Disney Junior - Live on Stage! Review

Every time we visit Hollywood Studios we go to see the Disney Junior show. Danielle may be 6 but she hasn't quite outgrown Disney Jr. yet. She'll be thrilled to see new characters from Doc McStuffins and Sophia the First in the live show. Last year she asked me to take a picture of a Doc McStuffins poster!

Seeing Doc McStuffins in the show will be such a surprise. The show was one of Danielle's highlights from the last trip.  She still has the "gold doubloons" that rained down from the ceiling at the end of the show.

 

diving for the doubloons

 

In the past we because of the wheelchair have been admitted through the large double doors, but last year we waited in the regular queue with everyone else. The line wasn't too long. While it was hot, there were overhead fans to keep you cool and strategically placed TVs running Disney Jr. shows to distract the kids.

If you get there early you'll have a chance to meet some of the life size customed characters before the show.

When you get in, the theater is dark. If your party has a wheelchair you will be asked to stay in the back so you don't obstruct any other's view. There are no seats - everyone has to sit on the floor.

 

 

 

Amanda loves all of the shows! And it is nice to be in an air conditioned theater.

 

This was the third time we'd seen the show. The main plot is a birthday party for Minnie. It is a puppet show so the characters on stage are only about 2 or 3 feet tall. There is one live actor, who comes down from the stage to interact with the audience.

 

 



 

I found the live actor's voice grating, but the characters were cute. In addition to the Big Five there were characters from Handy Manny and Little Einsteins. These characters may have been written out for the new characters from Doc McStuffins and Sophia the First.

 

 

In 2012 the show also  featured characters from Jake & the Neverland Pirates.

 

 

Here is a short clip from the show we saw in 2012.

(You can decide for yourself if the girl's voice is annoying.)

 

We like the Disney Junior Live on Stage show, but it is definitely geared toward preschoolers. It is  interactive and fun for the kids. I think this may be the last year we get to enjoy the nice cool theater. At least there is still The Voyage of the Little Mermaid to watch inside on a hot day! Hopefully Danielle is now old enough not to be scared by Ursula and the eels.

 

From Disney http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/02/the-new-disney-junior-live-on-stage-opens-friday-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair Part 3 Characters

 

Walt Disney World with A Wheelchair  Characters, Parades & Fireworks

Meeting Characters When You're in a Wheelchair

This is one of the most magical aspects of a trip to Walt Disney World. While some of the other Guests may be inconsiderate the Characters are delightful!

There are a lot of great places to meet Characters at the Parks. My older daughter adores Characters, particularly princesses. We have been lucky enough to have Characters go out of their way to stop and say a special "hello" to her. Once, Jasmine & Aladdin stopped to spend several minutes with her as they were about to slip backstage. Jasmine even hugged her! My daughter grinned; I cried. That moment made every penny we'd spent on our Disney vacation worthwhile.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have been turned away from Character greetings if they were about to go on a break - just like any other Guest would be. I think it depends on the personalities involved. 
I highly recommend that you go to the Character Spot in EPCOT. It is fully wheelchair accessible. You'll be able to see some of your favorite Disney characters (Mickey & Friends) in the comfort of an air conditioned environment. This is one area where you probably won't have to wait in the regular line, but you will wait at least a while. However, it's worth the wait! The Characters will all spend quality time with you giving hugs, passing out high fives & posing for pictures.

There are always Green Army Men to see in front of Toy Story Mania. We also like Sulley & Mike in Hollywood Studios - they are outside so it is hot, but the lines are typically short. Look for them behind the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground area.

Parade Viewing
Another good way to see Characters to watch the parades. There are so many great parades at the Disney World Parks! Which parades will you want to see? Read Disney Diva's parade review to decide.

All of the parade routes and some show areas have viewing places for Guests with disabilities. These areas are marked with the wheelchair symbol and are often at least partially shaded. These are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots fill up even earlier than regular parade viewing spots! I've seen people in these areas more than an hour and a half before a parade is scheduled to begin.

Note the gray traffic cone - there was only room for 2 wheelchairs.

For the Disney Rocks show at Hollywood Studios there is a stage in front of the hat . A special needs seating area is marked with two gray traffic cones. To find a designated parade viewing area for individuals with special needs, pick up the disabled guest guide maps at Guest Services. The wheelchair areas are typically designated with a red P and the International Wheelchair Symbol.

There will be a Cast Member to make sure as many people as possible can fit. They limit the number of people who can accompany a Guest with a mobility impairment - don't expect to bring a party of 8 along with you. Typically, if you have more than a two or three others with you they will ask the able-bodied members of your group to move to another location.

Personally, we've only seen a few of the parades. The exception has been the parades at Hollywood Studios where we have often gotten prime viewing with little or no waiting. We've gotten great spots for the Pixar Parade. Once my daughter in a wheelchair was even invited up to "dance" with the High School Musical parade!

Where to Watch Fireworks When You are in a Wheelchair

Wheelchair access for the various fireworks shows varies by Park as well. Just like any other Guest, prime viewing spots fill up fast. You may want to get to your chosen spot an hour or more before the show starts.

If you want to see Illuminations in EPCOT there are roped off sections in both Future World & the World Showcase reserved for mobility impaired Guests. Look for these opposite the France & Germany Pavilions as well as across from Duffy the Bear. They have been in different places on our visits, but those are good places to start your search. Get there early! At 7:15 PM there were already Guests waiting in most of these spots on a recent visit.

I haven't found a special reserved fireworks viewing area in the Magic Kingdom. We've watched Wishes from the paths that run parallel to Main Street. Try the Rose Garden! (Added bonus: there is normally a Photopass photographer there who can take a picture of your entire group with the lighted castle in the background.) These spots aren't too crowded since most people stick to Main Street.

There are a limited number of reserved seats at the top of the amphitheater for Fantasmic in Hollywood Studios. If you have companions with you they may have to stand unless you get there early enough for them to score some of the seats along the top row. Bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom! (That's how I got this shot.)

Tip: Check out these other great fireworks viewing spots! They aren't reserved for wheelchairs, but they offer great views if you can get one of these spaces.