‘Wondrous Journeys’ music tells the story of Disney animation

“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)