Resort all three nights of our vacation. We didn’t stay there overnight, and the destination wasn’t intentional, we just inevitably ended up at the Poly to hang out at the conclusion of each day. One evening we ate at Captain Cook’s and enjoyed viewing an unexpected rocket launch visible from Cape Canaveral. The following night we watched the Electrical Water Pageant on the beach, the next night Wishes. All the while we really grew to love the atmosphere of the place and soaked in the unique nature of what makes this resort special.

On one of these nights as I walked from Captain Cook’s to the beach to join my friends, I stopped in my tracks. I listened closely to the song playing on the background loop, and a smile came to my face as I observed the surreal nature of the multi-sensory moment in front of me. Here I was, on a picture-perfect waterfront in a tropical paradise with Cinderella Castle visible in the distance, and “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from Lilo & Stitch permeated the air.

Our many visits to the Poly that trip sort of embody most of my memories of that particular vacation now, and that one individual moment hearing “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” really summed up the essence of our frequent time at the Poly. Every time I hear that song now, I can’t help but think back to the relaxing time we spent on the beach, pensive and content at the conclusion of a day of adventure.

(Image from author’s personal family collection.)

Do you have any Disney music memories? What songs immediately remind you of your fondest Disney moments?

 

Blake is a college student focusing on Film and Media Studies. He enjoys making his family of six watch the parade on Main Street and then sprint to Frontierland in time to see it again. You can follow Blake’s random Disney ramblings on Twitter at @olddirtyblake, or at BlakeOnline.com.

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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