Don't Miss the 10 Best Shows at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort's theme parks are known for their thrilling rides, heartwarming character meet-and-greets, and intricate immersive environments.  

But if you’ve been sleeping on their live entertainment, you’re really missing out on some of the best attractions Disney has to offer.  

A stately castle with blue roofed turrets amidst gardens and trees at Magic Kingdom.

Not to mention that many shows offer seating, if not also air conditioning, to offer rest and respite from walking in the sun on a hot Orlando day.  

Not sure where to start? Don’t miss the 10 best shows at Walt Disney World, according to our Orlando theme park experts.  

 

Key Takeaways

 

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond! 

Animal Kingdom 

Costumed performers holding fish puppets on a bright and colorful stage.

Dive into a world of wonder under the sea with Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond!  

This original musical, inspired by the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo, transports audiences to the depths of the ocean, where familiar friends like Marlin, Nemo, and Dory await.  

Incredible sets, breathtaking lighting, and innovative puppets come together to create a spectacular stage production with memorable music you’ll be humming the rest of the day.  

This beautiful production originally opened in 2007 but was reimagined and reopened in June 2022. 

You can catch the indoor 25-minute show at the theatre in DinoLand (soon to be the Tropical Americas when the new area of Animal Kingdom opens in 2027). 

 

Festival of the Lion King 

Animal Kingdom  

Fans of The Lion King movie will love seeing its beloved music come to life in this colorful stage production.  

Not to be confused with the Tony-award-winning Broadway production, this show is led by Timon and four singing Swahili narrators. An ensemble of ornately costumed African animal characters adds a vibrant energy and visual excitement.  

Impressive floats with larger-than-life animal puppets, incredible acrobatic performances, aerial dance numbers, and spectacular fire stunts are all included in this entertaining 30-minute show.  

Dance along to your favorite songs from The Lion King, including The Circle of Life, Just Can’t Wait to Be King, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and Hakuna Matata.  

The show takes place in the indoor Harambe Theatre in Africa at Animal Kingdom, the perfect setting for a show that celebrates life on the savannah.  

 

Feathered Friends in Flight  

Animal Kingdom 

While Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond! and Festival of the Lion King feature humans performing as animals, Feathered Friends in Flight features actual animal performers. 

The show stars a variety of extraordinary birds like bald eagles, singing parrots, toucans, a Grey Crowned Crane, and colorful macaws.  

You'll learn all about these incredible feathered creatures in a show led by a team of knowledgeable animal keepers. You may even get the opportunity to be a part of the show! 

The 25-minute performance takes place in Anandapur Theatre in Asia, a covered outdoor space with shady bleacher seating.  

 

Happily Ever After 

Magic Kingdom  

A brilliant display of fireworks erupting into the night sky over Cinderella Castle during Happily Ever After, a show at Walt Disney World.

There’s nothing more quintessentially Disney than watching colorful fireworks burst into the night sky around Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.  

Happily Ever After is the nighttime spectacular comprised of fireworks, lasers, pyrotechnics, and projections displayed on the front of the castle.  

Running approximately 18 minutes long, the show features a beautiful score of familiar Disney songs.  

There is no designated seating for Happily Ever After, though it can be seen from several spots throughout the theme park.  

Crowds watching the show can get intense, so if you’re hoping for a great view, plan on staking out your spot up to several hours before it begins.  

 

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire 

Magic Kingdom 

Throughout the day, you can catch some of your favorite Disney characters coming to life on the Cinderella Castle stage.  

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire is a sweet, simple story that strings together music and characters from the movies Frozen, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled.  

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy are all in attendance, too!  

This 20-minute show is a wonderful watch, but don’t expect seating or shade. This is a performance to be watched on your feet, often in the harsh Florida sun (unless you find a spot of shade somewhere nearby).  

 

Enchanted Tiki Room 

Magic Kingdom 

Tucked into Adventureland in Magic Kingdom is a vintage attraction that’s been entertaining crowds since the theme park first opened in 1971. In fact, it was an idea originally hatched by the legendary Walt Disney himself.  

This kitschy, pun-filled show has a bit of a cult following. Guests are seated on benches in a round room and serenaded old songs from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s by hundreds of colorful animatronic birds.  

The show is campy, fun, and classic (and rarely does it have a long line). It’s a colorful and musical way to rest your feet, cool off, and walk out with another catchy tune stuck in your head.  

 

Fantasmic 

Hollywood Studios  

Mickey Mouse stands on a stage, arms outstretched, with beams of red light erupting behind him.


Hollywood Studios is home to one of the most incredible nighttime shows at Walt Disney World Resort: Fantasmic. 

This nightly spectacular tells the tale of good vs. evil with some of Disney’s most beloved characters.  

Fireworks, incredible stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics, special effects, and vivid images projected onto canvases of water all come together for a wonderfully entertaining show.  

Fantasmic takes place in an outdoor, uncovered amphitheater with seating that curves around a lagoon. While you can catch the show every night, it is subject to cancellation due to weather. 

 

Frozen Sing Along Celebration  

Hollywood Studios  

Cool off on a hot Florida day with a showing of the Frozen Sing Along Celebration.  

Hosted by two Royal Historians of Arendelle, this unique show recounts the enchanted tale of princesses Anna and Elsa, both of whom make live appearances onstage alongside rugged ice harvester Kristoff.  

You’ll watch musical hits from the movie on a big screen with the lyrics displayed underneath so you can sing along to your heart’s content.  

Held in the indoor, air-conditioned Hyperion Theatre, this show is a must-see for Frozen fanatics of all ages.  

 

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After 

Hollywood Studios 

A graphic advertising Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After with an illustration of the Magic Mirror and shattered glass.

One of the newest shows to open at Walt Disney World is Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.  

This musical stage show features a cast of villains everyone loves to hate, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, all of whom are arguing about which villain is the most unfairly treated of them all.  

Humor, music, and a memorable finale come together to create a fun and unforgettable show that is truly unique to other tales of Happily Ever After.  

Located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios, this exciting new attraction is indoor and air-conditioned.  

 

The Little Mermaid: An Underwater Adventure 

Hollywood Studios  

A dark stage with dozens of neon fish and other underwater creatures, including a mermaid, glowing in the darkness.

The former The Little Mermaid show in Hollywood Studios, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, ran from 1992 to 2020. In 2025, it was replaced with an updated production titled The Little Mermaid: An Underwater Adventure.  

This new show is a truncated telling of the classic Disney movie featuring some of its iconic songs like Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, and Part of Your World.  

One of the most eye-catching updates is the introduction of fabulous puppets and projections, adding dimension and personality to a colorful and entertaining performance. 

This indoor, air-conditioned show is a wonderful way to have fun and recharge while resting your feet.  

 

A Stay at Rosen Inn International is Your Ticket to a Great Orlando Vacation 

The exterior of Rosen Inn International.

When it comes to clean, budget-friendly accommodations for your Orlando vacation, Rosen Inn International takes center stage.  

Our convenient location means you’re never far from your favorite theme parks, as well as an incredible variety of nearby restaurants and entertainment.  

We’ve been hosting Orlando travelers for over 50 years, making us experts in all things tourism, hospitality, and our home city.  

Book your stay today and enjoy clean, comfortable rooms, delicious onsite dining, and complimentary shuttle service to select theme parks when you visit. 
 

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