‘Wondrous Journeys’ music tells the story of Disney animation
“Wondrous Journeys” – one of two all-new nighttime spectaculars that premiered for Disney100 on Jan. 27, 2023, at Disneyland Resort, not only presents images from all 62 Disney animated movies but the “Wondrous Journeys” music features specially selected and reimagined songs that tell the story of Disney animation.

“The music […] really is a love letter to the Walt Disney Animation Studios,” said Walt Disney Imagineering Global Head of Music Tricia Holloway. “Obviously we couldn’t use all the songs from all the movies, but we have 18 specially-selected songs that help us tell the story of the artists’ journey, which is really at the heart of Walt’s work around the world.”
The 18 songs in the 15-minute show have been reimagined, so while park guests will recognize the words and melodies, they’ll get to experience new versions of their favorites. You can watch the 4K video of the interview above on our YouTube channel.
Here are details about a few of the “Wondrous Journey” music segments:
“It’s Wondrous”
The show’s all-new original theme song, “It’s Wonderous,” was written by Grammy-winning composer Alex Geringas and Duddy Brown.

“Something that’s really exciting is the theme song is woven throughout the whole show, but we’ve also done a really fun version for the ‘walkout,’ so people are leaving with a little pep in their step,” Holloway said. “That [walkout version] was performed by Lawrence, and they reinterpreted the song and did their own version, which is really special.”
Holloway said both versions of “It’s Wondrous” will be available soon on digital music streaming services.
“The Quartet”
One segment that especially relies on music is what Holloway and Walt Disney Animation Studios Creative Director Roger Gould refer to as “the quartet.”

“One of the greatest moments in the show is this quartet of voices: Moana, Hercules, Quasimodo, and Belle,” Gould said. “Their songs are interwoven in a completely new and beautiful way that speaks to the same yearning, the same hopes and dreams, but the combination of the animation and music tells that story in a whole new way.”
Holloway notes a “mash-up” of the four characters’ signature songs heard and seen together has never been done before.
“Almost There”
Holloway said her favorite “Wondrous Journey” music moment is “Almost There” From “The Princess and the Frog,” which has been reinterpreted as a duet performed by Tank from Tank and the Bangas (a musical group from New Orleans) and Ty Taylor from Vintage Trouble.

“It’s a really awesome part of the show, where the energy shifts, and it’s really energetic and super fun,” she said. “Everyone’s gonna love it.”
“Immortals”
During arguably the most wondrous moment in “Wondrous Journeys” – and Gould notes, seen for the first time on planet Earth – Baymax flies above Disneyland’s castle accompanied by the song “Immortals” from “Big Hero Six,” performed by Lena Hall.

“As soon as you hear the thumping bass start to come on, and that ‘Immortals’ song comes in so strong, and then Baymax flies across the sky – our guests are just going to be thrilled,” Holloway said.
Fireworks or No Fireworks?
On certain dates (or when winds are high), “Wondrous Journeys” does not include fireworks, but Holloway says the show is still just as exciting.
“It’s s a little different without the pyrotechnics because we allow some space in the musical story so you can experience and hear [the fireworks], but you won’t notice the difference,” she promises. “It really is such a special show, and it’s so visually stunning – and depending on where you watch it, you’re going to get to see something different.”

Gould agrees that the show is different from every location – and he even goes one step further.
“What’s so fun about ‘Wonderous Journeys’ is that we use the whole park as our canvas, so you can stand in front of the castle, you can see it on Main Street, you can be in front of ‘it’s a Small World,” or over at Rivers of America,” he said. “You’re going to experience that emotional through-line and the incredible music no matter where you watch the show, but there’s no one place that you can see every one of the movies represented, so you’re going to have to come back again and again.”



“Wondrous Journeys” music segments (and where you can find them in our video below):
- At 0:30 – “It’s Wondrous,” including pencil drawings of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Snow White, Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, Tiana, Mirabel, and more.
- At 2:30 – “I’m Wishing” from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” into “When You Wish Upon A Star” from “Pinocchio,” featuring moments from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Sleeping Beauty,” plus the Blue Fairy flying over the castle.
- At 3:28 – “The Quartet” featuring “Belle” from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Go the Distance” from “Hercules,” “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana,” and “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
- At 5:50 – “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog,” including moments from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Pocahontas,” “The Lion King,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and more.
- At 6:56 – “For The First Time In Forever” from “Frozen,” including moments from “Peter Pan,” “Dumbo,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Big Hero 6,” “Tangled,” “Frozen 2,” “Treasure Planet,” and more.
- At 8:20 – “Immortals” from “Big Hero 6” into “Be a Man” from “Mulan” into “Know Who You Are” from “Moana,” including moments from “Big Hero 6,” “Mulan,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Moana,” “Pocahontas,” “The Lion King,” “Bambi,” “Zootopia,” “Frozen 2,” and more, plus Baymax flying over the castle.
- At 10:57 – “Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto” into “It’s Wondrous” finale, including moments from “Mulan,” “Frozen 2,” “Tangled,” “Encanto,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Dumbo,” “Fantasia,” “Peter Pan, ”Moana,” “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “The Jungle Book,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Hercules,” and more.
- At 13:45 – “It’s Wondrous” (walkout version)
“Wondrous Journeys” can be viewed in Disneyland Park at 9:30 p.m. – on weekdays with projections only, and on weekends and holidays with fireworks. Check the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date show information, and click here for details about everything that’s happening at Disneyland for the Disney100 celebration.

Fun Fact: Images of butterflies appear throughout “Wondrous Journeys” to represent wonder and the show’s music echos that symbolism by featuring the verse from “Dos Oroguitas” that starts with “Ay mariposas” (oh, butterfiles).
And now, watch our multi-camera video of the entire “Wondrous Journeys” show, and see how many Disney Animation moments you can spot:

I really want the version that is played in the park during the show, with all the cut ins. It makes me so happy to hear all the songs woven together.
Me too!
Its finally available on YouTube by a content creator named Professor Owl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoh_WP7rdXA