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7 ways to Celebrate The Lion King at Disney Animal’s Kingdom

By: Author Heather Thomas

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7 ways to Celebrate The Lion King at Disney Animal’s Kingdom

2024 kicks off the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s The Lion King, and what better place to mark the occasion than at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Here are 7 ways you can join in on the celebration:

Catch a Show at The Festival of the Lion King

Although it isn’t new, no Lion King celebration would be complete without a visit to one of the highlights of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – The Festival of the Lion King.

This big, fun, Broadway-style show lasts for 30 minutes and is 1 of the best shows at Disney World. There is lots of music, dancing, stilt walkers and acrobats, featuring songs and stories from The Lion King.

tumble monkeys - festival of the lion king
  • Height req: None
  • Suitable for: Everybody
  • Attraction length: About 30 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Absolutely
  • When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: No
  • Tip(s): Check show times to see when it’s scheduled, and show up 15-20 minutes beforehand, trying to sit near the front of a section for the best views.

Meet Timon and Rafiki

If you head over to Rafiki’s Planet watch you’ll find all sorts of fun animals – including 2 of our favorites, Timon and Rafiki!

Both Timon and Rafiki meet near the entrance to the Conservation Station. They alternate sets so if you want to meet both, you’ll need to hang around awhile.

Buy Some Cute Merch

Disney should just get a direct payment from our paychecks each week because they are always coming through with the cute merch, and the stuff that’s available for the big 30th Anniversary of The Lion King is no exception.

For the biggest selection, check out Island Mercantile and Discovery Trading Company at the front of the park in Discovery Island.

Get Your Photo Taken

Disney’s PhotoPass service has photographers stationed throughout the park – and many of them can do Magic Shots, which are pictures that they add a little bit extra something to.

Some of those Magic Shots include your favorite Lion King friends – like this:

You can see the complete set of current Magic Shots on the Disney PhotoPass Facebook Page. When you are in the park, you can ask the PhotoPass Photographers which ones they are set up to do.

In addition to Magic Shots, there is also a great opportunity for some Lion King pics near this faux waterfall, which is just past Island Mercantile on the path heading towards Pandora:

Draw Lion King Characters at the Animation Experience

Have you ever wanted to be an animator? At Animal Kingdom you have that chance at the Animation Experience where this summer you can exclusively learn how to draw favorite Disney Lion King characters and villains, including Simba, Zazu, Scar, Pumbaa, Timon, and more!

  • Height req: None
  • Suitable for: Bigger kids and adults
  • Attraction length: About 25 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes
  • When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: No
  • Tip(s): The pace of this mini-animation class may be frustrating for little ones. If you are traveling with somebody who doesn’t wish to participate, the nearby petting area at Affection Section makes it easy for groups to split up.

Snag a Pumba Popcorn Bucket

The Pumba Popcorn bucket is back! After a brief hiatus it has returned and you can once again snag it along with the Simba and Timon buckets at various locations throughout the park, including most popcorn carts.

Take in Some Tasty Lion King Treats

Disney loves putting out themed treats, and they aren’t holding back when it comes to celebrating The Lion King. Like what you see? Make sure you act fast because these treats are only around through September 9, 2024!

Here’s what you can find where:

Discovery Island

  • Eight Spoon Café:
    • The Simba: Mango-flavored slushy combined with grenadine and topped with two gummy candies.
  • Isle of Java:
    • Timon’s Luau: Layered dessert with vanilla chiffon, passion fruit curd, guava jam, vanilla chantilly cream, an edible tropical flower, and mint.
  • Tiffins Restaurant:
    • Rafiki’s Squash Banana: Shake blended with squash bananas, baobab fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom.
  • “Remember Who You Are” The Lion King 30th Anniversary Dessert: Kenyan coffee mousse filled with caramelized bananas, chai chantilly, banana-caramel sauce, chocolate-coffee crumble, chocolate decoration, and sugar sun.

Africa

  • Tamu Tamu Refreshments:
    • Zazu Ice Cream Sandwich: Vanilla ice cream between two blue cake-coated sugar cookies with a chocolate medallion on top.
  • Harambe Market:
    • You Follow Old Rafiki Cheesecake: Passion fruit-mango cheesecake with a coconut-lime crust, vanilla bean chantilly, and a chocolate medallion.

DinoLand U.S.A.

  • Restaurantosaurus:
    • Shenzi Strawberry Lemonade: Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, Minute Maid Strawberry Smoothie, and blue curaçao syrup served with a souvenir glow cube.
  • Rightful Ruler Cupcake: Red velvet cake with cookies ‘n cream cheesecake filling and chocolate icing topped with a chocolate medallion on chocolate rocks.
  • Pizzafari:
    • Rightful Ruler Cupcake: Red velvet cake with cookies ‘n cream cheesecake filling and chocolate icing topped with a chocolate medallion on chocolate rocks.

Trilo-Bites

  • Zazu DOLE Whip Lime and Coconut Float: DOLE Whip Lime swirled into Sprite with coconut and blue curaçao syrup, topped with a white chocolate medallion.

Various Outdoor Food Carts

  • Simba Paw Cookie: Sugar cookie

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There you go! 7 fun ways to celebrate the big 30th Anniversary of The Lion King. Which are you most excited to try?