Hi everyone - can I ask for your expert opinions on something? (With thanks to @OBNurseNH who has kindly answered part of this elsewhere) I’ve got a family of ride fanatics, but I’m hoping to persuade them to enjoy some of the other forms of entertainment while we’re in the World (we’re on-property for a week). - I’m not expecting to be able to engage their enthusiasm for slightly elderly travelogue movies (no matter how many degrees they’re filmed in) - but which non-ride attractions do you think have the greatest wow-factor? I’m thinking of things like streetmosphere performances, or the musical acts at the world showcase pavilions.
What’s the not-a-ride thing that a makes the bubble special for you, and that would be easy to miss if you know to seek it out?
Thanks, that’s a great shout. I think my wife and I saw it on our first (and until this year, only) visit to WDW in 1999 - if it’s the same show? Just looked at YouTube and it looks like the same set up, with audience on 4 sides - though I remember a smaller auditorium. We’ll definitely take the kids to that!
It is a new venue but the show should be similar to what you saw in 1999. Like @Shmebulock , Festival of the Lion King was the first thing I thought of. I do think that at AK, you never know what magic you will find around the next corner.
I think whether a show is “unmissable” is entirely subjective. But I will listed shows we really enjoy.
As mentioned, FOTLK is a must-do every time
Carousel of Progress. Perhaps a little hokey to some, but always enjoy the trip through time (even if the last scene is a little dated).
Finding Nemo show. Not as good as the FOTLK, but definitely enjoyable, seeing the puppetry and all
The Country Bear Musical Jamboree. Okay. Used to hate the previous incarnation of this, but the new version we really liked a lot
The Frozen show in HS (actual name eludes me). Funny, cheesy, but has the climatic ending with (spoiler alert) snow falling in the theater
Vacation Fun in HS. (I mean, it is a cartoon. But the theater is cute, and the film is cute.)
The China Circlevision movie. Just stunning at times, even if it does come across a bit like a propaganda piece at times!
Similarly, the Canada Circlevision movie. Simply gorgeous, and it has actually brought me to tears seeing the splendor of God’s creation
Voices of Liberty
Mickey’s Philharmagic
Streetmosphere seems to be a dying art at Disney. Anyhow, there are other things to see…but those are ones we are more likely to do than others. Not necessarily every trip, but often enough.
I enjoy all of the AK shows - Feathered Friends, Winged Encounters (not exactly a show), Nemo and FOTL. I enjoy Frozen and Beauty and the Beast at HS, and the new shows - Little Mermaid and Villains - are both great too. I second the Voices of Liberty recommendation too.
But my favorite non-ride thing to do is spend time in Galaxy’s Edge. The First Order appearance with Lt. Agnon and Kylo Ren is short but fun and then make sure you get interrogated by someone! I love interacting with Lt. Agnon and find that more fun than Kylo because the actors have more freedom to wing it! Seeing Chewie, Rey, and Vi Moradi is also fun. They come out of the tower just across from the marketplace. I suppose all of this is conditional on how willing your family is to engage in the story and the fantasy of Star Wars. You can also play the smuggler game on the play disney app. If you love Star Wars it’s an awesome way to immerse yourself in the universe. If you also coordinate riding the two rides, you can just be Star Wars for a couple of hours.
Favorite Non-Attraction items that may be over looked:
Epcot: Jaminatiors- they are super fun. Voices of Liberty- I tear up every time. Sergio is fun to watch. It’s short. And DH loves Muzturi (in Japan, I know I am not spelling this correct). It a cool little musical show.
MK- The Dapper Dans are fantastic. It’s more than just a few men in suits singing quartette. Take a minute to stand on the bridge in front of Tiana’s (after you ride) and watch a few logs come down. It’s a very different perspective and fun to watch.
AK- I love checking out DeVine. They also have a new show (not sure if it’s still running) near the entrance of Dinoland by Flame Tree BBQ area. I missed it last time. Feathered Friends in Flight is something a lot of people skip. I don’t recommend that. Watch it. It’s a must for us every time. If you are lucky enough to have a trip that allows for staying in AK at dusk/ nighttime Pandora at night is beautiful. And I love the Tree Awaking projections. They do something special for the holiday season as well. We also enjoy the acrobats in Africa. They have the drummers too.
HS- Galaxy Edge and the Search of the First Order is definitely a treat for us! The Green Army Drum Corp is special too. It’s always too hot. But worth it for us if we can manage to catch a show.
I noticed you haven’t been in WDW since 1999 and there have been an incredible number of changes since then. I’ll add some of my own items later tonight.
I asked her about the musical acts at Epcot and she recommended Command Performance.
this