Day 12 – The Lion Sleeps Tonight | Part 3 | Dine Around Disney 2014

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Animal Kingdom; Tusker House (Character Lunch); Jiko – The Cooking Place (Signature Dining)

Dine Around Disney 2014 Trip Report Index! (And here is the Pre-Trip Report!)
All the photos for this day are on my Flickr. Full Florida 2014 collection of photos here!


August 25th, 2014 …Continued from Part 2…

Festival of the Lion King has moved location since our last trip, and it was a short walk from Tusker House – they had already begun the pre-show which was nearing the end, so it wasn’t long before the show began.

Once again, not much words from me here, only photographs. It’s a great show and well worth watching, especially if you are a fan of the film, The Lion King!

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

A kaleidoscope of colors floods the stage with colossal puppets, dazzling dancers, regal stilt walkers and thrilling acrobats.

Timon, Tumble Monkeys and the Bird Ballet
Once the tribe assembles, Timon leads everyone in “Hakuna Matata.” Sing along if you know the words! The pageantry continues as the tumble monkeys enchant the audience with breathtaking leaps and tumbles to “swing” music. But danger is at hand during Scar’s song, “Be Prepared.” Those who would keep Simba from being king take over as a fire juggler heats up the stage, smoke thickening the air. When the smoke clears, the warmth rises in your heart during the aerial bird ballet danced to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

“The Circle of Life”
Join the joyous chorus with Timon in a sing-along! Represent your animal section as you make some noise. Then get ready for a grand finale you will never forget! – Walt Disney World

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

There is so much going on in this performance, which is in the form of a revue, and isn’t a condensed version of the film or the Broadway show. The show is hosted by four performers dressed in costumes inspired by traditional African dress. Each has a Swahili name: Kiume (meaning “masculine and strong”), Nakawa (meaning “good-looking”), Kibibi (meaning “princess”), and Zawadi (meaning “the gift”). The story of the movie is not followed, being replaced instead with a circus style show featuring music from the films. Acts include acrobatic ‘Tumble Monkeys’, an Adagio (acrobatics) featuring performers dressed as birds Maji and Moto (Swahili for water and fire), a fire knife hyena, and an ensemble cast of dancers, puppeteers, and stilt walkers. – Wikipedia

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

The show ends with an uptempo medley of the songs in the show, with the final notes being from Circle of Life (gets me every time!) we filed out of the theatre and into the blazing sunshine.

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom

And finally here is a video of the performance that we saw… had to change battery or something right at the end, hence two parts!

 

 

…Continued in Part 4…

 

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