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The Lion King: Celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney recently invited me to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for The Lion King: Protect The Pride event. They have new celebrations and programming for the release of the live-action film The Lion King that premiered in theaters this past Friday.  

The Lion King Animal Kingdom Entrance

Disney hosted us for a day of fun in the park with a Lunch n’ Learn about their new conservation initiatives. Animal Conservation is so important and there are plenty of ways you can help! 

The Lion King Lion Animal Kingdom

Lions in Africa are facing a crisis of epic proportions. Since the release of the original animated classic version of Disney’s The Lion King 25 years ago, Africa has lost half of its lions, and only about 20,000 remain. Disney is taking action to “Protect the Pride” and support the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) in hopes of doubling the number of lions in the wild by 2050.

How You Can Help To Protect The Pride

For every guest who rides the Kilimanjaro Safaris during the opening week of The Lion King film July 19 – 25 Disney Conservation Fund will donate $2 to the Wildlife Conservation Network in support of the Lion Recovery Fund. 

The Lion King Kilimanjaro Safari
The Lion King Kilimanjaro Safari
The Lion King Kilimanjaro Safari Flamingos

The Lion King Simba and Nala plush lions are available at Disney Stores. Each of the 40,000 plushes represents one of the lions that are a part of the Lion Recovery Fund are working to ensure a future for. $5 from each sale gets donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network

The Lion King Protect the Pride Plush

You can listen to our podcast below about the full experience of The Lion King Celebration on Magic 24.7

Lunch and Learn at Tiffins

Tiffins restaurant is decorated with lavish artwork of paintings, sculptures, and photographs inspired by the real notes and field sketches of Imagineers who created Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The atmosphere shows the journey of their inspirations. “Tiffins” refers to the light lunch prepared for the working men in India. It’s the tiered containers the meals were served in.

The Lion King Tiffins

I had the Yellowfin Tuna with couscous, baby spinach & olive-tomato relish and Desserts from Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night.

The Lion King Tiffins Tuna Dish
The Lion King S'mores Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night

We listened to various speakers Dr. Scott Terrell, Director Animal & Sciences, Claire Martin, Sr Manager Disney Conservation Fund and Chef David Njoroge Circle of Flavors Harambe at Night. They shared information such as Caring for Animals,  Protect The Pride Conservation efforts and Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night event. 

The Lion King Speciality Food and Beverage 

Special Event: Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night 

“Good music goes with good food” – African Proverb 

Select nights beginning July 24th, a journey celebrating The Lion King featuring rich flavors, music, and appreciation for animal conservation. 

It’s a transitional dinner party. 1. Train Station in Harambe  2. Train Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Second Stop 3. Harambe Market: Final Stop.  Pricing for Adults: $125

The Lion King Lion Pop Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night

Specialty Treats

Lion King eats and treats you can feast on that will run through the end of summer!

The Lion King Simba Cupcake Animal Kingdom

Simba Cupcake at Pizzafari, Simba Ice Cream Sandwich, at Tamu Tamu Simba &  Waffles at Tusker House (breakfast only), Bugs n Grub Waffle Cone at Anandapur Bus and Trilo-Bites and Lion’s Latte at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. 

The Lion King Bugs n Grub Waffle Cone Animal Kingdom
Disney

The Lion King Celebrations 

Be a part of The Lion King scene and pose for a photo with special backdrops. One is a huge outdoor mural on the way to Pandora and then a couple in the Mombasa Marketplace. Magic shots with photopass as available. 

The Lion King Photo Backdrops Animal Kingdom
The Lion King Animal Kingdom

The Animation Experience at the Conservation Station is a great way to tap into your creative side to draw your own Disney character! Plus you can cool down a bit too. I am so happy that they brought this back to the Parks. You need to take the train from Harambe Village to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

The Lion King Rafiki's Planet Watch Train Animal Kingdom

The Lion King Rafiki Planet Watch

This is the one attraction happening inside so you may have to wait for the next session. It is open seating and you receive a clipboard with the outline paper with a pencil. I love that they have photos on the glass of Walt Disney and some of the famous animators. 

The Lion King Animation Experience Animal Kingdom
The Lion King Animation Experience Simba Animal Kingdom

During our session, we drew Simba! Afterwards, you can head out to the right and visit the Petting Zoo. 

Scavenger Hunt of The Lion King Characters throughout the Village of Harambe. Each time you spot one, add the corresponding sticker to your map. The map will be available at Outpost, Discovery Trading Company, Island Mercantile, and Mombasa Marketplace. Return your map to Mombasa Marketplace in Harambe or The Outpost Shop in the Oasis by 9/28/2019 or while supplies last for a savanna surprise. Cost is $6.99.

The Lion King Scavenger Hunt Animal Kingdom
Disney

Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party at Discovery Island. Come dance and sing with Baloo and Timon. 

The Lion King Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party Baloo
The Lion King Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party

“Rivers of Light: We Are One” introduces imagery and familiar animal characters from Disneynature films, along with a colorful tapestry of classic moments from Disney animation.

The Lion King Celebration Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life: Awakenings Projection shows onto the Tree of Life. Featuring music and animation that pay tribute to the classic film.

The Lion King Celebration Animal Kingdom Guide

These Lion King experiences are being used to show awareness of Animal Conservation. The importance of saving our endangered animals and lions is something we really need to pay attention to. This day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a whole new experience for me and the event even with the heat, was a wild time! 

Thank you to Walt Disney World for hosting me for The Lion King: Protect The Pride experience. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Lion King Celebration at Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Ashley

Hi, my name is Ashley and I live in Florida with my husband and our dog, Penelope. Currently, I work in the local culinary industry and enjoy sharing my latest recipe development, travel escapes, and entertainment. Nothing brings people together like an appetizing meal and great conversation

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