18 Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World in 2024

The weeks leading up to your Disney World vacation can be very exciting. A great way to spend some free time leading up to your vacation is to watch some Disney Movies to get you in the mood. We all have our favorite Disney Movies, but which ones should you watch before heading off to Disney World? Below you will find our Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World.

Across Walt Disney World Resort there are so many attractions, lands and so much more that are themed around movies.

Magic Kingdom Related Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World

Below you will find a variety of classic Disney movies that have attractions based on them at Magic Kingdom. There are some classics here. Let’s take a look.

1.Peter Pan

A classic Disney movie from the early 1950’s and a classic and imaginative story about the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Great characters and a fantastic villain in Captain Hook, not only will you enjoy this wonderful animated adventure but, it will get you ready for some Disney World fun too. At Magic kingdom you can enjoy Peter Pan’s Flight which is a classic Disney dark ride and you can also meet Tinkerbell, and Peter Pan also makes appearances for photographs and autographs in fantasyland too (just a bit further on from the ride, opposite Rapunzel’s Tower).

The characters are also part of the Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom too with Tick Tock the Croc making an appearance too. Consider going on an adventure with Peter Pan, the Darlings and the Lost Boys before your holiday!

2. Cinderella

Cinderella is a classic fairy tale and Disney Princess story. You’re going to Disney World and you’re going to see Cinderella’s Castle where you are highly likely to have your photo taken in front of it so surely you need to watch this movie before you start your vacation.

If you are lucky enough, you might get to eat inside the castle at Cinderella’s Royal Table where you will Cinderella in person before having your meal. Also, whilst exploring Fantasyland you might bump into Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia for a photo and if you are lucky you might meet Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother too. I would watch the original rather than the recent remake.

3. Beauty and the Beast

A great story with great songs and great characters is more than enough reason to watch the original animated version (we like the new version too). But at Magic Kingdom you can eat inside the Beast’s Castle (Be Our Guest), meet Gaston and even grab a snack from Gaston’s Tavern.

You can even meet Belle in Maurice’s cottage in Fantasyland (Enchanted tales with Belle) and she appears at Epcot in France too. Belle and the Beast also feature in the Festival of Fantasy Parade and you see them too if you go to see Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.

4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

One of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train so before you ride the Mine Train and visit the diamond mines in person why not watch the movie. Snow White was the first ever animated full length movie and the first from Walt Disney Productions so why not go back to the beginning and see where the Disney movie magic started.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs feature in the Festival of Fantasy parade in Magic Kingdom and you can also meet Snow White in Germany at Epcot. If you are lucky enough to go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during the festive season you can meet the Seven Dwarfs for a photo too.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl

Captain Jack Sparrow is a great character who you can meet in Magic Kingdom and of course you can see what he gets up to in the classic Dark Ride located in Adventureland.

I love the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and as it managed to launch a whole film series you might as well watch the best film in the series which has to be the original: The Curse of the Black Pearl. A great pirate adventure movie which is closer to the ride than any of the movies that followed it and I would recommend giving it a watch before you head off to Adventureland.

6. Dumbo

Dumbo is a classic and iconic ride at Magic Kingdom. The classic animated movie isn’t that long too so why not give it a watch before your holiday. Just have the tissues ready for the scene with Dumbo’s caged mother rocking her baby in her trunk, heart-breaking!

7. Aladdin

You can meet Aladdin and Jasmine in Magic Kingdom, with Jasmine also appearing with the other princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Of course, you can also ride the Magic Carpets in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom too so before that why not enjoy the movie too and reacquaint with the classic story.

8. Alice in Wonderland

During our Disney World vacations, we have been lucky enough to meet Alice, the Mad Hatter along with Tweedledum and Tweedledee. You can find them in Magic Kingdom as well as Alice and the Mad Hatter featuring at 1900 Park in the Grand Floridian. Then of course you have the Mad Tea Party ride where you will go for a ride in the spinning teacups so why not indulge in some classic animated Wonderland adventures beforehand.

9. The Little Mermaid

The film that started the Disney Renaissance is absolutely worth a watch before your Disney World Holiday. In Magic Kingdom you have Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid which is a dark ride which is a lot fun featuring modern animatronics and follows the story of the film. You can also meet Ariel in her grotto at Magic Kingdom.

Ariel is also a part of the Festival of Fantasy parade and appears at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle at Magic Kingdom.

10. The Jungle Book

I love the Jungle Book, so it was always going to make this list. The Jungle Book was the first film I ever saw at the cinema when it was re released in the early 80’s. On my first trip to Disney World we got to meet Baloo and King Louie at Animal Kingdom and it was great fun and I got some great photos. Of course, the Jungle Book will get you in the mood for the Jungle Cruise too in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. So, for my own selfish reasons the Jungle Book makes this list too.

Hollywood Studios Related Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World

Hollywood Studios is the home of Star Wars at Walt Disney World as well having Toy Story Land. There is also another famous Lucasfilm movie franchise represented in the park too. You find a great movie for all ages below with two more action and adventure based movies for adults and older children.

11. Toy Story

Toy Story was the first fully computer animated feature length film and it gave us some legendary characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang. We love all the Toy Story films but as with a lot of great film series I always enjoy going back to the original. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can meet Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the Green Army Men.

In Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios you have Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster and Alien Swirling Saucers pulling in the crowds. Toy Story is definitely worth a watch.

12. Star Wars Episode VII the Force Awakens

Star Wars has become a big part of Hollywood Studios and it has only got bigger with Galaxy’s Edge the new Star Wars land opening in 2019.

Currently you can meet Chewbacca, Kylo Ren and BB8 inside Star Wars Launch Bay. During the day First Order troopers patrol Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge along with other characters. Of course you have Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Rise of the Resistance to ride and if that’s not enough you can take a ride on Star Tours: The Adventure Continues too.

So, I guess it might be worth watching a Star Wars film before your Disney World vacation but which one? Well I would go for the Force Awakens as it was the first Disney Star Wars film and it is a lot of fun plus, you might as well see Kylo Ren, BB8 and Chewbacca in action before you meet them in person.

13. Raiders of the Lost Ark

If you are going to see the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios, then I highly recommend giving Raiders of the Lost Ark another watch (I’ve assumed you’ve already seen it as it is a classic).

The show is made up of famous scenes from the movie, so it is great to have it all fresh in the mind before you see the show. The Ark of the Covenant used to feature in the standby line for the Great Movie Ride which I used to love having a look at, so it was sad to see that go. You can also find Harrison Ford’s hand prints outside the Chinese Theatre too.

You can find the latest Blu-ray prices here and the DVD prices here.

Epcot Related Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World

At Epcot one of the most new and exciting attractions is currently being completed and it is based around a great Marvel movie series. There are also some great Pixar related attractions at Epcot too for some movie inspiration.

14. Finding Nemo

At Epcot you can have a Turtle Talk with Crush and you can travel under The Seas with Nemo and Friends. If you are going experience all these attractions and especially if you have younger kids it is great to give Finding Nemo a viewing and possibly Finding Dory too if you have time.

15. Ratatouille

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the newest attraction at Epcot. This fun trackless 4D dark ride is a lot of fun as you join Chef Remy on a daring adventure.

So what better way to get ready for this great new ride than to watch the entertaining movie it is based on.

16. Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is the newest roller coaster at Epcot and it looks like it is a massive and innovative ride experience. If you are planning for a Disney World vacation then you need to watch the fun Marvel movie (and it’s sequels) before riding this thrilling new ride.

Animal Kingdom Related Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World

Two movies are represented really at Animal Kingdom. One has it’s own land and rides and the other has probably one of the best Live Shows at Disney World. Let’s take a look.

17. Avatar (Not Exactly a Disney Movie)

I was so excited to explore Pandora for the first time in Animal Kingdom. It was so much fun to explore Pandora, ride Flight of Passage and take the Navi River Journey for the first time. It may not be a Disney Movie, but it is worth watching if you are not familiar with the characters and the world of Pandora.

Having watched the first movie you can really immerse yourself in the sights and sound of Pandora at Animal Kingdom.

18. The Lion King

The Lion King is a fantastic Disney Movie and is great to watch before your Disney World Holiday to get you in the mood for the wonderful Festival of the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. It really is a great show featuring Timon, Pumbaa and Simba as well as singers, acrobats and a host of talented supporters.

Watching the movie will remind you of the great songs which of course feature in the Festival of the Lion King and are performed so well by the cast of the show. You might get to meet Rafiki too whilst exploring the parks.

18 Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World

So, there you have quite 18 movies to watch before going to Disney World. We always try to watch at least one Disney movie a weekend leading up to our holiday. It is a great way to spend some time with the family and indulge in some Disney magic before you get to Disney World.

We normally pick two films each and then will pick another two or three films that we all agree that we want to watch. This is especially good in the winter months when the weather isn’t fantastic, but it really is great way to spend some time in the build up to that Disney World vacation.

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Thanks for stopping by.

Darren