Last Updated: July 31, 2026
An often-overlooked component of any good theme park is its show lineup. I think most guests would rank the rides as their top priority, and rightfully so, given that these types of thrills are pretty exclusive to the amusement park experience. Meanwhile, shows don’t really feel all that different from going to the movies or a concert, just in a more condensed format. Especially at a young age, it might feel like taking a seat in a theater in one of Walt Disney World’s four parks is counterintuitive and a waste of time. You’ve come all this way, spent way too much money, and gotten all hyped up to ride Space Mountain, but instead you find yourself surrounded by mechanical birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room. As a kid, it felt like if you weren’t standing in lines for rides, you were doing something wrong.
As an adult, though, I’ve come to greatly appreciate what shows bring to the table. At their core, they provide opportunities for talented performers to showcase their skills as they temporarily transport you into their story. But there is also tremendous talent that comes from the people who create screen-based shows or program audio animatronics to play out the narrative. Furthermore, these shows help to alleviate ride wait times around the park, with the largest theaters capable of holding hundreds (if not thousands) of people at once. Ultimately, they have immense appeal for a wide-ranging audience, be it guests looking to get off their feet (and into some AC if they’re lucky), people who lack the ability to experience many of the rides around the parks, or young families who hope to slow down the day with something nap-inducing.
This isn’t to say that Disney’s shows are boring. Sure, there are some clunkers in there, particularly at Epcot. But by and large, many of the shows at Walt Disney World are what stick with me long after the trip is over. Whether you’re looking for a history lesson, a good laugh, or some valuable morals, there’s a show here for you. So without further ado, here are my five favorites.
Note: This list only includes shows. You can find my top ten favorite rides at Walt Disney World using this link. Also, click on each heading to see a video of the show in its entirety that I was able to find online.
Honorable Mentions – Muppet*Vision 3D; Country Bear Jamboree
Muppet creator Jim Henson’s final production, Muppet*Vision 3D, is a true masterpiece. Before seeing this show, I was never really on board with the Muppets. I obviously loved Sesame Street, but no matter how hard I tried, I just never really bought into Kermit and the gang. That changed with Muppet*Vision. Combining witty jokes, the hilarious sarcasm of Statler & Waldorf in the balcony, a captivating pre-show, fun 3D film effects, and clever 4D theater tactics, I truly love every single aspect of this show. It’s pretty close to perfect! But it finds itself in the honorable mentions not because the other entries are better, but because it no longer exists. In June 2025, Disney closed the entire Muppets Courtyard in Hollywood Studios to make way for a Monsters, Inc land. While I’m excited at the potential of this new area in the park, I feel the decision was very shortsighted and overall pretty disrespectful to Jim Henson’s legacy. The company has promised that they’ve preserved the show in some capacity. I’m holding out hope that once Villains Land opens in Magic Kingdom, they will move the villains show that’s currently in Hollywood Studios and replace it with Muppet*Vision, especially since Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster next door is now Muppets-themed. If it ever does return to Walt Disney World, it will immediately jump to the number one spot on this list.
Country Bear Jamboree is in a similar boat. Featuring a wide array of audio animatronic bears like Big Al and Liver Lips McGrowl along with a trio of mounted animal heads, this was a show that felt like it was intended for the adults in the room. With songs like “Blood on the Saddle”, “Mama, Don’t Whip Little Buford”, and “All the Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down”, there were countless laughs throughout the entire performance. However, the technology was starting to show its age and was in need of refurbishment. In January 2024, this beloved attraction, which was initially one of the most popular in all of Magic Kingdom when it first opened in 1971, closed for a six-month reimagining. While the bears remained, their hilarious songs did not. The company saw yet another way to inject their own intellectual property into the parks, changing all the music over to classic Disney songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “The Bare Necessities”. From what I hear, this new Country Bear Musical Jamboree is pretty good and obviously has more of a sing-a-long vibe to it. But I just can’t get myself to watch it. If this were still in its original form, I would likely have the Country Bears at number two. Since I haven’t seen the new show, it only gets an honorable mention.
Another opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom, the Hall of Presidents is housed within a beautiful colonial facade in Liberty Square. Featuring incredibly detailed animatronics of all 45 men who have held the position of commander-in-chief, this show leaves me feeling a strong sense of reverence for the responsibility, determination, and patriotism that each of them must take on in this role. The waiting area outside the theater contains personal artifacts from various presidents for you to peruse before the show. Upon entering the huge auditorium, you are first shown a short film on The Idea of a President, an important reminder of the ideals that our leaders should strive for. Then, as the screens slide out of the way, you are presented with a roll call of each president, followed by a short speech by George Washington and the oath of office by whomever the sitting president happens to be at the time of your visit. Rumors have persisted in recent years that the Hall of Presidents might be in for a complete overhaul, given the political climate that exists in the United States today. While this is an uncommon occurrence, some guests can’t help themselves from cheering for the presidents they like and booing the ones they don’t. My hope is that every person, regardless of opinion, can get something positive out of this attraction and gain an extra dose of pride for the country.
#4 – Festival of the Lion King
Festival of the Lion King is an ornate stage show presented in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom. You are welcomed to the theater by four human hosts, who assign you one of four animals depending on the section you’re seated in: giraffe, elephant, warthog, and lion. Entering after this are countless dancers, puppeteers, and stilt-walkers all dressed in stunning costumes meant to mimic the wildlife of the African savanna. You’ll also get special appearances by Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa during the show. From the gymnastics to the fire knife-twirling to the aerial acrobatics, there is sure to be something about this show that leaves you thoroughly impressed. There are so many moving parts to Festival of the Lion King that make you wonder how they’re able to pull it off so flawlessly time after time. The audience engagement in this show is fantastic, and it’s a must-do any time you find yourself in Animal Kingdom. Start lining up plenty early though, as the theater fills up extremely fast!
#3 – Carousel of Progress
This one might find itself in the same category as Muppet*Vision 3D and Country Bear Jamboree depending on how its current refurbishment goes, but for now, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is one of my top three favorite shows in Walt Disney World. Holding the record for the longest-running stage show in the history of American theater, this production employs audio animatronics as its performers rather than live people. It originally debuted at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, moved to Disneyland in California in 1967, and was then packed up and reassembled in Florida’s Tomorrowland in 1975. Guests sit in a rotating theater (hence the carousel name) that travels through a brief introductory room and four different acts that tell of the story of technological innovation and human achievement – a turn of the century Valentine’s Day setting, a 1920s Independence Day, a 1940s Halloween night, and a 21st century Christmas. Carousel of Progress has seen many updates over the years to keep up with the times, particularly when it comes to this final scene. The script is certainly corny at times, but that’s part of what makes it so endearing. Having closed on July 6, 2026, the ride will eventually feature a Walt Disney animatronic giving the introduction when it reopens sometime in 2027. The new scenes will be during the moon landing in the summer of 1969, Halloween 1985 (with wife Sarah taking center stage for the first time instead of husband John), New Year’s Eve 1999, and a possible distant future. As someone who doesn’t like change, I’m apprehensive about what’s to come, yet I’m optimistic that “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” in store for our Progress family. As the oldest attraction in the Orlando park that Walt worked on personally, it’s important that they pull this off.
The American Adventure, a theater production housed on the second floor in the Epcot pavilion of the same name, is a nearly 30-minute show hosted by audio animatronics of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. Given that the story is told entirely by robots, props, and video screens, it’s honestly a pretty emotional journey through time. It starts with the Mayflower, jumps to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the time spent in Valley Forge, then to a family divided by the Civil War. After this, you see the struggles of the Native American people, the innovations of industrialization, the establishment of the National Park Service, and the effects of the Great Depression and two World Wars. It culminates with a video montage and our two narrators atop the torch of the Statue of Liberty. The feats of Disney Imagineering are truly what makes this experience so special. With some of the most detailed animatronics imaginable accomplishing feats like walking up stairs, all while their platforms slide into place under the stage floor, it’s amazing just how intricate The American Adventure is. Just like with the Hall of Presidents, you’ll be left with pride for all that’s gotten our nation to this point in its history and with hope for what’s to come.
#1 – Fantasmic!
With a phenomenal score, a beautiful setting in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, and an engrossing storyline, the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! is currently the best show at the Walt Disney World Resort. Bringing together an impressive display of technology, lighting, special effects, and a huge collection of your favorite Disney heroes and villains, this show transports you into the dreams of Mickey Mouse as he takes on the forces of evil. Typically with two performances each night, one an hour before Hollywood Studios closes and another half an hour after closing, this show is can’t-miss. The path to the amphitheater is located along Sunset Boulevard between the Tower of Terror and the Beauty & the Beast stage show. I highly suggest you start lining up early in order to get the best seat possible. You’ll want to avoid sitting too far to the left or right if you want good views of what’s happening on the mountain stage. If you’re more concerned about a quick exit once the show is over, I would stick further to the right since there’s only one access point in and out. My recommendation is to attend the second show since it tends to have a smaller crowd and allows you to spend a little more time enjoying the rest of Hollywood Studios throughout the evening. Overall, Fantasmic! is a tremendous display of Disney magic, combining the best elements of storytelling and creativity to create the number one show at Walt Disney World.
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Thank you for visiting Small World Travel Blog! Do you agree with my top five shows at Walt Disney World? If not, let us know in the comments what your list would’ve been. If you’re looking for more information or articles about Disney theme parks, along with my previous ranking of the top ten rides at the Orlando parks, please use this link. And make sure to keep an eye out for future Disney posts!
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