1/2 Day in AK - Finding Nemo - The Musical - Is it worth seeing?

[BlondeAppetit]

Is the Finding Nemo show a must-do for you?

We will already be seeing the Festival of the Lion King.

The only time that works with our schedule is 1pm and truthfully, I would like to be leaving the park at that time. Also, it says it is 40 minutes long.

Also, we would have just been on Kali River Rapids.

Would we be too cold and wet to sit in the theatre and watch the show?

Should I move things around? It seems like it would be hard to go to from Tusker House to Nemo to Kali River and then for my husband to ride Expedition Everest.

Currently my plan is to do the safari, then the Festival of the Lion King, then meet Mickey and Minnie, eat at Tusker House at 10:45am, walk around Tree of Life, Kali River, and DH will go on EE and we will leave.

Thoughts?

 

[lugnut33]

AK is NOT a half day park!!

And yes, Finding Nemo is worth it, but don't waste time in line to get up front. If you attend the last show of the day you can walk in 5 minutes before it starts and get a great seat.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

If you are only going to do a half day at AK, then honestly, why bother. I go to AK three times on every trip for around six hours each time. The Nemo show is excellent. I saw it for the first time last year, and I've never seen the movie. I've seen the FOTLK many times, and it's good to. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Nemo.

I agree that going into that theater after Kali could be problematic because it's very cool inside there and you'll probably be wet. Why not do Nemo, and then Kali? I don't follow a strict plan at any parks. If you do Kali early enough, you won't need a FP, and you can use one for Nemo if that's in your plan.

 

[lugnut33]

If you are only going to do a half day at AK, then honestly, why bother. I go to AK three times on every trip for around six hours each time. The Nemo show is excellent. I saw it for the first time last year, and I've never seen the movie. I've seen the FOTLK many times, and it's good to. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Nemo.

I agree that going into that theater after Kali could be problematic because it's very cool inside there and you'll probably be wet. Why not do Nemo, and then Kali? I don't follow a strict plan at any parks. If you do Kali early enough, you won't need a FP, and you can use one for Nemo if that's in your plan.

With the extended hours now why not do Nemo and then hit up Kali on the way out?

 

[Kat913]

On our last disney trip we hadn't planned on seeing this show because we didn't have time but part of our group wanted to do EE one last time before leaving the park so the other half of us went into nemo because the show was about to start & there were plenty of seats. We LOVED it & the rest of our group was sorry they missed out. Now it's a must on our list for our trip this August. It's very different & enjoyable.

 

[CAS239]

We didn't care for the show, so it's an easy skip. One time was enough for us

Festival of lion king is a lot better.

 

[JennyDrake]

we didn't care for the show, so it's an easy skip. One time was enough for us

festival of lion king is a lot better.

ditto.

 

[Nohal]

We saw it once and that was enough we even left before it was over. Of course it is me and DH with no little ones. I'm sure you can watch something on youtube and then decide if it is worth it for you. I didn't like that you could see the people working the puppets. Looks like I'm in the minority but different strokes for different folks.

 

[vleeth]

It's cute and bright and colorful. But it's the exact story from the movie. We've done it once and it was enough for us.

 

[jco_direwolf]

We didn't care for the show, so it's an easy skip. One time was enough for us

Festival of lion king is a lot better.

I agree.

I will add, I can't stay awake for the whole show. I've been to the show 3-4 times so I've seen the whole thing. But something about when I go, how tired I am, the temp, the seats, the dark... zzzzzzz

My wife loves it, and when I play my cards right I get to go do single rider at EE and she goes to it.

Also I would NOT do kali before Nemo unless I had thermal blankets or wanted Hypothermia.

 

[jco_direwolf]

I didn't like that you could see the people working the puppets. Looks like I'm in the minority but different strokes for different folks.

Just to clarify for the OP, it's not that you can "See the people working the puppets." It's more like each performer has a puppet with them.

What I'm trying to say is it's not shoddy stagecraft, it's a design element of the show.

And yes those of us that don't care for the Nemo show, are in the minority.

 

[blondietink]

Forgive me, but isn't the first show of Lion King usually at 10 am? I have never been to the park when it was earlier than that. If so, you would be hard pressed to see Mickey after Lion King and make it for a 10:45 reservation.

 

[BrownHP800]

We didn't care for the show, so it's an easy skip. One time was enough for us

Festival of lion king is a lot better.

I am just the opposite. I loved loved Nemo. FOLK was just alright. Too long in my opinion.

 

[nat8199]

I have to say... If you are going to walk some trails, the tree of life trail are not the top ones to pick. The ones in Asia with with the bat house, tigers, and bird house are our favorites. The gorilla trail in Africa is also great. Then comes the tree of life trails, which are definitely not to be missed, but the Asia trails are totally awesome.

 

[DWillowBay]

We didn't care for the show, so it's an easy skip. One time was enough for us

Festival of lion king is a lot better.

Yes, that! I love the Nemo movie and was excited to see the show. I was more excited to leave. Vive la Difference, but not for me.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We love the Nemo Show - but we also spend a lot of time at AK - If my plan was to spend 1/2 day there - I would not plan on seeing it.

 

[tinkerbesh]

It is a FANTASTIC performance! I would absolutely make time for it!

Regarding the actors- I love that you see them working the puppets- they are carefully costumed, and to me are just as much fun to watch as the puppets. I got to go to a discussion with them once- cool fact: they are trained in tai chi so that their stage movement looks more like they are swimming- they never stand still- they are always in motion. (Side note- I also enjoyed War Horse and Avenue Q for similar reasons- the artistry that goes into this kind of performing amazes me.) Anyway the puppets are also fantastic, and the acting and singing are top notch!

Fwiw, I grew up on musical theater, & in addition to performing I now teach it, too.

 

[Fratthouse]

I love the Nemo show - it's my second favorite show in all of Disney (Lion King is my first). But if you only have a half day, I guess it would depend on your preferences. Do you generally like shows / theater? If not, then I would spend your time doing other things. But I'm an AK fan and usually spend at least one full day here.

 

[JTBE]

Our family loved the Nemo show at AK-- we liked it better than the Lion King. We loved Lion King on Broadway-- so disappointed with the Lion King at AK. We felt that the Nemo show was musical theater worthy- the actors are amazing carrying the wooden puppets and singing- talking- and making facial expressions. They were amazing.

 

[jacks1023]

We saw Nemo once and didn't care for it. We were way in the back so maybe we would have a different experience up front. But we're not in a hurry to test that theory . I wouldn't rush around to try to fit it in. FOTLK is my favorite on the other hand!