The Disney community is feeling a deep sense of loss this week after learning that Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning composer and arranger whose work helped shape decades of Disney entertainment, has passed away at the age of 70. His music has been part of so many unforgettable park moments and fan memories that the news has hit longtime Disney lovers especially hard.
Goodwin’s connection to Disney began years ago at Disneyland, where he worked as a musician before stepping into roles that would allow his creativity to flourish on a much larger scale. It wasn’t long before his arrangements became an essential part of shows and parades that defined entire eras of Disney Parks entertainment.
A Musical Legacy Etched Into Disney History
Goodwin contributed to an extraordinary number of fan-favorite productions, the kind that park guests still reminisce about today. Among his many credits were Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration, Dream Along with Mickey, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, The Spirit of Pocahontas, and Festival of the Lion King. He also played a major part in shaping the soundtracks of beloved parades such as Hercules Zero to Hero Parade, Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade, and Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade.
These shows were more than entertainment—they were emotional centerpieces for generations of visitors. Families planned afternoons around them, children danced in front of stages, and adults found themselves humming the melodies long after leaving the parks. Goodwin’s work helped give those moments heart.
A Career That Reached Far Beyond the Parks
While his Disney Parks work is what many fans know best, Goodwin made an enormous impact across film, television, and the music industry as a whole. He won multiple Grammy Awards for his arrangements, including one for “The Incredits” from Pixar’s The Incredibles. He collected additional Grammys for jazz arrangements in the years that followed, all while balancing a wide range of projects for television and animation—including award-winning contributions to Animaniacs.
Goodwin also worked in various music department roles on several Disney film projects, such as The Great Mouse Detective, Tarzan, The Lion King 1½, Kronk’s New Groove, National Treasure, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Incredibles 2, and Hocus Pocus 2. He never stopped creating, with his final credit listed as an orchestrator on The Naked Gun (2025).
A Legend in Jazz
Outside Disney, Goodwin was known for leading the Big Phat Band—an 18-piece jazz ensemble celebrated for its bold sound and technical brilliance. The group earned a Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album with Life in the Bubble. Many musicians credit Goodwin for helping bring big-band jazz back into mainstream attention.
A Farewell Felt Around the World
The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of love from fans, musicians, and Disney regulars who grew up with his work—even if they never knew his name. His music became the backdrop for proposals, magical first visits, family reunions, and countless memories that define the Disney experience.
Gordon Goodwin leaves behind a legacy that will continue to echo through parades, stage shows, soundtracks, and jazz halls for years to come. Disney fans everywhere are reflecting on just how much of their joy was shaped by the melodies he created.
