There’s just something about live music that really makes you feel like you’re finally on vacation. And, at Walt Disney World, you’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for such an escape.
Now, yes, there are a great many amazing performers in the Disney Parks, from the Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure pavilion to the drummers and musicians performing in the streets of the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, there are just as many amazing acts to see that don’t require park admission — many of which are, honestly, so good that you wouldn’t feel guilty paying to see them. Most, though, are totally free.
So, sit back, relax, grab a drink or snack, and enjoy the best places for live music on Disney property.
House of Blues
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Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: Disney Springs hosts a world-class live performance venue in House of Blues. Most nights, the headliners require their own admission, but the reason for this is obvious — the acts are top notch.
House of Blues is a full-fledged concert venue, meaning real touring bands and musicians perform here weekly. Make sure to check the schedule for your trip, because major headlining acts do tend to sell out. However, if you’re looking for a smaller event, like a jazz brunch, House of Blues offers those too.
One benefit of House of Blues’ commitment to bringing in touring acts is that it has a locals’ vibe to its performances. If you want a brief piercing of the Disney bubble, but with some quality tunes, this is a spot to check out.
River Roost Lounge
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Located just off the shores of the Sassagoula River in Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, the River Roost Lounge looks at first glance like your standard Walt Disney World hotel bar. It’s well-themed, but not intricately so. It’s got solid specialty drinks, but nothing quite on the level of Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. It is, by Disney standards, ordinary.
What elevates it into Disney cult status is its main attraction: Yehaa Bob.
Sitting on a small stage with a piano, Bob Jackson puts on a one-man show that has become one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved best kept secrets. It is completely free to attend, and those who do partake are immersed in a family-friendly slapstick comedy show with sing-a-long songs and general merriment.
There are guests who have been to Bob’s show on every vacation for well over a decade, and his incredible memory leads to him remembering every single one. He’s personable enough to transform the River Roost Lounge into a neighborhood pub where everyone knows each other, and everyone is there to have a good time. He’s able to convince introverts to sing along, and he’s an expert at knowing just how to make the audience have a great time.
If you’ve never seen him perform, it’s time to change that and join the cult of Yehaa Bob. You can check his schedule when you arrive on Disney property. You won’t regret it.
Disney Springs Performance Pavilions
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The transformation of Lake Buena Vista’s premier shopping an entertainment district from the aging and limp Downtown Disney to the vibrant and exciting Disney Springs has been a jolt of electricity through every Disney vacation. What felt like a failing suburban shopping mall previously has been transformed into an energetic hub of frivolity and amusement.
One of the major reasons for this is Disney’s newfound commitment to bringing musical acts to Disney Springs’ walkways and concert pavilions.
As you walk through the whole of the property, you’ll pass by a guitarist performing outside Splitsville Luxury Lanes, or a small band playing in Exposition Park among the food trucks, or a classically-trained guitarist just outside World of Disney. These outdoor performances last long enough for you to stop and enjoy them, but not so long that you feel obligated to scope out a seat.
The performers rotate in and out, so you can always count on something new to see when you visit Disney Springs. Walk through the whole area, find the act you most enjoy, grab a drink, and listen.
Jellyrolls
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A favorite among cast members, Jellyrolls is about as raucous a good time as you can have on Disney property.
Located on the Boardwalk, right by the walkway to the Swan and Dolphin resorts, Jellyrolls hosts a dueling pianos show wherein the two performers take requests and play incredible piano duets. The sets can vary wildly, and the ability to offer up your own favorite song for the pianists to play adds enough variety to keep guests and locals coming back time and again.
Yes, there is a cover charge, but the show is so entertaining that it’s absolutely worth it. It’s not quite as family-friendly as Yehaa Bob’s show, which makes it perfect for guests traveling without kids to enjoy a bit of a break from the Disney aesthetics.
Raglan Road
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Disney Springs is also host to Raglan Road Irish Pub — a delicious restaurant and bar that offers live music every night of the week, both inside the restaurant itself and outside on its patio stage.
The music is mostly traditional Celtic songs with a rock-and-roll vibe, but with a pulsing energy that is thrilling to listen to. Many of the performers come from the UK and bring with them traditional styles combined with modern rhythms. If all else fails, Ragland Road is the perfect go-to for crowd-pleasing tunes that the whole family can enjoy.
And, for travelers of age, the drinks at the Raglan Road bar are among the best at Disney Springs.
Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
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Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to many of the best things on Walt Disney World property. It hosts the best restaurant — the five-star Victoria and Albert’s. It has the best seafood at Narcoosee’s. It has the best place to get married — Walt Disney World’s wedding pavilion.
But, more than anything else, it also hosts the single best bit of free entertainment in central Florida: the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.
Filling the lobby with big band classics and orchestral versions of Disney tunes, this musical act adds so much character and mood to what some view as an otherwise sterile space. The music is just so astonishingly great, it’s often hard to pull yourself up from one of the area’s comfy chairs even to head back to the parks. Whether they’re playing classics from Frozen or Snow White, or traditional orchestral songs, it’s impossible not to stop and be awed by their talent.
And, best of all, they put on a special holiday set during November and December featuring classic Christmas songs.
If you’ve never seen them perform, it’s time to change that. If you have seem them perform, it’s time to plan another trip.
