Best of the Best Disney Music

On this page I compile some sources for the best Disney music. A great place to find Disney music is Apple iTunes — they have an entire Disney music section, with hundreds (maybe thousands) of original Disney songs. You can legally download just the songs you want and play them on your computer, iPod or iPhone.

If you prefer to buy CDs, check out the links below.

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Soundtracks

Mary Poppins Movie Soundtrack CDThe Lion King Soundtracks – The music, by Elton John and Tim Rice, is inspiring. There is The Lion King Special Edition Movie Soundtrack, which many people like for its familiarity, but the vocal performances are especially impressive on The Lion King Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Mary Poppins Soundtracks – The Mary Poppins movie soundtrack is a true classic, with music by the Sherman brothers. For a different version, try the Mary Poppins London Cast recording from the live musical.

Beauty and the Beast Soundtracks – Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote a clever score for this family favorite. Most people like the Beauty and the Beast Special Edition Soundtrack (the movie soundtrack version), with the familiar voices of Broadway greats Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach, better than the Beauty and the Beast Original Broadway Cast Recording, but Broadway musical lovers may prefer the cast album.

Nightmare Before Christmas Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Danny Elfman’s considerable talents are well-displayed in this excellent soundtrack where Halloween meets Christmas. Spooky yet exuberant, chilling and funny by turns. For fans of the movie — or just fans of Elfman — this is a must-have.

Rock and Pop Versions of Disney Music

Disneymania – If you’re a Disney fan and love pop artists like Christina Aguilera, Smash Mouth, Aaron Carter, etc — this one’s for you! The most popular artists perform classic Disney tunes like “Some Day My Prince Will Come” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.” This recording turned out to be so popular that there are now multiple follow-ups: Disneymania 2, Disneymania 3, Disneymania 4, Disneymania 5, Disneymania 6 and Disneymania 7.

Stay Awake: Music From Vintage Disney Films – An outstanding compilation album performed by big names in rock and pop, including Natalie Merchant, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and many more.

Beauty and the Beat! Favorite Disney Tunes in Steelband Style – A festive recording by the Trinidad and Tobago Showboat Orchestra that will make you feel like you’re on a Disney cruise in the Caribbean! Includes music from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and more, all played on steel drums.

The Disney Reggae Club – Disney songs performed by reggae artists, including Steel Pulse and Toots & the Maytals. Can’t beat this for fun!

Classical Versions of Disney Music

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings CDDisney’s Fairy Tale Weddings – This CD of nicely orchestrated Disney tunes is a perfect soundtrack if you are having a Disney-inspired wedding, or just for a romantic evening. Includes classics such as “So This Is Love,” “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and of course “Bella Notte” from Lady and the Tramp!

Cincinnati Pops Conductor Eric Kunzel has created classical music arrangements of many Disney favorites on two albums:

Heigh-Ho! Mozart: Favorite Disney Tunes In The Style Of Great Classical Composers – Really a fun way to introduce children to classical music. Includes such delights as “Winnie The Pooh, in the style of Sergei Prokofiev” and “Beauty and the Beast, in the style of Sergei Rachmaninoff”!

If you enjoy Heigh-Ho! Mozart, there’s a sequel: Bibbidi Bobbidi Bach: More Favorite Disney Tunes.

Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland CDTheme Park Music and Soundtracks

Disney’s Happiest Celebration on Earth – This CD was released in celebration of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary. It includes 22 favorites from the Disney theme parks, such as “”(Yo Ho) A Pirates Life For Me,” “Grim, Grinning Ghosts,” “it’s a small world” and lots more!

Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland – 1956 recording with Walt Disney narrating a trip through the theme park! New release for the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland.

Disney’s Karaoke Series: Theme Park Favorites – Want to sing along to “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me” or It’s a Small World”? This one’s for you! Provides the music without the original vocals.

Firehouse Five Plus Two at Disneyland – Firehouse Five Plus Two was the Dixieland jazz band formed and led by Ward Kimball, one of the original Disney animators (and an excellent jazz musician). This band performed its wacky, infectious, toe-tapping music in the early days of Disneyland — the album was recorded in 1962. While they don’t perform any Disney songs, their special brand of “Disney music” will remind you of Main Street USA — a rootin’, tootin’ good time!

Ragtime at the Magical Kingdoms – Chris Calabrese performs great ragtime piano using music every park attraction you can think of, and then some. There’s music from Main Street, the Haunted Mansion, the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, Toontown, World Showcase and much more! And if that’s not enough — there’s also an interview with Walt Disney from 1959! Just fantastic.

More Cool Stuff

Walt Disney and the 1964 World’s Fair – If you’re a fan of Walt Disney, the early days of Disney theme park attractions and/or the 1964 World’s Fair, you’ll love this CD boxed set!

Sheet Music

One of the best general-purpose collections of Disney sheet music is The New Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs, a 272-page book with 68 Disney classics and beautiful illustrations.

If you’re looking for easy Disney piano music, a good choice is The Disney Collection, which includes over 50 Disney songs.

Wilderness Lodge Lobby Music

Click here to see how to get the music played at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby Music

Click here to see how to get the music played at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.