Latest / Ear Scouts Podcast / Disney World Shows Part 1: Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios
Transcript
- Rob: In this episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, we're doing our first of two episodes. That's a show all about shows. We're going to be talking about all the different shows at Walt Disney World to help you pick the shows you should see when you're at the parks next time. We're also going to share some tips about the easiest ways to see those shows. And we've got so many shows to talk about that we're breaking this into two shows. so Today in this show, we're going to be talking about Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. And we will be back next week for the second half of this show, which will be all about Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We've got a lot of shows to talk about, so let's get to it. Hi ho everybody, this is Rob with Ear Scouts, coming to you from our makeshift studio here in Celebration, Florida. Joining me, as always, is the other half of Ear Scouts, Eric. Hi ho, Eric. Erick: Hiho everyone! Rob: Eric is going to be keeping up with the live chat over on Patreon. If you'd like to join us live as we record each and every episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, just head on over to patreon.com forward slash Ear Scouts. Also with us from the great state of Indiana is our resident Disney trivia guru Craig. Hi ho, Craig. Craig: I ho, everybody. Rob: And also with us from the lovely state of Connecticut is our good friend and the host of Jessica Scraps on YouTube. Jessica. Hi ho, Jessica. Jessica: Hi ho, everyone. Rob: So we're gonna jump right into this show because if you've ever looked at the list of shows at Walt Disney World, you know we have a lot to cover in this one episode. to make things a little bit easier, we're only gonna be covering the shows that are inside the parks. So things like Hoop De Do, not gonna be included. We're also only gonna cover the shows that happen in kind of the regular park day all year round. So Things that would happen at special events like the villain spell tacular at Not So Scary, those are not included. And we decided unfortunately we couldn't really include all of the amazing musicians and kind of streetmosphere things that happen in the parks because we love it and and we think you should do those things, but we would be here all night. Jessica, why don't you share with everyone there were a couple of questions that came in that inspired this episode. So Kind of set us up. Jessica: Yeah, and just a reminder if you're on our Patreon and you have ideas for shows or questions, please put them there. Or anytime you want to put a question, you can put question for podcast in the comments of this video and we'll make sure we cover it. But here are two that prompted this show. first from Rachel Russell. How about an episode about shows? Which ones are worth it? Have lightning lanes and don't, when to arrive, how long to wait, and basically then Debbie. Kind of Debbie GB piggybacked on that and said, yes, I would love an episode about shows. I'm not clear on whether a lightning lane gets you better first choice of seats or just guarantees you get into the next show. Are there any good shows for lightning lanes? And I think those two are kind of the impetus for this. so just beyond shows with lightning lanes, but shows in general. Rob: And that's pretty much exactly what we're gonna do today. we're gonna go through kind of in alphabetical order from each park. We're gonna start with the shows that have lightning lanes because those tend to be the bigger shows in each park. And then we'll go through the other shows in alphabetical order as well. So let's start off with Animal Kingdom, which is the easiest because it doesn't have a super long list. we'll start out with Feathered Friends in Flight. Which surprisingly does have a lightning lane, but I can tell you that you don't need that lightning lane. Whenever I've actually booked it and I tap in the the person who's there at the lightning lane just seems surprised that someone booked a lightning lane. there's ample seating in there. So you don't need a lightning lane. It's not going to help you get a better seat because essentially you're going to go in at the exact same time as whoever arrived at the queue as the same time as you did, if you have a lightning lane. So it's not really gonna help you. The show itself is pretty cool. It's it's if you're a fan of birds specifically, if you're a fan of seeing, you know, animal trainers work with animals and show you, you know, how they work with animals and teach you a little bit about the ecology of those animals, then this show is probably for you. but I'm gonna go around really quickly and just say for you, for me, I would say this is. This is kind of a a a a maybe do. Not a must-do, but a maybe do. Jessica, must do, maybe do, or one and done for you. Jessica: Maybe do mainly because it doesn't change. If you saw it five years ago, the jokes are the same. The gimmick is the same. So you kinda need some time between visits, I think. But it's still it's good. Rob: I have found that I have found that the bird who sings a song sometimes the song changes. So there's a there's a little change. There's a little change. Jessica: well that's good. Little change. Rob: Craig, is it must do, maybe do, one and done. Craig: Yeah. It's a maybe do, pretty much for the same reasons y'all said. It it's a great show. You should do it at least once, and I've seen it a few times, so it's not on my must do list for sure. Rob: Eric, what about you? Must do, maybe do, one and done. Erick: I would say it's a maybe too, but if you have never seen a bird show before, this one is a very good one to experience. Rob: Yeah. Yeah, I think if you're a bird lover, it's a must do for you. otherwise it's probably a it's a maybe do if you got time for it. All right, let's move on to our next show. This is the big one at Animal Kingdom, Festival of the Lion King. Craig, why don't you give us a quick synopsis of what's Festival of the Lion King all about? Craig: Well yeah, so Festival of the Lion King is basically a retelling of the Lion King story. but you've got singers, you've got musicians, you've got acrobatics, you've got flying, I mean incredible performers, like some of the the best on property for sure. and some great set pieces. The light it's an indoor theater. It's very comfortable. it does have Lightning Lane. And is it helpful? It can be. on busier days. Sometimes you have to wait an extra show to get in, if the lines are that long. will you get a better seat with a lightning lane? That's kinda hard to t I'm not sure what you meant by sometimes, Rob, when we put this all together. Can you explain what you meant by sometimes? Rob: Sure. So first of all I would say it's kind of like a reintr you it includes all the music for the most part from from the Lion King movie. It's kind of reinterpreting the the moments, I would say the beats from the movie, rather than a tr I wouldn't say it's a true retelling of the Lion King story, but kind Craig: Yeah. But Rob: of like a a a reinterpretation with dance and cool, you know, stuff. Craig: Right. But it it's not it's not a new story, I g is I guess what I was going Rob: Yeah, correct. Craig: for with that. Rob: Yeah. so the what I meant by if you use a lightning lane, you're going to be seated in a specific area. The lightning lane has its own entrance apart from the other one. And depending on when you arrive, if you're using a lightning lane, so let's say if you arrived, you know, when there's already a ton of people coming into the other entrance. there's a good chance that you would get a better seat coming into the lightning lane side than you would going into the general entrance side. but it's not guaranteed. So I mean it's I just think you have a slightly better chance of getting a better seat if you're using a lightning lane, but it's again, it's it just depends on how many people are already in that space. but I would say for me, this is absolutely a must do. I mean, just There there's there's people juggling fire, there's people flying, there's there's you know amazing puppetry, there's these huge, huge puppets of giraffes and elephants. It's very cool. The performers are amazing. It's the best show at Animal Kingdom, possibly the best show in any of the parks, in my opinion. Must do for Festival The Lion King. Jessica, what you think? Must do, maybe do? Jessica: I think it's a must do for me. There's a little personal connection. My daughter did silks. My older daughter, not the Belle, but the other one, the Katie. She did silks in high school. And every time I see those birds dancing, I just think about watching her. But watching the dancers in that section just always kind of I I tear up every time. It's and of course I love fire. Fire's great. So It is you know, Lion King's not one of my favorite movies, but this is a must-do every time I go to the park. So even if you're thinking to yourself, I'm not a big Lion King fan, it's an amazing, wonderful show that will really hit you in the feels. it picks the best music out of the whole show. Rob: Yeah. Craig, what about for you? Must maybe do one and done. Craig: Must do. Must do for everything I've already said Rob: Eric, what about for you? Erick: I would say it's a must do, just be aware if you have little ones you they might not be able to see the show Rob: w because of the Erick: because of like the person in front of you they might be like very tall and the little ones might not be able to see Rob: I hadn't really thought about that. But yeah, the I mean it's the the the seating, it's kind of like bleacher seating, like you'd find at like a high school gymnasium. I feel like that's kind of the the way the seating is. but yeah, if you're behind a a big person and you're a little person, it might have a hard time. all right. Next, finding Nemo, the big blue and beyond Jessica. Jessica: This is basically the musical version of Finding Emo, the movie. if you've got your kids have done a musical version of it, there's actually a a version of it they can do in schools. it has a lightning lane. You don't need this lightning lane. You it almost never has a bad seat in the house. You're not getting a a great seat with the lightning lane. for me, this is a maybe do. I really like the show. I think it's a good show. I think the performers are amazing. It has Broadway stars that have transitioned to Florida to be in the show. It is high caliber. If your kids liked Nemo or if you want to break from air conditioning, this is a maybe do. Certainly not nearly as good as Lion King and the big scheme of life, but it has puppets and it's upbeat, so it's pretty good. Rob: Yeah. The puppets are incredible. I mean, just if if you're a puppets f fan, this is a must do. if you're a huge Nemo fan, it's a must do. Otherwise, I'm gonna fill in this category. It's for me, it's a maybe do. I agree. Craig, what about you? Craig: Mm-hmm. I'm gonna say maybe and with a little caveat, I have not seen this newer production that I think opened since the shutdown. But I had seen the original, which I think was just a little longer. But yeah, it's a great show. Puppets, the stagecraft. It's it's a maybe, not a must, but definitely check Rob: All right. Craig: it out if you're worse or your timing. Rob: Eric, what about for you? Erick: For me it would be a maybe do. Rob: Yeah. All right. well, we're gonna check in with Patreon at the end of each of our parks to see what their must do's are. But continuing on, the final show that has a lightning lane at Animal Kingdom is Zootopia Better Zogether. Jessica, I feel like you have to to talk about Zoo Zootopia. Jessica: So obviously Zootopia Better Together is a show sort of after the two movies of Zootopia. And it's a 3D film made specifically for the parks. it's a really good movie. It's 3D, it has Zoopia characters, it does have a lightning lane that can be helpful at busier times in the park to make you not have to wait an extra show. But in general, you're only waiting one. at the max two shows to get in. you don't get better seats with a lightning lane. You just get into the big crowd faster. for me it's a must do. It is a huge improvement in my opinion over a bug's life, mainly because it does not scare the children. It is a a much better show for that. So must do all the time. Zootopia. Rob: All right. For me I would say this is a maybe do. If you've never done it though, you have to do it at least once to see the animatronic of Jessica: Clawhauser. Rob: Clawhauser. He's amazing. Craig, what about for you? Craig: Yeah, it it it's a great show. It's a maybe. I think it's an improvement over the bugs life. so yeah, definitely check it out if you haven't, but it's a maybe. Rob: What about you, Eric? Erick: if you really like Zootopia I would say it's a must do but otherwise I will skip it don't hit me Jessica Jessica: It's okay. Rob: Some controversy. Some controversy. All right. our now, those are all the shows that have lightning lanes. Those are kind of the big hitters in that park, but we've got a few more to cover. the first one being the newest, which is Blueie's Wild World at Conservation Station. I think I'm the only person here who's actually done it because I was there with some littles recently and we took them to see it. Here's the thing with this: you really You're gonna probably feel awkward going if you're not there with littles. just because this is a show, the the little kids are gonna be invited to be up to dance and play with bowie bluey and bingo, and everyone else is just gonna kind of stand around the outside and watch Bluey and Bingo dance and play with the kids. So that's what this is. If you have got little kids though who love Bluey, I'd say this is an absolute must do. And For everyone else, unless you know if you really love blue and you just want to see what it's about, go. Otherwise, it's probably a skip if you don't have little ones. and I'm not gonna pass around because I'm the only one here who's seen that one. so we're gonna jump right ahead to Tree of Life Awakenings. And I'll just give a quick summary of this one as well. So this is something that happens in the evening after dark. Which is important to know because it doesn't always get dark in Animal Kingdom. Sometimes Animal Kingdom closes so early and the sun hasn't gone down yet, there will be no Tree of Life awakening. So it may not happen when you're there. But if it does, it's just basically a projection show on the Tree of Life. there's a series of them though. This is important to know. People stay and they watch the first one and then they think it's done, and then they all leave and go home. There's actually like four or five of them. and so you do want to stay and they're interrupted by like a break of about, I don't know, what is it like six, seven minutes maybe between each one. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: but stick around and see them because they're they're they're pretty cool. for me, if I'm done with everything I want to do on my Animal Kingdom day and I'm strolling out and it's happening, I stop. I do. So I would say probably not a must do, but if I can, I usually do. check it out. What about you, Jessica? Jessica: Same. If I'm at Animal Kingdom at night, I have actually just gone to Animal Kingdom at night just to see Pandora at night and this, the the lights. So if you can get there on your trip and you plan it right, it's definitely worth it. Rob: Yeah. What about you, Craig? Craig: Yeah, the same thing. if it's going on, definitely I'll sit there and watch. But that's the lovely thing about it. It's like you don't have to see the whole thing. You can just experience as much as much as it as you want. So Rob: Yeah. And what about for you, Eric? Erick: I think it's a must do, and especially during Christmas time. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: It's really beautiful, and if you watch it from one of the sights, like you're by yourself basically, and it's very unique. Rob: That's I'm so glad you brought that up. Jessica: When you say the sides, where do you mean? Rob: So the back. You can watch it from the back. Jessica: you it you can watch it from the back? Rob: Yep. Erick: between Africa, just Jessica: This is mind blowing. Erick: basically on the way between Africa and like Asia, like there is a little, where you usually see like a photo pass opportunity on the Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: right hand side. And again, you have a great view of the tree and the lake. Rob: Yep. In fact, Jessica: This is mind blowing. Rob: in fact, if you go to that little seating area by Mr. Kamal's, you can just sit down and with a table and watch the show. They project the exact same show on the back as they do on the front and nobody knows it. So it's dead back there. Jessica: This is the best piece of information we've had in a whole year of podcasting. I'm just letting you know, Eric, my favorite thing. Craig: Ha ha ha. Rob: But I'm I'm also really glad that Eric mentioned Christmas because it is important to know if you've seen this other times of the year, they do completely new versions for the holidays. And if I'm being honest, I like the holiday ones even better than the regular ones that happen. so yeah. We have one final show at Animal Kingdom, Winged Encounters. Craig, give us a quick synopsis of what winged encounters is all about. Craig: Okay, Winged Encounters takes place in front of the Tree of Life. usually hourly, but just in the morning. So the last show I double checked and it's twelve fifteen. It might go later at some points, but make sure you check the app for the show times. how to describe it? It's these beautiful, colorful parrots. It's kind of like feathered friends in flight light. Almost like a little taste of what that show can be. But yeah, these just train birds and there are huge numbers of them and it's it's it's even hard to describe. just the way they can just go as a group from one to another and they're just the training, it's it's amazing. again, it's one that I'm gonna put in the maybe column. It's one of those that if I happen to catch it, I doubt that I'm going to make arrangements to see it. Rob: Yeah. I I think what's coolest about this one, the birds, they're not they're not like backstage. They're just they they come from wherever they're at in the park at that moment. They just know to come at that moment and do the show. And it's pretty cool to see them just all swarm in. if you're terrified of birds, if you're terrified of the movie, the birds maybe want to skip it because it could be traumatic. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: But I think it's very cool. For me, I agree. It's a maybe do if I'm there. Jessica, what about you? Jessica: It's a must do. We've arranged Animal Kingdom days around it to see it more than once. it is it is a rainbow of macaws and parrots flying in and flying out. some of the best pictures. So if you love rainbows and macaws, it's a must do. Rob: Eric, what about you? Erick: I would say it's a must do, I mean just being able to see the macaws flying like almost touching your head like it's an amazing experience. Rob: Yeah. All right. Well, that is the last show we have in Animal Kingdom. Before we move on to Hollywood Studios, Eric, do we have any any thoughts from Patreon folks who say that there's certain things or must do's for them or questions? Erick: I think like the... Sorry. Craig: Yeah. Erick: I think a lot of people agree that the Lion King show is a must do. A lot of people tend to avoid Nemo. And we have some mixed feelings. Rob: Did anyone say why they avoid NEMA? Erick: It's just mainly because of the length of the show. Jessica: It is a lot shorter than it used to be. Just if you have not seen Erick: Yes. Jessica: the newest Craig: yeah. Jessica: iteration, just a reminder to people, the newest iteration did shorten Nemo quite a substantially. So if you're not going because of the length and you haven't been back in the last three years, go s give it another chance. Rob: All right. Anything else before we move on? Erick: I think we're done. Rob: All right. Next up is Hollywood Studios. And this, I feel like a trip to Hollywood Studios in many ways is kind of about shows. There's so many great shows at this park. And if you only hit the rides, you're really missing half of the magic of Hollywood Studios. we're gonna start out with Beauty and the Beast live on stage, which is down there near Tower of Terror. Jessica, why don't you tell us about Beauty and the beast live on stage. Jessica: It is exactly what it says it is. It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast live on stage. it is the costumes are amazing. I've heard tell the dancers have gotten new costumes. I haven't been there recently, so it's on our list of things to do. they do the whole Beast to the Prince change. It's it's very cool. It's beautiful. There's live singers and dancers. for us, it's a maybe do. I think it's a you should everyone should do it at least once. If you have a big beauty and the beast fan, it is not air conditioned, so it's still kind of outside, so it's not quite as good of a you know cult. cooling moment as some of the other shows we'll talk about. But if you like Beauty and the Beast, it's a definite Rob: Yeah. so th this one does have lightning lane. In my experience, it's never helpful. I don't I don't I don't think I've ever gotten in because I had a lightning Jessica: okay. Rob: lane and wouldn't have been able to. And I don't think you get you basically it's the same, you're going in the same entrance as everyone else. I don't think it helps you get a better seat either. but for me, I would say it's a maybe do. I would go with maybe do. What about for you, Craig? Craig: Ooh, I'm gonna put this in a skip. Rob: Wow. Craig: It it really Jessica: Ooh. Craig: so the characters, they're in like these full furry costumes, like you'll see the characters in the park. So Chip is almost as tall as his mother, as Mrs. Potts, and Mrs. Potts is enormous. it's Rob: Ha ha ha. Craig: it's everything I personally do not like in theme park shows. So and I just saw Jessica: Hm. Craig: it again and it just kind of reaffirmed it's like it's it's harmless. I if you like Beauty and the Beast and you've never seen it, absolutely. For me it's I can skip that all day long. Rob: All right. What about for you, Eric? Erick: So it's a skip for me. Rob: All right. Okay. Well, sounds sounds like that one really is gonna depend a lot on how you feel about giant chip characters and costumes and beauty and the beast. Our next one is another one that I I think I'm the only one here who's done this. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Well, Eric, I think you saw bits of it, but it's the Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Clubhouse live show. This is new. It kind of took over the What was the old thing called? The the Disney Junior Jessica: Dance party? Rob: dance thing? Yeah. Erick: dance party. Craig: Playhouse Disney, or is that earlier? Rob: Yeah, it's it it's basically it's in that animation courtyard area. And I gotta say, I was really impressed with this. Now, obviously, if you don't have littles, there's probably no reason for you to go. But if you've got littles, this is a really cool show. You're actually probably even as an adult, you're gonna be entertained not by the show itself, but by how creatively they did it. so there's these large video backdrops. And the way that they move through the the the world of the the clubhouse while all the performers are kind of dancing and there's there's everything's done in unison with this movement of video. It's very cool. I mean, I think they did a really great job with it. The it the kids basically get up and dance and and get involved in the show and get excited the whole time. I mean, I think it's great. So if you've got littles who are the right age, I would say it's a must do. but otherwise, it's probably a skip because there's not really a reason to go if you don't have kids are in that target. it does have lightning lane. In my experience, everybody who's lined up there gets in. I don't it's not like assigned seats or anything. I mean, I'm sure there's a fire code limit, but I doubt they ever hit it. So you're probably good. Jessica: Ha ha ha Craig: Ha ha ha ha. Rob: did anyone else want to weigh in on that one? I think I'm the only one who's seen it, right? Are we gonna continue? All right. Craig: Yeah. Erick: from what I saw from your footage, it looked awesome. Honestly, like the screen, the animation, it was really good. Rob: Yeah, it's cool. It's a cool thing to check out. all right, moving on to for the first time in forever, a frozen sing-along celebration. Craig, tell us a little bit about that show. Craig: Okay, so this is kind of a retelling of Frozen, surprise or nice. so there are two new characters and they're pretty much the narrators. They they're in charge of the history, they're historians, I believe, right? for Arendelle. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: So but they're funny. It's an improv show. They don't go by a script, it's new every time you go see it. and it's a sing along. Does anyone sing along besides me? Probably. Not in my experience. Sometimes they do. You have, and then also you have Snope, Florida Snow Indoors. If you've never experienced it, you can always experience it there every day at Hollywood Studios. and I can't say I go every time, but it's a must do. I think it's a great show. definitely if you haven't seen it, definitely go. It was one that I hadn't seen. It took me a long time to finally see. I was like, should have gone. A lot earlier because it's that good. it does have Lightning Lane. Is it helpful? It can be if the it's a pro fairly popular show. If it's an extremely busy day, it might help. I have used Lightning Lane. It's a great burner without going into too much detail what a burner is. It's just a a Lightning Lane you book first thing, so you can tap in and that will unlock everything else. in fact when I went to use that, the cast member sitting there, I I was early and he just s noticed me and he's like, Do you have a burner that you want to use? And I'm like, Yeah So he like Rob: Ha ha ha ha. Craig: let me do it before they were like before the attraction even op or you know, the park even opened at nine o'clock. So but yeah, no, it's it's definitely a great show. Rob: Yeah. I I think it's a must do and and it's one that I don't even I feel like I don't even see it as much as I as I wish I did see it. I mean I like it that much. And the other thing I will say, even if you do not like Frozen, even if you do not like the idea of a sing-along, if you enjoy, you know, just some a little improv humor, it's it's just a really fun show and the performers are great. This is a good opportunity to share one little tip I have about shows in general at Disney World. You will see at this show and at some others we're going to talk about here, people will try to jockey to be the first to get in the doors when they open the doors. So they can be the first into the theater. That's a really bad idea, especially if there's a whole lot of people. Because if there's a whole lot of people, what they're going to do is they're going to make everyone go to the very end of their row. So you're gonna jockey to be the first person in and you're gonna get the worst seat on your row. what I always do instead, I hang back at most of these shows. As long as I know I'm gonna get in, I like to go in towards the end because then I can see which rows I'm gonna end up more or less in the middle of the theater. And that's a good tip for any show that has a large crowd that are all going in at once. Don't try to be on the front of that crowd. but Jessica, what about for you? Is this a must do, maybe do, one and done? Jessica: It's a must do. And I'll just add a little thing is that if you're going to Jollywood, I would see this in the day and then the nightmare show in night just to see how they can change a theater space. That to me is just fascinating. So if you're going to Jollywood at night, please try to see this in the day. Cause as a theater kid, that was super cool to see. But this is a must-do. Rob: Yeah. Eric. Yeah. Eric, what about for you? Must do, maybe do, one and done. Erick: must do. mean the royal historians of Arendelle like they are always very funny and I think the jokes evolve from time to time so I really enjoy that. Rob: Yeah. It it it's always a a new show, as Craig said. So that's why I love doing it. all right. Next up is the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. I think this might be the only remaining opening day show from when this was Disney MGM. someone can correct me in the comments on YouTube if I'm wrong on that, and I'm sure they will delightfully do so. but to my knowledge, it's the only one. And I love this show because number one, I love Indiana Jones. Number two, I wanted to make movies since I was a little kid. So seeing the kind of effects like how the effects are done kind of a the side of it is appealing to me. And I love fire and explosions on stage. I don't know. It's just I think fire and explosions on stage are cool and this show has a lot of that. So for me, this is I think a must do. I will, to be honest with you, I don't do this every time I go. but if I if if I'm with someone who hasn't done it, it's like, no, we're doing this. You're gonna see this show if you've never done it. So I think it's a must-do if you've never done it. and in terms of lightning lane, really quickly, yes, it does have have a lightning lane. Only on the busiest days is the lightning lane going to be helpful. You can sometimes get a better seat with Lightning Lane because this is one of those where the Lightning Lane is going be able to enter the theater a little bit ahead of the large crowd that's that's sort of getting filtered in slowly. So you get a better chance of getting a better seat. I will tell you, in my opinion, the best seat in the house, no one ever takes it. It's far stage left. sorry, I'm sorry, far stage right, which is house left. So if you're looking at the stage, it's to your left. on the very front row. I don't know why no one's ever sitting down there. It's the best seat because you just get a front row seat to the coolest like parts in the in the the temple. And then you have the perfect angle of view for the big explosions that are gonna come later. So that's my seat. Jessica, what about for you? Erick: you Rob: must do Jessica: This is a one and done for me, but because of my Rob: Hoo hoo hoo. Jessica: family, because of my family, I have seen it. It's a maybe do. I don't need to see it again. I've seen it a couple times. I personally would don't need to see it again. But people that I'm with, if they want to see it, I go and sit it. And it's not unenjoyable. It's just not my jam. Rob: All right. What about for you, Craig? Craig: I'm with you, Rob. It's a must do if you've never done it. And otherwise a maybe do. I still enjoy it. Is it it's like three different acts. If am I right? Is it three or four? Three. So, but each act, it's like the set changes and it's like you're in a totally different theater. So just for the stagecraft alone, that that's amazing. But yeah, the the stunts, everything, great. And I can vouch for Rob's tip for where to sit because I did take his advice once, and it was great. They were great seats and they were totally open. Rob: Yeah, I don't know why no one's ever down there. what about for you, Eric? Is this a must do, maybe do one and done? Erick: I say it's a maybe though, but the main reason for me is just that it is really loud and I don't like loud noises. Rob: Yeah, that's a that's a good thing to call out if you've especially if you've got anyone in your group with sensory issues. I mean it's a it's a sensory overload. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: There's they ask everyone to scream at one point. You know, there's explosions, there's a lot. That's a that's a good point. Good call out. All right. Next is one of the we went from the original opening day show to one of the newest shows, which is The Little Mermaid, a musical adventure. Jessica, why don't you tell us about this new version of Little Mermaid? Jessica: So I have two on here that John said we we don't talk about enough. And this is the first one. This is the first of the ones that he lobbied that we should talk about more. And that is Little Mermaid, a musical adventure. We saw it and it is a updated version of the Little Mermaid show that they used to have. It has like a triple screen kind of situation where they're projecting on a screen, but there's an actress behind it, and they have puppets and they have. An actor kind of in a puppet suit for Ursula. It is a really interesting live action puppet screen show that blends pre-recorded music and live singers together. every time we've seen it, the person who's playing Ariel is phenomenal. Like she makes the show. it does have a lightning lane. I will say, much like the other shows we've talked about on a very busy day, probably worth it. You're gonna skip a line and get in on the next show. On a not so busy day, probably don't need it. but in John's opinion, this is one of the best shows he's seen, particularly the best update to a show he's seen. And I I will agree with him. The update to the show I think is amazing. For me it's a maybe do. It's certainly a everyone should see it once. And then it's definitely a a maybe do from going forward. Rob: Yeah, I if I'm planning to see this show, I will book the Lightning Lane. Just because if you have to wait for the next show, you're stuck outside. Because the Jessica: That's a good point. Rob: the holding area for for the people who are waiting through an extra show is is outside and it's it's not like they don't have a lot of fans. I just think it's much more comfortable. Get get the Lightning Lane. Craig: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I was gonna say, and conversely, your tip about waiting too. So that's that's Rob: Yes. Craig: what I would do. Like I'll wait until like the show is going in and they're all going in and I'll wait and see is there gonna be room and then I'll jump in at the very end. And again, no bad, no bad seats, no bad Jessica: that's a idea too. Mm mm. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Craig: seats. Rob: yeah, and and this is one I I would say I kind of agree with Jessica. If you've never seen it, just because of the interplay of the puppets and the animation and the the performer, and usually nine times out of ten, that aerial is just amazing. Her voice Jessica: Amazing. Rob: is incredible. Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: So yeah, I I think it's it's worth doing at least once after that. It's it for me, it's kind of a a maybe do after that. And what about for you, Craig? Craig: Yeah, same. You definitely see it at least once. now I'm gonna throw something out. I don't it's correct me if you've had a different experience, but the last aerial I saw was trying to I think she was really trying to make the part her own. She was not trying to do a carbon copy of the film, which I appreciated personally. I liked seeing Jessica: We saw Craig: that, but I can see where some people would not be happy so much with that. Jessica: We saw two different aerials and there were two different performances. They were both very similar to this the song was still the song, but they were definitely Craig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: two different performances, but both amazing. I think I I think I've only seen two aerials. I'm trying to remember, but Rob: I've seen a few and I will say none of them have been bad, but one of them was like, my gosh, she just blew the doors off this theater. Jessica: Mm. Rob: She was so amazing. So, but but I've never seen one that wasn't good. so I I think, yeah, performers are are really great. Eric Eric, what about for you? one done, must do. Erick: It's once and done for me. Jessica: Classics. Eric's not a classics guy. Craig: Ha ha ha. Erick: I love it. I love the puppetry that it has, but I feel like it's the same, you know, like it doesn't change. Jessica: Mm. Rob: Yeah. That's true. I really the only thing that changes Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: is the performer. The performance Erick: is. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: by Ariel is the only thing that changes. Everything else is exactly the same. Erick: and usually all of them have me are like over the top. Jessica: Even. Rob: All right. Well, next up is the show that I'm I'm wearing the ears for Phantasmic. This is the big nighttime spectacular that happens at Hollywood Studios. there is no lightning lane for this show, but there is a dining package that you can purchase. basically, what a dining package is is there's a variety of restaurants at Hollywood Studios. You can either get an a lunch. Or an early dinner. It's always, if you're getting dinner, it's going to be a really early dinner. And then at that, you're going to pay more than you otherwise would for that same meal at that restaurant. Sometimes it's going to be a prefix. Sometimes it's a buffet if you go to Hollywood and Vine, for example. and they're going to give you a ticket when you pay the bill. And the ticket is going to give you admission to this special seating area. Now, it's important to know. These are not reserved seats. You still have to get there before Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: because what'll happen, even though that section of seats is reserved for people with the dining package and they don't sell more tickets than they have room in that section, once the theater fills, they will start letting the standby guests at the very end fill in those areas that have not been taken just to get as many people into the show as they can. So you do still have to arrive a little bit early. but I will tell you this, they are the best seats in the house. So they do reserve the absolute best seating. So they're the center section. this show is basically there's projections on like water fountains. and that's important to know because you don't want to sit in the first like seven or eight rows unless you want it to be a water show, because you will get sprayed by Jessica: Ha ha ha Rob: the water. and it's it's kind of like a a dream like show where Disney, you're you're really you're you're you're in Mickey's dream in a sense, and Mickey is the hero of his dream, and it takes you through different stories from the Disney classic films. and there's a performances, there's some fireworks, there's fire effects. I'm not gonna spoil it because it's mind-blowing amazingly amazing when it works. so it's a it's a must-do if you've never done it. Absolute must do. And for me, anytime I'm done with my park day, just like I said at Animal Kingdom with the with the tree of life, if I'm done with my park day and I can walk in and see it, I do. Last little tip I'm gonna say: if there's two showings of Phantasmic, this is important to know, you can walk up at the moment that that second showing is starting and you can get a great seat. I've been there on the busiest days of the year, during the holidays, during crazy times. If there's two shows, that second show will never fill and there'll be great seats right up until the end. So those are all my tips. And I would say for me it's a must do. Jessica, what about for you? Jessica: It's a maybe do. It I I only see it if I can get there without having to wait a long time and I I don't go out of my way to see it. So I consider that a maybe do. Great show, just Rob: Okay. Jessica: maybe do. Rob: What about for you, Craig? Craig: Yeah, I kind of agree with Jessica. I think the show itself is a must do. Absolutely. If you've never seen it, you have to do it. the thing that moves it into the maybe column is having to wait in line. Now, as Rob just said, the second show, yeah. The problem with that is it's late and I'm old. So that usually never happens either. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: but yeah, having to wait in line and then getting out can be a nightmare too, because it's so huge and everyone's Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: trying to get out the same place. they do open up. Different doors so they you know you're not coming out the exact same way you came in. But yeah, that's why it's a a maybe, but definitely a must if you've never done it. Rob: So Eric, can I share with everyone that Eric's Erick: Just go ahead please Rob: If Eric could be anything in in all of Disney, what he wants to be is friends with. The steamboat Willie who pilots the the ship that comes out at the end of the show. There's ships in this. There's there's barges that come out. I mean, it's a huge show. But Eric, knowing that it's your your your dream role, is it a must do, maybe do or one and done? Erick: in some of us do. every person that I have taken to experience it, they have cried. So yeah, I think it's a must do. Rob: All right. we do have one more show. This one doesn't have a lightning lane, but I'm it's kind of crazy that it doesn't have a lightning lane because it is a very popular show. It's a great show. Craig, why don't you tell us about? Villains unfairly ever after. Craig: Okay. So yeah, this is one of the the newest shows. used to be in it's in the theater where they had a Lightning McQueen show. It's been totally transformed. so technically this is one of the most mind-blowing shows I've seen anywhere. with the screens, the sets, it's just phenomenal. You have so you basically have three main villains. You have Terella Deville, Maleficent, and Captain Hook. But all of the villains are trying to be the most Proved to be the most unfairly treated. So everyone has a everyone has a grief. And the magic mirror is the host. and the audience ultimately gets to decide which of the three has been treated the most unfairly. again, no lightning lane. now they do have an aisle in the middle of the the seating. So it's not quite like Rob's tip about going in later because Rob: Mm. Craig: you know, you're not going down one aisle, one one row. So I've only been I've only seen it maybe three or four times, but and at different times like getting in. But I noticed the earlier I've gotten I've gotten better seats. But I don't Rob: Yeah. Craig: know if you need to be like right there, but Rob: I I think it depends a lot on what you think are better seats for this show. So for me, I love this is one of the few shows I like being in the very back of the theater just because you can kind of take it all in. But if you're the kind of person you want to see the performances of the the performers like up close, that if that's your idea of the view you want, then you need to be there early. You need to be among the first because they they tend to fill that theater up from the front to the back. So, you know, I tend to like to be one of the last people in just 'cause I like to sit in the back. But yeah. I think that just depends on which which show you want. but would you say, Craig, for you it's a a must do, I'm assuming? Craig: Yeah, it's a must do for me for sure. It's my favorite show on property. Rob: Wow, nice. I I would it's my favorite show now at Hollywood Studios and I would agree. It's a it's a must do if you can fit it into your day. what about for you, Jessica? Jessica: It's a maybe do for me and it might even be a one and done for me. I didn't Rob: Wow. Jessica: find the music that catchy. I don't love Cruella. Not a big Malificin fan. So, you know, it was just a it was it didn't it's it's a wonderfully done. The performers are good. All of the things I would rather see Beauty and the Beast. So there you go. It's just it's a different kind of show. So definitely see it if you haven't, but Rob: I if you're gonna nitpick, I will say this. You you mentioned the Cruella. Cruella's whole thing is she's a fashion designer. Her costume could use an overhaul. It's a little it's a little posterboardy. Jessica: And there's nothing nothing Craig: Mm, yeah. Rob: Eric, what about for you? Is this a must do, maybe do, or one and done? Erick: It's a must do. Rob: Yeah. Jessica, you're the you're the the odd one out there, but Jessica: I usually am Rob: All right. Well, Jessica, why don't you start us off with with those those are all kind of the the big shows at Hollywood Studios, but we do have a handful that we want to talk about that are smaller shows that people should know about. tell us about Disney Movie Magic. Jessica: Disney Movie Magic is a projection show that goes over some of the famous non animated movies in Disney's history. It's projected on the Chinese theater in the front there. Happens after dark. No, no real fireworks or anything. It's just a projection show. if you're in the area, watch it. I personally would not make it a point to go sit down and see it. So it's a really interesting, it's Got some good clips, but it's just a clip show. It's like a a clip montage. Rob: Yeah. I I would for me, I I mean, I I often walk past it as it's going on Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: on my way to something else, and I don't even really stop and look at the projections anymore. Erick: you Craig: Ha ha Rob: it's it is a one and done for me. But what about for you, Craig? Craig: Yeah, same thing, one and done. If you're there, stand around. If not, keep moving. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Yeah. Eric, what about for you? Erick: Yeah, I will skip it. I sometimes forget that it is there. Rob: Yeah. Sometimes, yeah. Sometimes you're going to get on a last minute ride for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and you're like, yeah, this is happening. you Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: just you you forget about it. But yeah. All right. What about let's talk next about vacation fun, which is an original animated short with Mickey and Mini. I'll talk about this one. If you've seen the Paul Rudish shorts of Mickey and Minnie on Disney Plus, this is basically like a greatest hits. version of that. so if you've seen them, there's really no point in going to see this. In my opinion, I would not waste part of my Hollywood Studios day unless I just really needed air conditioning or my kids really just needed to, you know, chill out somewhere for a little bit. I think that's what this is really for, is just a a break in the day. It's not something it's basically a an advertisement for the The Paul Rudis shorts on Disney Plus. I would say this is a skip unless you fall into one of those categories I just mentioned. what about you, Jessica? Jessica: It's a one and done and then after you've seen it, make sure you take your pictures in the photo ops, particularly Potato Land. They have the photo ops. That's the only reason to see it is so that the potato land makes sense. Rob: Okay. What about for you, Craig? Craig: Well, I'm a huge fan of the Paul Rudish shorts. So I'm still gonna put it in one and done. unless you're looking for air conditioning. and it's continuous show, so there's that's always nice. I will say I I just checked this out because I had to look I want to look up the show times, but it's closed until later this year, it Jessica: Mm-hmm. It's closed right now. Craig: says. Just so I had forgotten about that. Yeah. Rob: yeah, they're they're doing a refurbishment, I think, of the space. Yeah. Yeah. Eric, what about you? Erick: Skip. Rob: Yeah, it's it's go go watch it on Disney Plus when you get back home. All right. Craig: Yeah, watch all the shorts, they're fabulous. Rob: They are they're lovely. All right, next is Walt Disney presents one man's dream. Jessica, why don't you tell us about one man's dream? Jessica: Well, if you're listening to this podcast, this is probably not you. But if you are interested in some of the history of Walt Disney's life and you don't know it already, it is a documentary, basically a 15-minute short documentary about Walt Disney. It's extremely fascinating. and for those people that are going to Disney World because they're going to a theme park and not because they're huge fans of Disney, it is a great opportunity to kind of understand some of the history of of what started the whole thing. For those of us that are probably listening to this podcast and are huge fans of Walt Disney, you may not learn anything you didn't already know, but it's still it's still something to see at least once. I kind of put it in the maybe do. If I'm looking for air conditioning, I would rather do this than vacation fun. So that's why it kind of gets bopped up into the maybe do category versus the the the one and done. Rob: Yeah. So I live here and I think I've only seen it once. So I feel like I have to say one and done, because that's kind of what it has been for me. I I Jessica: wow. I've seen it three or four times. Rob: I enjoyed it, but I'm kind of I'm in that boat that you talked about though. It was it was I already knew, you know, Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: I I I kind of already knew all the information, so I Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: haven't felt compelled to go back. having said that, I do go in that theater whenever they do. previews of the new a lot of times instead of one man's dream, it'll be the first ten minutes of the next Pixar movie or the first ten minutes of the next Disney animation studios movie. And I always go for those. So I do return for those, but yeah, not really for one man's dream. Craig, what about you? Craig: one and done for the film. but the exhibits in the museum part, definitely I almost always end up walking through there just to see the same stuff over and over because it's so cool. but yeah, I Jessica: It is. Craig: usually skip I think it's yeah, it's just now you're gonna make me sit through a film. Cause it used to make you, like you used to have to either sit through or at least wait for the first one or the one that to get out before you could leave the exhibit. Which they Jessica: That's right. Rob: Really? Craig: yeah. and that's just that's throwbacks to Maelstrom. Which is very triggering because you get off that ride and you sometimes had to wait up to twenty minutes just to get out of the ride because there's a film and you had to wait. So yeah, that that does trigger me. But yeah, one and done. Rob: Yeah. The the exhibits are cool though. Even if you're not gonna go see the film, walk through Walt Disney presents 'cause there's some cool exhibits. Eric, what about for you? Erick: once and done as well for the same reason that you stated Rob: Yeah. All right. Well we have one final show to talk about, and that is the wonderful world of Disney Animation. Craig, why don't you tell us about that one? Craig: Yeah, so this is another show in front of the Chinese theater, very much like Disney Movie Magic, but this is all animated about the animated films. Now, Disney Movie Magic, I just checked the times at you like right now it's at eight forty. Twenty minutes later is the animation show. So they're bucked up right against each other. I do prefer this one. same thing. I don't know if I would. Now, the last time I did watch it, there was a custodial cast member. And his name happened to be Craig as well. and he knew every moment of that show. And he just conducted it. He I mean, it wasn't like he was trying to pull focus or anything. You could just tell that he loved being there and loved doing that show. And he'd clean up stuff. He was doing his job. He definitely wasn't like, but he was part of crow crowd control as well. but yeah, that was probably the thing I liked most about the show is watching this guy enjoyed even more than I was. Rob: Yeah. so what about for you? Is it is it a must must do, maybe do one and done? Craig: one and done. Rob: Yeah, yeah. I I would agree with that. I I mean, I do agree with you. I prefer this one over the the movie magic one. if you're gonna just see one, this is the one to see. But once you've seen it, you probably won't feel the need to see it again. what about for you, Jessica? Jessica: Same Z. Exact same. Rob: Yeah. Yeah. Eric? Erick: same with you guys, I would prefer to do Phantasmake over that one Rob: All right. Well, what about over on Patreon? Because that's the last show we have to talk about at Hollywood Studios. Did anyone completely disagree with us and say no? I absolutely must end my night at Wonderful World of Disney Animation. It's not a Hollywood Studios day without it. What what did we hear? Jessica: Ha ha ha ha. Erick: Some of our Patreon mentioned that Vacation Fun is their favorite and that Rob: Mm. Erick: they laugh so hard when they are watching it Rob: Yeah, no, it's it's fun. The the the shorts are great. Yeah. Erick: And for Dennis, he experienced Fantasmic for the first time during Julie Wood Nights in 2024. And it was the first time we had been to Disney in 15 years. It was the first impression for us and just blew us away. Rob: Yeah. Erick: so like for Rob: They're Erick: Another show that a lot of our patrons like as well is The Villains show. For Lassie Scout, she said that the show scared the little one, but they still love it. Rob: Yeah. That that actually reminds someone was asking in in Patreon recently. I thought it was a fascinating question. How is Disney gonna manage to do a whole villain's land in the park that's for little kids without scaring the little kids? And I think that's Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: a the the villains unfairly after is a good a good test case for that. For those of you who are watching live, we will not be recording another show next week because we're going to be airing the second half of this show as we all take a break for Labor Day. But if you are listening to this show in the future, know that we're going to be covering the second half of Walt Disney World in next week's episode. So that'll be Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We look forward to seeing you next week. Until then, think lots of happy thoughts, everybody. on to our penultimate park. Epcot. Not as many shows in Epcot, and actually very few of them have lightning lanes.