It is no secret that Disney brings together people of all ages, especially for dinner shows at Disney World. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 5 years old and falling in love with one of the formidable Disney princesses or you’re 32 and re-watching The Lion King for the 165th time, we never really fall out of love with Disney as it continues to provide families with endless joy.
That very joy and magic is brought to life at Disney World, which excels in showcasing everything that we love about the Disney universe through endless hours of entertainment.
From the multiple theme parks, all of which combine thrilling rides with the things we love most about Disney, to the enchanting firework displays, our favorite songs playing out to adoring crowds, they do offer a fairytale to appease those of all ages.
One of the most exciting things about a Disney World vacation is the phenomenon that is a dinner show; themed dinners that offer unique experiences, bringing excitement and food together for ultimate interactivity. There are two fantastic options for dinner shows, so it’s well worth taking a look at some of the finest shows that are on offer before you make a decision.
1. Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
For so many children (and adults), experiences with Polynesian culture are often uncommon and the extent of our understanding derives from the way it is depicted is some of Disney’s finest films, such as Moana.
Movies like this have allowed us to grow increasingly curious about one another’s cultures and that’s where Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show offers an incredibly unique insight into a Polynesian culture all while feeding us fantastic food.
Available to experience at the Polynesian Village Resort in Luau Cove, you can treat yourself and your little ones to a family-style Polynesian feast while witnessing some of the finest entertainment acts; drummers, dancers, and even a fire-knife performer, all hosted by the formidable Auntie Wini, who educates the audience on all of the finest things Polynesian culture has to offer.
This fantastic feast offers excellent food for all the family to enjoy including salad, ribs, roasted chicken, pulled pork, and vegetables.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, it’s well worth trying the infamous pineapple-coconut guava cake with a chocolate crunch. And for those ever so hard to please children, don’t fear, you can fill them up on corn dogs, tater tots, pizza, grilled chicken or fish and green beans. The beverage selection is just as huge with plenty of soft drinks and coffee available, as well as alcoholic drinks for older guests.
2. Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue
Fancy yourself as a cowboy/girl? Combining hours of comedy, great food, and everything Wild West; Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue throws together a talented all-star cast to offer you hours of entertainment and a feast to behold. An incredibly unique experience, this is a must-see spectacular, especially if you’re lucky enough to be setting up camp in Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where this spectacular experience is located.
Load yourself up on an all-you-can-eat dinner with mountains of fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, baked beans, salad, cornbread, and strawberry shortcake while watching our cast of entertainers including the prolific Dolly Drew, Johnny Ringo, and Flora Long performs 2-hours of comedy, singing, and dancing of which you are sure to never grow bored of. With soft drinks available to all and a solid selection of beers, wine, and sangria available for older guests, you’ll be sure to experience a dinner that you will never forget.
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ – Gone But Not Forgotten
Now, you may be thinking that I have left one out. Unfortunately, on December 31st, 2018, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, formerly at Fort Wilderness, closed its doors forever to make way for a new DVC resort that is currently being built on the old River Country site.
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ was a firm family favorite, where you were joined by classic Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Chip ‘N’ Dale. With the usual selection fantastic BBQ food with a plethora of soft drinks including their famous lemonade and fruit punch and for the older guests, plenty of beer and wine. Line dancing, singing, photography, and time with the gang was a must-not-miss experience.
Here’s hoping along with the growing list of new resorts that there will be new dinner shows added in the future!
Know Before You Go
- Of course, it is really important to remember that you cannot just walk into these shows. It is incredibly important to make sure you think about reservations. These shows are incredibly popular and can be extremely difficult to get involved in. To guarantee your spot at one of the sensational Disney dinner shows, it is highly recommended that you’re quick to reserve your space (you can do this up to 180 days before the show you pick, meaning you’ve got plenty of time to ensure your space.
- For those celebrating a birthday, make sure to let a cast member know so that they can make the birthday experience even more magical!
- It’s important to consider seating options. Each show has different seating categories available (category 1 for priority, with 2 or 3 categories also available). Make sure that you consider what each seating category offers before you make your choice.
- All dinner shows can cater to dietary needs, so be sure to alert them before any choices or allergies that need to be catered for.
- We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the show begins to make sure you get the best possible seats in your category.
Conclusion
The parks are often incredibly busy and sometimes, it is nice to wind down on a vacation without having to miss out on all of the fun, that’s where dinner shows offer something special. It doesn’t matter which you choose to attend, it offers you the chance to experience the magic of Disney while eating fantastic food in a sensational environment (plus you get to see new resorts!).
