Let us start out in Animal Kingdom where two of our favorite shows reside. The one show we believe contains everything a show should have is the "Festival of the Lion King" In it you will find the most elaborate sets, costumes, songs, and acrobatic skills, all combined in a show that is energetic and moving right from the start. To describe this show in all its glory would be a disservice, for you must see it for yourself. You will join Timon and Pumba through a song-filled 28-minute spectacular show based on the Disney movie "The Lion King." The Disney performers will keep you clapping and singing throughout the show. Check for show times at the park and arrive at Camp Minnie-Mickey at least a half-hour before. Show is in an air-conditioned theater with perfect views no matter where you sit.

Next, is the brand-new "Finding Nemo the Musical" performing at the old "Tarzan Rocks" theater. Since I attended the first public "Dress Rehearsals" on November 5, the show has been fine-tuned and is now a huge hit. What make this show unique from the norm is that it's all performed with puppetry. Cast members dressed in beautiful colorful costumes work the puppets and provide the voice-overs. The music is pre-recorded. All of the scenery is either puppets/cast members or movable scenes. This is song-filled and fun for all ages. Even thought the actors are moving the puppets, they do is so seamlessly you sometimes do not even notice them during the performances. Warm-hearted family play about how Nemo's father Marlin struggles to find his son. Tip on seeing this; do not sit too close, stay at least mid-theater for the best overall view.

Now we go to my favorite park, "The Magic Kingdom. Here on Cinderella's Castle forecourt, you will enjoy the new stage play "Dream Along with Mickey," which replaced "Cinderellabration" debuting September 30, 2006. If you love Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald and the rest of the gang, this show is for you. The performance has the dancing and costumes Disney is famous for and new this year are the new "Moving Eyes" headsets for the performers. All the characters eyes now blink and move, giving the whole performance a dazzling effect. In this play, Mickey tries to convince Donald that dreams do come true if one wishes hard enough, and a visit by the evil Maleficent make this a great 20-minute crowd-pleaser. Show times are in the park guide. From here, a short walk to Frontierland and a visit to Woody's Cowboy Camp. This is not a "Stage Show" per se but the characters Woody, Jesse, Bullseye, and Sam the Singin' Cowboy will have you singing and toe tapping to some lively country tunes, and the kids will love getting a chance to dance to the Hokey-Poky and other classic songs. Along with a troupe of energetic cast members, this is a fun country Hoedown. Performed right on Main St. in Frontierland.

Let us head out the Disney-MGM Studios where several of our favorite shows are performed. We will start out with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. This live stage show with three performances depicting scenes from the movie, the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is masterfully performed. The sets are just amazing and the props even more so. There is guest interaction between the scenes and you may actually be picked to be an extra in the performance! If you have seen the movie (And who has not!) you will be amazed how close to the movie these performances are. The stunts showcased here are just the way they do it in Hollywood and you can finally see how it is done! A 35 minute show it is by Echo Lake. The theater is not air-conditioned. All in all one of the best action shows at Disney.

If you are fans of the movie Voyage of the Little Mermaid, head out to the Animation Courtyard were you can take in the 17 minute musical "Voyage of the Little Mermaid". We have seen the show many times and the songs and sets are Disney perfect. There is puppetry, special effects, film clips and of course, the live performances that would be right at home on Broadway. Characters Ursula, Eric, Sebastian, and a fairy-tale ending make this another must see.

Over on Sunset Boulevard another Broadway-style musical is presented, "Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage" The show mirrors Disney's Classic Movie "Beauty and the Beast" with all of its famous songs, Tales as Old as Time to Be our Guest and all of the characters, Belle, Gaston, Lumiere, Maurice and of course, the Beast. If you loved the movie, you will love this show! Another added attraction about this musical is the pre-show. Sometimes you will be seated about a half-hour before the show and a fine a cappella group known, as "Four for a Dollar" will perform. Their act is top-notch, and you sometimes wonder where Disney gets all this talent!

We end the day with one of the greatest Nighttime laser, light and fireworks spectacular, "Fantasmic" This show has it all. The proof is that the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, starts to seat guests an hour and half before the show! This is an extremely popular show and although there are three "Water Screens" for viewing anywhere you sit, my wife, and I always sit center-stage, between the Mickey Mouse Sorcerer banners. Best overall viewing is furthest away from the water. I will not reveal the whole story, but in a nutshell Mickey is dreaming, and soon his dream turns into a nightmare where he has to battle a host of Disney villains! The special effects, live performers, props, lasers and what I love most, the water screens make this show well worth the early wait. However, as most of you can guess, Mickey ends up victorious and pilots the stern wheel boat from "Steamboat Willie" at the end. See it for yourself!

Our last Park is EPCOT. Now EPCOT does not have any bona-fide stage shows. There is much entertainment as many of the countries have bands, Like Off-Kilter in Canada or Mo'Rockin in Morocco, and England's famous "British Invasion"

At the American Adventure, the America Gardens Theatre hosts many free concerts and events throughout the year, especially during EPCOTs Flower and Garden Festival where you can enjoy free "Flower Power" concerts featuring stars of the 60's and 70's rock groups.

I will mention one "Show" in the American Adventure, the "Voices of Liberty" This is one of the finest a cappella groups is have ever listened to. This eight-part group sings classic American folk tunes such as "God Bless America," "Amazing Grace" and many others. They sing under the dome at the Adventure, which is acoustically pure, and you will never hear such voices as is theirs. When I am in EPCOT; I make it a point never to miss a performance. Another popular show is in China, the "Dragon Legend Acrobats" These youngsters from the PuYang Academy of Acrobatics perform at the entrance gate at the China pavilion. There is no formal seating, the guests stand or they can sit on the floor, but the show is amazing on just how the human body can bend and balance. This is another show that no description would do it justice. These performers and they are very young, perform feats that keep the crowd clapping and gasping. They usually perform five shows daily, check the times guide for days and times of the performances.

There you have it, the best of Broadway right here at Walt Disney World. There is something for everyone in the family and the best part is all comes with your park ticket. So arrive early and enjoy the show!