Animal Kingdom/Epcot shows- tell me about them

[*123JOANNA123*]

OK- hope no-one minds, but I'm going to make three threads for this topic- admin, feel free to amalgamate them if you think it's necessary.

As we have young kids, parades and shows are more our kind of thing than the thrill rides. I'm probably not going to see all of them, but wanted to gather some info (and thought others might be interested. So here goes:

What is your favourite show at the AK/ Epcot (discounting illuminations)?

What's the best time to catch it (i.e. morning, evening)?

What are the lines/wait times like for it during busy season? (we'll be there August)

How long does it last?

Is it indoor/outdoor (hot or cool!)?

Any input much appreciated

 

[meeko_33785]

At AK, I would have to say Festival of the Lion King at Camp Minnie-Mickey, although I usually have a hard time choosing between that one and the Tarzan Rocks show at Dinoland. Both are excelent, but the Lion King one would probably be better since you're traveling with young children. The show is very popular, but you should probably be OK if you get there about 30 minutes before the show.

For EPCOT, it's definatly the American Adventure. It's basically an audio-animatronic show that wraps up hundreds of years of American History into 30 minutes or so (not sure exactly how long it is). It's indoors in a large theater so crowds are not usually something to worry about and it's a great break to be able to sit down at get some air conditioning.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Probably my favorite show of all Disney is The Lion King at AK! So, so good! I think we went to the second show, and it was full. They had some entertainment before the show to keep the kids happy. It is in an open air covered theater so it shouldn't be too hot.

Epcot has great entertainment in the World Showcase. My kids liked dancing to the Beatles like band in England, and my daughter became part of the Living Statues in Italy so that was a lot of fun. (One of the statues picked her up, and she did not want to come back to me!) We did not time it right to see the Chinese entertainers, but I have heard good things about them. All of these things are outside of the pavilions. With my little ones, we did not do any of the movies in the pavilions except the Norway movie after Maelstrom, and actually my DH took my DD out of the theater before it started. It is only a five minute movie. Norway was my son's favorite because it had a Viking ship to climb.

 

[donna in Oz]

Gotta agree with Lion King show at AK; one of Disney's best, IMHO. Get there early, so your little ones can sit toward the front. They choose "assistants" from among the kids.

Although it's probably nobody's favorite, "Food Rocks" in The Land in EPCOT can be a cool spot to entertain small kids. It's pretty corny, but if you don't mind that, it's a cute show. Never very much of a wait.

 

[gshoemate]

I agree...The Festival of the Lion King. Tarzan is pretty good also but if you have time for only one....the Lion King. However it will be shut down for a short time in August because they are redoing the theatre. Not sure of the exact dates but I could try to find them for you.

Epcot - My 5 year old DD loves the acrobats back in China and then there is a a movie about recycling staring your favorites from the Lion King.....I believer it is also in The Land.

 

[mathgeek]

I'm going to go against the majority and say that although I do like the Festival of the Lion King, my favorite at AK is Tarzan Rocks! I love to inline skate, so I really enjoy watching the tricks they do on their skates. But I would also agree that the Lion King goes over really well with little ones. When I was there over the winter holidays I was able to get in with less than a half hour wait at either one for morning shows.

At Epcot keep an eye open for the acts at the American Gardens Theatre. Last summer I saw one called Shockwave that was awesome. I also enjoy the show at the American Adventure. It's fun to look at the famous quotes in the lobby while you wait.

 

[Samirella]

Festival of the Lion King will be down from August 24 until September 19th in order for the theater to be enclosed.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

Phew! Looks like Lion King will be open when we're there. The kids have been singing along to Hakuna Matata in the car (we have a Disney compilation CD on the go all the time!) the past few weeks and I was really hoping to catch this show. It'll be so cute to see the recognition on their little faces when they hear the song (please tell me it's in the show!).

I haven't been to Epcot in a gazillion years (try 10 or 15!), and it seems like World Showcase has changed quite a bit. I never really remember much street entertainment, but from what I see here, looks like there will be quite a bit to see and do.

Thanks for the input

Joanna

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by *123JOANNA123*
The kids have been singing along to Hakuna Matata in the car (we have a Disney compilation CD on the go all the time!) the past few weeks and I was really hoping to catch this show. It'll be so cute to see the recognition on their little faces when they hear the song (please tell me it's in the show!).

Yes, Hakuna Matata is in the show! It's brief, but they will recognize it!

 

[tar heel]

Many people overlook the street entertainment in World Showcase, and it is absolutely wonderful. Most of it happens in late afternoon/evening -- pick up a schedule at the front of the park.

Our favorites on our June trip were:

Imaginum (the living statue), which is now in Italy

A Chair Act (France)

Le Mime Roland (France)

Off Kilter (Canada)

Miyuki (Japan)

World Showcase Players (Great Britain)

We also love the Chinese acrobats, but kept missing them b/c rain cancelled their performance.

My two teens and 8-year-old were not as in to the musical acts (such as Off Kilter) but just loved the chair act, mime, statue and World Showcase Players. Miyuki is in a class by herself with our family. Her show is only 10-15 minutes (She makes candy art.) and we usually see it four-five times each trip. My two younger sons just adore her.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

Thanks Samirella- it'll be great to hear 'kuna tata' from my 2 yo!

Tar heel- that's exactly the sort of stuff I hoped there would be- the kids are really too young for a lot of the rides/lines and I want to be able to stroll around and let them watch shows KWIM? The candy art sounds really cool- did your kids get to keep some?