Even if you don’t recognize the Sherman Brothers by name, you absolutely know their work. Robert and Richard Sherman shaped the sound of Disney for decades, writing music that spans films, television, and theme park attractions. Their songs are so woven into the Disney experience that it is nearly impossible to visit Walt Disney World without hearing at least one of their melodies.
The Sherman Brothers began working with Walt Disney Studios in 1961, with their first major project being “Let’s Get Together” from original The Parent Trap (and briefly mentioned in the 1998 version!). From there, their partnership with Disney grew quickly, writing music for films like Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Winnie the Pooh, creating songs that became instant classics.
Their impact on the Disney Parks is just as significant. One of the most familiar places you can hear their work is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom. The attraction features multiple Sherman Brothers songs originally written for animated shorts released between 1966 and 1974, including “Winnie the Pooh,” “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers,” and “The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down.” These tunes now guide you through the Hundred Acre Wood, from bouncing with Tigger to floating through the blustery day scenes.
At EPCOT, the Sherman Brothers’ legacy lives on in Journey into Imagination with Figment through the song “One Little Spark.” When the attraction first opened, the song was performed by Dreamfinder and Figment. It was removed during the 1999 reimagining, which proved unpopular with fans. The attraction reopened in 2002 with the song restored, a clear reminder of how closely the Shermans’ music is tied to the emotional identity of Disney attractions.
Back at Magic Kingdom, another cornerstone is the Carousel of Progress, originally created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” remains one of the most recognizable theme park songs ever written. Even during sponsorship changes, when alternate songs were introduced, the Sherman Brothers were still the composers behind them.
The Shermans also wrote “Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room”, the first-ever song created specifically for an Audio-Animatronics attraction. Opening first at Disneyland and later at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room remains a cornerstone of Disney park history. Although the song was briefly minimized during the late 1990s reimagining “Under New Management”, it fully returned when the original-style show reopened in 2011.
Of course, no discussion would be complete without it’s a small world. Written for UNICEF’s pavilion at the World’s Fair, the song was designed to be simple, universal, and easily translated. Its message of unity remains as relevant today as it was in the 1960s.
If you want a deeper look at their story, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story is available on Disney+. The documentary offers a thoughtful look at their partnership, their creative process, and the complicated relationship that helped shape some of Disney’s most enduring music.
Visiting the parks after watching it adds an entirely new layer of appreciation to songs you have likely been humming for years. What is your favorite song from the Sherman Brothers?
