Top 5 Shows in Central Florida Theme Parks that Make Most Ride-Lovers Groan!

Every year, millions of families take their kids, babies, and fun-loving teens to Central Florida. Some adults come for the spa treatments at upscale resorts, golf times, and relaxation. Others on the other hand (like most kids and teens), arrive for the crowd-drawing venues of fun the area is famous for: the theme parks. Thrill rides range from the mild log flumes (e.g., Stanleyville Falls, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, and Splash Mountain) to the most exhilarating roller coasters ever (e.g., Dragon Challenge and Expedition Everest).

But there are times when the group leader has to make everyone watch a show. Here, I'm not discussing animal shows (aquatic or land), 3-D shows, or stunt shows. I'm discussing the ones with all the singing and/or dancing that many thrill-seekers have to endure.

Theme park stage shows exist for a very good reason: to entertain their patrons. But the list of reasons doesn’t stop there. Some audience members are simply fans of musical theater - they crave the idea of song and dance mingled with spoken dialogue. For the younger set, most of them have a favorite cartoon character and want to see them. If there's a girl who loves the Disney Princesses, chances are that a parent may corral the group to watch the show with her.

Also, seeing one takes the burden of constant walking and standing (especially regarding long lines at rides) off, and most of them offer excellent seating. Some shows are indoors, with air conditioning to cool the crew off on a hot day. But a cool place to stay does not stop most thrill-ride fans from ranting against mandatory show viewings. Ditto for one offering physical downtime for the crew. To quote one hubber, "One activity could be the roller coaster, the next activity could be a show."

Reasons aside, here are the top 5 shows in the parks of the Orlando area that would make kids delightfully squeal and coaster lovers squirm to escape.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to some of the most exciting thrill rides at the Walt Disney World Resort: DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, and Expedition Everest. If you are one of those thrill ride enthusiasts who wants to dive into riding them, expect the leading member of your party to have everyone, you included, to watch a musical show.

That show in question is Festival of the Lion King.

Although it has the songs and the characters, such as Timon with moving eyes and mouth, it is simply a musical revue with acrobatics. But it goes farther: audience members in different sections (Warthog, Giraffe, Lion, and Elephant) make animal noises at certain points and the African-dressed performers invite the kids to dance. Speaking of dance, an adagio duo performs a wire routine to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and a Polynesian fire dancer twirls his ignited baton to "Be Prepared" (to name but two numbers).

You really can take or leave that show at Camp Minnie-Mickey, but if you are traveling with a group that has it in its itinerary, you better toughen up and face it.

People come to the Magic Kingdom primarily to see the iconic Cinderella Castle. But there are specific reasons to sit or stand facing it. They want to see the fireworks accenting it on weather-suitable nights. Also, they want to use it as a backdrop to the afternoon or evening parade.

But there's another reason to face it: there's a show to see on the Castle Forecourt Stage - in front of it.

This world-renowned (no pun intended) park has been putting shows on the area since its establishment in 1971. In the past, they accompanied its singers and dancers (once called the Kids of the Kingdom) and a slew of various Disney Characters with live bands (with horn sections). Despite having purely taped music since recent years, those shows still draw families with those who hate cheesy song and dance.

Based on the film first featured in the 1989 holiday season, Voyage of the Little Mermaid is a delight to see - for some people. The good things about the show are the air conditioning indoors and the availability of FASTPASS (it's not just for rides anymore).

Despite having no dancers, it does have puppetry done to "Under the Sea." Oh, and didn't I mention Ursula's "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and Ariel's heart-melting "Part of Your World" as well? If you are required by your group to follow through their touring plan and watch this show, please deal with it. Toy Story Mania can wait for you.

Which show in Disney's Hollywood Studios (the same location as the above show based on The Little Mermaid) is located on Sunset Boulevard, the same location of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster? What show at the Theater of the Stars has parents dragging their thrill-ride-fanatic loved ones there because they have a Disney Princess-loving niece, daughter, or granddaughter?

The answer is pure and simple: Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage!

This is a Category 5 Broadway-style show at its most theatrical. The original film has those toe-tapping and heart-rendering songs as does the Broadway musical adaptation. This show is based on the former and coincidentally and simultaneously opened at the same date (November 22, 1991). Another show featuring one of the Disney Princesses, it has some of the most cherished songs. They range from the kickline-infused delight of "Be Our Guest" to the waltz of the titular theme song.

Want to ride that drop ride in an old hotel or listen to Aerosmith music on a looping limo? Chances are that your group wants you to see that first, so grin and bear it.

To most stage-show haters, what's worse than jazz dancers dancing to fun, frolicking interludes played by either tape or a live band? What's worse than vocalists who belt out cruddy covers of pop songs of old? To top it all off, what could be worse than basing a show off a baby show?

Many of us know that the Walt Disney World Resort has a lot of song-and-dance shows. But despite catering more to teens and adults, the Universal Orlando Resort has them too. A Day in the Park With Barney, in Universal Studios Florida, is no exception. It's nothing more than a musical revue based on the show Barney & Friends.

There's neither cheesy dancers in those skirted leotards nor cheesy vocalists in this show (although a performer named Mr. or Mrs. Peek-A-Boo appears in the preshow and the actual one). But there's a trio of dinosaurs that make it one-of-a-kind: the purple Tyrannosaurus Rex Barney, the green Proceratops Baby Bop, and the yellow Stegosaurus BJ. They are the cheesy singers and vocalists of the show who sing kiddie songs, the theme song, and the final song, "I Love You."

Anti-Barney humor aside, this is not for the all-adult, all-thrill ride-loving group who hates that show. But if you are in your party with a toddler who loves that purple Tyrannosaurus Rex to bits, be prepared. Maybe the group leader might drag everyone, you included, to this production show.

If you happen to travel to Central Florida, chances are that you are going to spend at least a day at one of its theme parks. But be forewarned - the head of your party may take your group along to see one of those stage shows, not exceptions to the rule. If you happen to be in this situation, cope with it. Your favorite rides will not close when you get there.