Two weeks down and 2 more parks (plus Disney Springs) to go! Last week, we looked at EPCOT entertainment options and while there are many acts that happen on the streets and in the open at that park, many of this week’s entertainment features are found in seated theaters. But we still have those day and night time shows!
Welcome to week 3 of Believe Vacations’ focus on the Entertainment options at the Walt Disney World parks and Disney Springs where today, we’ll look at the options available at Hollywood Studios. When this park opened, we were told we’d be going inside the movies and come face-to-face with our favorite stories. For the most part, Disney has lived up to that promise as the big screen is performed on the small stage in front of us. As always, we will provide a brief description as well as the traditional posted showtimes but they are not guaranteed every day. Let’s start with one of our favorite stage shows of all time.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
Shows at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 5:00pm
It’s the tale as old as time, shorter than a half hour. Located on Sunset Boulevard, this Hollywood-style live musical brings the classic to the stage. Featuring your favorite songs, iconic characters and culinary choreography, enjoy one of the greatest love stories ever told right in front of your eyes. Just avoid the West Wing.
Disney Junior Dance Party!
Shows at 9:40am, 10:30am, 11:20am, 12:05pm, 12:55pm, 2:30pm, 3:20pm, 4:05pm, 4:55pm, and 5:45pm
Now this is fun! DJ DJ is in charge of the chaos that is geared towards kids but adults love as well. Not only do the kids get to show off their best moves, but they get to do it with their favorite characters like Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Timon and Mickey Mouse. A must for any Disney Jr. fan!
DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!
Shows at 10:00am, 10:40am, 11:20am, 12:00pm, 12:40pm, 2:15pm, 3:00pm, 3:40pm, 4:20pm, and 5:00pm
Get your motors running in the Pit Crew as some of your favorites from Cars lead the rhythm and the beats. Featuring interactive games and contests throughout the show, kids will have a great time showing their moves and competing for bragging rights. And don’t worry adults, the songs are ones you’ve heard thousands of times so feel free to sing along!
Fantasmic!
One showing at 9:00pm
In my opinion, Fantasmic! is still the all-time king of entertainment spectaculars! Located in the ampitheatre down Sunset Boulevard, this show to end the day is incredible. Lasers, water projections, fire, fireworks, live stunts, puppetry, your favorite characters, iconic songs and featured scenes from Fantasia, Lion King, Pocohantas, Aladdin, and Sleeping Beauty will satisfy all ages in this half-hour performance. Don’t forget the fun pre-show displaying who still has energy left after a long day in the parks!
For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Shows at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm
I know what you’re saying now – Nope! Never! Not Me! Not in a million years! I was the same way. Heck, I was even told to Fastpass it. And let me tell you something folks, this is the most underrated show in all of Disney! Yes, it’s got the songs for the kids but the humor is for the adults. It’s all tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top-of-the-heads-of-children, ad-lib if must humor. They’ll sing, you’ll howl in laughter and everyone will have a new favorite attraction by the end of the trip!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Shows at 12:00pm, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:45pm, and 6:00pm
Stunt shows can be very hit or miss. But when you take one of the greatest movie franchises of all time and base a stunt show around some of the most iconic movie scenes ever, it’s very hit! Even though you’ll be spending a good amount of time at this show, you’ll ooh and ahh at the near-impalings, tramplings, fallings, choppings and crushings of our favorite fedora wearing explorer. Add in some audience participation and you’ll got a fan favorite for all ages!
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
Shows at 9:40am, 10:20am, 11:00am, 11:40am, 12:20pm, 1:00pm, 1:40pm, 2:20pm, 3:00pm, 3:40pm, 4:20pm, 5:00pm, 5:40pm, 6:20pm, and 7:00pm
If you’re not doing Toy Story at rope drop, this may be the other option for your jedi warriors. Each class of jedis receives special training to combat Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and other baddies before putting on their best efforts in front of moms and dad and other guests. A true interactive and unbelievable experience for little kids who are fans of the Star Wars franchise.
March of the First Order
Shows at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, and 5:00pm
Quick back story – The boys and I entered a bathroom, came back out and dozens of storm troopers were waiting to march in. We thought we were in trouble but it was cool to be THAT close to the some of the most recognizable characters in Star Wars. When the march is led down the street by Captain Phasma, it truly is a geeks dream. And as a bonus, stand as close to the taped off line as possible. You’ll thank me later!
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
One showing at 9:30pm
This newest nighttime show at the parks…is incredible! Once the iconic theme hits, it’s game on for a straight 10+ minutes. Fireworks, images of your favorite characters, lasers firing RIGHT AT YOUR HEAD and more explosions make this a little more intense then what you might get at the other 3 parks this time of night. The spectacular puts you right in the middle of a galactic war but has time for that cantina band dance break!
Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Shows at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm
Every good park needs a good stage show right in the heart of it. What you have in this show are classic scenes and quotes that literally set that stage before a glorified role call of your favorites makin brief cameos in front of the Chinese Theater. I don’t care how old I get, I still geek out seeing these characters IN PERSON – C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Maul, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren, BB-8, Rey and more.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Shows at 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:25am, 10:50am, 11:15am, 11:40am, 12:05pm,12:30pm, 12:55pm, 1:20pm, 1:45pm, 2:10pm, 2:35pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm,4:00pm, 4:25pm, 4:50pm, 5:15pm, 5:40pm, 6:10pm, 6:40pm, 7:05pm, 7:40pm, and 8:05pm
Join Ariel and the gang under the sea in a stage show of one of the all time Disney classics. This is the true definition of an epic stage performance complete with gigantic puppets, live vocal performances and stunning graphics. And that Ursula puppet is simply awesome!!
Wonderful World of Animation
One showing at 9:05pm
The brand new nightime show projected on the Chinese Theatre starts a several decades ago…at the Chinese Theater for Mickey’s premiere. From there, the magic really happens as I believe I saw EVERY SINGLE featured production to date have a moment on the screen – From Steamboat Willy to the latest Pixar productions; from Frozen to Atlantis and everthing in between. You’ll be amazed and remember the moments you first laid eyes on these films, all the while amazed that it all started by a mouse.
