How many shows should we watch?

[darly2004]

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 9, 6 and 1 1/2 year olds) going to WDW for the first time. We want to see as many things as possible, but understand that our youngest will most likely need breaks. I am just wondering how many shows most families with little ones usually schedule per day. I guess this question is mainly for AK and DHS. I have 3 scheduled in each. For AK, Lion King, FLight of Wonder and Nemo. For DHS, Frozen Sing-A-Long, Indiana Jones, and Little Mermaid. The Nemo (4pm) and Little Mermaid (3pm) shows are at the end of the day, so we can skip those if needed. I know some say little ones can sleep during the shows, but not sure if our will.

 

[Robo]

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 9, 6 and 1 1/2 year olds) going to WDW for the first time. We want to see as many things as possible, but understand that our youngest will most likely need breaks. I am just wondering how many shows most families with little ones usually schedule per day. I guess this question is mainly for AK and DHS. I have 3 scheduled in each. For AK, Lion King, FLight of Wonder and Nemo. For DHS, Frozen Sing-A-Long, Indiana Jones, and Little Mermaid. The Nemo (4pm) and Little Mermaid (3pm) shows are at the end of the day, so we can skip those if needed. I know some say little ones can sleep during the shows, but not sure if our will.

Lion King- 30 min.
Flights of Wonder- 25 min.
Finding Nemo the Musical- 38 min.

Frozen Sing- 26 min.
Indy- 30 min.
Little Mermaid is not quite the same as the others, as it is relatively short. (About 15 minutes.)

 

[Scar1199]

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 9, 6 and 1 1/2 year olds) going to WDW for the first time. We want to see as many things as possible, but understand that our youngest will most likely need breaks. I am just wondering how many shows most families with little ones usually schedule per day. I guess this question is mainly for AK and DHS. I have 3 scheduled in each. For AK, Lion King, FLight of Wonder and Nemo. For DHS, Frozen Sing-A-Long, Indiana Jones, and Little Mermaid. The Nemo (4pm) and Little Mermaid (3pm) shows are at the end of the day, so we can skip those if needed. I know some say little ones can sleep during the shows, but not sure if our will.

Our family loves Lion King and Nemo, so much so that we'll go each time we're at AK. Little Mermaid is alright but shorter than the other 2 mentioned. We weren't a fan of Flight of Wonder and haven't seen the other 2. It can also be a nice time just to grab a seat for awhile and relax while taking in a show.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

This is obviously so subjective. We aren't that big on shows in WDW. We've seen each one once, and some a couple of times. The one we keep going back to is Flights of Wonder, but not sure a 1.5yo will be that enthused. For our kids at that age, any of these except for Little Mermaid were just longer than we wanted to chance!

I could see some 1.5yo being entertained by the colorful puppets in Nemo, or the music in Frozen, or the acrobats/music in Lion King. You know whether he/she will sit for 25-40min, though...

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I guess I would just be prepared to take your little one out if need be. When DS was younger, the bigger, more colorful shows were most appealing. He loved all of the shows in AK, including Flights of Wonder. He had much less interest (and still does) in all the shows at DHS. At 9 years old, he still won't sit through Indiana Jones.

 

[CJB2002]

We use shows for rest and breaks all the time. My 2 youngest were 5 and 6 when we went the first time so I can't help with that but I will say that Indiana Jones is loud and there are some pyrotechnics and it scared my youngest the first time

 

[Karin1984]

I love Finding Nemo, but I always find that young children get restless during the show. It's too long, and the ballads are beautiful, but not aimed at the younger audience.

If you have girls, you don't want to see the Beauty and the Beast show in DHS?

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, it's very subjective. I'm not a huge show person myself, but I do like most of the ones at WDW. Some days we won't do any, some days we'll do a few. They are good rest stops, especially the indoor ones if you're going in the summer. If you are going in summer, the Beauty and the Beast show in DHS is pretty hot, so be prepared. Maybe the little one will sleep during some of the shows, you never know.

You may also try some rides to let the little one rest. Good one may be:
Ellens' Energy: It's closing fairly soon, but it's a 40 minute ride, slow or non-moving in the dark (has some spots of loud noises)
Living with the Land: Slow moving boat ride, about 15 minutes
Spaceship Earth: Slow moving, dark, air conditioned, about 10-15 minutes (never timed it)
PeopleMover: Relaxing ride, I've fallen asleep on it myself
Carousel of Progress: I think that's about 20 minutes and you sit in stadium style seating the whole time, in air conditioning

 

[darly2004]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. I understand it is completely subjective, but I just wanted to be sure I am not being overly ambitious. There are just so many unknown for us for this trip since it is our first and we are from the west coast, so time zone is completely different too. We will be returning in a couple years, so doing everything is not necessary. However, the excitement of planning can get out of control

If you have girls, you don't want to see the Beauty and the Beast show in DHS?

We do have 3 girls. I initially wanted to do Beauty and the Beast, but our trip was going to be in May and thought it may be to hot. Now, we have moved it to March. It may be tolerable at that time? Maybe I should replace Indiana Jones with it.