How to get picked for Festival of the Lion King?

[CowboyCO]

We have seen the FOTLK show twice, but we have always ended up sittin g near the rear of the seating sections. During the show, cast members choose children from the audinece to join them in the show. Does anyone have suggestions for when to line up or how to improve seating and opportunity to get a child chosen?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

You might not like this info, but here's my take...
Last time we were there, my MIL had some considerable hip touble. She had to use a wheelchair to get around, which was mentally very difficult for her as she's normally very athletic, but is starting to face some of the realities of aging (her words)...

Because of the wheelchair, we were seated in the handicapped area - i.e. the front rows. The rows are a little shorter, and the person in the wheelchair can sit in the wheelchair at the end of the row. Although nobody from our party was chosen, it appeared to me that most of the children who were chosen were also sitting in the front rows (i.e. the families of handicapped guests). It might be that a few of the kids were from other rows, but most were from the handicapped companion area. Several kids very near us were chosen. Unless there is someone wheelchair-bound in your party, my impression is that your chances are slim.

 

[GrumpeyMom]

My best advice is to show up early. The earlier you get there - the better your chances of getting in the first one or two rows. Last year we sat in the 2nd row and my kids both got pulled up to shake the shakey things (having a brain fart on the name of them). I think we got there about 15-20 minutes before the show, if I recall correctly.

Here's a couple of pics of my kids participating.

 

[travelin' tigger]

As previously posted, your best bet is to get as close to the front of the line as possible so you are seated in the first 2 rows. We got VIP seats (thanks to a great friend) a few weeks ago and my friend's DD was chosen a few times.

Good luck!!!

 

[lovethattink]

My son's been picked a few times. We were usually in the first 3 rows. I think they looks for children who seem enthusiastic and give them eye contact. Someone who is participating in their seat is more than likely to continue to participate once chosen.

 

[Beejie]

My daughter got picked two years ago. She was wearing her birthday button and was in the first row.

 

[Kelley Family]

I agree with the first row plan. We went last year and had VIP seats. We got them because we were going directly from AK to the Disney Cruise and they has a special where you went to the character breakfast and then got early entry seats to a show of your choice. We were in the front and my husband got picket twice, once for the pre show and once durring the show, and my kids got picket as well. It made for some fanatstic picutures. If you are there on a Thursday or Sunday, I think those are the days the cruise ships leave, you probably will have a hard time getting a seat in front. If not, go very early, sit in the front and cross your fingers! Enjoy!

 

[TommyTutone]

My wife works with someone whose brother is a monkey at the show. We have called him and he is going to get us VIP seats and hopefully that will transcend into being picked. If not, not the end of the world, but I'll assume knowing someone will help!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Usually the first show of the day is a ghosttown, as everyone is running to the safari and EE, we have been able to sit in the 2nd row without a wheelchair/ecv in our party. Our son was picked at that point.

 

[kimisabella]

We were there last week and my dd got picked - she was sitting at the end end of the row about the third row back - it was very slow last week and the seats were only 1/2 full. We weren't the first ones in line, we were near the end because we had just come from seeing the Pocahontas show. I think it may be just a bit of luck !

 

[Whosemom]

We went when it was really busy, and I'll be unPC like the second poster - if you didn't have a party-member in a chair, um, well, I won't say you COULDN'T get picked, but that is who got picked at the show we went to. Not that I'd trade lives with you! AND I pointed out to my kids that those kids were probably not making it to as much stuff as we were, and running from open to close, and riding everything. They were ok with it. My kids have never EXPECTED to get picked for that stuff, so when they get to do something special, they are all appriciation

As for getting there early, forget it. we got the "move over, move back" speech and would have had much better seats if we were later getting there.

 

[2tinksmom]

My girls have been picked twice and we were sitting maybe 2nd and 3rd rows...what got them picked were their leopard mickey ears!

TommyTuTone...my oldest DD is thirteen and has been doing competive gymnastics since she was 8. Her dream job is to work at Animal Kingdom in the Lion King show...I keep telling her that I don't think any of the monkeys are girls, but she insists they will be one day!
Michele

 

[TommyTutone]

My girls have been picked twice and we were sitting maybe 2nd and 3rd rows...what got them picked were their leopard mickey ears!

TommyTuTone...my oldest DD is thirteen and has been doing competive gymnastics since she was 8. Her dream job is to work at Animal Kingdom in the Lion King show...I keep telling her that I don't think any of the monkeys are girls, but she insists they will be one day!
Michele

Tell her that there HAS to be girl monkeys because if there weren't any, where would all the baby monkeys come from

 

[joemo]

My DS was picked to demonstrate the hand-jive before the show (I cried as I am a Very Sad Person).

We were at the back but I think he was picked as he gave the CM a big smile (one of his specials ) and said a cheery 'good morning' when he passed her.

As far as I can tell, the music helpers are always from the front couple of rows.

Good luck!

 

[anewvance]

My kids have been picked a number of times for this. The best time was when my younger daughter who was 2 1/2 at the time was the one that the CM in the show, one of the animals, takes her after all the kids go back to their seats and she got to go up to Timon and he says you all did great, especially YOU to my daughter. Very cute!

We've been all the way up to the 5th row before and gotten picked.. being on the end of the row helps greatly.

 

[MickeyMaz]

I'm glad you added that little bit about being on the end. We were about 5 rows up but on the end. Our boy got to go and dance around. Very fun for all of us.

I also like that tip about making the first show. I think that is the best tip for families with small kids not going on the bigger AK rides. I think this show is by far one of the best in WDW and making it the first thing to do in AK is acceptable regardless of what the park plans say about the safari ride.

Maz

 

[dlaushey]

My DD's have been picked several times; once from VIP seats and a few other times not in VIP seats. I think the secret is to have very happy kids who are watching the show and making eye contact with the performers. Sitting up front definitely helps. However being on the end is also very important. We have sat several rows up (at least 5 as others have posted but I think even higher) but always on the end. You also need to be on the right end - which I'm pretty sure is the right side of the bleachers if you are seated and looking center stage. This is important because the performers for each animal section are on that side of your bleachers. So in other words, sit on the side that is closest to your animal - however, since the animals aren't out until after the show starts you can't determine that before selecting seats. Have the kids sit on the end and watch the performers who hang out in that area when not part of the act. Point them out to you kids, wave to them, smile, enjoy the show and you might get picked. Also wearing Mickey ears, birthday button or something that stands out helps too!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sitting up front definitely helps. However being on the end is also very important. We have sat several rows up (at least 5 as others have posted but I think even higher) but always on the end.

We've gone to this show many times, have a wheelchair in our party and have never seen anyone chosen from a wheelchair party in our section (even the year we had a very outgoing and cute 4 year old in our party). What we have seen is kids getting picked who look like they are outgoing, are not that far up and are on an end (they have to know the child can get in and out easily).

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Wow! What a great thread! I've only seen the show once and we were in the very back, don't even remember kids going up. This year we will up from, aisle seats with big smiley kids, actually only DD9 will actually acknowledge she wants to do it, DS12 will pretend he doesn't care - but anything to make our chances better - thanks to everyone