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The Music on the Disney Bus

My son, when he was little, loved the 'Wheels on the Bus' song. It took me years to get it out of my head. Now Ashley Metz has brought it all back with her cool article about the music on the Disney bus (which goes round and...).

- by Ashley Metz, March 24, 2011

The music on the bus goes "welcome to Disney!" all through the World!

Disney is second to none in making every part of your day magical. From the decorations at the hotels to the smells of freshly baked cookies along Main Street, U.S.A., no detail is overlooked.

How about transportation, though? It's meant only to move you from place to place. No frills, right? Just buses, boats, and monorails.

If that's what you think, then you've missed the magic.

Today, we'll be looking at the Disney buses. Even if you don't stay at a Disney resort, you've probably boarded a Disney bus to travel from park to park. Riding a bus is routine at Disney World, especially when you start to feel the fatigue of a long day in the parks, the responsibility of looking after your children, or the distraction of a SmartPhone.

My goal in this column is help you train your senses to break that routine and to experience everything that Disney World holds... including the magic on the buses!

The Spiels on the Bus

I love hearing the Disney transportation spiels. I like it best when I'm at home but wish I were at Disney World.

It's so exciting to hear: "Ladies and gentlemen, please collect your belongings and watch your head and step... take small children by the hand and follow the walkway to the main entrance..."

Seriously good stuff.

I love that the bus spiels give tips (even if they are the same tips every time) to the guests. Who knows, you might be in the middle of a rush at the end of the day and think "where do I get picked up by the bus?", and then a memory from what might seem like days ago will come flooding into your head, thanks to the announcement spiel from the bus you rode that morning.

It's weird how this voice comforts a diehard Disney fan like me. I like the consistency. Just think: when you aren't in the park, every few minutes someone who is in the park is hearing those same tips and suggestions.

Like these tips, courtesy of TouringPlans:

If you're lucky, maybe you'll even experience live spiels from your bus driver. Those are few and far between nowadays, what with Disney's canned spiels, but when they do happen, you always remember them.

One time, for example, our driver busted out singing 'Tomorrow' from Annie. She may have been no Susan Boyle, but it made for a fun ride - and to this day, I can croon "toomathow, toomathow, toomathow" (which is how she pronounced the word) to my brother, and we start laughing again.

The Music on the Bus

Have you ever created a playlist on your iPod? I'm always making playlists inspired by road trips, work outs, relationships, holidays, the list goes on. I love music. I love that I can hear just the opening notes of a song and have them return me to a specific place in time.

I think Disney World might have gotten this message (shocker...I'm sure).

If you have ever paid really close attention to the background music, you'll have noticed something: it's mood music. Now, I'm not talking about a lit candle, glass of wine type of mood. Disney music reflects the mood and feel of your destination.

For example, as you are just about to arrive at the Magic Kingdom, you'll hear the fanfare ushering in the leader of the club (that's made for you and me)... M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSE! I love how my inner child is awakened by the automatic music, and how it makes me want to do a "d-line" down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A over to the Haunted Mansion. (Clever, I know - 'd-line' instead of 'beeline'. Sigh...)

Listen for yourself (courtesy of 2BrothersVideos):

The music also sets the mood and tone for different resorts. For example, as the spiel for the ride to Port Orleans French Quarter comes on, you'll hear banjo music similar to what you'd hear in New Orleans. Or, when you're headed to Epcot, you can hear the sounds of music from Epcot attractions like Legacy, Ellen's Energy Adventure, and more.

It's weird how something as minor as themed background music can set the stage for a day of magic, but it really does! Aren't you glad Disney knows that one sure way to your memories is through your ears! I am!

Next time you're on a Disney bus, take a moment to sit back and enjoy the sounds around you (or stand... breathing down your neighbors neck... and listen... if possible).

You never know what you just might hear!

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