At looooong last, live entertainment is BACK — and some would say better than ever — in Disney World!

With the epic revival of parades, performances, and Nighttime Spectaculars, many families are planning their next trip to Disney World! But before you do, check out our list of ALL the shows you need to see! 

After many months of missing live entertainment in Disney World, it’s been pure joy to reconnect with our faves — and discover new ones!

With shows back in action, let’s take a look at the full list of Disney World showtimes in Animal Kingdom!

Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters

One of our favorite things about Animal Kingdom is being able to get up close and personal with ACTUAL wildlife! Not only do we get epic close-ups with giraffes and zebras on Kilimanjaro Safaris, but we’re obsessed with the macaws by the Tree of Life!

Twice a day, a flock of six species of South American macaw take flight by the Tree of Life, soaring around in bright colors of red, blue, green, and gold! The ULTIMATE bird-watching experience, bird care experts are on-hand to answer questions and interact with the audience.

Curious to see the macaws yourself? They take flight between 9:15AM and 3:15PM daily!

Click Here for the 2022 Ultimate Guide to Animal Kingdom

A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King

We’re not crying, YOU’RE crying! That was us on reopening day for one of our most beloved, sensational shows in Disney World: A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King.

The Broadway-style (and frankly Tony-worthy, in our opinion) show is a grand homage to the Disney classic, filled with puppetry, pageantry, humor, audience interaction, adored characters, and circus-like theatrics. Just try not to weep when “Circle of Life” comes on, we dare you.

The star show is held several times a day in Harambe Theater: 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM.

UPDATE: Right now Disney’s schedule shows there are no 1PM showing on weekdays or Sundays. There will still be a 1PM show on Saturdays. Right now, it looks like this change will remain through June at least.

The show will close temporarily from July 5th through July 15th. It will then reopen on July 16th with a more “full” version of the Festival of the Lion King show, complete with tumble monkeys!

On July 16th, the listed times are 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM. Those times appear to continue for the following days.

Disney has been changing up this show’s schedule based on crowd levels in the parks, so be sure to keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app during your trip to see which showtimes are available when you visit!

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Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!

This updated and modified version of the Finding Nemo musical will debut in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on June 13th.

The show will feature some of the songs fans know and love from the original musical (like In the Big Blue World and Go With the Flow), but it will also feature some new technology and will tell Nemo’s story from a different point of view!

In terms of showtimes, you’ll be able to catch this show starting June 13th at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM, and 4:30PM.

Of course, remember showtimes are subject to change!

Click here to get a FIRST LOOK at the reimagined Nemo show!

Disney KiteTails

Last year, for the debut of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, each of the parks introduced dazzling new attractions and entertainment, and the marquee addition for Animal Kingdom was KiteTails!

During the shows various Disney character kites zoom over the Discovery River Amphitheater as iconic Disney songs play in the background. The shows are themed after The Lion King, The Jungle Book, and Finding Nemo.

Recently, the show format was adjusted to be more of a walk-by experience. There is no longer a pre-show, and there are no set showtimes. Under this new arrangement, you can generally catch snippets of what used to be the full KiteTails show every 20 minutes around the Discovery River Lagoon daily between 9:10AM and 3:10PM.

Click here to learn about the KiteTails changes!

Feathered Friends in Flight!

Didn’t get enough bird action with Winged Encounters? You can find more avian fun at Feathered Friends in Flight!

For roughly 30 minutes throughout the day at the Anandapur Theater, animal behavior specialists offer guests a unique glimpse into the free-flying birds of Animal Kingdom. To see for yourself, stop by at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, and 3:30PM.

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Kora Tinga Tinga

After you leave A Celebration of Festival of The Lion King, you’ll be on such a soaring musical high, that you’ll want to keep dancing and vibing all day long! Fortunately, Kora Tinga Tinga is here to help make that happen.

The music performer plays the kora, a stringed West African instrument similar to the lure or the harp, in Harambe throughout the day, providing upbeat vibes at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, and 3:30PM.

Click Here for Our SECRET to the BEST VIEWS of Characters in Animal Kingdom

Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe

Another spirited music option in Harambe is the Tam Tam Drummers!

This group of drummers bring the African beat with interactive performances at 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, and 4PM.

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Tree of Life Awakenings

What Animal Kingdom lacks in fireworks, it more than makes up for with an enchanting projection display on the parks’ centerpiece: the Tree of Life.

Each evening, the tree comes alive with flickering fireflies and other illuminated animal displays, like hummingbirds, foxes, and deer. Showtimes can change slightly for this projection show, depending on sunset and park hours. It typically happens around 7PM, but check your My Disney Experience App or a Times Guide on your Animal Kingdom day to be sure you don’t miss this!

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Viva Gaia Street Band!

Follow the vibrant melodies and tropical sensations, and dance to the tunes of the Viva Gaia Street Band!

Inspired by Caribbean street parties, this colorful ensemble performs on Discovery Island with exhilarating music, masquerade costumes, and ICONIC dance moves! Check them out at 10:45AM, 11:45AM, 12:45PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM.

So whether you’re looking to learn more about birds, dance to an African beat, or marvel at character kites, Animal Kingdom has a show for YOU!

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Which Animal Kingdom show is your absolute FAVORITE? Let us know in the comments!