As part of the ongoing transformation of the Walt Disney Studios Park, Walt Disney Imagineering presents a new "Prelude" featuring instrumental selections from the many stories and adventures found in the park.
From Frozen animated movies to Toy Story to epic Marvel movies, visitors will recognize some of their favorite themes and soundtracks the moment they enter the park.
Mike Fracassi, Senior Music Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, explains what this new atmosphere created for La Place des Frères Lumière consists of:
Can you reveal the secret behind the process of creating new background music for one of our theme parks? What is your role in this context?
First of all, we wonder how music can support the narration and accompany the emotions aroused by the environment and the events; then, what it is supposed to bring, and how we want our visitors to feel in this space.
When Tom Fitzgerald, Portfolio Creative Executive, and John Dennis, Executive Creative Director, asked me to work on the new background music program for Place des Frères Lumière, I was immediately enthusiastic, because I had created the original musical programs for the whole park in 2002. It was a privilege to collaborate with the Parisian parks during all these years; by the way, the Walt Disney Studios park was one of my first projects at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Tom had a very precise vision of what the music should bring. From there, I started gathering musical ideas and putting together a playlist to study. Afterwards, we continued our work of selecting and sequencing the music, so that everything worked and the sound was good. One of our sound editors, Megan Duncan, did an excellent job of shaping the sequences so that the different themes fit together perfectly.
Over the years, many stories have come to life at Walt Disney Studios Park. How did you choose the musical elements adapted to the atmosphere you wanted to create?
The first image that we perceive of our tribute to the cinema in the Walt Disney Studios park begins with the entrance esplanade. The park has grown and evolved with so many new stories and characters, it's time for the music to reflect the park today…with a glimpse of the future as well.
New entrance music is a captivating and energetic prelude to your upcoming experience, celebrating the characters and stories of the park. We've chosen familiar and unforgettable themes to heighten anticipation for what awaits you on the other side of Disney Studio 1. As you stroll down the plaza, you might hear a theme from a Disney or Pixar movie that's close to your heart, or an epic musical theme from the Marvel universe.
The park is undergoing a metamorphosis and we use music to accompany our visitors throughout this journey.
What's your favorite song that you can't wait to hear on Front Lot?
This is a difficult question ! There are so many outstanding soundtracks among the new plaza music; I would say few are as empowering as The Avengers.
