Disney World Dropping New ‘Music of EPCOT’ 2LP Vinyl Inspired by 1983 Fan-Favorite Album!
Great news, audiophiles! Walt Disney World is releasing a brand-new two-LP vinyl release inspired by the original 1983 “The Official Album of EPCOT Center” that fans have been begging to have repressed for years. Here are details about the upcoming album, where you can preorder, why this is such a big deal to diehards, and more.
In a joint announcement on social media, Disney Music Emporium and Walt Disney Records revealed that the new 2026 album, “The Music of EPCOT” 2LP will be available for preorder at the Disney Music Booth (E13) in Hall B during the 2026 D23 Expo. Guests attending D23 will receive free shipping of the album so they don’t have to lug a big ol’ vinyl release around the show floor.
“The Music of EPCOT” two-LP vinyl will be released starting October 2, 2026. The language of the announcement seems to suggest that guests of the D23 Expo will have the chance to preorder and receive it first, as opposed to exclusively. We fully expect this to be released online and inside EPCOT, as well.
Although vinyl is obviously a niche product, there’s a massive market for this release within the Walt Disney World fandom. Another assumption is that there will be a simultaneous digital release. While vinyl is making a comeback and this will sell well to old school collectors, there’s a significantly larger audience that would purchase a digital release. Based on past precedent, it’s safe to expect that on October 2, 2026 or shortly thereafter.
Here’s a look at art for “The Music of EPCOT” 2LP vinyl:
A track listing for “The Music of EPCOT” has yet to be confirmed, but the announcement indicates it’ll be a mix of old school EPCOT Center and modern EPCOT, specifically mentioning “Listen to the Land”, “New Horizons”, “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” and “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” as being included.
Most notably, there will be rare audio of Walt Disney talking about his vision for EPCOT. Here’s hoping that, unlike the ‘Forever’ fireworks, it does not culminate in “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. Bob Chapek cannot keep getting away with that!
Joking aside, this is fantastic news. Fans have been clamoring for this, and it’s great to see Disney listening. It’s a positive sign for future releases, which is part of the reason we’re dedicating a post to this. It’ll sell well, regardless, but perhaps if the album sells really well, it has cascading effects that eventually culminate in a reimagining of the Journey Into Imagination pavilion. That’s the obvious end game!
1983 “The Official Album of EPCOT Center” Details
For those who are unfamiliar with the 1983 “The Official Album of EPCOT Center”, much like the original park, it was perfection. At least, to a certain audience (that includes me). Here’s the track listing:
Side 1
1. “Main Entrance Medley” (Instrumental)
2. “Golden Dream” (From The American Adventure in the World Showcase)
3. “Energy (You Make the World Go ‘Round)” (From Universe of Energy)
4. “The Computer Song” (From EPCOT Computer Central)
5. “Magic Journeys” (From Journey into Imagination)
6. “Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)” (Canada in the World Showcase)
Side 2
1. “Universe of Energy” (From Universe of Energy)
2. “Listen to the Land” (From The Land)
3. “One Little Spark” (From Journey into Imagination)
4. “It’s Fun to Be Free” (From World of Motion)
5. “Makin’ Memories” (From Journey into Imagination)
6. “Kitchen Kabaret Medley: Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy • Meat Ditties • Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit” (From The Land)
Unlike books and background music, vinyl is one thing I’ve never got into (one can only have so many hobbies that include the accumulation of physical items), so this is admittedly not something I’ve been anxiously awaiting.
I know about fans begging for a repress of the original vinyl simply because there’s a lot of overlap between the “book people” and the “vinyl people.” We are dinosaurs kindred spirits who both like tactile media that was once thought dying, but is now making a resurgence.
Hopefully this is just the start of more official Walt Disney World albums being released, because there are so many options that fans would love. While “Wishes” and “Festival of Fantasy” and other entertainment are going to be the obvious ones, I’ll go for a slightly deeper cut: “Magic Kingdom Event Party Music” (2008). That had music from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, but also the short-lived Pirate & Princess Party (which we loved) and more.
“The Official Album of EPCOT Center” Background
In his book Dream It! Do It!, Disney Legend Marty Sklar recalls the moment during the planning of EPCOT Center when he noticed a musical drought of original songs at Disney Parks throughout the 1970s: “When I realized this, I was incredulous,” Sklar writes.
“What were we thinking, in a company where songs have told stories for decades?” He later writes, “In minutes, I was on the telephone to Dick Sherman [one half of the legendary Sherman brothers songwriting team], and we were on our way to involving half a dozen excellent songwriters to play a key role in EPCOT storytelling.”
In addition to the Sherman Brothers, a roster of talent was brought in to create music for EPCOT, including Imagineering heavyweights Buddy Baker, Randy Bright, George Wilkins, and a singer/songwriter named Bob Moline, who was discovered by the company while performing at the Newporter Inn in Newport Beach, California. All told, this pantheon of creative artists contributed more than a dozen original songs that filled the park when it opened on October 1, 1982.
In 1983, Disneyland Records and WED Enterprises, released a 12-song LP titled The Official Album of Walt Disney World EPCOT Center. Although more songs were heard in the park than were featured on the album, there was careful consideration for track selections.
According to the then-Manager of Audio/Video Production for EPCOT, Glenn Barker: “When the idea of making an ‘Official’ album for EPCOT came up, the goal was to capture the spirit of the park and provide the guests with a great selection of EPCOT’s music. We wanted to capture the major songs from as many attractions that would fit on the very limited time allowed on an LP record. All of the songs in the final album met that goal.”
This record is an important musical milestone in the history of The Walt Disney Company. Much like how Chuck Berry or The Beatles’ music defined a generation, this album sonically represents the optimism, the ethos, and legendary talents of the people who built EPCOT Center, and what the park sounded like in its infancy, before the mid-1990s wreaked havoc on its creative intent and vision. (Source: ‘Disney on Vinyl‘ by D23 and the Walt Disney Archives.)
Do the Book Next, Disney!
I would liken the 1983 album to the original Walt Disney’s EPCOT: The New World of Tomorrow
book. Not to go off on too much of a tangent (although that’s what we do here), but I would highly recommend picking up a copy of that book if you don’t already own it.
As a child of the 1980s and complete geek for the original EPCOT Center, that still ranks as one of my all-time favorite books about Walt Disney World. It goes into depth about each Future World and World Showcase pavilion, including the lofty ambitions of each, creative process, and more. Even all of these years later, it remains the definitive book on EPCOT Center. It’s fascinating to read about some of the unbuilt pavilions back when they were still planned to come to life.
This is actually a tricky book to purchase since there are actually four versions of it. There are two large ones that are 240 pages each and two smaller ones that are 127 pages each. It should go without saying, but you want the larger one. At only $0.01 on Amazon, you can probably afford to take the gamble and order more than one copy if you don’t get the correct version on the first try.
I would love to see Walt Disney World do something similar with that book, but updated and expanded for the 50th Anniversary of EPCOT. Get the same authors who did the fantastic Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Book (which is now out of print and is starting to increase in price after being a bargain for a few years–I’d highly recommend buying ASAP if you haven’t already), and do something in the style and spirit of that plus the original EPCOT book.
Of course, if they want that book to live up to its full potential, they’ll want to reimagine Journey Into Imagination first so that can be included in the comeback story section. That is, once again, the obvious answer. Probably makes sense to refresh Spaceship Earth in the spirit of the original attraction, too. While we’re at it, reinvigorate the Wonders of Life, add a fountain behind Spaceship Earth, bringing back the Future World name, and demolish CommuniCore Hall. Do it for the (theoretical) book, Disney!
Joking aside, we fully expect there to be a 50th Anniversary EPCOT book and several such projects. I’m honestly surprised the album is coming before then, but perhaps that means another release is on the Horizon(s). Given the absolutely massive tome that accompanied the Disney Adventure World relaunch, which is a veritable love letter to that much-maligned park, I think Walt Disney World could put together an exceptional EPCOT book.
We Love WDW Music
As longtime readers know, background music is one of the little things we love about Walt Disney World. We’ve been big fans of it for years, having procured a collection for the last 18 years. That’s not what this album consists of–these are shorter songs and theme tracks that are better suited for active listening than putting on in the background for atmospheric audio.
Nevertheless, we cannot resist the opportunity to put in a plug for background music (BGMs). Also known as area loops, this is the music that plays–as the name suggests–in the background of different areas in the parks. Some of these loops are played in the entirety of large lands or pavilions, whereas others are only found in queues, post shows, or even restrooms. Others are completely extinct. Some were once thought lost, but recently recovered.
Background music adds atmosphere to each land in the parks, yet is often overlooked. Disney’s best background music does a great job of setting the mood, but it’s not something to which ordinary guests actively give much attention. Very few people find themselves asking, “what’s this catchy tune? I’d love to rock out to this at home!”
That’s precisely the point–it exists in the background, being one of a veritable symphony of world-building details working in concert to define the Walt Disney World experience. Even if you’re not asking what the catchy tune is, background music is something you could listen to later, and have it instantly transport you back to that place and moment in time. Or bring back a flood of nostalgic memories.
We play background music regularly while working or trying to unwind. I listen to it while traveling to help sleep–it’s my go-to airplane audio. BGMs are transportive, uplifting, and one of the best ways to experience Disney at home. It is also great for focusing, reducing distractions and working or studying.
Suffice to say, we’re big background music enthusiasts. We’ve been collecting Disney background music since 2007, first getting hooked on the official CD releases sold at Walt Disney World (like the Impressions de France score), then more obscure tracks (like the Star Tunnel music in Space Mountain), and then the actual area loops, starting with Tomorrowland and old school EPCOT Center.
A lot has changed since I got started down the BGM rabbit hole. While there are still a handful of enthusiast sites that do it best, there are also much easier options for beginners. Barriers to entry have been reduced, and music is available via Spotify playlists or on YouTube. If there’s a specific BGM you like, past or present, you can usually find multiple copies of it on YouTube. It’s a rabbit hole we’d highly recommend going down while you wait for “The Music of EPCOT” to be released on October 2, 2026!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of “The Music of EPCOT” being released on October 2, 2026? Any tracks you’re hoping are included from the past or present? Are you a fan of music from Walt Disney World or beyond? Which songs or BGMs are your favorites? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
