The 8 Best Disney Dining Shows to See on Your Trip
If there’s one thing we know about Disney, it’s that they know how to entertain! Every day Disney World hosts incredible shows, parties, firework displays, parades, and more. One of their great displays of entertainment are there dinner shows. They have some fantastic dinner show options to choose from, so I chose my favorites to share with you.
There are many types of dinner show offerings at Walt Disney World. Some are live performances with songs and dancing, others are more like character meet and greets accompanied with food, and others come in dining packages where you purchase your meal in advance, and it reserves you a great seat at one of Disney World’s shows.
Disney World dinner reservations that also have shows typically cost you a few extra pennies, so keep that in mind when booking your reservations. You’ll definitely want to budget them into your trip. There are also often multiple levels of the dining packages.
The more expensive ones get you better viewing while the least expensive ones are further away and may have obstructed views. My advice? Always splurge for the best seats in the house. It makes the experience so much more fun and magical for the whole family! But anyways, let’s get started and review the 8 best Disney dining shows to see on your trip!
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show takes place at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. You’ll enjoy classic Polynesian cuisine while observing this colorful performance! Served as an all-you-can-eat family-style feast, there will be Aloha pulled pork, Polynesian ribs, roasted chicken, as well as tons of veggies! There will also be fresh salad, guava cake, and plenty of fun drinks! Kids can pile their plates with corn dogs, tater tots, cheese pizza, and other options.
This incredible luau is set in an open-air theater with plenty of seating divided into Category One, Two, and Three. Category 1 will give you your best view and experience for around $80 per adult and $50 per child between the ages of 3 and 9. Category 2 is around $75 per adult and $45 per child. Then, Category 3 stays around $70 per adult and $40 per child. Prices are subject to change based on the season, so keep an eye out for fluctuations in pricing!
The show features tons of fun including hula dancing, fire dancing, drummers, and a fire-knife performer while honoring traditions from Polynesia, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and Hawaii. Enjoy your dinner and the performances in Luau Cove of Disney’s Polynesian Resort and be sure to make a reservation because this show books up fast!
Fantasmic! Dinner Package
Every night, Hollywood Studios hosts on of its most delightful shows at Echo Lake. It’s called “Fantasmic!” and it is a must-see on every Disney trip I take. For your Fantasmic! Dinner Package you will choose from one of three restaurants in Hollywood Studios. You can choose from Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, Hollywood & Vine, or The Hollywood Brown Derby.
When you purchase this package, you will be able to choose one entrée, one dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage from the menu. Each of these restaurants have a very different menu, so I’ll give you the rundown! Mama Melrose’s is a classic Italian dining room with an upscale feel. The Shrimp Campanelle ($25.00) is especially yummy with sautéed shrimp over campanelle pasta served in a four-cheese sauce with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
You can go for a true classic with the Spaghetti and Meatballs ($21.00) or try something unique with the Seasonally Inspired Chef Selection which will be priced according to the market.
Hollywood & Vine is a more casual dining experience set right near Echo Lake. However, it is pricier since it’s a character dining experience. This buffet-style restaurant offers a pretty big selection including fresh pastas, seasonal fish, chicken, and tons more! The Hollywood Brown Derby has a more upscale atmosphere featuring tons of signature dishes like Black Grouper and Lobster Ciaoppino ($46.00) and Shrimp and Grits ($26.00).
When you dine at any of these restaurants after purchasing a Fantasmic! dinner package you will receive a voucher for VIP seating at Fantasmic! that night! You will love having a close up view of this incredible night show featuring Mickey Mouse along with tons of fireworks and visits from plenty of your favorite Disney characters!
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Head to The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort for this fun-filled show! You’ll sit down for a hilarious show of comedy and song while feasting on traditional American foods. Enjoy fried chicken, BBQ pork ribs, tossed salad, baked beans, fresh cornbread, and strawberry shortcake!
There three categories of seating, Category One is your best bet and runs about $75 per adult and around $45 per child. Category Two is a little further back clocking in at about $70 per adult and $40 per child. Lastly, Category Three is available for around $65 per adult and $40 per child. However, I would refrain from using Category Three because the seats aren’t great and may have an obstructed view which truly ruins the experience.
Raglan Road
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant is an exciting experience over at Disney Springs. This memorable show features traditional Irish dancing and plenty of songs! While they’re open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and Late Night Dining, the performances only happen on the main stage from 4:30pm to 1:00am and the patio stage from 8:00pm to 12:30am. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can enjoy the live entertainment at brunch from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
The menu features traditional Irish fare all day. Some of the most popular items include Fish & Chips ($22.00) and Keen Eye for the Shepherd’s Pie ($22.00). Also feel free to enjoy plenty of specialty cocktails and traditional Irish brews at this awesome eatery inspired by the heart of Dublin!
Festival of the Lion King Dinner Package
This dining package is similar to the Fantasmic! package except you’ll be enjoying the Festival of the Lion King show as well as a guided tour of the Animal Kingdom safari! You’ll start with a lunch or dinner at Tiffins, an incredible, upscale restaurant that fuses Asian, African, and Latin cuisine. Their menu includes incredible items such as Surf and Turf ($65.00) and Pan-Seared Alaskan Halibut ($42.00).
Then, you’ll enjoy VIP seating at one Disney World’s most beautiful performance. The Festival of the Lion King features incredible songs, your favorite Lion King characters, beautiful dances, puppetry and more! Lastly, you’ll be headed to the safari for a private VIP tour.
Tier Two of this dining package only features a meal at Tiffins and a VIP seat at The Festival of the Lion King, so be sure you pay attention to the Tier you choose based off of the experience you want to have!
Teppan Edo
For a different type of show, head on over to Teppan Edo at the Japan pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. Sit down in front of the hibachi grill and enjoy the show as your chef cooks a delightful Japanese dish. Expect moderate pricing in this beautifully oriental restaurant.
There are quite a few sushi rolls to choose from here as well plenty of hibachi meals. Enjoy Filet Mignon ($36.00), Ebi ($30.00), or Hotate ($35.00). There are also some fun desserts and Japanese cocktails to try out as well. There are plenty of options on the kids menu too, so this is the perfect family spot!
Chefs wield knives, create amazing food art, and you may see a little comedy in the performance so enjoy this incredible Japanese eatery with the whole family!
Celebration at the Top – Savor, Sip, and Sparkle
If you’re looking for an incredibly unique and romantic dining experience, head to California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for the Celebration at the Top – Savor, Sip, and Sparkle fireworks show and dinner party!
California Grill hosts this event to celebrate the flavors of the Pacific Coast with canapes, sushi, and small plates which all take inspiration from the California Grill menu. There are also tons of fun beverages from the bar you can enjoy.
This event is hosted during Magic Kingdom’s nightly firework show, Happily Ever After. While this event is incredibly magical and romantic, children are also sure to enjoy the fireworks display and fun foods! This experience costs $110 per person and is only held on select Saturdays and Sundays, so be sure to call in advance to ensure your spot!
Rivers of Light Dining Package
Much like the Festival of the Lion King and Fantasmic! dinner packages, this dining package is for Animal Kingdom’s Rivers of Light water pageant. First, you’ll sit down at either Tusker House or Tiffins for a meal filled with bold flavors and delightful specialty cuisine. Tiffins is known for their high-end fusion dishes featuring African, Asian, and Latin flavors.
To enjoy character dining at Disney World, make a reservation at Tusker House where you’ll enjoy African inspired fare set in a buffet/family-style setting. Some food you will see on the buffet include spit-roasted chicken, basmati rice, multiple curries, and more! You’ll also have an assortment of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to choose from!
After your lunch or dinner, head over to the Discovery River to sit in your VIP seating area for Rivers of Light. This nighttime water pageant is 15 minutes long and features a stunning display of nature and technology. Giant floating flowers, laser animation, and clusters of lantern lights come together to tell ancient stories of nature’s folklore. This incredible show is perfect for the whole family, and a front row seat just can’t be beat!
Conclusion
Walt Disney World offers tons of incredible dining experience that also offer entertainment. You never have to be bored while enjoying a meal. However, there are a few things you should know. Many of Disney’s specialty dining experiences book up quickly. Because of this, you will want to book your reservations 180 days in advance of the day you’d like to dine. This will ensure you can snag a spot for your favorite shows!
You can make many of these reservations online, however I recommend checking to see whether or not you can make them online in ahead of time. This will eliminate any confusion on the day you need to make your reservation. If you must call to book your reservation, be sure to call promptly at 7am EST on the day you’d like to make your reservation.
Another important note is that Disney’s specialty dining experience change constantly. If you are traveling during a special holiday, be sure to call and ask about any limited time specialty dining experiences you can be a part of. You may be in for a stunning limited time treat! Disney World’s customer service line will be happy to inform you of any upcoming, limited time experiences that your family might love.
Other than that, you will absolutely love booking an entertaining dining experience into your vacation time. I always book one character dining experience and one “dinner and a show” experience into my vacation time at Walt Disney World. Every vacation can be unique and special for your family, so be sure to check out all of your options that can truly make your trip memorable for the whole family.
There are tons of dining experiences to choose from, so be sure to read through your options and pick a show your whole family will love. This will ensure you leave with full bellies and happy faces at the end of the night! Be sure you leave room in your budget for these shows since they do typically cost more than your regular Disney World meal. Lastly, you may want to see if you can use your Disney Dining credits at some of these shows.
Many Category Two and Category Three dinner shows can be redeemed with two table service credits per person, so it’s worth considering whether or not that would be worth it for your family! So, enjoy your time at the happiest place on Earth and be sure to snag a spot at a dinner show while you are there!
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