Frommer's Review
This is Disney's most popular show, so make reservations early. The reward: You feast on a down-home, all-you-can-eat barbecue (fried chicken, smoked ribs, salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, bread, salad, strawberry shortcake -- all of it quite good, by the way -- and your choice of coffee, tea, beer, wine, sangria, or soda). And while you stuff yourself silly in Pioneer Hall, performers in 1890s garb lead you in a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, high-energy show that includes a lot of jokes you haven't heard since second grade. Note: Be prepared to join in on the fun or the singers and dancers along with the rest of the crowd will humiliate you until you do. This is entertaining for the entire family. Even my husband gave it a good grade, which is really saying something.
Reservations should be made at least 90 if not the full 180 days in advance (at which time full payment is expected), especially during peak periods such as summer and holidays. Show times are 5, 7:15, and 9:30pm daily (the show lasts about 2 hr.).
A new tiered pricing system is now in place, which means that the closer you are to the action, the higher the price you'll pay to enjoy it. Tier 1 seats are located on the first floor nearest the stage, tier 2 seats in the back half of the first floor and in the center of the balcony, tier 3 seats to the right and left sides on the balcony level. There's not a bad seat in the house, so don't feel the need to splurge.
If you catch one of the early shows, consider sticking around for the Electrical Water Pageant at 9:45pm, which can be viewed from the Fort Wilderness Beach.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
