DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
We have seen the crowds start to grow at Walt Disney World because the holiday season is here. As crowds begin to build, that means that the lines begin to build as well.
To help Guests have a wonderful Disney vacation during busier times at the Theme Parks, we have some magical experiences that are great for those busy days.
We looked at experiences at each of the four Theme Parks that would be good “filler” options when wait times get long at the top attractions such as Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Flight of Passage.
Our goal is to help you have some magical choices as you visit the Theme Parks this holiday season or anytime when waits might be longer than you hope.
Magic Kingdom Choices:
Country Bear Jamboree
Head on over to Frontierland for a fun, knee-slappin’ good time with the singing bears of Country Bear Jamboree.
This 16-minute show uses 18 audio animatronic bears to perform a variety of original and classic tunes.
This show is full of humor that will be pleasing to those young and old.
If you are looking for a way to get out of the crowd and some air conditioning, Country Bear Jamboree is an excellent option.
Credit: Disney
Liberty Square Riverboat
Cruise right along the Rivers of America and take in the scenic views of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, and more as you travel on the Liberty Square Riverboat.
This is a 17-minute journey on board the majestic steam-powered Liberty Belle.
Although there aren’t a lot of seats onboard, it does fit a lot of Guests (there’s plenty of standing room), making it a good option when things get busy in the Magic Kingdom.
Over in Adventureland, hang out with the Tiki gods and tropical birds as they have a great time in the South Seas.
This musical show brought audio-animatronics into the Parks and with groundbreaking technology that synchronized movement, audio, and visual effects.
Sing along with these exotic birds, flowers, and Tiki statues in this Disney classic.
Like Country Bear Jamboree, this show can fit a lot of people, so it is a good way to get out of the crowds and into the air conditioning.
EPCOT
Over in EPCOT, there are a few options that are great for those busy Park days.
Living With The Land (Credit: Disney)
Living with the Land
In the Land Pavilion, Guests can enjoy a slow moving boat ride through the gardens of EPCOT.
Living with the Land allows Guests to see firsthand how Walt Disney World’s horticulturalists use innovative ways to grow crops to help feed our planet.
As this ride continuously moves, it typically doesn’t have a long line, even on the busiest of days.
Take a cruise past the greenhouses on this gentle boat ride for a nice, relaxing experience. Living with the Land receives a holiday overlay during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which you don’t want to miss.
Awesome Planet
Also located in the Land Pavilion is the film Awesome Planet. This 10-minute film features amazing pictures from around the globe and is a wonderful way to escape the crowds.
In a partnership with Disney Conservation Fund, Awesome Planet uses wind, scents, and water to help tell the story of our “awesome planet” and why we should take care of it.
This is a beautiful film and is truly moving and one that we recommend on any day in EPCOT.
World Showcase Films
Back in EPCOT’s World Showcase, Guests can enjoy three films and more on busier days.
China, France, and Canada all have films throughout the day. These are great options for getting out of the crowds and into some air conditioning.
Each film provides a look at the country and the history and beauty it has to offer.
In France, Guests can enjoy Impressions de France. It alternates with Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, which we also recommend.
Over in China, Reflections of China is a 14-minute circle-vision 360 film that brings Guests into this remarkable country.
Canada has another circle-vision film in Canada Far and Wide. Enjoy the beauty of this country in the 12-minute film.
Another World Showcase option is the American Adventure audio-animatronic stage show. Witness the history and landmarks of America in this presentation.
Each of these shows provides a great experience for busy days in Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We have seen crowds grow dramatically in the two years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are a few options when it comes to experiences in the Park on busy days.
Credit: Disney
One good thing about Disney’s Hollywood Studios is that there are (or soon will be) four shows that Guests can choose to enjoy during their visit.
These shows are great options on busier days as the theaters seat a lot of Guests and have multiple showtimes.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along and Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage are perfect for those princess loving fans in the group.
Both of these shows do an outstanding job bringing the beloved stories to the stage.
Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular will be coming back on December 19 and is a fantastic way to fill some time during a busy day.
This fun, high-energy show brings movie making magic to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Guests can see how stunts are performed and see some of their favorite scenes recreated.
Finally, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is a good attraction for busy days. Located back by Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, many Guests don’t even know this show is there. The area outside of the attraction is part of the fun.
All of these shows provide excellent options for those busy times in the Park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has some unique options to experience on busy days.
Start hitting up some of the trails throughout the Park. The Discovery Island Trails get you close to the Tree of Life. How many animals can you find in the icon?
Check out the Maharajah Jungle Trek or Gorilla Trails if you are looking to check out some of the species that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home.
Visit Animals
Another fun part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is that you can see a variety of animals throughout the Park.
Take time to visit fun animals like the otters or gibbons. These are fun to watch and just enjoy.
We hope that these suggestions will help you to have a fantastic time at Walt Disney World. Disney has many outstanding experiences that can bring magic to vacations, even during the busy times of the year.
