"And I guess to the majority of the listeners, this track says 20K far more than the narration would. "
I'd also bet he was banking on most guests not even remembering the walthrough and what it sounded like, so this track would be a good substitute.
I do like the set a lot, moreso than I dislike it. However, I agree with most of the criticism here (except the Tiki Room, which sounds ok to my ears). The things that stick out as annoyances are:
1. The Mark Twain narration, with it's Rivers of America or whatever background music playing...especially at inappropriate times (like when the narrator is talking about Indian burial grounds and the happy music starts up again).
2. The Carousel of Progress noise. I'm sorry, but that high-pitched tone just ruins the track for me and makes my head hurt. It's very hard for me to listen to that track anymore.
3. The 20K track...it's too bad the original score couldn't be used. I'd rather have had nothing than had a "poser" track, sorry.
4. The sound of the motor on the Columbia track. This made the track so strange to listen to. It sounds like a motor boat, not a sailing ship.
5. The "Sooner or Later" section in the Splash Mountain track. I know it was there for maybe a month, but it's not what most people have heard. I can let that one slide though, since Randy said he's going to put the current version in later OA's.
6. Ok, this one might ruffle some feathers, and it's only my opinion, but...I wish the Golden Horseshoe Revue was not on this set. It's the only show on the whole set, so it breaks the theme somewhat. It's also 31 minutes that could have been used for more attraction music. Not to mention the full show is availible on the Wonderland Music Store kiosks. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show, but wish the space on the CD set was taken up by something we don't already have.
Other than that, I'm happy with the set, and I do listen to it often. There are some true gems on there, like the score to America the Beautiful, and Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland. I also like the Fantasyland Darkride Suite, even if it's not all inclusive.