News American Adventure Refurb, New Projectors and Ending Video

Biff215

Well-Known Member
Just saw AA last night. Enjoyed the new ending and song arrangement, still had the same emotional impact for me.

On a side note, Will Rogers wasn’t twirling the lasso like he normally does. Also during the finale there were two black curtains on each side that didn’t go up with the rest. Other than that, the show looked great.
 

larryz

I'm Just A Tourist!
Premium Member
The male voice is a definite and huge step down from the previous one, no contest either. The current female vocals are also a mixed bag, thought for different reasons.

I think the new lady technically has a superior voice to the previous lady, but the style she chooses (or was directed) to sing the song in is grating at parts. She does a ton of short and abrupt pitch shifting. Generally what you would hear in modern pop, country or R&B. While that may work for those types of genres, it doesn't sound particularly good with Golden Dream. Nor does it harmonize well with the already weak voice of the guy (in fact they don't harmonize as well in general compared to the previous duo). When the new lady holds a note properly and sings in a more traditional style fitting of the melody, I can tell she has a very good voice. But a lot of parts (particularly at the beginning) are grating due to the style she sings it in.

The melody itself isn't arranged as well as before either. Particularly the buildup and high points. The climax just doesn't have the same impact as before.

I will however note that the portion of the Golden Dream melody used at the very end of the show is still impactful and well done. You don't hear it in that recording above, it occurs after that part atop the Statue of Liberty at curtain close. They still use a chorus for that, the show and original song still ends with a proper and beautiful bang.
Maybe they should have asked Michael Bolton to sing the male part...

And then, halfway through the video, he could launch into...
 

HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
The male voice is a definite and huge step down from the previous one, no contest either. The current female vocals are also a mixed bag, thought for different reasons.

I think the new lady technically has a superior voice to the previous lady, but the style she chooses (or was directed) to sing the song in is grating at parts. She does a ton of short and abrupt pitch shifting. Generally what you would hear in modern pop, country or R&B. While that may work for those types of genres, it doesn't sound particularly good with Golden Dream. Nor does it harmonize well with the already weak voice of the guy (in fact they don't harmonize as well in general compared to the previous duo). When the new lady holds a note properly and sings in a more traditional style fitting of the melody, I can tell she has a very good voice. But a lot of parts (particularly at the beginning) are grating due to the style she sings it in.

The melody itself isn't arranged as well as before either. Particularly the buildup and high points. The climax just doesn't have the same impact as before.

I will however note that the portion of the Golden Dream melody used at the very end of the show is still impactful and well done. You don't hear it in that recording above, it occurs after that part atop the Statue of Liberty at curtain close. They still use a chorus for that, the show and original song still ends with a proper and beautiful bang.

As I said previously - Someone needs to hammer into Chapek's head that not everything needs to be re-done to make it "more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, more Disney". This version of 'Golden Dream' is weak and pales in comparison to the previous versions. In fact, I'd say the previous versions were more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, and more Disney. Now we get some modern hack job that is supposed to appeal to modern audiences (who wouldn't know good music if it slapped them upside the head).
 

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
As I said previously - Someone needs to hammer into Chapek's head that not everything needs to be re-done to make it "more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, more Disney". This version of 'Golden Dream' is weak and pales in comparison to the previous versions. In fact, I'd say the previous versions were more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, and more Disney. Now we get some modern hack job that is supposed to appeal to modern audiences (who wouldn't know good music if it slapped them upside the head).

chapek probably doesn't even know the show exists, this was more likely a local tdo/imagineering decision project. But I agree with thoughts about him.
 

Gringrinngghost

Well-Known Member
Disney has released the new version of Golden Dream for our listening enjoyment. I’m glad to see Disney honor the tradition of releasing this. Original songs are one of Epcot’s most unique and delightful legacies.



With fresh ears, my opinion is similar to when I first heard it. Excellent female vocalist, the male vocalist is too nasally for my taste, and the arrangement itself is either a step sideways or a slight step back.



This is for the Projection video portion, and has one additional line of Vocalization in it.
 

mikejs78

Well-Known Member
As I said previously - Someone needs to hammer into Chapek's head that not everything needs to be re-done to make it "more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, more Disney". This version of 'Golden Dream' is weak and pales in comparison to the previous versions. In fact, I'd say the previous versions were more timeless, more relevant, more family friendly, and more Disney. Now we get some modern hack job that is supposed to appeal to modern audiences (who wouldn't know good music if it slapped them upside the head).
Isn't part of the reason for rerecording it was for the upgraded sound system?
 

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