Does Disney World have Scary Shows with Animatronics? While many would call Disney’s stage attractions relatively tame, they all certainly pack a punch in their own unique ways. Let’s dive into the specifics – ranking each one by intensity, spookiness, sensory overload, and more.
4 – Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents is a patriotic celebration of every president of the United States. This Magic Kingdom classic utilizes both a large screen and audio-animatronics of the presidents themselves to give you an immersive and educational experience like no other.
How Intense is Hall of Presidents?
The Hall of Presidents is not intentionally scary whatsoever. As a family-friendly, educational show, you’ll experience what is essentially a presentation right out of the History channel. The on-screen segments involve a dramatized narration over classical paintings – many portraying war scenes (no gore) and conflict. There are sounds of gunfire, shouting, and explosions behind the narration but they are not too intense, in my opinion.
Again, this is nothing you wouldn’t see on the History channel – but the fact that it’s in a large theater with Disney-tier sound design makes it a bit more in-your-face than if you were watching it in your living room. Some people will straight-up sleep through this show, but it’s worth noting that there are some loud noises and ominous moments for the sensory sensitive among us.
In addition, there are many older (and sometimes a little janky) audio-animatronics on-stage at various points. Around the halfway mark, there is a 2 minute and 20 second speech by Abraham Lincoln – the most advanced animatronic in the attraction – who stands up from his chair on stage and addresses you. Then, the last 5 minutes are dedicated to introducing every one of our presidents in order. Again, they are all up on stage and never leave their spots, but those particularly averse to animatronics could find them a little uncanny.
How Does Hall of Presidents Compare to other Shows with Animatronics?
This attraction ranks the lowest on our list due to its mild nature and educational tone. With its lack of any spooky theming or intense ride elements, I can easily recommend this show to most guests – barring those especially frightened by animatronics.
For more specifics on Hall of Presidents, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a full visual of the show, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
3 – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a rotating stage show taking guests through history as the average American family welcomes the great big beautiful tomorrow. This unique attraction works by rotating its guests around a circular stage – bringing them to 4 different show scenes in total. The actual theater (where guests are seated) moves very gently between scenes, stopping as the scene plays, and then moves to the next one. While it may seem like the stage is moving, it’s actually the seats rotating around a stationary platform – much like an actual carousel.
How Intense is Carousel of Progress?
Carousel of Progress is not intentionally scary whatsoever. As a gentle, slow-paced show centered around a family experiencing technology, this attraction contains no spooky imagery or thrilling elements at all.
However, it should definitely be noted that the stars of the show are old-school Disney animatronics that could make some guests a bit uneasy. While they’re all very friendly and endearing, the whole family tends to be a bit shifty a may malfunction from time to time just due to the ride’s age.
In addition – while this attraction has large, fairly open seating like other stage shows – it differs in the sense that the theater actually moves throughout the run time. Because of this, some guests may feel uneasy having to remain seated and not having the option of leaving the theater once the show has started. This combined with the 21 minute run time is definitely enough for some guests (like me) to feel a bit claustrophobic.
How Does Carousel of Progress Compare to other Shows with Animatronics?
Thematically, this attraction is just as tame and family-friendly as Hall of Presidents. However, what nudges it higher on the list for me is the claustrophobic element of not being able to leave the theater easily due to its rotating nature. If this particular element doesn’t pose any problem for you, however, I would recommend this show to anyone – even the most sensitive of guests.
For more specifics on Carousel of Progress, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a full visual of the show, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
2 – Country Bear Jamboree
Country Bear Jamboree is a country-themed concert featuring our favorite family of bears. What makes this attraction slightly unique is the entirely animatronic cast and lack of any screens or 4D effects whatsoever. While these practical effects are very charming, it does make the show prone to malfunctions – especially considering how old the animatronics are.
How Intense is Country Bear Jamboree?
Country Bear Jamboree is not intentionally scary, but might not be suitable for all guests. It’s worth noting that some of the lyrics can be a bit off-color or inappropriate for children – though many kids (and adults) might not catch them at all.
The most noticeable example of this is the “Blood on the Saddle” number by Big Al, where he croons about a grisly scene involving a lot of…well…blood. As I said before, there is no intense imagery accompanying any of the songs, but some parents might find these lyrics a bit jarring compared to the usual Disney fare.
Aside from the mature themes, many guests could be off-put by the often janky animatronics up on stage. As an opening day attraction, the characters are very old and have the propensity to malfunction often – landing them somewhere in the uncanny valley alongside Chuck E. Cheese. While all meant to be friendly and comical, some of the character designs don’t help with the creepy-factor, in my opinion.
How Does Country Bear Jamboree Compare to other Shows with Animatronics?
While certainly marketed as a family-friendly attraction, this show could pose a problem to some guests for a couple of reasons. If its mature themes and lyrics aren’t an issue for you and your party, the creepy animatronics might be. I, personally, would call the Country Bears the most unintentionally spooky attraction in Disney World – do you agree?
For more specifics on Country Bear Jamboree, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a full visual of the show, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
1 – Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a classic serenade by our favorite animatronic birds. This attraction seats an estimated 230 guests in a circular theater facing the stage. However, while most of the action takes place in the center and above you, there are many special effects and show elements going on in every corner of the room.
How Intense is the Enchanted Tiki Room?
While the Enchanted Tiki Room is not meant to be scary, there is one notably spooky moment involving some significant sensory overload. Be prepared for loud sound design, noisy bird and animal noises, some ominous singing, and tribal chanting that culminates in the room going dark with thunder, lightning, and smoke effects. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the show to those prone to sensory sensitivity and would even be wary if someone in your party is easily frightened.
Luckily, this spooky scene only lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds before we’re told that “the gods have been angered by all the celebrating.” One of our bird hosts cracks a joke and the room quickly returns to its light and whimsical self.
Aside from the sensory overload, many guests could be off-put by the often janky animatronics located in every corner of the room. While most of the animatronics are pretty realistic birds, there are some creepy tiki faces and drumming figures that lean a bit more heavily into the uncanny valley.
How Does the Enchanted Tiki Room Compare to other Shows with Animatronics?
While definitely regarded as a family-friendly show, this attraction lands the top spot on the intensity scale due to its one spooky moment with thunder, smoke effects, and loud chanting. Because the action takes place all around the room, there really is no place to escape the sensory overload. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend this show to those especially prone to sensory sensitivity or easily frightened by spooky theming.
For more specifics on the Enchanted Tiki Room, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a full visual of the show, be sure to check out this video from JohnYChen:
What do you think? Do you agree with my Top 4 Scary Shows with Animatronics in Disney World? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
