When you are visiting Disneyland you should make time to experience the atmospheric entertainment throughout the resort. These intimate moments greatly contribute to the magic of Disneyland.
The larger than life shows at Disneyland Resort often take center stage for guests when looking through their entertainment options. Fireworks, parades, Fantasmic!, and World of Color all steal the show when it comes to entertainment. But there's also some overlooked entertainment at Disneyland that some guests either don't realize exist or don't know how great they are to make time for!
Here are some of the best overlooked entertainment at Disneyland you can't miss including live shows and park atmosphere!
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Celebrate Black History Month at Disneyland
Seasonal entertainment at Disneyland changes throughout the year with the holiday season, Halloween and the summer months. Bookmark our Disneyland calendar to keep track of the current celebrations at the parks.
Celebrate Gospel 2023
A Gospel performance returns to Disneyland for Celebrate Gospel on February 18th and February 25th. This performance has been a Disneyland tradition for more than a decade.
On February 18th, recoding artist Jekalyn Carr joins singer-songwriter Melvin Crispell, III, and a cappella group Sacred Groove for a special performance.
On Feb. 25, “Celebrate Gospel” features GRAMMY® Award-winning singer and radio host Erica Campbell, with special guest DOE and powerhouse vocal ensemble The Singers of Soul.
These are special performances that we had the chance to enjoy last year. If you are in Disneyland on these dates look for the entertainment times in the Disneyland app.
Other Black History Month Disneyland Celebrations
At Downtown Disney guests can enjoy family crafts, live music, and more. In the lobby at Disney's Grand California Hotel, guests can find a group performing live Jazz each evening. This is where you'll find me.
A new video from National Geographic will also be shown inside the Disneyland Opera House near the Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln theater that highlights the relationship between Federick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Starting on January 27, 2023, this film will be shown between the bust of Federick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
Tale of the Lion King
The Tale of the Lion King, the adaptation of the Lion King, is now playing at the Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland. This show originally debuted in 2019 at California Adventure and will fit in well at the Fantasyland Theater. The story is told by the Storytellers of the Pride Lands, a troupe of traveling performers who present Simba’s beloved and timeless journey in a unique story-theater style with live music and dance.
Main Street, U.S.A. Entertainment
The entertainment on Main Street, U.S.A. is constantly evolving and changing with each season so it's best to check the current Disneyland calendar for what to expect during your visit. Past favorites include the Dapper Dans, Disneyland Band, Main Street Piano Player, and more. The Dapper Dans are Disney icons in their own right with their puns and iconic songs- all in the style of a barbershop quartet.
Pro tip: Check the daily events schedule on Disneyland's website to find out the times for all these talented shows.
Avengers Campus Character Experiences
The new Avengers Campus features plenty of entertainment throughout the day from character meets to fight scenes featuring your favorite Avengers. My favorite is the Spider-Man show above WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure featuring a Spider-Man animatronic that flies through the air.
Marvel fans will also appreciate Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! which happens throughout the day in front of the Guardians of Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction.
Red more about Avengers Campus is in our guide.
Park Atmosphere
You can find the Disneyland Band daily in Frontierland but did you know you can also find great entertainment inside places like The Golden Horseshoe? With the new addition of dueling piano players inside The Golden Horseshoe and the wandering street magician making appearances in Frontierland and on the Mark Twain riverboat, there's plenty to stop and catch your eye. Don't hurry past all these talented performers! The park atmosphere entertainment is one of the things that makes Disneyland great and Frontierland offers some great moments!
Pro tip: Enjoy a meal inside The Golden Horseshoe during one of the performances to combine two experiences in one.
What Happened to Mickey's Magical Map and Frozen?
So far there has been no formal announcement from Disney regarding Mickey's Magical Map and Frozen: Live at the Hyperion! It is said that Mickey's Magical Map has been permanently retired and that all the entertainment for that show and Frozen have officially been let go. This doesn't mean Frozen won't return at some point or perhaps a new show will replace it. The Hyperion theater in California Adventure is a great space for live entertainment so I anticipate we'll see live entertainment return there.
Ready to Find the Overlooked Entertainment in Disneyland?
Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our free deals newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:
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