Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration

I was approached by Disney to write an iconic and timeless song for the new castle show at Disney’s Magic Kingdom for their 50th anniversary celebration. The words and themes from which to choose were narrow and specific — but that was half the fun! How do you create a song with limited content and still give it the emotional and nostalgic impact that’s required for the world’s leading entertainment brand?

The need to stay on message and on brand was critical for this creative endeavor, particularly because Disney’s most recognizable and classic characters would be singing it. Even Bob Chapek (CEO) had to sign-off on my involvement. I wanted to evoke feelings of joy and hope — especially after almost two years of living with the challenges of Covid. The theme of coming home began to resonate with me. I chose the title “Where the Magic Feels Like Home” and wrote lyrics and a melody that embodied the warmth of the past while pushing the hearer to look forward to the opportunities of the future.