Entertainment at Disney! What's hot and what's...not back yet!

Raise your hand if you've ever been personally victimized by a parade or a cavalcade. Now raise your hand if you have found yourself at one time or another doing the speed walk of death from one end of the park to another to catch a live showtime before it starts. If you didn't raise your hand to either question because you have no idea what I'm talking about - then you need to pay attention below!

Let's set up the scene first parades (well, I don't think I need to explain that one right?) But YES Disney World does parades and they are extra magical. Cavalcades on the other hand are mini parades. These were the replacement to formal parades after the park closures of 2020. They are short but sweet little parties where you can still wave to characters and jam out before jetting off to a ride.

This post is especially relevant today because Disney Festival of Fantasy has returned to the Magic Kingdom! This is the first daytime, formal parade that has come back to WDW since the closures (except for the Christmas parade that happened during the after hours event). This is a big deal, and big sign that we are finally moving back to normalcy within the Disney parks.

Why are we talking about this parade and cavalcades in particular though? Well - it has come to my attention that when some people envision their day at Magic Kingdom, they are unaware of all the exciting entertainment options there are! Rides are awesome, don't get me wrong but when those lines are just a tad too long it is nice to know that there are plenty of activities to hold your attention and give you a few moments of rest. Here are some of the amazing entertainment options at all 4 WDW Parks and at Disneyland Park.

Magic Kingdom

• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade (as of 3/9 only 2 showtimes per day) Words cannot describe this parade, just think of every popular Disney franchise, give them the most amazing looking float - add in a jammin' soundtrack and a FIRE breathing dragon.

• Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire (multiple showtimes per day) The newest stage show happening right on Cinderella Castle stage! You can tell they're about to perform because basically all exits to the castle are blocked off and you must now go the long way to Tomorrowland. This was a new version of the old Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire that happened at the Castle pre-closure.

• Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade (only 2 showtimes per day) This is the new kid in school but features some favorite Disney and Pixar friends that have a knack for, well, adventure! It is so adorable and gives you all the warm fuzzies. You can check out my very mediocre quality snapshot of this cavalcade here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaxvgoPu_ZV/

• Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade (multiple showtimes per day) This is a special little guy that debut for the WDW 50th Celebration. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip and Dale all decked out in their 50th Celebration EARidescent best.

• The Dapper Dans (multiple showtimes per day) What a classic, and basically a park icon. Magic Kingdom's very own barber shop quartet. You can catch them riding down Main Street in a trolley, or serenading you as you enter the park on top of the train station. This is your moment of Disney Zen.

• Main Street Philharmonic (multiple showtimes per day) Disney's own marching band bringing you the hits while you munch on corn dog nuggets at Casey's Corner (post on that later, don't you worry)

• Let the Magic Begin (happens only upon park opening) If you are a rope dropper - you consider this the soundtrack to your hustle. For families and guests not staying on WDW Resort property are seeing this show as the park officially opens to all guests. To catch this show you would to be scanned in, down Main Street and at the castle about 5 minutes before the official park open time (ex. if the park opens at 8, get to the Castle at 7:55).

• Cinderella Castle: A Beacon of Magic (showtime will vary based on season) This technically isn't a show, but it is a sweet little thing that happens on the Castle once it gets dark. This was introduced for WDW 50th and all 4 park icons received one. Due to all 4 parks having their own Beacon of Magic, I will not mention this again for the next sections instead I will tell you their locations here: Cinderella Castle (MK), Tree of Life (DAK), Hollywood Tower Hotel (HS), and Spaceship Earth (EPCOT).

• Disney Enchantment (showtime will vary based on season) Here she is folks, our nighttime spectacular! It she Happily Ever After? No. Does she still slap? YEP. Disney Enchantment is your new firework show that happens at the end of the night (unless you're lucky to get a few more park hours after) set to classic Disney tunes and includes Disney's newest bop "You Are the Magic," and narration by Angela Bassett. These fireworks are bigger than you have ever seen, the music kicks you in all of your feels, and yes - Tinkerbell flies!

Animal Kingdom

• Disney Kite Tails (has now changed to a smaller show with no set showtimes) I know I'm supposed to build up to the best but I couldn't help myself. Kite Tails is the show we didn't know we needed. This gem takes place at Disney's Animal Kingdom in the lagoon right next to Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ or right outside the entrance to Dinoland U.S.A. You have kites, you have little paper puppets, you have jet skis, you have those kites crashing. What other kind of break do you need in your Animal Kingdom day?

• Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight (no need for showtimes, you'll know when this one is coming) If you are hanging out at the Tree of Life (as one tends to do) and hear the music change, then the subtle flapping of wings - RUN. Just kidding, unless you are very much not into birds, then yes run because there is about to be an entire flock of Macaws heading for you. The cast member will do a fun little spiel about the birds and then poof they fly back.

• Feathered Friends in Flight! (multiple showtimes per day) Didn't get enough birds at the Tree of Life? This is an entire show dedicated to our feathered friends, and all the cool (and sometimes scary) things they can do.

• A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King (multiple showtimes but requires careful planning!) Probably the most popular show at DAK is A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King. This is an augmented version of the original show that has graced the stage for many years - but still a treasure!

• Tree of Life Awakenings (showtimes will vary based on season) Similar to the Beacons of Magic you will see on all 4 park icons - Tree of Life Awakenings is a little extra umph to that. You get a very sweet, almost tear-jerking projection show on the tree of life for a few minutes that takes you through some beloved, nature themed Disney classics like Bambi, Pocahontas, The Lion King, and more!

• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond! (NOW OPEN!) This show is the replacement to Finding Nemo: The Musical that closed when the parks did, and then did not return. Instead they announced a reimagining of the musical to include new songs, and more plot lines from Finding Dory. This one has not opened yet but stay tuned for more information when it does finally open!

• There are many other opportunities for entertainment around DAK, just check the MDE app to see what groups will be available and when. All "character sightings" at the moment are happening on flotillas which you can only see from bridges, restaurants with seating along the water, or Nomad Lounge.

• Other entertainment options include: Chakranadi, DiVine, Kora Tinga Tinga, Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe, and Viva Gaia Street Band!

Hollywood Studios

• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (multiple showtimes per day) A beautiful stage show highlighting favorite moments from the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. You can sing along, cry, or just embrace some time off of your feet.

• Disney Junior Play and Dance! (multiple showtimes per day) Your little one has the wiggles? They can jump, dance and stretch along with some of their favorite Disney Junior characters including: Roadster Mickey, Timon, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins. While the children are entertain, parents can enjoy some well deserved air-conditioning.

• Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular (multiple showtimes but requires careful planning!) Get ready to have your mind blown watching this behind the scenes look at how action scenes are shot and choreographed on major movie sets. This showcases some of the most popular action sequences from the hit film Indiana Jones.

• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (multiple showtimes per day) Have you seen Frozen at least once, and want a good laugh out of it too? This show is presented by the official Arendelle Storytellers as they comically take you through the plot of Frozen. This show is perfect for kiddos that are still Frozen obsessed, and for adults that actually get some of the humor. Be on the lookout towards the end of the show for a special surprise.

• Disney Movie Magic (showtime may vary - check MDE app) Projection show on the Grauman's Chinese Theatre showcasing special moments from select Disney films.

• Wonderful World of Animation (showtime may vary - check MDE app) This is the current nighttime spectacular for Hollywood Studios. At the time of park close there will be new projections that happen on Grauman's Chinese Theatre set to music, lights, and small fireworks celebrating 90 years of Disney and Pixar Animation.

• Fantasmic! (Returning 2022 - no dates announced yet) Probably the most anticipated return to WDW is Fantasmic! This outdoor show takes place right next door to Hollywood Tower of Terror on Sunset Blvd. When it returns, it has promised some reimagined scenes - so stay tuned for when that returns as well!

EPCOT (DISCLAIMER #1: EPCOT is going through it, y'all. It has been under heavy construction since before the closures, and that construction has ramped up since 2021 as we await new attractions and entertainment options)

(DISCLAIMER #2: Listed below are the entertainment offerings to a non-Festival EPCOT. If you are interested in specific entertainment options for an EPCOT Festival, or dinner packages please contact me at catt.inthekingdom@gmail.com Subject: EPCOT Festival Entertainment)

• Alberta Bound (multiple showtimes per day) A Canadian sing-along located at the Canada Pavilion in World Showcase.

• Mariachi Cobre (multiple showtimes per day) Enjoy folk music from Jalisco, Mexico - they can be found at the Mexico Pavilion in World Showcase.

• Matsuriza (multiple showtimes per day) The sound of Taiko drummers will give you the second wind you need to take on the rest of World Showcase! Located at the Japan Pavilion in World Showcase.

• Sergio (multiple showtimes per day) This talented street performer can be found at the Italy Pavilion in World Showcase.

• Voices of Liberty (multiple showtimes per day) These guys have been moved around a bunch since the park reopened, but now they are home inside the Rotunda in the American Adventure Pavilion. Enjoy classic American songs performed by the move beautiful voices you've ever heard.

• HARMONIOUS (park close) We cannot talk about entertainment, or nighttime spectaculars at WDW and not talk about Harmonious?! This is the newest nighttime spectacular to grace the World Showcase lagoon (RIP Illuminations, we will love you forever). This show - there are no words to describe it! There has been some push back from EPCOT fans on this show, due to the giant spaceship looking floats that now permanently live in the lagoon, and traditional EPCOT fans really loved Illuminations. I was one of them! However, Harmonious is well worth the barges, I'm sorry! This brilliant fireworks show includes water projections, lights, fireworks and versions of classic Disney songs that I guarantee you haven't heard before as each one is sang in a mix of culturally appropriate languages from around the world. If you want to be blown away - make time for this show. The best viewing areas are: right at the entrance to World Showcase either just outside Canada or Mexico, Moracco, United Kingdom, and Japan. (Update: on Disney+ you can view the LIVE version they did of the show with some special guests, it was truly incredible).

There you have it, folks! Entertainment is not hard to find no matter which park you choose! While some of us are diehard ride fans - we don't have time to stop it is nice to have some alloted time (if we need it) to stop, take a rest, maybe enjoy some precious air conditioning to appreciate some of the wonderfully skilled entertainers around the WDW parks.

*DISCLAIMER CONCERNING BEACONS OF MAGIC: These debuted during the 50th Anniversary kick-off on October 1st and will most likely change once the official celebration is over after the 18 months. If you are wanting to get in on the extra magic - don't wait! Contact me today, here: https://cattinthekingdom.wixsite.com/website

Harmonious at EPCOT