2012 Best Attraction Tournament: Best Musical?

January 27, 2012, 9:01 AM · We're celebrating musicals today in the 2012 Theme Park Insider Tournament by selecting the best theme park live musical. Here are the top five nominees, based on your Theme Park Insider reader ratings.

Campaign for your favorite by posting a link to today's post on Facebook or Twitter, and encouraging your friends to vote.

Aladdin - at Disney California Adventure

Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage - at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue - at Universal Studios Florida

Festival of the Lion King - at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Hong Kong Disneyland

Finding Nemo: The Musical - at Disney's Animal Kindgom

On Monday: The tournament returns as we pick the best Bolliger & Mabillard Flying Coaster

Replies (19)

steve lee

January 27, 2012 at 9:36 AM · Beetlejuice is top five material? Really?

Mike Gallagher

January 27, 2012 at 9:36 AM · I was going to abstain, since I haven't seen any of these, and I don't seek out live performances like these when I visit a park. But since Beauty and the Beast is by far my favorite "traditional" animated flick, Disney or otherwise (yes, I KNOW some shots are computer-generated)..I voted for that. I really should get out and see the 3-D re-release this weekend if it's still around, since the Giants won't win the Super Bowl until NEXT weekend :)

Dominick D

January 27, 2012 at 9:45 AM · I love Festivel of the Lion King! Also, before Jorge can troll and not come back on this post, let me remind you that Disney has more thrill rides then any Orlando park. WDW isn't for babies you know! Also Mike, GIANTS FTW!

Tim Odom

January 27, 2012 at 9:46 AM · Kinda surprised nothing from Busch Gardens is there, but oh well...

Voted for Lion King, cause outside of Everest it's the only reason I go to DAK.

Mike Gallagher

January 27, 2012 at 9:49 AM · Yeah, Dom, I just hope I didn't jinx them.

James Rao

January 27, 2012 at 10:10 AM · I hear that ALADDIN is the best, but I have not yet seen it. Of the others, all of which I have seen, FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING is far and away my favorite.

Dominick D

January 27, 2012 at 10:23 AM · Oh ****.

Beth Olliges

January 27, 2012 at 11:13 AM · Finding Nemo is amazing! If it were longer, it could easily play on Broadway and/or tour! Aladdin is fantastic, too -- it was a very difficult choice between those two! To me, none of the others even compare. (And this comes from a performer and music director/choreographer who is also a huge musical theatre fan.)

Ray Schroeder

January 27, 2012 at 11:33 AM · I chose Lion King because you're close to the action and there's audience participation (even though I don't participate).

71.129.33.57

January 27, 2012 at 11:49 AM · I've not seen any of the Florida shows, but Aladdin at California Adventure is as close to a Broadway show as I can imagine a theme park could do (given the time limitations). Great sets, Lion King-style puppets, top musical numbers featuring the best of the songs from the movie. The Genie is especially popular, mixing in the latest pop cultural references in his jokes--lots of people in the audience seem like Genie groupies.

I was spoiled by the quality of this show, and disappointed by the stage shows on my first Disney Cruise earlier this month.

Brandon Mendoza

January 27, 2012 at 2:38 PM · Aw man, Aladdin kills the competition. The Lion King one is pale in comparison to the actual Broadway one, and even though I do love both the Lion King & Finding Nemo musicals in Disney World, they're not as entertaining for repeat visits. Aladdin is the closest to an actual Broadway production.

Manny Barron

January 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM · Aladdin is the best folks. I've seen all five shows and I really enjoy them all, but Aladdin takes this one easily. It's not just my personal preference but when the show ends you just feel the positive vibe from the Aladdin crowd. Everybody just seems happier after they see this show.

Stevo B

January 27, 2012 at 4:22 PM · I would have gone with Aladdin but I have a soft spot in my heart for Beauty & The Beast since I worked at the studios when it started and had a good friend in the show. Its had quite a run.

Zack McDonald

January 27, 2012 at 7:23 PM · the only way you couldn't vote Aladdin is if you have never seen it. It is awesome!

Tony Perkins

January 27, 2012 at 10:07 PM · Looks like a lot of people here have never seen Aladdin. It's by far the best show. Lion King is a let-down if you've seen the Broadway version.

Randall Peek

January 28, 2012 at 3:42 AM · I like the Festival of the Lion King. As a theater major, I specialized in directing plays in the round, so I understand the special difficulties that come with this unique approach to staging. Still, I have to give the nod to Finding Nemo, which is just such a lavish production. I can't think of anything that I've seen in a theme park that was on this scale.

Pun intended.

Mike Gallagher

January 28, 2012 at 4:33 AM · And a pretty good pun at that, Randy. I'd bet some folks on here are still wondering what the pun WAS!

Sylvain Comeau

January 29, 2012 at 11:44 AM · I agree that Aladdin is the best (I just hope they bring back the magic carpet sequence). Lion King is a close second, but it has no story. It's more of a musical revue.

N B

January 29, 2012 at 5:14 PM · I find it hard to believe Beetlejiuce came in fourth... I haven't seen it in person, just the promo videos they show 24/7 on one of the channels at the USF hotels.

It looks pretty bad.... I need to check it out along with one other show we have never seen, which is Lucy, a Tribute.

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2012 Best Attraction Tournament: Best Musical?

Replies (19)

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