5 Animal Kingdom Shows That You Can't Miss | Know Before You Go

by Theme Park Center June 01, 2023

Animal Kingdom offers some of the best shows in all of Disney World.

In this guide, we will explain what the best shows at Animal Kingdom are, what makes them so great, and how long each show is.

1. Festival of the Lion King

The interactive Broadway-style Festival of the Lion King show is hands down the best show in all of Animal Kingdom.

As a celebration of the classic Disney movie (The Lion King), performers wear colorful costumes, use props and allow spectators to participate to bring the story to life.

The Festival of the Lion King is divided into four sections, each named after an animal:

Warthog
Elephant
Giraffe
Lion

Guests are assigned to sit in one of these sections, and each section is led by a performer who represents the animal.

One of the coolest parts of this show is that the performers are in the center of the crowd, in the middle of the four sections, giving every visitor a great close-up view of the show.

Guests are encouraged to sing along and participate in the performance, providing an ultra-friendly environment, perfect for families and kids.

Additionally, this show features a talented cast of singers, dancers, and acrobats who perform several songs from the Lion King movie including:

Circle of Life
Hakuna Matata
Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Duration

40 minutes.

Location

Africa.

This show also takes place in a large, air-conditioned theater that can accommodate up to 1,500 guests, providing visitors with a chance to cool off from the Florida heat.

2. It's Tough to Be a Bug

Based on the 1998 Disney Pixar film (A Bug's Life), It's Tough to Be a Bug is another extremely popular show at Animal Kingdom.

Thanks to Flik, visitors will become honorary bugs by wearing 3-D glasses to get to truly discover what it's like to be a bug.

Flik will host the show and educate the audience on why bugs should be considered friends rather than enemies.

The 3-D glasses allow spectators to feel like bugs are only inches away from them throughout the show, while also using audio-animatronics to bring the bugs to life in a realistic and entertaining way.

It's Tough to Be a Bug is an amazing show for all ages, but it can be a bit scary for young children.

Due to this, the staff informs visitors ahead of time that the exit doors are located to the side, and that they should feel free to get up and exit the show at any time.

During our visit, some parents ended up taking this advice and escorting their children out.

Duration

9 minutes.

Location

Discovery Island under Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life.

3. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond

This Finding Nemo show is a live show that incorporates dancing, special effects, and digital backdrops of the underwater world.

This show features on-stage human performers and larger-than-life puppets that bring the beloved characters from the film to life.

Visitors will go on an adventure with beloved characters some of which include:

Nemo
Marlin
Dory
Bruce

Duration

25 minutes.

Location

Dinoland USA.

4. Feathered Friends in Flight

Feathered Friends in Flight is a bird show that provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about different bird species, their habitats, and their behavior.

This show is a must-see show for bird lovers and families with children, as it is full of fun and valuable educational experiences.

In this show, guests will see a variety of birds in flight, including but not limited to:

Macaws
Eagles
Owls

The trainers will spend time explaining interesting facts about each species, such as their hunting techniques, feeding habits, and natural habitats.

One of the best parts about this show is how low the birds fly to the audience, giving guests a unique and up-close experience of these amazing animals.

Duration

35 minutes.

Location

Asia.

5. Tree of Life Awakenings

The Tree of Life Awakenings show is extremely unique, as it is a nighttime show.

This show will combine digital video projections with music and special effects.

It will feel like you're watching a movie from the side of the tree, as different animals appear and move including primates, giraffes, and even schools of fish that move in different shapes.

Similar to how different advanced displays are shown on the Magic Kingdom castle during the fireworks celebration, you'll see beautiful projections that are animal-based.