Walt Disney World is celebrating the 30th anniversary of “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park until September 6. Come enjoy character greetings, themed food and drinks, unique merchandise, and more surprises!
Here’s a quick look at some of the anniversary highlights that guests have experienced this summer!
‘Lion King’ Characters at Animal Kingdom
During the 30th anniversary celebration of “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can meet their favorite characters, Timon and Rafiki, at Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Visitors can take the train to Conservation Station by entering near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris in the park. The My Disney Experience app provides details on when both characters will be available this summer.
At Conservation Station, guests can also learn to draw other favorite characters from “The Lion King” at Animation Experience.
New ‘Lion King’ Anniversary Treats
New, limited-time delights feature characters from the film, including Simba, Rafiki, Timon, and Zazu.
The large and adorable Simba Paw Cookie is available at outdoor food carts throughout the park during the festivities.
Another themed must-try is the You Follow Old Rafiki Cheesecake! This dessert combines passion fruit mango cheesecake with a coconut-lime crust, vanilla bean chantilly, and a chocolate medallion on top.
Rafiki’s Squash Banana shake with squash bananas, baobab fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom is another must-try this summer. Guests can find it at Tiffins Restaurant, along with the Remember Who You Are “The Lion King” 30th Anniversary Dessert. (above, right).
The Remember Who You Are at Tiffins Restaurant is a Kenyan coffee mousse filled with caramelized bananas, chai chantilly, banana caramel sauce, chocolate coffee crumble, chocolate decoration, and a sugar sun.
The Simba at Eight Spoon Cafe is a mango-flavored slushy with grenadine and two gummy candies. And Timon’s Luau is a unique dessert that pays homage to Timon’s iconic hula from the film.
Timon’s Luau – which can be found at the Isle of Java in the park – features vanilla chiffon, passion fruit curd, guava jam, vanilla chantilly cream, and an edible tropical flower for the lei and mint for the hula skirt.
The Zazu Ice Cream Sandwich will likely be one of guests’ favorites all summer. Vanilla ice cream is sandwiched between two blue cake-coated sugar cookies, with a chocolate medallion on top. Guests can find this treat at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.
New ‘Lion King’ Merchandise Guests Will Want ASAP
For the anniversary celebration, in addition to the Pumbaa popcorn bucket, there’s also a special merchandise collection. The new items and gear are perfect for a visit to our iconic “The Festival of the Lion King” show.
This special collection includes an amazing sweatshirt for adults featuring Simba silhouetted against the setting sun and “The Lion King” logo, as well as a blue and white tie-dye youth zip hoodie. The collection also features a colorful “Hakuna Matata” ear headband to celebrate 30 years of The Lion King.
Guests will also notice new items, including a trendy fanny pack, a youth shirt and short set, and an adult yellow sweatshirt featuring favorite characters.
Guests can find these special items and more during the celebration at Island Mercantile in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“The Festival of the Lion King,” a larger-than-life show based on the classic movie, will have even more magic during this summer’s anniversary celebration with MagicBand+.
Guests’ MagicBand+ will come to life with dancing lights and haptic vibrations during key moments throughout the show.
