Festival of the Lion King is a spectacular and beloved stage show located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. The show premiered on April 22, 1998, to coincide with the park’s opening and has since become one of the park’s most popular and enduring attractions.
The show takes place in the Harambe Theater, located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is a vibrant celebration of the hit Disney animated film “The Lion King” and features a combination of live performances, puppetry, music, dance, and special effects.
The storyline of Festival of the Lion King revolves around four main animal hosts: Kiume, a powerful male lion; Nakawa, a graceful female bird; Kibibi, a playful female monkey; and Zawadi, a strong male warthog. They guide the audience through various scenes and musical numbers inspired by the movie.
The show includes high-energy performances of popular songs from “The Lion King,” such as “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” These musical renditions are accompanied by stunning choreography and acrobatics performed by talented cast members.
One of the most memorable aspects of the show is the use of large and intricately designed puppetry to bring some of the beloved characters to life. The impressive puppets of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and other creatures create a magical and immersive experience for guests of all ages.
Festival of the Lion King is a must-see attraction for visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show’s dynamic performances, captivating storytelling, and the opportunity to sing along to familiar tunes make it an unforgettable and heartwarming experience for the whole family.
At a Glance
- Disney Resort: Walt Disney World Resort
- Disney Park: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Info News and Attractions
- Park Area: Animal Kingdom Africa
- Attraction Type: Disney Park Show
- Official Page
- Year Opened: 1998
- Replaced: Original Attraction
- Location on Map
Helpful Reviews
Festival of the Lion King | Disney World News:
- MagicBand+ Now Interacts With Walt Disney World Stage Shows, October 23, 2024
- ‘Festival of the Lion King’ MagicBand+ Interactions Added at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, June 18, 2024
- MagicBand+ Interaction Comes to Festival of the Lion King for the Film’s 30th Anniversary, June 12, 2024
- Tumble Monkeys and Aerial Dancing Birds Returning to ‘The Festival of the Lion King’ on July 16, May 24, 2022
- Showtimes Reduced for ‘A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King’ Starting June 27 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, May 10, 2022
Related Disney Character(s):
Mufasa (The Lion King)Related Movie(s):
Related Song(s):
Hakuna Matata (Song)
“Hakuna Matata” is a song from the 1994 Disney animated film “The Lion King“. The song is performed by the characters Timon and Pumbaa, and…
Be Prepared (Song)
“Be Prepared” is a song from the Disney animated film “The Lion King“. The song was composed by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice,…
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Song)
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a song from the 1994 Disney animated film “The Lion King“. It was composed by Elton John with…
I Just Can’t Wait to Be King (Song)
“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” is a song from the animated movie “The Lion King,” which was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation…
Circle of Life (Song)
“Circle of Life” is a song from the 1994 Disney animated film “The Lion King“. The song was written by Elton John and Tim Rice,…
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