If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you’ll want to research ahead of time to find the experiences related to your favorite Disney IP. This guide is for our fellow Lion King lovers who want to spend some time with Simba and friends! We will discuss places that are specifically themed after The Lion King. We will also point out some ideas for similarly themed experiences that are not explicitly related.
One thing that sets Disney theme parks apart from the competition is Disney’s unique portfolio of intellectual property. Intellectual property, or IP, is a fancy term referring to Disney’s movies, shows, characters, songs, and more. For decades, Disney has put out content that kids (and their parents!) have enjoyed so much. Being able to see the characters that we love and experience the stories in a more interactive way is what makes Disney parks so special.
All About The Lion King
The Lion King was released on Jun 24, 1994. It was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and was Disney’s 32nd animated feature film. The Lion King was a colossal success for Disney, becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time. It stayed incredibly popular throughout the 1990s and 2000s. You could probably find the VHS in every household in America.
Since its initial release, there have been several spin-offs and adaptations. These include The Lion King 1.5, The Lion King 2, The Lion Guard TV show, and the 2019 live action remake. None of these had quite the same impact as the original, but they still added to the story for many young Lion King fans.
In addition to a beautiful setting and a fantastic story, The Lion King has some of the best music from any Disney movie. In fact, we’d put the soundtrack up against any movie ever made. But don’t just take our word for it – a quick google search for “Best Disney movie soundtrack” will give you list after list with The Lion King at the very top. The songs range from playful and funny to intense and meaningful. My personal favorite has to be “Circle of Life”.
Dining Options for a Lion King Fan
As of right now, there are no character dining options available for Lion King characters. We think the perfect restaurants for this would be Tusker House in Animal Kingdom or Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
What Disney World does offer is Simba themed desserts from various locations, Lion King themed Dole Whip from Tamu Tamu, Timon sipper cups, and Puma popcorn buckets.
Best Lion King Themed Resorts
Any Lion king fan will appreciate the Lion King themed family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. These rooms have plenty of space for the whole family and will sleep up to 6 adults. In addition to Lion King theming, these rooms are complete with a separate bedroom, living room, and large kitchenette.
The theming isn’t limited to your room either. The Lion King Family Suites are in a section of the hotel that is all themed after The Lion King! There are large Lion King statues along with buildings painted to resemble the Lion King’s setting. You’ll feel like a part of the savanna from the moment you enter.
Speaking of the savanna, there is another great hotel option at Disney World for Lion King fans to enjoy. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African themed hotel that is surrounded by a savanna where real animals roam. You’ll get a chance to see a lot of the same animals featured in the movies, including zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and more.
If this isn’t enough theming for your little ones, just wait until you get inside of the rooms. There you will find Lion King backsplashes in the bathrooms and kitchenette areas. There are also wood carvings in some of the wooden furniture. Overall, these two hotels are both great options for the Lion King fans out there!
Related Attractions
Our favorite show in Walt Disney World is A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King. This show has all of the best songs from the movie, performed by talented live singers. This live performance is a great way to take a break from the heat and rest your feet while letting Timon and Pumba entertain you with their playful banter. You’ll smile, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but most importantly, you will make some of the best memories of your trip while watching your kids light up when the giraffes are dancing around on their stilts.
The Lion King also makes some appearances outside of the Animal Kingdom park. You can catch Timon and Rafiki in the Festival of Fantasy parade around Magic Kingdom. Speaking of Magic Kingdom, Lion King fans will want to stick around for the evening firework show Happily Ever After. There is a sequence towards the end where “Can you Feel the Love Tonight” is played while Lion King scenes are projected onto the castle.
Best Merchandise for a Lion King Lover
In almost any souvenir shop on property you are sure to find Lion King shirts for the whole family, stuffed characters, pin sets, themed ear headbands, and so much more. No matter what you’re lookin for, you are sure to find something that will satisfy your inner Lion.
Other Things to Consider
This IP is a little harder than others to find related attractions in the park but if you follow our guide you are sure to not only get some fun Lion King inspired entertainment, but also experience some of the best attractions on property. Let us know, what is your favorite Disney IP?
