By the co-author of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020, the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series ever.

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Review: Mickey’s PhilharMagic at the Magic Kingdom



By Dave Shute

MBTeal Logo 2013TAKING A BREAK AND STILL HAVING A BALL AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

Welcome to those coming from Capturing Magical Memories and those of you just hopping aboard.

I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail. Enjoy the ride as this month Magical Blogorail Teal discusses our favorite “take a break and just sit there” Disney World attractions!

MICKEY’S PHILHARMAGIC AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

Entry to Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic KingdomThis site advises first time visitors to Walt Disney World who may never return to try every attraction, and leaves out of its itineraries just some character meet-and-greets aimed at younger ones (covered instead by character meals), and some minor entertainments.

It also provides tools for families on shorter trips, and/or with younger kids, to help thin down the list of things to see–especially the Comprehensive Guide to Rides.

The Comprehensive Guide to Rides rates all the rides from the point of view of both little kids and older kids and adults.  There’s one group of around twenty rides ranked both as “Best-Loved” for little kids, and “Favorites” for older kids and adults.

Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic KingdomMickey’s PhilharMagic is one of the rides that’s top ranked for all age groups. 

And it’s also an attraction where–at least for the 12 minutes of the show–you can just plop your self down and not do a darn thing except watch.

REVIEW: MICKEY’S PHILHARMAGIC AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a show in Fantasyland (between Cinderella’s Castle and Peter Pan) that shows the broadest sweep of Disney animation of any attraction at Walt Disney World besides Fantasmic.

In the setting, or the show itself, you’ll see Mickey, Ariel, Aladdin, Lumiere, Tinkerbell, and a dozen more Disney characters, most reprising roles and scenes from classic Disney animated films.

Bad Duck at Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic KingdomAnd you’ll see a lot of Donald Duck.  This is his star–or villain–turn at Walt Disney World.

The story of the show is that Donald interrupts Mickey’s preparations for a concert, and chaos–and many references to classic Disney films–ensues.

You begin in a pre-show area meant to mimic the lobby of a grand opera house or concert hall, with many posters about Disney characters.  When the show space is ready, you’ll be invited to grab your “opera glasses” (3-D glasses) and enter the main theater.

Concert Hall at Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic KingdomSeat yourself–slide all the way down if there’s a crowd, grab some space near the middle of there’s not–relax, and get ready for the show!

As usual, I’m not going to give away the turns of the plot or the surprises that accompany it, but there’s a reason this is commonly called a “4-D” show!

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is one of the three best attractions in Fantasyland for the entire family (the others are Peter Pan and  Enchanted Tales with Belle.)

And unlike the other two, lines usually aren’t bad, as the large theater means it has the capacity for several thousand people to see the 12 minute show every hour.

FASTPASSES are often available but typically aren’t needed–you usually won’t need to wait more than a show or two before your own show starts.

So be sure to see Mickey’s PhilharMagic–and sit down and rest for a spell!

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11 comments

1 Heidi { 03.26.13 at 7:40 am }

This is definitely a favorite sit-down option at the MK for my entire family. While it’s a nice place to relax, it’s also incredibly entertaining – so it’s not a good place to grab a nap (like the ones I posted about in today’s loop). Thanks for sharing!

2 Kathy Kelly { 03.26.13 at 8:48 am }

Great choice, Dave. I adore Mickey’s Philharmagic! Our family never misses this!

3 Dave { 03.26.13 at 9:48 am }

Kathy and Heidi–what about the buses?

4 Beth Green { 03.26.13 at 12:21 pm }

We love this show! And I HAVE to reach out to grab the 3D “stuff!”

5 Dave { 03.26.13 at 5:02 pm }

Beth I do too, and I feel just like an 8 year old–in the good way 🙂 — when I do!

6 Genie { 03.26.13 at 6:34 pm }

We have impressed our grandkids with grabbing a “ruby”. (from Hobby Lobby). They still talk about it.

7 Dave { 03.27.13 at 7:46 am }

Genie, what a marvelous idea!!! I need to put getting one into the To-Do Lists!

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8 Melissa { 03.26.13 at 7:31 pm }

This is one of my favorites. It’s one of the few attractions that we never skip.

9 Dave { 03.27.13 at 7:51 am }

Thanks, Melissa! Sometimes I think that if you factor in the low waits, it’s the best return on time invested at MK after Wishes…but what about the buses?

10 Mary @Capturing Magical Memories { 03.27.13 at 7:28 am }

Great suggestion. Not only a good way to ‘plop’ down as you say but it also usually settles little ones that may have gotten a bit grumpy. In fact one or two may even fall asleep so this is a great break for parents.

11 Dave { 03.27.13 at 7:55 am }

Hiya Mary, and thanks!! But what about the buses???

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