11 Best Walt Disney World Live Performances
One of the most pleasant parts of a Disney park visit is when you stumble upon a live show. You’ll just be walking through Disney and then suddenly notice that a cast member is ready to entertain a group of people. The parks have lots of these events. Let’s take a look at some of the best live performances at Walt Disney World.
1. Bollywood Beats
You’ll find one of the newest presentations at Walt Disney World in the Asia themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Bollywood Beats demonstrates the Indian cinema’s musical genre. Kinetic dancing and singing are integral to the show, but you’ll love the colorful apparel, too.
Warning: once you’re done watching the performance, you may find yourself going through a Bollywood phase on Netflix. Bollywood Beats is that addictive.
2. Citizens of Hollywood
The next two shares are quite similar. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a walk down Hollywood Boulevard may bring you into contact with quirk cast members. Collectively known as the Citizens of Hollywood, these extroverts put on a kind of Vaudevillian comedy routine.
They interact with guests in competitions like telling the funniest joke. It’s precisely the sort of silly fun that you’d expect during a Disney theme park visit.

3. Citizens of Main Street
Yes, the similar name hints at a similar premise. Citizens of Main Street is the Magic Kingdom’s equivalent of Citizens of Hollywood. The difference is that when you visit Main Street, you’ll meet a lot of local government officials. No, I don’t mean actual politicians.
Instead, the Citizens of Main Street have fictional jobs like City Council member or firefighter. And they’ll happily detail all of their job duties when you ask. Really, they’ll do it with little provocation. These cast members love their jobs and make a stroll down Main Street U.S.A. that much more entertaining.
4. Dapper Dans
Undoubtedly the most famous show at Walt Disney World stars the Dapper Dans. These colorfully adorned musicians comprise a barbershop quartet, and they’ll spend most of their show regaling you with Disney tunes.
Sometimes, they’ll sneak in a barbershop version of a recent pop song, but the formula’s mainly remained the same for decades now. The Dapper Dans are the pride and joy of Disney theme parks…and for good reason.
5. JAMMitors at Future World East
What you may not know is that Epcot has a different musical group akin to the Dapper Dans. Of course, these folks are janitors who want to jam with you. They pull out their trash cans and embark on a Disney-fied version of Stomp.
These cast members turn all of the tools of the janitorial trade into percussion instruments. It’s a remarkable presentation that tends to draw a crowd.
6. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
After the Dapper Days and the Citizens of Hollywood, the most recognizable show on this list is Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. For a few years now, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has taught younglings how to use The Force.
The spectacular part of this show is that the performers go off-script a lot. Kids get selected from the crowd, and you never know how a child will behave on stage, especially when confronted by villains like Darth Vader and Kylo Ren. The unpredictability of Jedi Training makes every presentation worthwhile.
7. Matsuriza
Janitors aren’t the only drummers at Epcot. To the contrary, you’ll find an even more talented batch of percussionists at the Japan Pavilion in the World Showcase. The performers here demonstrate an ancient form of drumming known as Taiko.
It’s a rhythmic sound that emanates from gigantic drums. So, it’s a visually interesting performance in addition to one that will get your toes tapping.
8. Muppets Present…Great Moments in American History
You don’t have to visit the Hall of Presidents or The American Adventure Pavilion to feel patriotic. You can get the same experience just by walking through Liberty Square at the right time. When you’re lucky, you’ll see all of your favorite Muppets reenacting seminal moments from the early days of America.
While Sam the Eagle nobly tries to keep the show focused, the other characters engage in the usual Muppet shenanigans. For this reason, it’s the most child-friendly show at Walt Disney World. Your kids will love watching the Muppets sing and argue.
9. Music of Mexico
You may not know of Jalisco, Mexico, but you know the popular musical style that developed here. The Mariachi style of acoustic folk music has become world-famous, and guests at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot can hear it several times a day.
Disney has the Marimba de las Américas and Mariachi Cobre perform regularly. They also had El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia play favorites from Coco for a limited time in 2017 and 2018, but the Mariachi Cobre has since replaced them in this show. Whichever band is playing, you’ll love the catchy music. And you might even catch a performance of Remember Me if you’re lucky!
10. Pandora Rangers
Pandora – The World of Avatar has become the go-to visitation spot at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The two rides here are so popular that Disney has to lure guests out of the lines whenever possible. One of the recent approaches is to have a cast member dress up as a Pandora Ranger. But the outfit is a bit more than your standard Disney costume.
Pandora Rangers operate Exo-Carrier Utility Suits around the themed land. Occasionally, they’ll host an educational show about the importance of environmentally friendly behavior. The message tends to get lost a bit since everyone is so busy staring at the stunning mech suits that are 10 feet tall. When you see a Pandora Ranger heading your way, you can’t help but stop and stare. It’s pure Disney magic that these are real.
11. Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe
Have you guessed that I like drums yet? There’s something about a live performance of percussions that I find hypnotic. And you can tell from this list that park officials love them, too.
Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe is the third drum show that you can watch. This one is located in the Africa themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll want to visit here to see authentic African musicians show off their tremendous skill.
These artisans create music so vibrant that you can’t help but dance along to the rhythm. And some lucky audience members even get brought in front of the stage to show off their skill. The crowd participation factor really elevates Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe into an unforgettable Disney experience.