What makes a Hollywood Premiere ? A red carpet, a starry night, a great movie and, of course proper music. This is why the Imagineers in charge of the creation of World Premiere at Disneyland Paris brought all their passion and talent to create a soundtrack both spectacular and emotional in order to accompany guests along their journey through this unique place.
We have asked Mary Webster, Senior Creative Director of Music, and Bowie Faas, Principal Creative Producer of World Premiere for Walt Disney Imagineering, to tell us all about the making of this musical homage to the greatest Hollywood scores.
What is the ambiance music of World Premiere like ?
Bowie : The loop is designed as background music for World Premiere and World Premiere Plaza, an overture you could say; a blend of sweeping, thematic film scores and recognizable motifs from beloved movies. It sets a grand, anticipatory tone, as though guests are stepping onto a world premiere. We’ve included a curated mix of cinematic cues from various Disney properties, each selected to complement the emotional arc of the loop.
How did you select the different cues?
Bowie : The music development process began around February 2024. We started by defining the overall musical goal and desired identity for the area, focusing on creating a loop that feels cohesive yet diverse.
Mary: The overall construction of the suite started with the narrative of World Premiere. The task was to create an overture-like suite that celebrated Disney’s musical contribution to cinema across the different franchises, which is vast! After diving into development, we realized another goal for us was to outline the breadth of music between the franchises but also highlight the timeless elements that create iconic film scores. Inside the suite, you will hear popular titles such as Avatarand Star Wars, sweeping, lyrical themes from titles such as Ever After and Edward Scissorhands, and bombastic fanfares and melodies from movies such as Independence Day and Guardians of the Galaxy. We wanted to pull a thread between these classic, iconic film scores and their more modern, contemporary counterparts. Guests would have the opportunity to hear all these great themes in one place, crafted to work seamlessly together.
How did you envision that musical journey ?
Mary: The suite we created has a diverse landscape of musical colors and styles, shifting effortlessly from one to another, creating a sense of anticipation for the listener. William Ross, our arranger, created these beautiful arcs that lean on the push and pull between beautiful lyrical motifs and adventurous, high-energy themes. In its own way, the suite tells a story of the modern evolution of film scores and showcases the emotion that music can bring to storytelling and characters. Every guest has a different journey and connection to Disney music, and I think that there is something in this suite for everyone.
What inspired you the use of the Cinémagique theme?
Bowie : If you were there for the final day of Disney Studio 1 last year, you might remember how the Cinémagique theme was used and how deeply it moved the fans. That moment really stayed with us. The theme, composed by Bruce Broughton, has a sweeping, orchestral quality, very much in the tradition of classic Hollywood film scores. It carries emotional weight and a timeless cinematic grandeur, making it a perfect fit for World Premiere. Given the new narrative we’re establishing and our own emotional ties to Cinémagique, it felt like the right moment to bring this music back.
How did you use that theme ?
Mary : When William first heard the theme, his immediate reaction was to make it a recurring motif throughout the loop; a kind of emotional anchor that connects the other musical elements together. The Cinémagique theme appears three times throughout the loop and was newly recorded for this project. Musically, it’s lushly orchestrated, with sweeping strings and a strong melodic line that evokes Hollywood nostalgia. It also grounds the local audiences into something they would be very familiar with that was created just for this park.
How did you come to choose William Ross as the arranger ?
Mary : William Ross is one of the most, if not the most, highly regarded arrangers in Hollywood. His knowledge and experience span decades, ranging from films, records to concert repertoire. I’ve worked with Mr. Ross on a multitude of projects over the last decade, and his ability to get inside of the creative intent on a project and invest himself full heartedly is one of the many reasons I chose to go to him for this project. Mr. Ross took our original intent and direction and restructured it to have internal storytelling and musical arcs. He created an inspiring suite that flows flawlessly from one piece to another, making it sound and feel inevitable.
Which orchestra did you appeal to ?
Mary : We recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). Both William and I felt that there’s something truly special about working with an ensemble that performs together regularly. You can really hear the musical unity, they’re so in tune with one another. That deep connection brought an added layer of richness and finesse to the recording.
How did the recording go?
Bowie : We recorded in February 2025, and I had the chance to attend the session. No matter how many times you experience an orchestral recording, it never loses its magic. Hearing the music performed live, by over 80 musicians, there is nothing quite like it. I still remember when they played “Colors of the Wind”. It was absolutely breathtaking.
To you, what is the role of ambiance music in a Disney Park ?
Bowie : For me, music in our parks functions much like it does in our films, it’s an emotional guide. Ambient scores subtly shape the atmosphere, helping guests disconnect from the everyday and step into the story or world we’re inviting them to. It lays the emotional groundwork and sets the tone, literally.
In attractions, music plays a more sculpted role. It helps shape emotion but also reinforce the narrative arc of the experience. That said whether it’s driving explicit storytelling or quietly building atmosphere, music always works hand in hand with show sets, show lighting, special effects, and countless other elements to guide the guest’s emotional journey.
It can heighten tension; like when you crash through the roof in Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, amplified by Michael Giacchino’s urgent orchestration or spark a sense of mystery and anticipation, as in the haunting melodies that greet you in the Pirates of the Caribbean queue. Music isn’t simply layered on top; it’s precisely designed to align with the experience.
Among all Disney Parks music, what’s your favorite ?
Bowie : Honestly, with so much incredible music across the parks, it’s hard to choose just one. There’s too much richness to pick a single favorite and maybe that’s the beauty of it. That said, as for a personal favorite piece of park music, I have a deep fondness for Steve Bramson’s Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune. It’s nostalgic for me, with a sweeping, orchestral quality that’s both emotional and lyrical. Every time I hear it, I get goosebumps. But Cinémagique is also worthwhile noting; I have to say that bringing back the Cinémagique theme in World Premiere is very special. It’s cinematic, emotional, and rooted in the park’s own legacy. It just feels right.
Mary : Bowie has a strong point, there is so much amazing music spread across the Disney Parks, it really does give a taste of everything for our guests. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Star Wars, since the first time I heard John Williams’ majestic B-flat major chord that kicks of the Main Title music. Every notes has a purpose, an emotional richness and direction that pulls you through the story and sets the tone for every moment. It has been a real pleasure to bring some of that music to all the parks around the world. I have similiar feelings to the music we are developing for the new Adventure Way, which will be part of the park’s expansion. Without giving too much away, the new music theme that play all over the new expansion will bring all the elements we’ve been discussing front and center. It will include a gorgeous new theme that will ground guests in something completely unique to this park, and will inspire our guests to live out their own adventures inside the park. We cannot wait to share it with the world !
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