Over February break, I'm going to Walt Disney World! Woot woot! I've been there twice before at a very young age, and I'm now 15 years old. Here's my question...
I know that there are a lot of great shows to see in Disney, especially during after-hours. I've seen a lot of them talked about on the Travel Channel and online and such. I'm only going to be in Disney World for 4 days/3 nights, so what would you reccomend as good performances, water shows, fireworks shows, etc... to watch? Don't know if you are going to all 4 parks, but here's the highlights. Definitely the fireworks: Wishes at Magic Kingdom and Illuminations at Epcot. Both amazing. There's also a combination fireworks/laser/live action show at the Studios called Fantasmic. I thought it was worth seeing once, but that was enough for me. Some people absolutely love it over and over again, though. I would try to check it out. It sometimes shows twice a day, in which case the later performance is always less crowded. Plus you can often find short lines for rides during the first performance. FYI, you can check the times for all of these shows at Disney's website.
As far as parades, I think Spectromagic (at night) in Magic Kingdom is far and away the best. It's unique. If you want to wave at characters, any of the regular parades are fine, but I'm betting you don't.
Shows: Magic Kingdom doesn't really have regular shows - there are attractions in theaters, such as Mickey's Philharmagic which is really cute. Otehrwise they just have things like high school bands and stuff.
Epcot - there are a ton of very unique performers and bands throughout the day, especially in the World Showcase. Pick up a guide and see what times they are performing. My favorite is probably the acrobats in China, but everything I have ever seen has been good.
Hollywood Studios - lots of shows here. Beauty and the Beast - pretty good, but probably not for a 15 year old guy! Good for kids. Indiana Jones - worth seeing. Kind of outdated, but it is a good show. Lights! Motors! Action! Stunt Show - you'll probably really like this one, it's a car-based stunt show.
Animal Kingdom - Finding Nemo is the main one I would recommend. Really good stage show. There's also Festival of the Lion King which I have never taken the time to see, but it's supposed to be great. Flights of Wonder is a show based around birds - if you are an animal lover, you might see it, but it's not a can't-miss. Being 15, some shows might not be fun for you anymore. In MGM, there the Bueaty and the Best broadway performance and (in the same park) there's the indoor Little Mermaid show, and at night (with special invitations) there is a firework/laser light show. The Lion King show
wishes---the fireworks at magic kingdom
illuminations---fireworks at epcot
the evening parade in magic kingdom
theres also a cool parade at hollywood studio Catch the Indiana Jones Stunt Show at MGM. Circus deole'(spelling sorry) is great too. The electric light parade at the magic kingdom is breathtaking. The mid-day parade at MgM is good. They have afternoon performances of the Beatles in "London" at Epcot. And the Fireworks/laser/light show at Epcot World Show case is the best I've ever seen. fantasmic at mgm - night show - after dark, sound, lights. fireworks, water, lasers etc... very dramatic
great music
quite a spectacle Here's a quick summary of all of the shows in Walt Disney World and whether or not I'd recommend them for you:
Magic Kingdom:
Disney Dreams Come True - This is just a cute little midday parade. It's okay, but as a teenager I generally skip it and do rides while everyone is watching the parade.
Spectromagic - A really cool nighttime parade. Cool floats and Disney characters all decked out in thousands, if not millions, of lights. Definitely a must-see.
Wishes - Best fireworks show I have ever seen in my life. The fireworks happen immediately after Spectromagic. Stand at the end of Main Street for the best view. I've honestly seen people cry watching the fireworks, there's a story with them and music and it's just wonderful.
Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM)
Block Party Bash - A High School Musical themed parade that happens in the middle of the day. So pretty much see it if you're a HSM fan, skip it id you're not.
Beauty & the Beast Stage Show - A cute little musical stage show. See it if you have time.
Indiana Jones Stunt Show - This is a cool stunt show, and if you've seen the Indiana Jones movies I'd definitely see it. They even take audience members and have them help out.
Lights Motors Action - Shows you how they do all of the driving stunts for movies. Gives you a behind the scenes look. Most teenagers think it's pretty cool.
Playhouse Disney - You're 15, so I'm going to say no.
The Little Mermaid - Teenagers don't find this one as interesting.
Fantasmic - You HAVE to see this nighttime show. Walls of water with images shown on them, dragons setting the lagoon on fire, floats on the water, all kinds of Disney characters on the stage...it's awesome!
Epcot:
Illuminations - Nighttime show that happens in the lagoon in the middle of World Showcase, so you can see it from anywhere. There's fireworks but on the surface of the water instead of in the air, lighted fountains, music, torches at every country around World Showcase, and a giant globe that lights up with different images. It basically starts with the Big Bang and continues through the history of the human race up until the present.
There are tons of little shows that take place in Epcot throughout the day in different parts of World Showcase and they change all the time. Grab a brochure when you get there and see if anything interests you.
Animal Kingdom:
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade - A nice midday parade, but I usually skip this one since Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks, so I use the parade time to do rides.
Festival of the Lion King - I really recommend this show - there's acrobatics and gymnastics and it's just a really cool stage show.
Finding Nemo Stage Show - A cool new stage show with puppetry, I recommend it, but if you don't have time for this one and Lion King, I'd do Lion King. |
