3. Tapestry of Nations
Image: Disney
Where you can still hear it: Epcot park closing music
If you have ever been inside a Walt Disney World park during closing time, you are probably familiar with the concept of exit music, which gently lets guests know that unfortunately, the time has come to leave. And while other parks feature songs that will hopefully remind you of the fun day you had at Walt Disney World, Epcot’s exit music aims to remind you of the fun day you had at this park… 15 years ago.
The Tapestry of Nations was a short-lived parade at Epcot that ran around the World Showcase Lagoon from 1999 to 2001 and then continued with modifications as the Tapestry of Dreams until 2003. Though it is unlikely that you caught this parade during its short four year stay at Epcot, the spectacular score from this former entertainment offering still plays every night after the conclusion of Illuminations: Reflection of Earth. While fans of the Tapestry of Nations can’t really sit and enjoy this music during the park’s closing procedures, if you want to take your time moseying out of the park while you are enjoying this classic music, we certainly wouldn’t blame you.
HONORABLE MENTION: Star Tours
Image: Disney
Where you can still hear it: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue queue
We can all agree that the most recent iteration of Star Tours is a vast improvement over its predecessor, but even so, we can’t help but get a little nostalgic for the classic version of this ride that saw RX-24 botch a mission to Endor. Fortunately, if you find yourself waiting for awhile in the new Star Tours queue, you just may hear this droid’s panicked voice once again as a “broken” version of this droid appears on the FastPass+ side of the interior queue. Though he only says a few lines, being able to hear classic dialogue from the original version of this attraction is certainly a nostalgia trip and takes us even further back to a galaxy far, far away, where we always knew where we were going (even if RX-24, didn't!)
Have you heard any of these little nods to Walt Disney World's past around the parks? Which are your favorites? And are there any we missed? Let us know below!
Comments
It may not be the versions of the score heard in the attractions, but in WDW's Tomorrowland, as atmosphere music, one can hear instrumental versions of old attraction songs, like "If You Had wings" and "The Best Time of Your Life" from Carousel of Progress. It makes me feel all time travel trippy!
The Tapestry of Nations parade was so beautiful and moving it actually brought me to tears when I saw it, largely in part because of the music. Thanks for the tip, I will listen for it this next trip!
And if you don't want to hang around when EPCOT closes or hang in a restroom. You can all go to UAB. Utilidors Audio Broadcasting. They have every score ever produced at EPCOT from the beginning. Matter of fact everything from Disney World is on it.
Where is UAB?