The Best Shows in Magic Kingdom at Disney World

There is so much to do in the Magic Kingdom. I do not blame those of you who skip right over the shows and head straight to the thrills! However, I implore you to pause, take a breath, and consider trying something new. If I may, I’d like to highlight some great entertainment for those of you who want to pace yourselves on your upcoming trip. These are some of the best shows in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.

Best Shows in Magic Kingdom

As much as I love riding rides at Disney World, there are occasions one might need to stop and take in a show. You might be pregnant, injured, or otherwise unable to ride with your group. Disney World may have bad weather that might cause you to duck inside for cover.

Whatever your reasoning for needing a place to sit, don’t waste time in a shop or hiding under an awning! There’s still plenty of fun with these awesome shows at the Magic Kingdom!

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

One of our favorite shows to see is Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Fantasyland. It’s right beside (or behind, depending on where you are standing) the Prince Charming Regal Carousel and to the left of Peter Pan’s Flight. Much like It’s Tough to Be A Bug in the Animal Kingdom or MuppetVision*3D in Hollywood Studios, this show is mostly 3D with some 4D special effects thrown in for good measure.

Donald is the star, and the audience follows him as he chases Mickey’s sorcerer hat through several well-known animated features. The wait is usually no longer than 15-20 minutes and is well worth your time.

Country Bear Jamboree

Another favorite show in Magic Kingdom is Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland. This attraction is near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe. This animatronic stage show won’t knock your socks off technologically, but it is worth the visit for nostalgia alone. My girls really loved the talking moose the best! It’s a silly show with silly, singing bears, but the seats are comfy, it’s indoors, and you will probably never wait more than 5-10 minutes for the next show to start. Country Bear Jamboree had been closed for a while for refurbishment, but Disney Parks Blog recently announced it will re-open in July 2024.

Monster’s Inc., Laugh Floor

Finally, although we really enjoyed the last time we went to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland, a group member was caught playing on his phone during the pre-show on a past trip. He didn’t get the hint the first time they called him out, so they kept showing him on the screen throughout the show! This live comedy show stars Mike, Sulley, and friends from Monsters, Inc.

They interact with the audience, ask questions, and tell funny jokes. Genie+ reservations are available for this one, but it’s not necessary. Genie+ reservations only allow you to get seats close to the front. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, so save those passes for something you don’t want to wait for. The wait between these shows is usually 15-20 minutes.

Street Entertainment in the Magic Kingdom

As always, there are plenty of fantastic street shows in Magic Kingdom including, but not limited to:

• Main Street Trolley Show
• The Dapper Dans
• Main Street Philharmonic
• Character Cavalcades

These street shows are great if you don’t actually want to stand in line and wait for a show. The Magic Kingdom also has some of the best parades and nighttime fireworks out of any of the parks.

Don’t miss out on Happily Ever After each evening (subject to weather conditions) and the Festival of Fantasy Parade, which appears twice daily at 12 pm and 3 pm.