A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King – A Timeless Classic in a Whole New Light
There’s no shortage of amazing things you’ll see on your way through Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. But you’ll want to make time in your schedule for A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King, a spectacular performance honoring the lion king himself: Simba. Here’s everything you need to know about the amazing show.
Catch a Quick Show on Your Way Through Animal Kingdom
The Broadway-style show is a show-stopping combination of singing, dancing, acrobatics, pageantry, and puppetry, all celebrating The Lion King. It’s a perfect example of what an “all-ages” show can be. Little ones will love seeing their favorite characters life-size (or, in Timone’s case, larger than life) prancing across the stage. The performer in your family will be enthralled at the displays of acrobatics and skill as the singers and dancers showcase their talents. But, of course, adults will be equally entertained, admiring the ornate costumes, showmanship and humming along to some of the favorite songs of their youth.
At a quick 30 minutes, A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King is a brief stop along your journey through Animal Kingdom‘s Africa-themed section of the park. But the memories you’ll make there will last a lifetime. The show runs every hour, so there’s no need to plan too far ahead. Instead, you can simply pop in when you’re nearby and anticipate a half-hour of amazing entertainment sure to bring you joy. It’s the perfect short break from being on your feet (and, if you’re visiting during the summer, a break from the heat) that will instill in you a sense of The Lion King’s magic in a way you’ve never expected.
The Lion King in a Whole New Light
It’s no wonder why The Lion King remains an iconic movie to this day. The story of Simba’s redemption, Scar’s iconic role as a villain, and the lovable Timone and Pumba check all the boxes of a memorable story. The artwork continues to set the bar for what animation can aspire to be.
And, of course, there’s the music. Few modern movies boast as many timeless classics like the original The Lion King. From the heartfelt “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” to the sweeping “Circle of Life” to the tune of “Hakuna Matata” that you can’t help but dance along to, the music of The Lion King helps push it to the next level, from an excellent animated movie to a timeless masterpiece.
But unfortunately, you can only re-watch The Lion King to relive the magic so many times! That’s where A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King comes in. By capturing the spirit of what The Lion King is all about but presenting it in a new way with live performances that include your favorite characters from the movie, the show recreates the magic we all felt watching The Lion King for the first time as children. When you leave, you’ll feel a renewed appreciation for the classic Disney movie.
So don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to head right back to your hotel to watch The Lion King again – or all of them for a triple feature!
Pulling You Into the Story
The show is a grand gala honoring Simba, the lion cub who would be king. The first thing you’ll notice as the show starts is the sounds of the African savanna washing over you, making you feel like you’re really there. Then, an explosion of kaleidoscope colors bursts through the room as the performers take center stage. And as amazing as the light and prop work is, the performances are what will really capture your imagination.
To create the spectacular theatrics you’ve come to expect from every Disney production, an array of performers will burst onto the stage. Expect huge puppets, brightly-colored dancers performing a lot of fancy footwork (most of them in character as creatures of the African savanna), and stilt walkers prancing around the stage. There’s even a fire dancer who makes an appearance, waving flaming sticks as they set your heart pounding along to the music.
New Renditions of Classic Songs
In honoring Simba, they put on a show you’ll never forget. Amid the moving theatrical experience is also a celebration of the classic songs of The Lion King. So clap along to “Hakuna Matata” and sway to the rhythms of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”. The finale includes a soaring rendition of “Circle of Life” that will tug at your heartstrings and remind you what it truly means to be human. You’ll be surprised how the live performers manage to breathe new life into songs you’ve known your entire life.
The performance certainly packs a lot of punch for only 30 minutes. You’ll forget place and time as you let yourself become fully immersed in the show. The performers will dance around on mobile stages and employ aerial techniques and props, all for the sake of bringing you that Disney magic you’ve come to know and love.
Join the Celebration
There’s even an audience participation element. Cheer along to the performances, chiming in to show your appreciation for the dancers and Simba, the king of Pride Rock. It’ll feel like you’re really there along with your favorite characters!
The lively, joyful, spirited show manages to evoke the same feelings as The Lion King movie, but in a way that feels fresh-faced and new. But it’s more than just a revival of classic songs and a reintroduction to your favorite characters. It’s a celebration of The Lion King, but it’s also a celebration of the art of song and dance to show emotion and feeling. If there’s a performer in your family, they definitely won’t want to miss this.
The Cast and Characters
One of the highlights of the show is the costuming. Many of the performers are dressed in African-inspired garb. Some are even animal-inspired, while others are simply exuberant and eye-catchingly distinct.
Most importantly, however, you’ll get to see your favorite Lion King characters in action. Simba is in attendance, of course, as the guest of honor. A giant animatronic elephant is also there. And, as always, you can count on Timone and Pumba’s back-and-forth to make you laugh. Timone’s song and dance number are as sassy and fun as always.
What to Know While You Plan
While you don’t need to book tickets too far in advance (the show runs every hour), you’ll want to allow plenty of time in your schedule to make this show since it’s a highly sought-after, well-loved performance. And during COVID, the theatre is at partial capacity for safety reasons so that each performance can accommodate fewer attendees.
There have been some temporary modifications to the show for safety reasons to allow for social distancing, but reviews still say it’s a spectacular experience. Of course, any Disney Park veteran will tell you that every attraction feels new each time you experience it. All the more reason to see the COVID version now and visit again down the road to see it again in its original glory! (Hopefully not too far down the road, fingers crossed!)
To make your trip through Animal Kingdom even more unforgettable, stopping by A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King is a no-brainer. Have you seen this show? Did you love it? What about The Lion King makes it such an enduring Disney classic? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Cover Image
Photo: Loren Javier via Flickr
Recommended Gear for this Adventure
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if you click any of the links above and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
