Join Simba for one of the most enjoyable shows in Disney World!
Did you know that Mr.Bean - a.k.a. Rowan Atkinson - voiced Zazu in the original movie?
Now that we've covered that interesting tidbit, let's shift our focus to Festival of the Lion King, which happens to be the only Lion King attraction in all of Disney World! And considering that The Lion King is widely regarded as one of the greatest Disney movies ever, that is quite surprising.
This is a 30 minute Broadway-style spectacle which features not only music from the movies, but dozens of actors and performers in costume performing live on stage. We are not only talking about singing and dancing, but even stunt actors that jump around in an amazing display of athleticism.
The show is also filled with colorful puppets which celebrate wildlife from all over the world, especially the beautiful species that originate from Africa. You get to see Mufasa, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, and also listen to the award winning music with fan favorites like “The Circle of Life” and “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”. Unfortunately, Elton John is not on stage.
Simba is an animatronic that stays in place, while Timon and Pumbaa are live performers in costume that jump around and interact with the crowd. Speaking of crowds, guests are divided into different sections representing various animals, such as lions or elephants. Periodically, the singers might invite guests to make the sounds of their respective animals, which adds a playful and entertaining element, especially for kids.
This is one of the most entertaining live shows in Disney World. The show takes thirty minutes, but it’s pretty fast paced, always with something happening in front of you. While there's plenty of singing, what really steals the show are the incredible acrobatic moments. You get to see gymnasts dressed as monkeys performing breathtaking acrobatics and even an aerial dance reminiscent of a circus performance.
The puppetry and costumes in Festival of the Lion King are truly well done, reminiscent of those seen in a vibrant carnival parade. Everything bursts with color and beauty, especially the large puppet animals that make their grand entrance onto the stage. It's like a scaled-down version of the acclaimed Broadway Lion King show, which is regarded as one of the best of all time.
Be sure to consult your park map to check the time slots for Festival of the Lion King. Since this is a lengthy show, live presentations during the day may be limited. To ensure you catch it, choose the perfect time slot for you and aim to arrive about ten minutes early for the best experience.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Oh, yes! A lot of kids might get bored or anxious during live shows, but I do think this isn’t the case with The Festival of the Lion King. The main reason for this is that there is a lot going on, from the puppets to live performers in costume walking around to actors singing and acrobats jumping around non stop. There is never a dull moment, and there is also a good chance your kids will just stare at everything during the whole thirty minutes and never complain.
Don't forget to use the restroom before the show and bring along some water and maybe a snack. Since this is a longer show, it's a good idea to arrive a bit earlier than usual. Additionally, exiting the theater might take a few extra minutes due to the crowd, so keep that in mind as well.
