The Best Pre-Show Attractions

Every attraction throughout Walt Disney World features its own immersive story that is brought to life through theming, music, details, and more. Some attractions even include incredible pre-shows that add layers of depth and enjoyment to the experience and help set up the story for Guests. From brief introductions that pack a punch to lengthy encounters that truly immerse Guests, these are the best pre-shows to be found in Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Credit: Disney

The ultimate pre-show experience at Walt Disney World can be found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a lengthy and completely immersive experience that features multiple pre-shows. Guests are first brought into a room where a hologram Rey shares the location of a secret base of the Resistance. Guests then proceed into a ship commanded by Lieutenant Bek which starts smoothly but takes a thrilling turn when the First Order catches it.

Guests emerge into a massive bay inside of a Star Destroyer where dozens of stormtroopers stand guard. First Order recruits then bring Guests into holding cells where Kylo Ren and Hux discuss how they will extract information from the Guests. During a brief pause, undercover Rebels help Guests escape to hijacked transports where the actual ride begins. With over ten minutes of pre-show immersion, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the best pre-show in Walt Disney World.

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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Pre-Show
Credit: BlogMickey.com

Another attraction that features several pre-shows to help immerse Guests in the story can be found in EPCOT’s World Discovery. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind brings Guests through a Wonders of Xandar pavilion before beginning the pre-show with a welcome message from Nova Prime Irani Rael.

Guests then head into a teleportation chamber where they are transported to a Nova ship to enjoy a presentation of the power of the Cosmic Generator. Things quickly take a turn when Eson, a villain, steals the Cosmic Generator and Guests proceed to evacuation shuttles where they set off to save the galaxy with the Guardians. Almost six minutes in length, the pre-show of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the best!

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Credit: Disney

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings the classic television series to life. Guests enter the Hollywood Tower Hotel where something clearly went wrong long ago. The pre-show begins as Guests enter the library and soon are shown a video explaining how a lightning strike caused an elevator full of Guests to disappear into The Twilight Zone one fateful Halloween night. With just the right amount of eerie foreboding and the perfect explanation of the experience to come, the pre-show on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a great one.

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Mickey & Minnie’s Runway Railway

Pre-Show
Credit: DisneyFoodBlog.com

Also in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, a family-friendly attraction that takes Guests on an epic cartoon adventure. The pre-show of the attraction features a short cartoon where Mickey & Minnie can be seen heading off for a picnic in the park singing “Nothing Can Stop Us Now.” After a slight mishap, the screen literally bursts apart and Guest step through into the cartoon world. This perfect introduction to the experience shows Guests just how they become part of the adventure, and the song is very catchy.

RELATED: Top Experiences in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Avatar Flight of Passage

Pre-show
Credit: BlogMickey.com

Another attraction that features multiple pre-shows is Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After wandering through the beautiful landscape of the Valley of Mo’ara and the military-like remnants of an RDA base, Guests enter the first pre-show. A scientist from Alpha Centauri Expeditions explains to Guests what the company is doing to help restore the beauty of Pandora and helps rid them of parasites. After introducing Dr. Jackie Ogdon, Guests move into a second room where the character explains just how Guests will be using technology to link themselves to Avatars. With interactive elements and the prefect set up to immerse Guests in the experience, the pre-show of Avatar Flight of Passage is not to be missed.

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Haunted Mansion

Stretching Room
Credit: DisneyTouristBlog.com

One of the most beloved and classic pre-shows in all of Walt Disney World can be found at the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom. As Guests enter the foyer of the mansion, they are greeted by Master Gracey who explains the eerie atmosphere within. Guests soon move into the stretching room where the doorway disappears, and the walls and portraits mysteriously begin to warp revealing chilling outcomes. The Ghost Host continues to narrate the experience for Guests and reveals how he escaped the room in a dead-end way high above. With just the right amount of eerie and scary and the perfect narration from the Ghost Host, the pre-show in the Haunted Mansion sets the stage for the attraction to come.

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The American Adventure

The American Adventure
Credit: DisneyFoodBlog.com

A slightly different pre-show experience can be found at The American Adventure in EPCOT’s World Showcase. The attraction eventually has Guests seated in a large theatre where the story of the American people is told in epic proportion. Before moving into the theater, Guests wait in a large rotunda with beautiful artwork and several places to relax. Before each performance, The Voices of Liberty come out to serenade Guests with unforgettable songs. Decked out in colonial garb, the a cappella group performs American classics that Guests are sure to be amazed by. It’s the perfect way to set the patriotic atmosphere of the attraction to come.

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