The “Disney zone” is a state of mind in which visitors to Disneyland and Walt Disney World find themselves void of cares, stress, and problems of their everyday lives. In fact, when zoning they may not even know the day of the week or even the time. The Disney zone releases guests from the stress of everyday life, replacing that stress with a form of euphoria. It’s almost like being a kid again. Imagine that; a connection between Disney and carefree childhood.
In Part I (link), we began our look at the music and sounds of Walt Disney World that triggered our entry into the Disney zone, focusing on Magic Kingdom and Epcot, the two cornerstone theme parks of Walt Disney World. Today, we look at Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and any other places in the World that pushes that magic button and transports us to the Disney zone.
Disney-MGM Studios
When you step into this theme park and walk down Hollywood Boulevard, you feel transported back to a different time like you do when walking down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom. In this case, it’s the Hollywood of the 1940s.
The music that fills the air on both Hollywood and Sunset boulevards just seems to have a calming effect and serves as “mood music” to relax guests and prepare them for entertainment.
Music plays a huge part in the overall scheme of things for this theme park, especially in the attractions.
Take, for example, the Great Movie Ride. The attraction begins with a rendition of “Hooray for Hollywood” and you are immediately immersed in the zone. Throughout the attraction are scenes from Hollywood musicals and some familiar songs. However it’s the film finale that combines music with famous scenes that trigger a zone reaction.
Let’s not forget one of the landmarks on Sunset Boulevard: Beauty and the Beast. This show has been around for over a decade now; is there any other Disney animated film that has more recognizable songs?
I remember well before Sunset Boulevard was built, when the Theater of the Stars was on Hollywood Boulevard, and we saw Beauty and the Beast for the first time. It was the hottest thing going at the theme park.
What I remember most is what I heard after the show. As the guests exited the theater, we heard Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion sing “Beauty & the Beast.” After a long day in the parks and this show, the song really seemed to be placed just right to get everyone in the zone.
When I think of the music of the shows of MGM, I sometimes long for Diamond Doublecross, which was a Dick Tracy-themed show (some people referred to it as Calling Dick Tracy) and of course The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure stage show. Both these shows were favorites of mine and contained music that ever so easily slipped me into the Disney zone.
If there is any attraction that makes good use of music, it’s Voyage of the Little Mermaid, especially Ariel’s signature song “Part of Your World.” Being in that theater and hearing that song really does it for so many people.
There are several restaurants in Disney-MGM Studios that have always struck me as being triggers for the Disney zone.
Of course the Primetime Café comes to mind right away, not because of music, but because of the audio that comes from all those TV sets near the tables and the “chatter” from those shows of the 1950s. That atmosphere is so distinct that guests never forget their first visit and may not realize until after they leave how that restaurant brought them into the zone. Other restaurants such at the Brown Derby and the Sci-Fi Drive-In Restaurant also “do it” for guests.
Let’s not forget parades and what is commonly referred to as “nighttime spectaculars.”
The current Disney-MGM Studios parade, “Stars and Motorcars” has been around for several years now and everyone recognizes the theme song for the parade and knows the words, “Roll out the red carpet…”
Like all WDW parades, this one captures the attention of the guests by carefully mixing familiar music with familiar sights. In this case, the sights are the characters. The connection between the two works wonders to get the guests into a solid Disney zone mood.
Before Sunset Boulevard was built, this theme park had a nightly showing of Sorcery in the Sky. Back in the early 1990s, this particular nighttime fireworks show, with its combination of lasers and pyrotechnics and music, was a huge Disney zone trigger for me.
To this day, whenever I am in WDW and I know that Sorcery in the Sky is being shown, I make sure to adjust all plans so I can experience it. The music is matched up to the choreography of the fireworks in a very special manner. My favorite part is “Out There” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
You can truly find yourself whisked away while watching Sorcery in the Sky. If you have never experienced it you are missing a very memorable fireworks show.
As far as I know, Sorcery in the Sky is shown on 4th of July evenings and a few other special nights during the year. Be advised, however, that the park is packed when Sorcery in the Sky is scheduled.
And then there’s Fantasmic. I firmly believe that this show is so popular it could be shown twice nightly all year long and still play to capacity crowds.
Fantasmic has its own special music that combines with tunes from Disney animated classics. The zoning trigger for me comes twice: First with the princess floats and then with the huge character riverboat. Sure, there are some moments in the show that are very memorable and enjoyable but the floats and the finale with the showboat do it for me—I’m in full zone mode when that riverboat appears.
Before we leave MGM, I’d like to point out two very special zone areas. I remember back in 1990, walking around the theme park real late at night, maybe a few minutes before the actual closing hour.
I happened to be standing outside Star Tours and very few guests were around. All I could hear were Ewoks chatter, and I noticed the light flickering as if they were all huddled around the fire. If I’m in MGM at night, I make a point to visit Star Tours and check out the chatter… it has a zoning effect on me. Try it on yourself.
The Studios is a different theme park at night and you will notice soft music as you walk along Hollywood Boulevard. One memory that stands out occurred in the early 1990s. Again it was late at night and the park had pretty much emptied out.
I happened to be walking around the outside of the Great Movie Ride and I could hear a very melancholy rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” It was soft enough to almost lull you to sleep but more importantly, it was soothing and calming. That was a very memorable and true Disney zone moment.
I always listen for that tune late night at MGM.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
When it comes to providing Disney zone triggers, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a work in progress.
This theme park took a hit with the close of Tarzan Rocks! That show had some great music that could truly bring you into that Disney zone.
Presently, the number one trigger in Animal Kingdom is the music of the Festival of the Lion King. However, it’s more than just the music. It’s also the meshing of the environment and setting with the songs that flow throughout the show. For me, the rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and the parading of the children during “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” are the highlights of that show and really take me to a special place.
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade just hasn’t been able to do it for me as a Disney zone trigger. Sure I enjoy it, but it just falls short of really giving me that special feeling.
Perhaps as this theme park becomes more developed, we will discover those special sounds that bring us into the Disney zone.
Hotels
These are the WDW resorts that can put me into a Disney zone frame of mind:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa – the lobby’s grand piano does it for me.
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort – the tropical setting and music work so well to theme this resort.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – from the first time I set foot on that resort some 16 years ago I have loved listening to the sounds of the steel drums.
- Disney’s Pop Century – the lobby of Classic Hall, along with the food court area, just seem to relax me as I hear songs from the ’50s though the ’90s.
Finally, it doesn’t matter what room in whatever WDW resort you stay in, you can flip on the television and listen to the WDW Resort TV channels.
The one channel in particular that I like to have on as background noise is the channel that lists information on the theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney
The music is soft and just blends in everything around you. My favorite times is when I hear “Let’s go fly a kite” when listening to that channel.
So what is “It?”
Many of you have written and told me about your own Disney zone memories and how you react to the Disney zone. Some of you have also expressed frustration in trying to understand why a relative or friend doesn’t react to the WDW environment as you do.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing letters was one I received recently from Jeremy. He may have hit the nail on the head in trying to describe why the Disney environment affects so many of us. He writes:
When I was in college I took a class called “Art and Beauty, a Study of
Aesthetics,” which as I understood it at that time was the study of why things are beautiful.We read about different philosopher’s views of what beauty is and how we perceive something as beautiful.
One of the things they talk about is this idea that there is this all-encompassing Absolute (like God or something) and that the Arts are people’s ways to connect to, or experience, the Absolute; almost like being in a dark room with a big something that you can’t see. Some people do see it and some people hear it and are able to give us pieces of its Being (which is beautiful). So when we look at something or hear something that makes us feel that lump in our throat or some other strong emotion, we are experiencing the Absolute.
I think Jeremy is right. Some people see and hear it and for them that’s their ticket to a journey into absolute peace of mind; what we call the Disney zone.
For others, the challenge for us is to try and figure out a way to get them to that point. For they don’t know what they are missing and thus, unlike us, they don’t work hard everyday to…
…Remember the Magic!
Next time
We all use photographs, videos and CDs to bring the magic home, but there’s more. Next time, I’ll introduce you to someone who for the last seven years, has been unknowingly helping many people get into the Disney zone while in the comfort of their own home.
We’ll meet him next time.
Class dismissed.
