Search - Disney :: Disneyland Park in California: The Official Album

Almost like being there!

Duane S. Montague | WA United States | 09/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Created by producer Randy Thornton as an audio expereience of what a day at Disneyland might be like, this album far surpasses any previous "Offical Albums" in terms of quality and for true "Disneyland" music. Compared to the recent 1997 version (which also included music from Epcot in Florida), this album takes the cake!ALL ABOARD! The first track on the album, this is the announcement one hears for trains leaving the Disneyland train station at the front of Main Street. If you enter the park through the main gates, this is one of the first sounds you will hear.FLITTERIN'. A song from the Main Stret, USA loop of turn of the century tunes. Brings to mind images of horse-drawn carriages, ice cream at the Carnation Cafe, and honky-tonk piano at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner.Turning left from Main Street, the first land you encounter is Adventureland. Keeping with this, the next several tracks on the album give highlights from this land's attractions.THE TIKI, TIKI, TIKI ROOM was the first Audio-Animatronic attraction at Disneyland and still the best place to cool off on a hot day. Listen for the voice of Thurl Ravenscroft (best known today as Tony the Tiger) in his first appearance.THE INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE. Track 4 is the John Williams score for the George Lucas-produced thrill ride, Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Quite a thrilling medley of tunes originally heard in the films.The next land you encounter is New Orleans Square.SWANNEE RIVER. Played by the Royal Street Bachelors, this song is a classic of the deep south played in a swinging style by some of Disneyland's best street musicians.YO-HO (A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME). Rather than just give you the song, we have a mini version of the entire attraction, from the bayou where you load your ship to the final gunshots and singing pirates. Thurl Ravenscroft makes his 2nd appearance on the album here.GRIM-GRINNING GHOSTS. Track 6 is another mini-audio version of the entire attraction, from the welcome of the "Ghost Host" to the graveyard scene. Sit back in your "Doom Buggy" and enjoy the ride. (Thurl Ravnescroft sings the lead on the goofy, Munsters-esque theme song.)The next land you pass into is Critter Country.SPLASH MOUNTAIN gives you another tour of the attraction and includes 3 songs: "How Do You Do?", "Laughing Place," and "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah." Listen for the big splash toward the end!THE GREAT OUTDOORS. Track 9 is the opening song from the recently closed "Country Bear Vacation Hoedown" which played for many years at the Country Bear Playhouse--now gone and replaced with a Winnie the Pooh ride.A stop by the Rivers of America gets you the FINALE from the nighttime spectacular, FANTASMIC! Picture almost every known Disney character floating by on the Mark Twain as Mickey (in Steamboat Willie costume) steers the wheel--that's what's happening during this thrilling piece of music.Now that you're in Frontierland, enjoy a song composed specficially for this land:ALL ABOARD THE MINE TRAIN (Track 11), a fun "Western"-style tune composed for the original Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland attraction.Take the Big Thunder Trail to Fantasyland, and head past the Matterhorn. The bright, multi-shaped structure ahead of you houses one of the most popular attractions.IT'S A SMALL WORLD, heard for the first time in its original form (sung by children, not by an adult chorus).Exit Small World and head into Toontown, where Track 13, THRU THE MIRROR plays as you wonder through Mickey's house. This music was composed for the Mickey Mouse cartoon of the same name.Taking the railroad to Tomorrowland, you experience two out of this world attractions:STAR TOURS, which incldues the majestic music of John Williams and the voice of Paul Reubens as your droid pilot.SPACE MOUNTAIN. Track 15 features the king of surf guitar, Dick Dale in a retro-cool soundtrack to the indoor roller coaster.After all those attractions, look to the sky and experience the new and improved fireworks show, BELIEVE...MAGIC IN THE STARS, which incorporates classic Disney tunes with new favorites and a pretty catchy new song.You've just experienced a day at Disneyland. Far better to get the complete attractions than just a snippet, and you're getting Disneyland-exclusive stuff, not a collection for the masses. This is one E-ticket album, and far better than what another reviewer would have you believe!"

Not as good as previous version

Brian's Dad | Los Gatos, CA United States | 08/22/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, it's a fine CD. I give it three stars only because I prefer the 1997 version. It includes much of the same songs on this CD, but also has:Fantasyland castle medley-
(When you wish upon a star/Once upon a dream/A dream is a wish your heart makes/Some day my prince will come)- TWO songs from Splash Mountain: "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Ev'rybody has a laughing place"The Main Street Electrical Parade (The present CD omits this, possibly because the park no longer featured the parade at time of the CD's release. Disneyland wisely has re-introduced the Electrical Parade at the California Adventure park).Mickey Mouse March. How can you have a Disneyland CD without the Mickey Mouse March!?Fantasy in the sky (from the fireworks show. You know, the one in which Tinker Bell flies from the Matterhorn down across Sleeping Beauty's castle). Classic.The Ballad of Davy Crockett- FrontierlandWithout these songs, the present version just seems somehow incomplete. If you can find the 1997 version, get it."

You feel like your there

Gabriel | California | 09/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Cd allows anyone to imagine that they are actually on the rides or are seeing the fantastic shows that Disneyland has to offer. This Cd is a must for any Disney collector or anyone who just wants to feel as if they are at the park."