This summer, we took our love of theater out of the living room and into the spotlight… literally. What started as a homeschool mini-unit quickly turned into one of our most memorable learning adventures, thanks to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Over two weeks, we explored storytelling, stagecraft, Shakespeare, and stop-motion animation through my Hollywood Studios Theatrics Unit.

We paired the unit with a favorite book, A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories (Amazon link), which made The Bard’s classics approachable and fun. From crafting Shakespearean insults to writing scripts and building a stage out of recycled materials, the unit became a summer project that felt both educational and creative. My daughter even created a stop-motion film starring a magical polar bear—complete with a storyline, original dialogue, and hand-built sets. She was so proud of her work, and I wanted to find a special way to celebrate.

What better finale than a full day of live shows at Hollywood Studios?

How We Saw Every Show in One Day (and Still Had Time for Snacks)

Rather than racing across the park or worrying about exact showtimes, we followed a location-based route. This let us enjoy the day without pressure while still seeing every major performance. By keeping an eye on the My Disney Experience app, we adjusted as needed and built in breaks to recharge.

Here’s how we did it, plus some fun facts and learning connections we made along the way:

1. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Location: Echo Lake
Fun Fact: Real stunt professionals recreate scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark, complete with explosions, whip tricks, and fight choreography.

This was the perfect way to kick off our day. My daughter loved seeing the behind-the-scenes look at how action scenes are planned and rehearsed. It gave her a whole new appreciation for the word “spectacular.”

2. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Location: Echo Lake
Fun Fact: The narrators are “Royal Historians of Arendelle” who improvise and add new humor to each performance.

This show is a favorite in our house, and seeing it live brought a fresh perspective. The humor, live vocals, and emotional storytelling reinforced our earlier lessons about how music deepens a story. Plus, the indoor air conditioning was a welcome break from the summer Florida sun.

3. The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

Location: Animation Courtyard
Fun Fact: The show includes blacklight puppetry and fiber optics for a true under-the-sea feel.

This was our first time seeing the newly updated version of the classic Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The use of lighting, color, and puppets tied right into our discussions on stagecraft. My daughter made notes afterward on how to add color transitions into her next stop-motion scene.

4. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

Location: Sunset Boulevard
Fun Fact: This was one of the first live Disney shows to debut before the movie was released in 1991—making it a piece of Disney history.

We grabbed a Mickey pretzel and a frozen lemonade on our walk to this shaded amphitheater. Watching the full-costume cast perform songs like “Be Our Guest” gave us the chance to talk about choreography, ensemble roles, and blocking. She couldn’t take her eyes off the dancers, and the experience gave her new ideas for character movement in her animation work.

5. Villains: Unfairly Ever After

Don’t miss this new show! We ended our day with it and it was a fantastic capstone to our unit. The theme of narrative perspective (villains explaining their motives) matched perfectly with the critical thinking we had practiced during our Shakespeare readings. It sparked a great conversation about how stories change depending on who’s telling them.

Tips for a Smooth Theater-Filled Day

Arrive Early: Aim to get to the park by 8:30 AM to beat the crowds and catch morning shows with ease.
Use the My Disney Experience App: Showtimes update regularly. It’s your best tool for making quick decisions and finding mobile ordering options.
Snack Strategically: We stopped for a midday snack near Echo Lake and later enjoyed our favorite treat—Mickey Bars—to end the day.
Bring a Small Notebook: My daughter jotted down ideas for costumes, lighting, and plot twists while waiting for shows to begin.
Hydrate Often: Many theaters are partially outdoors. Bring water bottles, cooling towels, and plan shaded breaks.

Final Curtain Call

Whether you’re a local homeschool family or planning a vacation, I can’t recommend this type of theater-based field trip enough. Your kids will laugh, learn, and walk away feeling inspired to tell stories of their own.

Want to try this unit yourself? You can find the full Hollywood Studios Theatrics Unit here:
Hollywood Studios Theatrics Homeschool Unit