D23's Destination D: Magic Journeys Featuring Richard Sherman
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A still of Richard performing Feed the Birds at Disneyland as he plays it live

Feed the Birds (Mary Poppins)
Richard told the story of playing this at Walt’s 100th birthday party in the hub at Disneyland. As he played a single bird flew down over the piano and left as soon as the song finished. Tim O’Day told him at the time it was Walt’s way of saying “thanks”
TIki Tiki Tiki Room
Walt Disney showed the Brothers a crazy show involving talking and singing birds, tiki gods, etc. When it was over they asked him “what’s this?” Walt told them they were going to write a song to explain all this.
The Orange Bird
RIchard said he hadn’t sung this song in 40 years
It’s a Small World (After All)
Similar to the Tiki Room Walt told them were going to write a song to explain all this. The song was written to be sung sweetly as a prayer for peace and that’s how he played it for us.
Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (Carousel of Progress - Disneyland)
Now is the Time (Carousel of Progress - Magic Kingdom)
The Glorious Fourth, World Showcase March and New Horizons
These three songs were not done live. Instead vintage Epcot footage of the songs featuring the songs was shown.
Makin' Memories (Pre-show for Magic Journeys)
Magic Journeys

Dreamfinder and Figment

Of course, the best was kept for last as the Dreamfinder himself (played by Epcot’s original Dreamfinder Ron Schneider) arrived with Figment to thunderous applause from the D23 crowd. The two joined Richard Sherman and the audience in a rendition of One Little Spark from Journey Into Imagination. Did I mention the thunderous applause? Disney fans love their Figment!

Becky Cline, the head of the Walt Disney Archives next took the stage and gave the event’s closing remarks. But the night wasn’t over yet. Walt Disney always said “You can dream, create, design and built the most wonderful place in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” In what was a very classy move, D23 closed this event and the entire Destination D with the cast of Disney World.

Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra (c) Disney

First up were singer Billy Flanigan, another singer whose name I sadly didn’t get and Carol Stein on piano doing a live version of Golden Dream from the American Adventure as the attraction’s finale montage played behind them. All three entertainers have been with Walt Disney World for many, many years and remain to this day.

Encore!, the Walt Disney World cast choir and orchestra (made up of Cast Members from all departments of the Resort), then took the stage and sang a medley of Disney World songs culminating in Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand featuring a great solo by one of the singers. As the song neared its end legends who had been featured throughout Destination D came out of stage and the crowd rose to its feet giving a final “thank you” to those - the legends and the everyday cast - who have made the dream a reality for 40 magical years

Goodbye Cast and Legends (c) D23

More pictures from the Magic Journeys Event


Pre-Show Entertainment	The Kids of the Kingdom	The Kids of the Kingdom

Disney World Band	Richard Sherman takes the Stage	Tim O'Day and Richard Sherman

Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang	Mary Poppins	Feed the Birds

From our LP coverage - Singing Feed the Birds at Disneyland in 2001	The Orange Bird	Sheet music for The Glorious Fourth

New Horizons	Dreamfinder and Figment	Dreamfinder and Figment

Dreamfinder and Figment and Richard Sherman	Golden Dream sung live	Encore!

Encore!	The legends join them on stage	Goodbye