The other day, my friend texted me and asked if I knew of any good shows in Walt Disney World to watch, because she had never really taken the time to see some of them. Well, boy did I know of good shows in Disney. But it got me thinking: not everyone experiences Disney the way us fanatics do. We know the ups and downs, the quirks, and the hidden gems around here, so I felt it my duty to share with you all the best (and mostly underrated) shows in all of Walt Disney World, ranked.
10. The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History
I had never known this show even existed until my last trip to Disney. It was pouring rain in the middle of Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom and I was looking for a dry place to stand, when all of a sudden, this show starts from the windows of a seemingly plain building.
The show is a reenactment of all the great moments in American history, from the midnight ride of Paul Revere all the way to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all done by the Muppets themselves. It's a great show to watch if you can catch it and you need a quick laugh.
9. The American Adventure
Located in the American pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase lives The American Adventure, an audio-animatronic experience that takes you along American history, along with a few classics sung here and there. This show means so much to me because it's jam-packed with the history and culture of America, which people seem to forget now and then. I'm always brought to tears at least once during the show, it never fails.
The best part is that while waiting for the theatre to open, you might just catch The Voices of Liberty, which is an acapella group of eight men and women dressed as colonials who sing some of America's oldest, yet beloved tunes. The acoustics of the pavilion work beautifully for the group and it's a must-see if you're stopping by America on your tour around the world.
8. Festival of the Lion King
This show is a live theatre experience in Animal Kingdom that exhibits songs from The Lion King, along with dancing, costuming, lighting, and design that is out of this world. If you've seen the Broadway production of The Lion King, then you know the production value of the Pride Land is insane. This fun, upbeat show is a great activity for all ages, especially if you love The Lion King.
7. Country Bear Jamboree
MouseSteps / JWL Media - Youtube
If you read my previous article, you know I have some strong feelings about this one. Country Bear Jamboree, located in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, is an audio-animatronic show of singing bears. The hysterical antics of the bears and the lyrics featured in songs can be considered "politically incorrect" nowadays, or "backward," but it's a fun time for anyone willing to take it lightly. It's a fan-favorite and actually one of the last projects Walt Disney ever worked on.
6. Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
This is probably one of my favorite things to do in Hollywood Studios. This show, hosted by the Royal Historians of Arendelle, who are quite literally the funniest people on earth, features some of the most popular songs from Frozen with lyrics on stage for you to sing-along. It's great, singing is encouraged, and no one cares how bad you sound. It also features multiple characters from the movie, including Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf!
Bonus: If you scream "puddle" right after the lyrics "winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a..." during "In Summer," the reaction you get from the Historians never fails to crack me up.
5. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress, located in Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, is a circular, moving, audio-animatronic show that follows a family through the technological developments of the world, and leaves a catchy tune in your head. It was created by Walt himself for the New York World's Fair in the sixties. It is a classic attraction, and one of my favorites, that many like to call "boring" or "outdated," but it's a good opportunity to learn about the history of technology, have a good laugh, and rest your feet after walking around.
4. Mickey's Philharmagic Concert
The Philharmagic is a 3D concert experience in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. Donald Duck lets Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat get out of control and has to chase the hat throughout different scenes from Disney animated classics to retrieve the hat. This show is funny, but it also showcases songs including "Be Our Guest," "Part of Your World," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and more!
Bonus: look out for the cherry pie smell during "Be Our Guest."
3. Festival of Fantasy Parade
This parade runs down the streets of Magic Kingdom every day at 3 p.m. It features almost all of your favorite Disney characters, along with themed floats per movie, and wonderful music. I recommend getting there around fifteen minutes before it starts if you want to get a good view.
2. Happily Ever After
Happily Ever After is the nightly firework show in Magic Kingdom. This show replaced the beloved Wishes firework show in 2017 but did not disappoint. It is a celebration of all the Disney stories, along with some dazzling fireworks. You can pretty much see the fireworks from anywhere in the park, but the experience is not the same. I recommend watching it directly in front of the castle. They use lights, lasers, and special effects to light up the castle in different styles and colors.
1. Fantasmic!
This show, located in Hollywood Studios, is hands-down my favorite thing in all of Disney World. It takes you through Mickey Mouse's dream, which quickly turns into a nightmare, thanks to various Disney villains, with projections on fans of mist and water catching fire. In the end, Mickey saves the day, and fireworks erupt. It's a great way to end a day well-spent at Hollywood Studios, and it's an experience that truly embodies the essence of Walt Disney World.
