My kids are thrill-seekers (think Cedar Point and Universal roller coasters), so I went into this trip reminding them that Disney is about the ride experience and theming, not the thrill.
It was no surprise then that Guardians, Expedition Everest, and Test Track were top of their list as ride favorites with Tiana’s coming in a close fourth.
Having said that, the shows and sideshows became the true hit of our week, and as such Iam writing this for those planning trips with kiddos to make time to catch as many of these experiences as possible, as they were among our best memories.
We had a hard time choosing our favorite shows, there were so many:
* Top: The stage show at the MVMCP. Unanimous favorite for all.
* Next: Indiana Jones for my boys. Lion King for my Mom and I.
* Third: Frozen Sing Along in HS. Seriously, fall out of your seat funny.
* The rest: too many to count. My DS10 loved Sergio and ALL the holiday storytellers (UK and Norway being his favorite). The improv at the Crush show in Epcot was simply outstanding. It helped that two tween girls asked him a hilarious question. The audience participation in the Monsters Inc. show in MK was a hoot (my son got chosen to be on camera and tell a joke). Finding Nemo was so well-done. Feathered Friends was a hit. Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, the China 360 movie, the Donald Duck 3D movie…also all high on the list.
Nighttime shows ranked by my crew: 1) MVMCP party FW’s & castle projections, 2) Luminous, 3) then Fantasmic. The MVMCP parade was also next level. The only reason Fantasmic rated lower than Luminous is that it was such a time-consuming process to get there, wait, watch, and leave and we didn’t love how projection heavy it was. It was a big commitment for a tired crew.
My Mom and I adored the Processional but my boys were less than enthralled by the concert. I was blown away.
Even the shows that aren’t listed above were enjoyable (VOL, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast, etc)
I’ve always been big on ensuring we hit all the shows when we go to Disney, but the interactive parts of WDW turned out to give us the most memories:
My DS10 was chosen to be Sergio’s ‘side kick’ and my son said afterwards that that experience as ‘good as a ride.’
My DS10 was pulled aside by the stormtrooper to tell him he was the ‘spy’ in the sideshow in Star Wars lands.
He was chosen in the Monsters Inc. show and got to tell a joke and be on camera.
He got pulled onto the ‘stage’ in the Posadas mariachi show in Mexico, and sang Feliz Navidad.
He had a part in Enchanted Tales (all kids who want them get them).
Even the interactive rides became my kiddos favorites.
They both ranked TSMM over even Guardians, because of the game play it generated across the four of us across our three times riding it.
Similarly, MF was a hit, also because it was such a hoot with our family, and also generated some game play.
Anyway, for us, most of the magic of WDW was outside the rides, or what the ride offered us vis a vis family engagement.
My DS16 was not in the sweet spot, but he knew we were fulfilling a promise to my DS10 to take him to WDW just as I had his older brother. We got so much enjoyment from watching our DS10 get so much enjoyment from the trip.
My son skipped up to me in the park on our second or third day, grabbed my hand, and said, “Mom, this is the BEST vacation. Thank you.”
That’s a Mom Mic Drop right there :).