Entertainment Update at Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via DisneyLists.com

Whether it’s the smooth harmonies of the Dapper Dans performing on Main Street, U.S.A., the action-packed thrills of “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,” or a warm hug from Anna and Elsa, live entertainment is filling every corner of Walt Disney World Resort these days.

New shows and experiences that debuted at the start of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration continue to dazzle guests. These include two new nighttime spectaculars – “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT – and “Disney KiteTails,” which is performed multiple times throughout the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” continues throughout 2022, welcoming back fan-favorite entertainment is one of the many ways Disney is continuing to add even more magic to the guest experience. Keep reading for an overview of new, returning and soon-to-debut entertainment.

‘Fantasmic!’ Set to Dazzle Audiences Again Later This Year

The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. Guests won’t want to miss this spectacle set on a canvas of water where the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.

Revisiting the Big Blue World

This summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” marking the freshly reimagined return of one of its most popular musical entertainment experiences. This fully updated, 25-minute stage show incorporates live performers and puppets, along with many favorite production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical.” In addition to a new script, the show features new set pieces with a fresh look, and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage – such as a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a 15-foot-tall fish tank volcano.

Frontier-Style Fun Family Feast

On June 23, 2022, a classic Walt Disney World dinner show, “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, returns to once again offer rousing performances. Since its opening in 1974, this popular family experience has continued to surprise and delight guests with singing, zany comedy and an unforgettable country feast of fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, savory sides, and, of course, strawberry shortcake!

Along with the much-anticipated return of the Pioneer Hall Players and cast members, the show will feature new updates to its script and scenery while staying true to the hilarious, high-spirited family entertainment adored by generations of guests. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and will be available on DisneyWorld.com starting May 26.

What’s New and Next: Shows, Parades, and Cavalcades

At Magic Kingdom, three exciting experiences recently made their return or debut:

  • “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” now winds its way through the park twice daily, offering guests double the chance to see enchanting floats like the fire-breathing Maleficent dragon.
  • “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” features favorite scenes inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and finale with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy in their sparkling 50th Anniversary EARidescent fashions.
  • “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” stars nearly 30 favorite Disney and Pixar friends such as Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, Pocahontas and more.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Festival of the Lion King” inspires guests with its larger-than-life musical production filled with pageantry and puppetry. And this summer, two popular performances are set to make their much-anticipated return to the show:

  • Tumble Monkeys, a group of high-flying primates, will soon resume their acrobatic hijinks.
  • The show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.

Later this year, Magic Kingdom Park will welcome back Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Offered on select dates August through October, this special event haunts the park after normal operating hours (separate admission is required) with a lineup of frightfully fun entertainment:

  • “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” showcases floats filled with villains, Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
  • “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show stars the wicked Sanderson Sisters.

Personal Interactions With Beloved Characters

As part of the recent phased return of traditional character greetings across Walt Disney World, guests can now hug Mickey Mouse, share a laugh with Goofy, and get autographs from their favorite Disney princesses. Here are just a few of the available character greeting opportunities:

  • Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Tiana at Magic Kingdom
  • Anna, Elsa, Mulan and Jasmine at EPCOT
  • Minnie Mouse, Sulley and Doc McStuffins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Kevin from Disney and Pixar’s “Up!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck at various Disney Resort hotels

Entertainment Roaring and Soaring in New Ways at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has always been home to some of our Guest’s favorite entertainment experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. With so much to do and see, our Guests won’t want to miss a thing – and today, we have some updates to share about entertainment at the park.

First up, let’s look to the sky as some of our favorite Disney characters take flight in “Disney KiteTails.” Since its debut as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, this show has been delighting Guests with a vibrant celebration of music, color and kites – some as large as 30 feet long – depicting Simba, Baloo and more! Just in time for summer fun, we’re shifting the focus of the show so guests will be able to experience “Disney KiteTails” from anywhere around the Discovery River Lagoon, with shorter and more frequent performances throughout the day.  

Between “Disney KiteTails” performances, Discovery River will come alive with our Character Flotillas! Setting sail in succession, these high-energy boats will fill the waters throughout the park with music, EARidescent 50th anniversary moments and characters including Mickey and friends, Timon, Rafiki and Pocahontas several times each day. 

Speaking of Guest favorites, a certain group of high-flying primates will be making their return to “Festival of the Lion King.” Not only will the delightful Tumble Monkeys be back to their acrobatic hijinks this summer, but the show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.

That’s not the only excitement on the horizon. Guests visiting the park will soon be able to share a high-five with Mickey & Minnie at Adventurers Outpost and take in the newly updated “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond” – both opening in the coming months as we continue to add even more magic to The World’s Most Magical Celebration!

All Cavalcades Removed from EPCOT’s Entertainment Line Up

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Walt Disney World is preparing for its first-ever “World Princess Week” beginning Monday, August 23 with special princess-themed treats throughout the Disney Park and Resorts. We previously shared the news that a new Tiana-themed playground is coming to EPCOT. Before Princess Week kicks off, however, Disney has removed the last of their EPCOT cavalcades, the “Princess Promenade”. The “Princess Promenade” cavalcade (video here) was a carriage filled with favorite Disney Princesses such as Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White that would move slowly through EPCOT’s World Showcase with Princesses smiling and waving at Park Guests. Does this mean we’ll no longer see Disney Princesses at EPCOT? Thankfully, no! You will still have your chance to spot several Princesses throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase.

EPCOT has already removed the “Frozen Promenade” cavalcade (video here) where Guests could see the popular Frozen sisters, Elsa and Anna. The “Mickey and Friends World Tour” cavalcade has also ended where Guests spotted Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto throughout the World Showcase. So, what’s next for these characters? EPCOT is moving them into socially distanced locations.

Queen Elsa and Anna from Frozen have already been greeting Guests in their home Pavilion, Norway, with socially distanced barriers. While you can’t hug or ask for autographs at the moment, you can still snap a photo with the Princesses not too far behind you. Snow White has been spotted once again in the Germany Pavilion near her wishing well. Even Jasmine has made an appearance in the Morocco Pavilion. It looks like Disney’s removal of the Princess Promenade is to allow the Princesses to return to their countries for socially distanced greetings.

Currently, the Walt Disney World Resort website lists the following entertainment options for EPCOT:

  • JAMMin’ Chefs (Canada Mill Stage): This funky drumming crew breaks it down as they drum up fun in the kitchen using pots, pans and other unlikely instruments.
  • Mariachi Cobre (America Gardens Theatre): Enjoy an exuberant performance of world-famous, traditional folk music.
  • Voices of Liberty (America Gardens Theatre): Get swept away by inspiring vocal performances celebrating America’s spirit and beauty.
  • America Gardens Bandstand: The 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live music concert series Friday through Monday evenings. Watch as local bands from across Central Florida take to the stage at America Gardens Theatre, playing popular songs of yesterday and today.

While we’re all about seeing the Princesses, don’t forget to be on the lookout for other Disney characters that may make appearances in and around Future World, such as the sweet Winnie the Pooh trying to catch butterflies near the Journey Into Imagination With Figment attraction.

Character cavalcade opportunities are still currently available at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plus, keep an eye and ear out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as characters take boat rides throughout the Park’s waterways.

Top Entertainment Experiences Currently Open or Coming Back Soon

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Via DisDining.com

No one does entertainment like Disney!  So when we visit Walt Disney World, we always fit in as many live entertainment experiences as we can.  Like everything else, the number and kind of live shows available in WDW has changed during the pandemic.  But the good news is that there are many live entertainment experiences currently open, or that will soon be back, in altered formats to ensure everyone’s safety.  Here are a few!

1. Festival of the Lion King

If you’ve been missing Festival of the Lion King, you’ll be thrilled to know that a modified version will return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer. While we have no official start date, Disney has announced a “mid-May” debut! The show has been updated to allow for physical distancing, and you’ll notice a difference in seating arrangements at Harambe Theatre too, with a goal of keeping cast members and guests safe while they enjoy the show. We can’t wait to join the celebration of this spectacular live show!

2. Voices of Liberty

I’ll never forget stumbling onto a live performance by the incomparable Voices of Liberty at Disney’s Epcot – it was an utterly magical moment!  And there are plenty more magical moments in store for guests, as the group performs daily at America Gardens Theatre (with a totally new repertoire, featuring a healthy heaping of Disney favorites!).  If you’ve never treated yourself to the dulcet tones of the Voices of Liberty, now’s the perfect time, and if you’ve been missing their stunning vocal acrobatics, welcome back!

3. Feathered Friends in Flight

The latest in a series of shows featuring live birds at the Caravan Stage Theater in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Feathered Friends in Flight has been entertaining guests since the park reopened in summer 2020.  It’s hosted by actual animal trainers at WDW, and showcases the natural talents and survival techniques used by birds in the wild.  The show features several different bird species, many of which you’ll see flying overhead; you’ll learn a thing or two about our amazing feathered friends while seeing them in action!

4. Cirque du Soleil and Disney – Drawn to Life

If you never got to experience the La Nouba show by Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs before it closed in 2017, you’ll be just as excited as I am for Drawn to Life!  A collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney (I’m in!), this new live show is a delightful collision of Disney animation and gravity-defying acrobatics.  Performers interpret classic Disney animation through choreography, inspiring costuming and even an all-new score – with classic Disney music as its inspiration, of course.  We’re told the stage is actually designed as a larger-than-life animation table!  While we don’t have an exact opening date to share with you yet, Drawn to Life is coming “later this fall” to Walt Disney World – and we can’t wait!

5. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Do you have a Frozen fan in your household?  If so, you’ll want to head to For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on your next WDW vacation.  Performed several times daily, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to belt out all of your favorite Frozen songs along with Elsa, Anna and Kristoff, and you’ll enjoy your favorite scenes from the movie – wearing a mask and in physically distanced seats, of course, for safety! 

6. Dapper Dans

Ah, Dapper Dans, how we’ve missed you!  Thankfully, this iconic barbershop quartet has returned to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, putting smiles on faces up and down Main Street USA.  You’ll find them in the train station or on a trolley car now, but the stellar harmonies and wacky humor you love are the same as you remember!  The Dapper Dans perform 20-minute shows throughout the day.

7. Grand Floridian Pianist

We’re still mourning the departure of the unparalleled Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, but there’s good news – the Grand Floridian Pianist has returned to the lobby of Disney’s flagship resort!  Safely physically distanced and wearing a mask, this maestro of the keys will entertain and delight music lovers of all ages.  There’s something so magical about live music in the posh lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and we couldn’t be happier!

Disney Springs Holiday Entertainment

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! . Toy Soldier Stiltwalkers, Snowflake Skaters, DJs, Snow Flurries and more… it’s going to be festive time at Disney Springs!

As shared on the Walt Disney World website for Holidays at Disney Springs:

Create new memories, start new traditions and safely enjoy time together! Be immersed in the holidays and enjoy the moment. Entertainment will include:

DJs: Groove to the tunes from Guest DJs throughout the holidays at the Waterside Stage and Exposition Park.

Entertainment: In the evenings, explore Disney Springs and be entertained by Toy Soldier Stiltwalkers and Snowflake Skaters.

Let It Snow! Snow flurries are in the forecast for Town Center and the West Side of Disney Springs! In the evenings, delight in a magical snowfall adding an extra touch of wonder to your holiday shopping.

Disney previously announced the Holiday season is to officially kick off on November 6 with holiday details as follows for Disney Springs: “Guests will discover Christmas around every corner as they come across a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees spread throughout this retail, dining and entertainment destination. In the evening, guests visiting areas within Town Center, West Side and The Landing will encounter a magical snowfall, adding an extra touch of wonder to their holiday shopping. And to top it off, Jock Lindsey will once again be turning his hangar bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar complete with delightful holiday décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.”

PLUS! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance on the water!