Festival of The Lion King

Music and motion at Disney's Animal Kingdom

    If you should ever find yourself at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, you might want to head over to Camp Minnie-Mickey on the west side of the park. There, just past the place where funnel cakes are sold, you'll find the Festival of The Lion King is performed.

    Using modified parade floats that originally belonged to The Lion King Celebration at Disneyland, as well as new elements all its own, this long-standing show transforms the theater into a spectacular blend of music and song, acrobatics and dance, fire and darkness, monkeys and... a meerkat. Unlike many other live shows based on movies, though, this one has its focus on the emotional essence of the film and its music rather on the story. As such, new characters appear, such as Kiume, Nakawa, Kibibi, and Zawadi; there are Adage Birds, a Fire Hyena, and a troupe of Tumble Monkeys. Still, there are familiar faces as well, like Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba. It's worth a visit the next time you're in central Florida.

    But if you can't make it over there right away, I've got a few (well, more than a few...) photos, taken during six performances of the show, to tide you over until you can. Check 'em out:

Preshow, intro ("I Just Can't Wait To Be King"), and section mascots
"Hakuna Matata" and Tumble Monkeys
"Be Prepared" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight"
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and Finale
Single page with all photos. All 118 at once! You've been warned!

Enjoy! If you'd like to see a few random thoughts about the taking of the photos, check out the notes section.