Animal Kingdom shows

[jbrinkm]

I know there are not a lot of shows currently running at Animal Kingdom, but pre-covid, which shows did you enjoy? It looks like there are a TON of little street shows in addition to the bigger ones. I know they may not be open now, but I'm asking in order to keep an eye out for re-opening dates (our trip is late August). Are there any that you would go out of your way to see? I'm starting to build a general itinerary and wondering if there are any specific ones that you would recommend to put into a plan, as opposed to just "happening by" it on your way to something else?

Also, I'm pretty confused by the "bird show" at Animal Kingdom. I keep seeing different names for it. Have there been multiple iterations of this show over the past few years? If so, have they changed the content significantly or just the name? Are there multiple shows involving birds at AK? What is it/are they called now? It sounds pretty cool so trying to work it into my itinerary and would love a few more details. Thanks! (answered!!)

*NOTE: this was originally two threads, two different questions. My "bird show" question was answered, then I posted a different question about the other shows, then the threads were merged so some of the order of the answers was/is really confusing below. I'm back editing my original post because I would really like to know the answer to the second question which was a bit buried at the bottom of the thread after the merge.

 

[Makmak]

There was a different show pre COVID and they modified it for distancing and because there were characters in it before. It’s cute but not as good as the animal show at universal IMO

 

[coolbrook]

Before Covid it was called "Up! A Great Bird Adventure." It included some characters from the Up movie. Right now the show they have is called "Feathered Friends in Flight." It is very similar as far as the bird behaviors, but does not have the characters. I actually like it better, but kids may have preferred to see the characters. The Winged encounters thing is where a bunch of birds fly over Animal Kingdom and land at a spot near the Tree of Life I think. A very short "show." Of course the big bird show has changed a few times before as well, but I don't remember the names. The location has remained the same although theming has changed with the shows a bit, and they added shade at some point.

 

[jbrinkm]

Greatly appreciated! That is exactly the info I needed.

 

[HiStitch626]

I really like the new format of the bird show also. On the day that we went there were quite a few kids there and they all seemed enthralled. I don’t usually stop by guest services and leave comments, but we did on that day. I would love if the bird show did not go back to having any characters at all and just had the trainers talking about the birds.

 

[jbrinkm]

this post was moved to the top of the page

 

[kathy884]

I love "Festival of the Lion King". I think it's the best show out of all the shows in all of the Disney parks. It gets me and my family singing and dancing every time. For me, it's a must do on an AK day.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Festival of the Lion King is the only one I’d make a point to see. A lot of the street entertainment was really good but not something I’d plan around. We were never big fans of the Nemo Show.

 

[Lumpy1106]

FotLK - must see for sure. I skip Nemo on purpose unless they are JUST seating it and we need a break from the heat. Don't waste too much time on the bird show either.

 

[AcusTwinhammer]

Also, the "Up" version of the show only started in 2018, previously it was called "Flights of Wonder"(ending late 2017) and didn't have characters from existing IP (instead featuring a parody of a Disney World tour guide). I believe there was at least one revision of the "Up" show as it wasn't a real popular change, though the name didn't change. So three significantly different shows from 2017-now, and a couple show revisions within that time.

 

[jbrinkm]

I'm mostly wondering about things like "Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe," "Karibu Sisters," and "Divine." It looks like during normal times, there's a bunch of that type around.

Looks like Lion King might be back in some form before we go, so I'm excited about that!

 

[jbrinkm]

deleted

 

[jbrinkm]

deleted

 

[jbrinkm]

deleted (sorry, this was all related to the merging of the threads)

 

[coolbrook]

I'm mostly wondering about things like "Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe," "Karibu Sisters," and "Divine." It looks like during normal times, there's a bunch of that type around.

Looks like Lion King might be back in some form before we go, so I'm excited about that!

We have stumbled across the drummers and a soccer trick act and Divine. Haven't seen the Karibu sisters, but wanted to. With FP+ reservations, other show times, and ADR's I've never really been able to hit those little shows on purpose and I've tried a couple times. They aren't things we stood and watched from start to finish either except the one time my daughter was a volunteer in the drum show.

We also love Festival of the Lion King and are looking forward to a version of it returning before our November trip.

 

[gharter]

Agree with LotLK as our favorite.
We also enjoyed the all the stage performers around AK. Not sure if any of them are back now.
Nemo is fun to watch, great when it was really hot outside.

 

[jbrinkm]

I'm mostly wondering about things like "Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe," "Karibu Sisters," and "Divine." It looks like during normal times, there's a bunch of that type around.

Anyone at AK recently, have any of these street shows returned yet? Any of the music or dance side shows, like Kora Tinga Tinga or Pandora Drummers?