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Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Chilling, Thrilling Disney CD Picks

The Haunted Mansion Attraction Soundtrack

The Haunted Mansion Attraction Soundtrack

What you get: A complete soundtrack “ride-through” of The Haunted Mansion attraction that runs over 13 minutes (oooh!); isolated music tracks of Buddy Baker’s groovy graveyard music (my fave), the Graveyard Band and Happy Haunts; never-before-released organ music takes, a fully orchestrated “Phantom Manor Suite” by Joel McNeely that includes “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and more.

Why it’s cool: This is the real thing, starring the original Ghost Host, Paul Frees, the organ music performed by legendary Hollywood theater musician Gaylord Carter, fantastic sound quality and rare tracks, all courtesy of the masterful Walt Disney Records Producer/Historian Randy Thornton.

The Story & Song From The Haunted Mansion

The Story & Song From The Haunted Mansion

What you get: A delightfully campy, vintage Disneyland Records “Storyteller” dramatization that follows “two teenagers coming home from a date” and find themselves in the “living nightmare” of the mysterious mansion, a separate track of “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and an 11-page booklet illustrated by Imagineer Collin Campbell. The CD also allows you to download the magnificent artwork from the book.

Why it’s cool: It features a who’s-who of Hollywood voice actors and singers: Yes, that’s Ron Howard as Mike! Robie Lester (voice of Jessica in the Rankin/Bass special, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”) plays Karen, Thurl Ravenscroft (voice for one of the graveyard ghost busts) is the narrator; and Peter Renaday (Henry at Country Bear Jamboree) plays the Ghost Host, with an interesting “doubled” effect. It includes fabled details like the raven and the Hatbox Ghost PLUS a bonus track with a condensed attraction soundtrack.

Magic Kingdom Park Event Party Music

Magic Kingdom Park Event Party Music

What you get: The HalloWishes fireworks show soundtrack and Boo to You! Halloween Parade music from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park, plus music from the Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party of days past.

Why it’s cool: Loads of great tunes – from “Pink Elephants on Parade” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” to “This is Halloween” and “The Skeleton Dance” – are included, plus some sound memories from an event that we can no longer experience except through its wonderful music. There should be more CDs with the excellent music from so many of the fine entertainment offerings throughout Walt Disney World Resort. I’m glad this one exists.

For information on purchasing select Disney merchandise items, call Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise Guest Services at 1-877-560-6477 or send an email to 
merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com.

Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House

Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House

What you get: A remastered version of the landmark 1963 Disneyland Records album containing dozens of collected sounds grouped by category, and ten short stories in which a narrator sets up the situation and the sounds take over.

Why it’s cool: This best selling 1963 album is the granddaddy of all creepy sound effects collections, much imitated but never equaled. Laura Olsher (Mrs. Cratchit in Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol) narrates the stories in an ominous manner that is loads of fun to imitate (try it!). Disney Legend Jimmy MacDonald compiled the sound effects, drawing on the vast Disney Studios library. If you know your Disney movies, you’ll recognize the screaming ghouls from Lonesome Ghosts, the hunting dogs from Mary Poppins and much more.

This album can be downloaded on iTunes.

Comments

  • Thank you, thank you, thank you. I grew up listening to this album every Halloween, “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House.” Thanks for bringing it to itunes.

  • Is it possible to order the Magic Kingdom Event Party Music online? Also do you know if there’s any cds out there that have the version of Pumpin’ Up the Party now that they play each day when they do the Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it street party in MK? I know that was done by Miley Cyrus I believe but I wanted the version they use in the parks. Thanks!!

  • I love features about Disney music–keep it up!

  • I went to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland this year, and loved the music! Is there a CD of Disneyland’s event music?

    • You may hear elements of the Disneyland entertainment on the Magic Kingdom Event Music CD, but to my knowledge, there is no Disneyland Event Music CD — but that doesn’t mean you can’t write to Disneyland Merchandise and make a request!

  • I put the Event Party Music CD on my iPhone after our recent visit to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. My kids beg for it every time we get in the car now — and we usually end up listening to the Goofy song two or three times (Lollipops and lemon drops, jelly beans and chocolates…). The Boo to You Parade is one of my favorite things at Disney World and the CD is a great way to remember it. I highly recommend the CD for anyone who loves that parade!

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