21 replies to this topic

[Horizons]

Although the agenda looks promising, I find the D23 events to be hit or miss so my expectations are rather low. The highlight for me begins on Sunday at 8:15pm.

Are any other members going to this?

[Horizons]

Due to a prior commitment, I had to bail on the last two panels for today. I went in with zero expectations but I have to admit that the program, so far, has been very entertaining. I can't say I've learned a lot of new information, but looking at old concept art, construction photos, marketing materials, etc.. has been fascinating. You really get a sense for how much incredible information is locked up in the archives. Too bad us mortals don't have the ability to really sit down and study this trove of information.

I've heard snippets of some really nice music and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. More updates to follow if anything of interest occurs.

[thx99]

Thanks for the updates, Horizons! I've been eating up on your comments on your Status updates as well.

[Horizons]

thx99, on 14 May 2011 - 04:49 PM, said:

Thanks for the updates, Horizons! I've been eating up on your comments on your Status updates as well.

The Magic Journey's segment is the only thing I had high hopes for. I'm really hoping to hear a lot of rare unreleased music, especially during the 30 minute preshow.

[thx99]

"Just an ordinary day
All at once you're on your way
To a place that cannot be
No one knows what turns the key..."

[Horizons]

Most people seem to be speculating that they are going to show the actual preshow to Magic Journey's. Because the last segment of the program is called Magic Journey's, my guess is that there could be a video pre-show that showcases several musical selections over the past 40 years, then followed by the live concert.

[wedroy1923]

Like thx99, I am grateful for the updates. It's been fun reading your comments. Have fun tomorrow, and don't miss out on the Archives Exhibit, which I hear is pretty awesome!

[Horizons]

I may accidentally bring my recorder with me tomorrow.

[wedroy1923]

Horizons, on 14 May 2011 - 06:30 PM, said:

I may accidentally bring my recorder with me tomorrow.

Sitting at home I'm wondering: Is there a Destination D: WDW 40th Anniversary area loop?

[Horizons]

During the lunch and dinner breaks, they close the seating area. They reopen 30 minutes prior to the next segment and will play music during this time. Most of what I heard has been released, but there were a few gems played. They also play snippets of music during the presentations.

[Jay]

Horizons, on 14 May 2011 - 05:32 PM, said:

...the last segment of the program is called Magic Journey's

I'll bet you it's called Magic Journeys. Apostrophe + s is singular possessive.

[Horizons]

Jay, on 14 May 2011 - 11:06 PM, said:

I'll bet you it's called Magic Journeys. Apostrophe + s is singular possessive.

I think you watched too much School House Rock growing up...

Off to the day 2 festivities.

[Horizons]

I have been to a few D23 events in the past and, to be honest, they were nothing to get excited about. Although the event program for this event looked jam packed with all types of interesting panels, including a musical journey to close the program out, I still went in with low expectations.

The event was excellent. Although some panels were better than others, it was an extremely informative and entertaining two days, a perfect way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Two of my favorite presentations were:

• Weird Disney: Walt Disney World & Beyond, hosted by Becky Cline & Paul F. Anderson. First, Paul Anderson is hilarious. This panel basically made fun of a lot of pictures/videos from Walt Disney World, especially from the 70s. I hope someone in the audience filmed the Grad Night film from the 70's. Perhaps it was more funny in person, with the crowd laughing along and the commentary by the panelists, but it was one of the funniest bits of the day. I sure hope someone posts it to YouTube soon, or, even better, that a copy of it is in circulation.
  
• Walt Disney World Resort in Detail, hosted by Jason Surrell, Alex Wright, and Jason Grandt. Basically, this panel presented pictures of various odd details throughout the parks. It was highly entertaining and it really showcased how these guys love their jobs (and make us all envious).

Since this is a music site, I won't go into detail about some of the history and backstories that were told over the two days (there are better summaries already on the internet). Music wise, there isn't a lot to discuss, other than that River Country had its own theme song (who knew that?).

The doors to the event were opened three times each day, usually after a break, and were open for 30 minutes prior to the next panel starting. So, during these 30 minutes, some form of music was played (I made no playlists). In addition, short music clips were also played during a few of the presentations. I didn't hear a lot of unreleased music, or at least music that I don't already have in my personal collection, but the Innoventions BGM was played during a break (this would be a great addition to my collection, if anyone important is reading this...hint...hint).

The musical highlight was the concert by Richard M. Sherman that closed the program. Before he came out, we were treated to a few songs by Denny Zavett who used to perform on the now defunct Empress Lily, and a performance by the Walt Disney World Philharmonic marching band. Richard Sherman then hit the stage and, after performing several songs from various Disney movies, moved to the Walt Disney World portion of the performance:

• The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room (with backstory and guest sing along)
  
• The Orange Bird Song (which he says he hasn't sung in 40 years)
  
• It's a Small World (with backstory and guest sing along). The song was first performed the way the brothers originally presented the song to Walt, which was much more toned down and serious. Richard did acknowledge that everyone wanted "to either kiss us or kill us" for writing the song. The second half of the performance was how the song ended up (after Walt's suggestions), with the crowd signing along.
  
• There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow and Now is the Time (with backstory).
  
• Video presentation of the Glorious 4th of July from America on Parade.
  
• A request from the "chat rooms" - Video presentation of the World Showcase March. Does anyone know anything more about this song, or has anyone ever heard it before and, if so, where?
  
• Video presentation of New Horizons.
  
• Making Memories (with backstory)
  
• Magic Journeys
  
• One Little Spark (with guest sing along). Richard was joined onstage by the (original) Dreamfinder and Figment. When the Dreamfinder came out, the place went nuts. After some banter back and forth, the Dreamfinder did a duet with Richard. This was the last song Richard performed.

Golden Dream, performed by Billy Flanagan (who was Ken in the EPCOT Barbie show, among other roles), Laura Compton (not sure this is the correct spelling), and Carol Stein.

Encore, the cast member band and choir, closed out the program with several classic songs from EPCOT.

[thx99]

Thanks for the detailed report, Horizons! With your status updates all day yesterday, I felt like I was actually there.

[Horizons]

thx99, on 16 May 2011 - 08:25 AM, said:

Thanks for the detailed report, Horizons! With your status updates all day yesterday, I felt like I was actually there.

If only someone recorded it.

[Evoulie]

Hey! If anyone wants the setlist from the Magic Journeys show.. here's the setlist:
http://churroblog.com/tB

If you're going to post it anywhere, please give me credit.

[Horizons]

Evoulie, on 17 May 2011 - 04:37 PM, said:

If you're going to post it anywhere, please give me credit.

And if I have my own playlist....then what?

[Horizons]

Evoulie, on 17 May 2011 - 04:37 PM, said:

Hey! If anyone wants the setlist from the Magic Journeys show.. here's the setlist:

One thing I didn't get a reference recording of, or write the playlist as the music was played, was the music heard after the doors opened each time (3x per day). Did you make playlists for those loops?

[Horizons]

I have to find a complete copy of this.



This is one of three (if I am remembering correctly) segments of the video shown. The first is the best, where two pied pipers lead the grads to a school bus to attend Grad Night. This stuff is hilarious!

[Evoulie]

Horizons, on 17 May 2011 - 06:25 PM, said:

Evoulie, on 17 May 2011 - 04:37 PM, said:

Hey! If anyone wants the setlist from the Magic Journeys show.. here's the setlist:

One thing I didn't get a reference recording of, or write the playlist as the music was played, was the music heard after the doors opened each time (3x per day). Did you make playlists for those loops?

Unfortunatley, I didn't.