5. Walt Disney World resort hotels

The Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer up an exceptional roster of high quality performances, uniquely themed to complement their respective surroundings. Port Orleans musicians greet guests in the Riverside and French Quarter lobbies with Dixieland favorites, while the Grand Floridian’s pianist and balcony orchestra complete an atmosphere of elegance. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests are invited to join Cast Members for native African drumming sessions at the Sunset Lounge and the Palace Library.

Though it’s not as spontaneous as many resort entertainment options, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds may be one of the best musical amusements on property. This nightly event, led by a guitar-strumming cowboy, invites guests to sing, dance, and even roast marshmallows with Chip and Dale. The sing-along is followed by the outdoor classic Disney “movie under the stars”. These Fort Wilderness events are free to all Disney guests.

6. Fountain of Nations at Epcot

Every fifteen minutes, an already beautiful Epcot landmark comes to life in a brilliant display of music, color, and artistry - but this one has nothing to do with human performance. Nearly 150,000 gallons of water are accented in streams of light and synchronized to music with the help of elaborate computer programming to create an awe-inspiring, automated show of epic proportions. The Fountain of Nations is the centerpiece of Epcot’s Future World, located behind the colossal Spaceship Earth attraction.

While this display does not involve live performance, it is a show nonetheless - and one not to be missed. Surprisingly, many guests speed past the fountain - especially between shows, when the fountain appears almost ordinary, with a standard, steady stream. When it abruptly springs to life, it’s nearly impossible to avoid taking notice, and the dancing cascades rising up to 150 feet in the air are absolutely worth taking pause.

7. Dance parties

With the help of favorite Disney characters, guests can become part of a musical show themselves! Walt Disney World has been increasing the number of “dance parties” throughout all of its four main theme parks, and they truly are a memorable experience. Guests of all ages are invited to join a cast of beloved characters for an all-out boogey bonanza to a soundtrack of contemporary pop hits and Disney favorites.

Club 626 with Stitch and friends was one of the original, regular dance parties. Located in Tomorrowland, this performance has since been rethemed as the #INCREDIBLESSuperDance Party, and it is regularly scheduled, with a dedicated stage and open dance area. Other dance parties also take place multiple times, daily, and can be found on park maps, but some are sporadic and unscheduled, so keep your eyes and ears open!

8. Do it yourself musical performances

Of course, there’s nothing like creating your own soundtrack during your Disney vacation, and there are plenty of places to do so. Throughout the parks, various shops and market areas display collections of unique musical instruments. The World Showcase pavilions throughout Epcot are peppered with instruments native to the nations they represent, and percussion instruments can be found in open set-ups in both Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Children and adults alike are drawn to these displays, and from time to time, you can catch an impressive performance from a fellow park guest - or perhaps even draw a crowd of your own.

Visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort are learning to embrace Fastpass+ scheduling, and pre-planned amusements. This has its benefits, but there’s something to be said for spontaneity. Considering Fastpass+ limits and the empty spaces between scheduled returns, there’s plenty of time left to fill in a day’s visit. While there are ample choices to occupy your time between reserved attractions, keep in mind that some of Disney’s finest spectacles aren’t even on a guide map. You may be surprised to find what you can discover purely by accident.