More Live Entertainment is Returning to Walt Disney World

After over a year of shuttered stages and scaled-back offerings, live entertainment is returning in force to the Walt Disney World theme parks, and we’ve got a fresh look at some of the shows that are once again lighting up Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Disney Parks Blog recently announced the reopening of several Walt Disney World shows and live entertainment experiences, starting with the scheduled return of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular on December 19.

There had been rumors that this long-running stunt show could be replaced or greatly revamped, but Disney’s information suggests that Indy and Marion will be mostly up to their old tricks.

Another long-lived Disney’s Hollywood Studios stage show also recently returned to the opposite side of the park on Sunset Boulevard, where Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is once again entertaining guests, albeit with new socially distanced blocking.

The revamped staging doesn’t markedly degrade the show’s quality during the big dance numbers, where the extra spacing helps fill out the stage.

However, watching the lead characters try to emote through the story’s dramatic moments without being able to touch looks awkward at best, and the titular couple don’t even get to waltz together during the finale.

Even with all these changes, we still think it’s still great see this cast back at work. Watch these highlights from the show and judge for yourself:

Elsewhere in Walt Disney World, early visitors to the Magic Kingdom are now welcomed by the “Let the Magic Begin” character moment on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, and the ragtime piano player is back at Casey’s Corner.

EPCOT’s World Showcase has reinstated the Canadian band Alberta Bound, Sergio the mime in Italy, and the Matsuriza Taiko drummers in Japan. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is rewakening the Chakranadi, Kora Tinga Tinga, and Tam Tam Drummers musical acts in coming weeks, and strolling performers are returning to the waterfront at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.

Disney Characters will resume individual indoor meet-and-greets (although without hugs or autographs) at select theme park locations in November. Disney Princesses are returning to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom Park. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will appear at Red Carpet Dreams, and Disney Junior friends are coming back to Animation Courtyard. Mickey Mouse will greet guests backstage at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A., wearing a 50th anniversary EARidescent outfit.

Finally, back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll once again be able to celebrate the end of your day in the park with the Disney Movie Magic fireworks show starting on November 7. In the meantime, Disney has revived the Wonderful World of Animation video projection show with some new updates, including a cameo by Joe Gardner from Soul.

Check out a complete performance of the 2021 Wonderful World of Animation show in our 4K HDR video:

What do you think of the entertainment returning to Walt Disney World, and which other shows are you still hoping to see reopened? Let us know in the comments!

For all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, or to plan your family’s trip to Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.