Magical Must-Sees: The Top 5 Exclusive Shows at Walt Disney World

Activities, Entertainment, Shows

March 12, 2024
The Welcome Guide® Staff

Magical Must-Sees: The Top 5 Exclusive Shows at Walt Disney World

Activities, Entertainment, Shows

Walt Disney World is a treasure trove of enchantment, and its rich tapestry of shows is woven with dazzling performances that promise to leave guests spellbound. For those ready to sprinkle a little pixie dust on their park experience, these five shows represent the crème de la crème of Disney entertainment, accessible with the mere wave of your admission ticket.

Fantasmic! – A Spectacular Nighttime Journey

As the night sky over Disney’s Hollywood Studios twinkles with stars, Fantasmic! takes the stage on an outdoor amphitheater, where Mickey Mouse’s imagination comes to life. This 30-minute nighttime show combines water, fire, lights, and music with beloved Disney characters and heart-stopping moments. It’s a battle of good vs evil that will captivate audiences of all ages, ending triumphantly with a firework finale that’s sure to charm any Disney enthusiast.

Fantasmic! Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (©Matt Stroshane) — Moana answers the call of the ocean in an all-new sequence as Fantasmic! makes its long-awaited return on Nov. 3, 2022, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show featuring stunning effects, thrilling stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics and a rousing score based on classic Disney animated films. It’s all painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises. (Matt Stroshane, Photographer)

Festival of the Lion King – A Circle of Rhythmic Delights

Leap into a lively tribute to the classic film ‘The Lion King’ at the Festival of the Lion King, held in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Acrobatics, puppetry, and timeless songs like “Hakuna Matata” blend into a performance that celebrates the heart and artistry of Africa. The interactive segments invite guests of all ages to croon along with Simba and his friends in this immersive theatrical soiree.

Festival of the Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom (©Ryan Wnendler) — Festival of the Lion King, the popular, high-energy live musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom combines music, puppetry and pageantry inspired by Disney’s animated film classic, “The Lion King.” Performed inside the Harambe Theatre, this Broadway-style show is an exciting retelling of the film and immerses the audience in theatrics and classic songs. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ryan Wendler, photographer)

Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! – Adventure Unleashed

Ever wondered how they pull off those incredible stunts in the movies? The Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios reveals the secrets behind the thrilling action sequences. Watch in awe as stunt performers reenact scenes from the famous films and demonstrate hair-raising exploits. This show is a live homage to the daring do of filmmaking, complete with explosions, boulder chases, and edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney's Hollywood Studios (©Gene Duncan) — Stunt Spectacular Ð At DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios, the stunts are left to the pros in “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!,” an action-packed live show that re-creates the heart-pounding heroics of classic adventure films through movie stunt demonstrations. DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration – The Cold Never Bothered You Anyway

Join the beloved characters of Arendelle in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The retelling of Elsa and Anna’s story is accompanied by a chorus of voices as guests are invited to belt out the movie’s hit songs. With dazzling effects and the chance to witness the magic of “Let It Go” in person, it’s a wintry spectacle that warms the heart.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney's Hollywood Studios (©Ryan Wendler) — For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (©Ryan Wendler)

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage – A Tale As Old As Time Reimagined

Step into the classic storybook with Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage. This Broadway-style musical at Disney’s Hollywood Studios captures the romance and charm of Belle and the Beast’s tale. Through enchanting performances and the iconic score, including “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast,” guests witness a romantic and thrilling production complete with vibrant costumes and set pieces.