All Ears: Music and Sound in and Beyond Disney Theme Parks
University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, June 20–21, 2024
A conference to share expertise and research on theme park music and sound.
When Walt Disney created Disneyland, his ambition was to revolutionise the amusement park as a form of entertainment. His design philosophy of the theme park was one of a multisensory entertainment experience, built on 'imagineering' that placed equal weight on creative artistry and technical innovation. Visitors have been flocking to Disney’s theme parks, and those that have emulated his approach, for nearly 70 years. Throughout that time, sound and music have been crucial parts of the theme park visitor experience.
Guests watch parades scored with dynamic audio, ride attractions with unique soundtracks, visit musical theatre shows, and enjoy the fantastic soundscape of the park through ambient music. Park imagineers use careful acoustic design to influence guest behaviour, and managers provide opportunities for schools to stage musical performances in the parks. Music and sound are woven through the theme park experience, though (some notable exceptions aside) relatively little scholarly research has attended directly to music and sound in theme parks.
This two-day conference offers research talks and demonstrations on music and sound in and beyond Disney theme parks from academic researchers, industry professionals, or anyone with experience, knowledge and insight to share.
The conference includes a keynote address from Ron Fish, composer and sound designer for many theme park projects including extensive work for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Organizers:
- William Ayers, University of Central Florida
- Tim Summers, Royal Holloway University of London
Program Committee:
- Carissa Baker, University of Central Florida
- Jason Brame, Walt Disney World
- Elizabeth Randell Upton, University of California Los Angeles
- Dan White, University of Huddersfield
Sponsors: