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More Entertainment Returns This Summer with a Celebration of ‘Festival of the Lion King’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Shawn Slater

by , Senior Communications Manager, Disney Live Entertainment

Since reopening the Walt Disney World theme parks last July, we’ve taken a different approach to our entertainment, coming up with new ways to share the magic of the Disney characters. With cavalcades and flotillas continuing to delight guests daily, we are now turning our attention to bringing back even more entertainment with a responsible and thoughtful approach. 

We are thrilled to be starting the process of bringing back to work more singers, dancers, technicians and other cast members, from one of the most popular shows at Walt Disney World Resort. Expected this summer, the Harambe Theatre at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will host that fan-favorite troupe of musical storytellers, along with Simba and his friends, in a celebration of the incomparable “Festival of the Lion King.”

When it returns, “Festival of the Lion King” will be presented in a modified format to be mindful of the current environment. There will be adjustments to the show on stage and backstage, including updates to choreography to allow for appropriate physical distancing. We’ll also adjust how the audience is seated, in line with other theater-based experiences at Walt Disney World Resort.  

So, who’s ready to clap along with “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” thrill to the fire knife performance during “Be Prepared,” swoon over “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and take in the joyous “Circle of Life?” It’s going to be an amazing celebration! 

Comments

  • ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Even with necessary adjustments, I’m SO happy to know this show will be returning. It is, along with Finding Nemo: The Musical, one of the best things at Animal Kingdom. You wanna make me cry happy tears? Sit me down to watch either one of those shows. Disney magic through and through.

  • Whooo hoo!!! Thank you!!
    Entertainment jobs coming back!!

  • So happy!!!

  • Bring back Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue!!

  • OMG !!! best thing I’ve heard in a long time !!! Happy for the cast members that will be back as well !!

  • This is awesome news ! Hooray for all the cast members coming back !

  • This are amazing news

  • Best news of 2021 so far!

    My fave show in all of Walt Disney World!

    Just PLEEEEEEEEAAASSSSSSSEEEEEE bring back the tumble monkeys! They and the bird dancers are the best parts of the show!

  • This is amazing news! I hope to see Finding Nemo the Musical too!

  • Please bring back Frozen live at the Hyperion and Mickey and the Magical map with new scenes from Moana.

  • Bring back the band at The Grsnd Floridian! It’s very missed!

  • YES! We were just at Animal Kingdom and it doesn’t feel the same without the entertainment.

  • AHHHHHH SO EXCITED😁😁😁

  • Great news! Thanks for sharing. Any news about Laugh Floor? Pls tell us that you are bringing them back soon too.

  • Yay!! This is so exciting! We are coming for the 50th and were so worried there wouldn’t be any performers or characters! Please bring them back at Epcot as well. World showcase isn’t the same without the performers in the different countries. I’d even be glad for distanced masked pictures with characters. This is such exciting and hopeful news though!

  • YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

  • Very nice to hear! WE are there in March & April, then back in October so will see it then!

  • Yay!!!

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