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Resort reservations- check. Park tickets- check. Dining
reservations- check. Fastpass Plus, Photopass, Park Hours, Special Events-
check, check, check, and check. A Walt Disney World vacation is a lot of fun to
plan and prepare for- and you may think that you’ve thought of everything. But there
is one category that often gets overlooked, and should not be missed: Live
Entertainment.
Upon entering a park, most people will pick up a Park Map and Times Guide. Even seasoned veterans grab these out of habit and nostalgia- who doesn’t love the feel of a freshly printed Times Guide, made especially for your vacation? Besides park and attraction hours, these also list the scheduled times for live entertainment and shows not included inside attractions. Some things are not listed on any schedule, so it is best to keep your eye open.
Upon entering a park, most people will pick up a Park Map and Times Guide. Even seasoned veterans grab these out of habit and nostalgia- who doesn’t love the feel of a freshly printed Times Guide, made especially for your vacation? Besides park and attraction hours, these also list the scheduled times for live entertainment and shows not included inside attractions. Some things are not listed on any schedule, so it is best to keep your eye open.
There
really is such a huge variety available that I couldn’t list them all. Here are
a few of my favorites.
Main Street Trolley Show, Magic Kingdom.
You walk up to the Magic Kingdom, enter under the train
station, and fight back a tear when Cinderella’s majestic castle appears from
around the corner (which is just about the same time that the “walk” turns into
a “skip”). Just when you think your morning can’t get any better, you hear the
happy music of the Main Street Trolley Show welcoming you home. Singing and
dancing “right up the middle of Main Street USA,” this is a great show that
sets the tone for the magical day about to start.
Main Street Philharmonic, Magic Kingdom
Throughout the day, the “Hollywood that never was” is host
to a wide variety of characters that never were- but are essential to the
Hollywood story. Up and down Sunset and Hollywood boulevards, you can catch the
Citizens of Hollywood performing skits and interacting with the crowd. These
are very funny and entertaining, and often involve a lot of guest interaction
and improvisation. You might find yourself as the next big star for a famous
Hollywood director, or answering phones for a pushy diva. These happen all throughout
the day, so if you see a show about to start, it is definitely worth a few
minutes of your time to stay and watch. Most characters also love to give
autographs and take pictures- so stick around!
PUSH
Speaking of Magical trash cans- have you met PUSH? He moves,
he talks, he asks for hugs- he can do just about everything you would expect an
enchanted Disney trash can to do. You can find him in Tomorrowland in the Magic
Kingdom throughout the day.
Off Kilter, Epcot
Men in Kilts, playing bagpipes and rocking out to Celtic
music. These guys have one of the largest fan followings of any WDW
entertainers- and once you hear them, you’ll know why. Located in the Canada
pavilion at Epcot, this is just one of the many musical groups you can find in
the World Showcase. Their performances can often be heard halfway around the
World Showcase Lagoon- but you will definitely want to stop and check them out
up close. As with much of the entertainment around the World Showcase, they
only perform 5 days a week- so you will want to plan ahead accordingly.
Voices of Liberty, Epcot
Just a few countries away in the American Adventure
pavilion, you will find a more subdued and elegant form of entertainment. The Voices
of Liberty is a majestically talented a cappella group that performs American
classics. You can find them many times throughout the day inside the rotunda.
The acoustics are perfect for this 8 person group, and the beautiful sound will
have you swelling with American pride. If you are visiting during the Christmas
season, their show will include many holiday classics.
Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps
Just outside the American Adventure pavilion, you can find
this colonial military corps performing a short show. The group, composed of 2
flutists, 2 drummers, and a flag bearer, salutes America’s heritage with
traditional patriotic music.
Mulch, Sweat, and Shears
Another favorite among fans is the group of musical
landscapers who can be found rocking along the Streets of America (they can occasionally
be found by the Sorcerer’s Hat as well). They perform covers of favorite
classic rock songs- with influences from the Rolling Stones, Queen, Aerosmith,
and the Beatles- just to name a few. This is another group that obviously loves
what they do (they perform together outside of WDW as well). You definitely want to watch them at least
once- they have a few different 25 minute sets. You may even be asked to join
in; their performances feature a lot of guest interaction.
These are just a few of my favorites- you can find much more live entertainment throughout Walt Disney World. It is definitely worth your time to seek it out on your next visit- take a few minutes to relax and enjoy the show!
Carissa
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