One of our favorite family traditions before a Disney World trip is planning movie nights around the parks we are visiting. Watching the movies that inspired the rides, shows, and attractions gets everyone excited for the trip and helps the whole family feel connected to the characters before you arrive.
When our kids were little this meant Disney classics and princess movies. Now that they are teens it means Star Wars marathons, Marvel movies, and debating which Toy Story is the best. The tradition looks different every trip but it never gets old.
In this post I am sharing our complete list of movies to watch before going to Disney World, organized by park, so you know exactly where to find the rides, shows, and characters inspired by each film. I have also included a bonus section on the best Disney musical movies for families who love Disney’s music as much as we do.
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation? Check out my complete Walt Disney World Guide for everything you need from best resorts, park tickets, planning guides, and specific theme parks tips.
How to Use This List
Almost every attraction, character meet, and dining experience at Disney World is inspired by a Disney movie. Use this list to:
- Plan family movie nights in the weeks leading up to your trip
- Identify which parks have the rides and characters your family most wants to see
- Help younger kids feel familiar and excited before they arrive
- Give teens and adults context for immersive lands like Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora
Most of these movies are available on Disney+. A great approach is to have each family member pick 1–2 movies they most want to watch before the trip and plan nights around those. If there are rides you are prioritizing and haven’t seen the movie, start there first.
Magic Kingdom Movies to Watch
Magic Kingdom is the most ride-dense park and has the most classic Disney films represented. If you are visiting with young kids, start with these.
Aladdin: Ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland and meet Aladdin and Jasmine. Both the animated classic and the live action remake are great choices for movie night.
Alice in Wonderland: Ride the Mad Tea Party tea cups and look for meet and greets with Alice and the Mad Hatter. The Cheshire Cafe nearby sells coffees and pastries themed to the film.
Beauty and the Beast: Dine in Beast’s Castle at Be Our Guest Restaurant (reservations required, Beast meets guests at dinner), experience the interactive Enchanted Tales with Belle show and meet and greet, and meet Gaston at Gaston’s Tavern.
Cinderella: Visit Cinderella’s Castle, the centerpiece of Magic Kingdom. Meet Cinderella and other princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall.
Dumbo: Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland. There’s even a playground in the queue and a photo-op between the attraction. We prefer the live action to the cartoon but both work.
Frozen: Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland.
Monsters, Inc.: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is an interactive comedy show in Tomorrowland where guests can submit jokes and often get called on to participate. A crowd favorite.
Peter Pan: Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular and most beloved attractions at Magic Kingdom. Lines get very long! Use Lightning Lane or ride at rope drop. Peter Pan also meets guests in Fantasyland.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The attraction predates the movies but Jack Sparrow has been woven throughout the ride and also meets guests outside the attraction in Adventureland.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family roller coaster and one of the most popular rides in the park. Secure Lightning Lane or ride at rope drop.
The Little Mermaid: Ride Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and meet Ariel as a mermaid at her grotto next door. One of the few places to meet Ariel in her mermaid form.
The Princess and the Frog: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaced Splash Mountain in 2024 and is a log flume ride with an incredible soundtrack. Tiana can be found meeting guests in the park.
Toy Story / Buzz Lightyear: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland lets guests shoot targets throughout the ride. Meet Buzz in Tomorrowland.
Winnie the Pooh: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a classic dark ride through the story. Meet Pooh and Tigger nearby.
Coming Soon to Magic Kingdom: A Cars-themed Piston Peak land is under construction. For now, Cars fans can stay in a themed suite at Art of Animation Resort. Villain Land is also coming to Magic Kingdom in the next 5 years.
Planning a visit to Magic Kingdom? Read my detailed Magic Kingdom Guide & Itinerary.
Epcot Movies to Watch
Epcot has some of the best ride-to-movie connections in the resort, plus unique World Showcase character meets you won’t find elsewhere.
Aladdin: Meet Princess Jasmine in the Morocco pavilion in the World Showcase.
Alice in Wonderland: Meet Alice at The Tea Caddy Gardens in the United Kingdom pavilion.
Beauty and the Beast: Catch the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in the France pavilion and meet Belle in the same area.
Finding Nemo / Finding Dory: Ride The Seas with Nemo and Friends and experience Turtle Talk with Crush, an interactive show with the famous surfing turtle. Explore SeaBase, one of the largest inland saltwater aquariums in the world.
Frozen — Ride Frozen Ever After and meet Anna and Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus meet and greet in Norway. If you have a Frozen fan in your family, Epcot is their park.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the most popular rides at Epcot. Book Lightning Lane Single Pass in advance, it sells out fast.
Moana: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a walk-through water attraction. Beautiful day or night.
Ratatouille: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion is a family dark ride that originated at Disneyland Paris. A great ride for all ages that often has long waits, use Lightning Lane.
Planning a day at Epcot? Read my detailed Epcot Guide & Itinerary.
Hollywood Studios Movies to Watch
Hollywood Studios is home to the most immersive themed lands, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, and several of Disney’s most beloved shows.
Beauty and the Beast: Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage is a classic outdoor musical show worth catching. Check showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.
Frozen: For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along is one of the most fun shows at Hollywood Studios. Do not skip this, even if you think you will. Meet Olaf at the Celebrity Spotlight in Echo Lake.
Monsters, Inc.: A new Monstropolis land is coming to Hollywood Studios, expected in 2028, with a major roller coaster and new attractions.
Muppets: Muppets 3D, an original Hollywood Studios attraction, recently closed and the Muppets are getting a new home at Rock n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets.
Star Wars: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most immersive themed lands ever built. Ride Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, and build a droid at Droid Depot. Star Tours, a separate Star Wars attraction, is located outside the land near Echo Lake. Watch: the original trilogy, the sequel trilogy, and The Mandalorian for the richest experience.
The Little Mermaid: The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure is a puppet stage show in Animation Courtyard.
Toy Story: Toy Story Land has three attractions: Slinky Dog Dash (the most popular), Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the table service restaurant in the land and one of our favorite dining spots. Read our review.
Tower of Terror: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best theme park attractions anywhere. The movie was made after the attraction. Worth watching for context but you don’t need to know the story to love the ride.
Mickey Mouse: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in the Chinese Theater is the first Mickey-themed attraction at a Disney park and one of the best rides in Hollywood Studios.
Disney Villains: Disney’s Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a newer show on Sunset Boulevard. Great for all ages.
Planning a visit to Hollywood Studios? Read my detailed Hollywood Studios Guide & Itinerary.
Animal Kingdom Movies to Watch
Animal Kingdom has a smaller attraction lineup but some of the most immersive experiences in the resort.
Avatar: Pandora: The World of Avatar is the most visually stunning area in all of Disney World. Ride Avatar Flight of Passage, the most popular attraction in the park, and Na’vi River Journey. The movie is better for older kids and teens but the land is magical for all ages. Watch the film before visiting with teens for the full context.
Encanto: Encanto will be getting its own ride as part of the new Tropical Americas land coming in 2027 or later. A great movie to watch with the whole family to get excited for what’s coming.
Finding Nemo / Finding Dory: Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! is a 25-minute musical show in DinoLand’s transitional area. A great indoor break.
Indiana Jones: Indiana Jones will be replacing the Dinosaur ride when Tropical Americas fully opens.
The Lion King: Festival of the Lion King is one of the best live shows at any Disney park — a 30-minute musical celebration with acrobatics and incredible performers. Meet Rafiki and Timon in the Africa area.
UP!: Participate in the free Wilderness Explorer Scavenger Hunt throughout the park and look for Dug and Russell in the Oasis area near the entrance.
Zootopia: Zootopia: Better Zoogether! is the newest show inside the Tree of Life, replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in Discovery Island.
Planning a trip to Animal Kingdom? Read my Animal Kingdom Guide & Itinerary
Bonus: Best Disney Musical Movies
Disney makes some of the best movie musicals ever put to film, and if your family loves Disney’s music as much as ours does, these are worth a dedicated movie night beyond just pre-trip prep.
Best Disney Animated Musicals
Beauty and the Beast: One of the greatest animated films ever made. Every song fits the story perfectly and the music won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. A classic for a reason.
The Lion King: Circle of Life, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Hakuna Matata, Elton John’s contribution to this film is unforgettable. The story is more serious than it appears on the surface and holds up beautifully for all ages.
Moana: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music for Moana elevated an already great film into an instant classic. Every song is perfectly matched to the story. One of our all-time favorites.
Frozen / Frozen 2: Let It Go became a cultural moment but the full Frozen soundtrack is excellent. Frozen 2’s “Show Yourself,” sung by Idina Menzel and Evan Rachel Wood, is one of the most emotionally powerful songs Disney has ever produced.
Encanto: Lin-Manuel Miranda again, and arguably his best Disney work. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” took over popular music for good reason. Encanto became an instant classic on the strength of its songs.
The Little Mermaid: Alan Menken’s score is stunning and “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” remain two of the best Disney songs ever written.
Aladdin: Part of an era when animated musicals were having a renaissance. “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” are timeless. Robin Williams’ performance is irreplaceable.
The Princess and the Frog: An underrated gem. The New Orleans jazz-inspired soundtrack is so good and songs like “Almost There” and “Dig a Little Deeper” deserve more recognition than they get.
Hercules: Often overlooked but genuinely great music. “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” is one of the most charming Disney songs ever made.
Mulan: “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is one of the most iconic Disney songs and the whole film uses music beautifully to tell Mulan’s story.
Nightmare Before Christmas: A Tim Burton film but fully a Disney movie with a Danny Elfman score that is completely unique. Not for everyone but unforgettable.
Best Disney Live Action Musicals
Mary Poppins: Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in one of the most beloved musicals ever made. Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Chim Chim Cher-ee, these songs are permanently lodged in the cultural memory. Mary Poppins Returns is also worth watching.
Into the Woods: A Broadway musical brought to screen with an incredible cast: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine. One of the best Disney live action musicals made in recent years.
High School Musical: Originally released in 2006 and still finding new audiences. Three movies and a series make it a full franchise for musical fans. Zac Efron’s Disney debut.
Newsies: One of the best Broadway musicals and also available as a movie on Disney+. Both the stage production and the Christian Bale film are worth watching, they’re very different from each other and both have their merits.
The Muppets: The Muppets won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Man or Muppet.” A wonderful modern classic and the starting point for the franchise revival.
Honorable Mentions
Worth watching even if they don’t have major park representations:
- Tangled: Rapunzel’s character meets are popular at Magic Kingdom
- Coco: Not technically a musical but has some of the most moving songs Disney has produced
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks: A classic that deserves more recognition
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Underrated film with a powerful score
- Jungle Book: The Bare Necessities is one of the most joyful Disney songs ever written
- Descendants (1, 2, 3): Great for families with tweens and teens
Disney Broadway Musicals Worth Seeing Live
If your family loves Disney music, catching a Broadway show should be on your bucket list. Disney Broadway productions tour the country and several show regularly in New York City. Shows that have toured include Frozen, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Newsies. Read our NYC guide and Museum of Broadway review for planning tips.
Final Thoughts
Almost every character, attraction, and dining experience at Disney World is inspired by a Disney film, which means the more familiar your family is with the movies, the richer the experience at the parks.
But don’t stress about watching everything. Pick the movies that connect to the rides your family is most excited about and let the rest be a discovery when you arrive.
The best Disney trips are the ones where you walk into a land that feels familiar and completely new at the same time. That moment when a child who has watched Frozen a hundred times walks into the Norway pavilion and sees Anna and Elsa, that is what the movie nights are building toward.
Ready to plan your trip? Start with our Walt Disney World Guide for everything you need to know before you go.
Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my newsletter where I share the latest posts from the blog, plus destination and theme park news I am excited about. It is like a coffee chat delivered to your inbox. 🙂
Thank you for reading my post! This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Although we try to provide the most up-to-date prices, we do not guarantee prices listed on our site. At times we are compensated or hosted by destination and brands. All opinions are honest and my own. If you would like to learn about how I work with affiliate partners you can read more here.
Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.