Don Dorsey

Who is Don Dorsey?

Don Dorsey is an American audio production consultant, and a designer and director of fireworks and nighttime spectacular shows From 1975 to 1992 he served as the main audio recording and post-production engineer for the Entertainment Division of Disneyland Park, manning console knobs and faders for recording sessions with Mickey and his cohorts, and for musical groups which ran the gamut from bagpipes, steel drums and accordion to marching band, 100-voice choir and symphony orchestra. While working with Disney, Don also worked with a number of pop musicians, including Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez, and Donna Summer.

Don also created DECS, the Disney Entertainment Control System. This system controls all audio in Disney parades and live atmosphere shows in Disney theme parks around the globe.

Don was Creative Director for the development of the Air Launch Firework. He was the first one to use a shooting star, currently used nightly in Epcot, as well as the three-shell Mickey, which is used nightly at Disneyland Park.

His electronic arrangements and performances for Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade have been heard by an estimated 100 million Disney park guests around the world. In 1984 he produced the score for Laserphonic Fantasy and IllumiNations in 1988. Don also wrote the lyrics for the two songs used in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.