Among all of the entertainment on offer during a Walt Disney World Resort Vacation there are a lot of great shows. There is a wide variety of show attractions from stage shows with incredibly talented performers, to animatronic based shows and street performance style shows too. There is so many that I have decided to share the Best shows at Disney World.
In this article you will find my:
- Best Disney World Stage Shows
- My Top 5 Animatronic Shows
- My Best Disney World Night-time Shows
- And My Best Street Performance Style Shows
The Best Stage Shows at Disney World
To begin let’s take a look at the best stage shows at the Walt Disney World Resort across the four parks.
5. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Location: Hollywood Studios – Sunset Boulevard
A live stage performance of Beauty and the Beast located on Sunset Boulevard. The show last around 30 minutes and is very enjoyable. Definitely worth seeing if you have a Beauty and the Beast fan in your party.
Lots of characters and great choreography along with the classic songs from the movie make this a very enjoyable show. A well put together shortened show-based version of the animated movie.
4. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Echo Lake
The Royal Historians of Arendelle take you through the story of Frozen in this fun sing along show. Throughout the show you will see clips from the movie and Anna, Elsa and Kristoff all make appearances so sing along with you too.
The Royal Historians are very funny and there is some fun humor for all ages to enjoy in this show. You might experience some snow in Florida too when watching this. A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is a fun show even if you are not a big Frozen fan.
3. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Echo Lake
I always enjoy this show as I love the Indiana Jones movies especially Raiders of the Lost Ark which this show is based around. This 30-minute show looks at some of the stunts and set pieces in Raiders of the Lost Ark and how they are performed. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is performed as if the movie is being filmed in front of you and there are some big explosions at the end.
2. Finding Nemo the Musical
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Between Asia and Dinoland USA
A great show at Animal Kingdom is Finding Nemo the Musical. Live performers bring the famous Pixar movie to life with wonderful puppets and under water special effects. This show is so entertaining with performers coming out into the audience and making the show feel a very immersive Finding Nemo experience.
14 original songs are performed throughout the Finding Nemo show and there are great views from wherever you sit inside the auditorium. This is such a great way to take a break from the sun and sit down and enjoy a highly entertaining show.
1. Festival of the Lion King
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Africa
Festival of the Lion King is a wonderful show so try not to skip it when at Animal Kingdom. There are fantastic performers such as singers, acrobats and the whole show works so well. It is also usually quite easy to get into as well. This is our favorite show at Animal Kingdom and if you are a fan of the Lion King it is a must see and even if you are not, I guarantee you will still enjoy it.
The Festival of the Lion King performers are fantastic, and the show does a great job of immersing the audience into the world of the Lion King. And of course, the songs from the movie are Disney classics. An outstanding Disney World show.
The Best Animatronic Shows at Disney World
As well as the live stage shows there are also some fun Animatronic based shows to enjoy at Disney World. Animatronic based entertainment was one of Walt Disney’s passions when it came to providing new shows for Disneyland and eventually these concepts were carried over to Disney World too. These shows are classic Walt Disney attractions.
5. The Enchanted Tiki Room
Location: Magic Kingdom – Adventureland
Visit the Enchanted Tiki Room and you will be seated for the show featuring the famous singing exotic birds with flowers and tiki statues too. This is a Classic Disney attraction featuring over 225 animatronics and is an entertaining way to escape the heat. The songs are very famous and the way the room comes to life during the performance is a lot of fun.
4. Country Bear Jamboree
Location: Magic Kingdom – Frontierland
This is an animatronic bear show where a host of amusing bear characters perform a musical show. The bears perform a country music stage show with various characters performing different songs. This was an opening day attraction at Disney World and is a really good way to enjoy some entertainment away from the Florida sun and it is usually quite easy to get into without too much of a wait. The bears are very funny made up of lots of fun characters as are the songs that are performed too. I always enjoy Country Bear Jamboree.
3. The Hall of Presidents
Location: Magic Kingdom Liberty Square
This show features a film and audio animatronic models of all the United States Presidents. The film takes a look at the history of America and how over time it has forged the American Way. Each president features and this is a fascinating and entertaining show especially if you are a non U.S guest. The Hall of Presidents is an entertaining show that entertains and educates at the same time but also has the feel of a classic Disney show attraction.
2. The American Adventure
Location: Epcot – The American Adventure Pavilion
Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain take you in a journey through America’s past in this 30-minute show featuring other characters in animatronic form, music, and film. I always enjoy this show and its story of America’s history. A nice way to relax while you enjoy and learn about the story of America. There are some touching moments too especially the two brothers and the impact the civil war has on their family. The American Adventure is thought provoking, nostalgic and very entertaining.
1. Carousel of Progress
Location: Magic Kingdom – Tomorrowland
Follow an American family over 4 generations where you take a look at how technology in the home has changed over time. This is a rotating theater show whereas each scene finishes you rotate to the next. Each scene features animatronic characters. The attraction itself is one that was conceived by Walt Disney himself and it was originally called Progressland and featured at the New York World’s Fair in 1964-1965. It was eventually moved to Disneyland and then to Magic Kingdom in 1975.
Carousel of Progress is both entertaining and educating but what makes it special is knowing you are watching Walt’s show.
You can find some helpful Magic Kingdom Tips here.
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The Best Night-time Shows at Disney World
As night falls at Disney World the entertainment does not stop. Let’s take a look at my favorite Disney Parks Night-time shows.
5. Tower of Terror Holiday Projection Show
Over the holiday period leading up to Christmas you will be able to enjoy this great projection show that transforms the Tower Terror at Hollywood Studios. The show involves projections being used to transform Tower of Terror into:
The Muppets Gingerbread Tower
Frozen Winter Wonderland Tower
Mickey & Minnie’s Hometown Christmas Tower
Toy Story Christmas Toy Tower
4. Star Wars a Galactic Spectacular
Location: Hollywood Studios – Hollywood Boulevard
A fantastic Star Wars firework display that also uses projections on to the Chinese Theater as well as using Star Wars music and audio clips. I really like this display and it is a great way to end a fun day at Hollywood Studios.
3. Fantasmic
Location: Hollywood Studios – Sunset Boulevard
Fantasmic is a night-time show on a huge set with over 50 performers, projections, water and fireworks. The show itself in our opinion is a must see show and it is like no other show you will see at Disney World.
You take a trip through the dreams of Mickey Mouse where he starts out as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice only for a variety of Disney Villains to invade his dreams and turn them into nightmares. Mickey Mouse must win the battle with the power of his imagination. The combination of fireworks, characters from classic Disney animation movies, water, and pyro technics makes this Show a spectacle that never fails to entertain. All of our family enjoy watching this show each year.
You can read our full guide to Fantasmic here.
2. Harmonious
Location: Epcot – World Showcase Lagoon
This new Disney Parks nighttime fireworks spectacular Harmonious replaces Epcot Forever (which replaced Illuminations in 2019) and celebrates how the music of Disney inspires people from all over the world. This is set to be the biggest night-time spectacular ever created for any Disney Park. This is going to be a must-see night-time spectacular for anyone visiting Disney World. This will be one of the best shows to finish a fun day at Disney World.
1. Enchantment
Location: Magic Kingdom – Cinderella Castle
The evening fireworks display that takes place every evening at Magic Kingdom. You have to watch this at least once during your Disney World Vacation. Fireworks light the sky as Cinderella Castle becomes part of the show using projections and Tinkerbell flies above the crowds from the top of the castle. A must see in my opinion.
You can find more night-time fun at Disney World here.
Best Live Street Performance Shows at Disney World
Finally let’s take a look at the best Disney World Street Style Performers who you will probably come across when you are visiting the parks during your vacation.
5. Jammin’ Gardeners
Location: Epcot – Canada Pavilion Stage
This percussion group dressed as caretakers can be found at Epcot. Of late they have been performing on the Stage located at the Canada Pavilion on World Showcase. They perform a really a fun drum based show using trash cans and paint cans. Expect a bit of everything including some hip hop and lots of humor.
4. Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe
Location: Animal Kingdom – Africa
These African drummers a lot like the Jammin’ Gardeners are a lot of fun. Lots of African drums delivering entertaining beats and rhythms. You will find this group performing in Africa at Animal Kingdom where they will also get participants involved to dance to the beats. Definitely worth watch and getting involved and having a dance too if you feel like it.
3. The Dapper Dans
Location: Magic Kingdom – Main Street USA
This colorful barbershop quartet can be found performing songs on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom. Their vocal performances are accompanied by tap dancing and you will usually find them performing some of the following:
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Strolling Through the Park
Mr. Sandman
If You’re Happy and You Know It
Zip-a-Dee Doo Dah
2. Voices of Liberty
Location: Epcot – The American Adventure Pavilion
These fantastic group of singers perform a 15-minute set throughout the day. They perform patriotic songs with Capella melodies beneath the acoustically perfect dome. A must see in my opinion they perform a brilliant show.
1. Main Street Philharmonic
Location: Magic Kingdom – Main Street USA
The Main Street Philharmonic are a joy to watch if you happen to catch them. This 12-piece brass and percussion ensemble play songs from classic Disney movies as well as ragtime and swing tunes. Clad in their white and red uniforms you cannot miss them, and they are always worth stopping to watch when performing on Main Street. They are fantastic around the holidays too.
The Best Shows to Watch at Disney World
Well, that is my overview of my favorite Shows. I hope you get to enjoy a lot of the shows above on your Disney World Vacation because they are a lot of fun.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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