Festival of the Lion King

[churchmouselady]

Recently read that the Festival of the Lion King would be closing after this year. Any truth to that?? Sure hope not! It's one of my favs.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Recently read that the Festival of the Lion King would be closing after this year. Any truth to that?? Sure hope not! It's one of my favs.

It seems highly unlikely that the Festival of the Lion King would close for anything other than a temporary maintenance closing. It remains one of the top attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

What was the source of this information?

In other Lion King news, Disney's Broadway show, THE LION KING, celebrates its 10th Anniversary on Broadway this Sunday, November 11.

 

[GrumpyFan]

There would be a huge outcry if so.

I think this FOTLK is the most popular show on property, next to Hoop Dee Doo Review.

The only reason I could think of them closing it, would be to move it to another location, like Africa maybe (which would make more sense) to make room for them to build something more substantial and permanent in the place of Camp Minnie Mickey. I've heard rumors off and on for a while about this happening, but nothing concrete.

 

[disjmp]

maybe now they can build beastly kingdom.

 

[Bellamickey]

oh, Id be so sad if they ever closed that. Its our favorite show in Disney!

 

[ParrotBill]

Shows like this are some of the most costly things Disney does in the parks... lots and lots of labor, specialized acting roles, lots of equipment maintenance, support... it would not be surprising to see it leave after a number of years.

 

[MJMcBride]

It seems highly unlikely that the Festival of the Lion King would close for anything other than a temporary maintenance closing. It remains one of the top attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I tend to agree. This is one of the most popular shows at WDW never mind just DAK. Its also, in my opinion, the best.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Shows like this are some of the most costly things Disney does in the parks... lots and lots of labor, specialized acting roles, lots of equipment maintenance, support... it would not be surprising to see it leave after a number of years.

As long as the show continues to fill the theater and to rate highly on guest surveys, it's likely to stay. Sure, it's costly to provide, but Disney does a lot of things that are costly to provide. In turn, guests spend a lot of money.

Disney gets rid of things that are costly, but not particularly popular (Horizons, Wonders of Life, various Tomorrowland attractions over the years).

One problem with the Internet is that anyone can start a rumor. I could write, "I heard that 'it's a small world' is being replaced by a huge food court next year."

People would see it and some would repeat it. Some WDW cast members would read it and repeat it to guests. Then some of those guests would post, "According to a WDW cast member..." as though cast members know all.

Just to be clear, I'm not really saying that 'it's a small world' is closing, and I'm not saying the OP made up the rumor about Festival of the Lion King.

 

[Another Voice]

Disney gets rid of things that are costly, but not particularly popular (Horizons, Wonders of Life, various Tomorrowland attractions over the years).

Disney tries to get rid of anything they think they can get away with.

Disney eliminated Early Entry, closed the 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' stage show and the entire 'Wonders of Life' pavilion for example. You'll be extremely hard pressed to say the 'Early Entry' wasn't popular.

It's a balancing game between the number of shows and rides you see in a day for the cost of a ticket. You drop $75 to get into a park and you want to see as much as you can for that ticket. But everything you see costs Disney money. The difference between what you spend and what Disney spends is the profit that goes right into keeping ABC on the air.

Disney thinks you're happy if you see nine to tweleve shows on an average day. That number factors into everything from how many rides and shows are open to how much capacity they have (meaning you'll have to wait in longer lines) to the park operating hours.

Disney's job is to make those the cheapest nine shows they can get away with and keep you somewhat happy. The Magic Kingdom has lots of rides to keep people happy; the Animal Kingdom didn't have enough. And EPCOT has far, far too many rides & shows (according to Disney) for the meager price they charge. Hence lots and lots of empty buildings in EPCOT while an "expensive" show like 'The Lion King' remains open at activity-shallow Animal Kingdom. The next big thrill at Animal Kingdom will probably kill the Lion King show.

But capital spending is another issue...

 

[peter11435]

Disney eliminated Early Entry, closed the 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' stage show and the entire 'Wonders of Life' pavilion for example. You'll be extremely hard pressed to say the 'Early Entry' wasn't popular.

It's true that early entry was eliminated as a cost cutting measure after 9/11 However the fact that it was popular is the reason why it was reinstated (under a different name) not long after. Not only was it reinstated but the new Extra Magic Hour adds more benefits for the guest (more attractions open / 3 hours instead of 1 for Evening EMH) but also is considerably more costly for Disney than Early Entry.

 

[Another Voice]

Exactly - Disney thought they could get away with killing Early Entry but they completely misjudged its popularity. It also taught them the real reason people put up with the Disney resorts is not the towel animals, but the extra perks that people expect - like longer park hours. Faced with saving a little money on park operations or huge holes in resort reservations, Disney opted to keep the hotels going.

It's all a balancing game. Disney is not going to spend one dime more than they think they have to. If that means closing popular shows and facilities - they will do that. It's only when the public tells them otherwise that Disney will back down and do the right thing.

 

[MJMcBride]

I heard that 'it's a small world' is being replaced by a huge food court next year.

what!?!! How dare they? Did you hear this from a bus driver?

 

[fan of the TTA]

i sure hope they don't close it, it is a really good show. much better than finding nemo the musical, in my opinion. lol

 

[fan of the TTA]

replacing small world?. never!. that ride is sooo cleverly done!

 

[yitbos96bb]

There would be a huge outcry if so.

I think this FOTLK is the most popular show on property, next to Hoop Dee Doo Review.

The only reason I could think of them closing it, would be to move it to another location, like Africa maybe (which would make more sense) to make room for them to build something more substantial and permanent in the place of Camp Minnie Mickey. I've heard rumors off and on for a while about this happening, but nothing concrete.

Since when does THAT make a big difference... May I remind you of the daily Mr Toad Protests in 1998, or the "Ask me why Mickey is trying to Kill the Toad" shirts (or something like that.) Of course that was with the "evil" one, Eisner... Maybe Iger will not be as rash to kill a beloved attraction.

 

[yitbos96bb]

replacing small world?. never!. that ride is sooo cleverly done!

Given they did a major Rehab not too long ago, I would not worry too much.

 

[yitbos96bb]

As long as the show continues to fill the theater and to rate highly on guest surveys, it's likely to stay. Sure, it's costly to provide, but Disney does a lot of things that are costly to provide. In turn, guests spend a lot of money.

Disney gets rid of things that are costly, but not particularly popular (Horizons, Wonders of Life, various Tomorrowland attractions over the years).

One problem with the Internet is that anyone can start a rumor. I could write, "I heard that 'it's a small world' is being replaced by a huge food court next year."

People would see it and some would repeat it. Some WDW cast members would read it and repeat it to guests. Then some of those guests would post, "According to a WDW cast member..." as though cast members know all.

Just to be clear, I'm not really saying that 'it's a small world' is closing, and I'm not saying the OP made up the rumor about Festival of the Lion King.

People, People, People... What I'm about to say is true... I heard it from my mother's brother's sister's uncle's cousin's son's ex-wife's former roommates dog groomer... Disney is BUYING Universal Theme Parks, Sea World AND the Holy Land Experience and will be building a giant monorail connecting them all together, with stops through out Orlando. I SWEAR IT TO BE TRUE... They are also building not only a 5th, but a 6th gate... They bought land in ___________ and will be building a new themepark. In sadder news, _____________ will be closing, BUT _________________ will be opening in its place; which is much better than __________________ which is a bad ride/show/attraction and needs to be replaced because its not as good as _____________.


Gots to love the INTERNETS!