Meet the Soundtrack
Written by @D Hulk
There is only one Disney character which has appeared in every single Disney film, from Steamboat Willie onward to Onward. Most people don’t even notice this character, who diligently works behind-the-scenes making everything magical. I’m talking of course about…
The Soundtrack!
Most will remember the Soundtrack from Fantasia’s intermission, where it made its one and only on-screen appearance for an interview with Deems Taylor. Appearing simply as a vertical white line and only able to speak through a cacophony of musical instruments, the Soundtrack nevertheless shone through with a winning personality and a puckish demeanor. Now guests get to have their very own meetings with this most retiring of Disney characters in Fantasy Seasons!
The Soundtrack lives in seclusion in an enchanted grotto on the far side of Garden of Seasons. Magic glowing streams flow from the grotto’s mossy limestone mouth, and trickle down a grassy knoll stepped with rocks and pathways. Blocky letters reading “Meet the Soundtrack” rise out from a large boulder near the entrance.
Since the Soundtrack likes to greet smaller groups, naturally a queue tends to form along the glen’s meandering trails. Guests waiting in line can play with an assortment of interactive plant life. In keeping with the area’s musical theme, these plants have magically taken the form of musical instruments: Toadstools are bongo drums, vines strung from arched tree roots sing like harps, and rows of leaves become piano keys. This allows impatient children and childish adults to produce their own improvised symphony while they wait.
Eventually guests reach a watery lobby within the grotto caves. Cast member attendants, dressed to-the-nines like orchestra members, usher small groups of 16 through one of two doorways to greet the Soundtrack. (There are two Soundtrack meeting rooms, to help with guest throughput.)
The Soundtrack’s private cavern chamber includes a window opening on one side - this is actually a video screen where the Soundtrack will appear, though for now it is a rich deep blue. The accompanying cast member attendant will apologize to guests, explaining that the Soundtrack is very shy. The attendant asks all guests to call for their host, and after enough cajoling the Soundtrack will - very shyly - slide into view.
Meet the Soundtrack uses an interactive, live animation technology very similar to Turtle Talk with Crush. The Soundtrack appears as an animated line on the screen, who is able to engage guests with all manner of noises and shapes. A live musician hides in a control booth commanding the Soundtrack’s actions, playing a wide bevy of orchestral instruments on a high-tech synth machine. Pre-made sounds and animations help complete the effect, though the real joy of this meet and greet are the spontaneous interactions which occur.
Guests are invited to chat with the Soundtrack, to ask it questions or tell of their day...with a little encouragement from the attendant for hesitant guests. “How was your day?” “What do you think of London Spring?” “Who is your favorite Princess?” Whatever the question, the Soundtrack will create an aural response. The Soundtrack will play familiar Disney tunes when appropriate, or make noises in mocking imitation of speech, or even respond with a dismissive “Pfft!” sound when something is upsetting. The Soundtrack is especially fond of playing snippets from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” since it’s such a fitting tune in Fantasy Seasons.
Groups of up to 16 people at a time are able to meet the Soundtrack. Each interaction lasts 3 minutes.