Actors’ Equity Association Statement on Return of Disney’s Festival of the Lion King

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

We previously shared the exciting news that Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be bringing back Festival of the Lion King with modifications this summer! The excitement doesn’t just impact us Disney fans, but the Cast Members that will be returning to work. Check out the statement below from the Actors’ Equity Association in response to the return of this special entertainment.

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As shared via Actors’ Equity Association: New York – Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has released the following statement in response to Walt Disney World announcing the return of its Festival of the Lion King this summer.

“Equity is pleased that Walt Disney World continues to find safe ways to bring live entertainment back to the parks, in particular this Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King,” said Brandon Lorenz, national director for communications and public policy for Actors’ Equity Association. “The Festival of the Lion King is a favorite for cast members and guests alike, and its return offers an important ray of hope while the vast majority of our members who work at Walt Disney World remain laid off because of the pandemic.”

Disney Announces the Return of Festival of the Lion King to Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

One thing that has been missing since the parks reopened last summer is many of the amazing entertianment offerings. Thankfully, Disney has announced the return of our absolute favorite show at Walt Disney World: The Festival of the Lion King!

From a Disney Cast Member;

Since reopening the Walt Disney World theme parks last July, we’ve taken a different approach to our entertainment, coming up with new ways to share the magic of the Disney characters. With cavalcades and flotillas continuing to delight guests daily, we are now turning our attention to bringing back even more entertainment with a responsible and thoughtful approach.

We are thrilled to be starting the process of bringing back to work more singers, dancers, technicians and other cast members, from one of the most popular shows at Walt Disney World Resort. Expected this summer, the Harambe Theatre at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will host that fan-favorite troupe of musical storytellers, along with Simba and his friends, in a celebration of the incomparable “Festival of the Lion King.”

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When it returns, “Festival of the Lion King” will be presented in a modified format to be mindful of the current environment. There will be adjustments to the show on stage and backstage, including updates to choreography to allow for appropriate physical distancing. We’ll also adjust how the audience is seated, in line with other theater-based experiences at Walt Disney World Resort.

So, who’s ready to clap along with “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” thrill to the fire knife performance during “Be Prepared,” swoon over “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and take in the joyous “Circle of Life?” It’s going to be an amazing celebration!

Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Djuan Rivers Announces Retirement

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Djuan Rivers’ journey as Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has come to an end, as he has announced his retirement.

The news broke from fellow recent retiree, Imagineer Joe Rohde, on his Instagram account, praising Rivers as “a people person, warm, outgoing, plain-spoken and ready to laugh.”

Rivers became Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2014, overseeing projects including Pandora – The World of Avatar and the addition of nighttime offerings to make it a truly full-day park. This is the culmination of an over 30-year tenure with Disney, where he has served in such capacities as General Manager of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Vice President of Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs), Vice President for New Business Development of Disney Parks & Resorts, Vice President of Aulani, Disney’s resort in Hawaii, and Vice President for Hotels and Business Solutions for Disneyland Paris.

Early Theme Park Entry Announced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

NOW AVAILABLE

  • – Return of the Park Hopper Option: We kicked off a new year with the exciting milestone of bringing back the Park Hopper option, with some new updates as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety. With the return of this option, guests can enjoy more Disney magic in our theme parks, including the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts happening now through Feb. 22, 2021 and the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival springing to life beginning March 3.
  • – Special Vacation Offer: For those of you ready to start planning your next vacation, we just released a special new offer! Get two extra days added to your ticket when you buy a 4-night/3-day room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8 through Sept. 2, 2021. Also, visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers to learn more about other great offers we recently launched for visits to Walt Disney World Resort.

COMING SOON

  • – Early Theme Park Entry: We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day! As a reminder, the Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return. The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing. Please note that guests need valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.

As with every other change we’ve made in our history, we will help guests navigate through these next steps and will continue to deliver on what’s expected from a Disney experience. We remain focused on exploring new ways for guests to spend more time with their friends and families and creating memories to last a lifetime.

Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Through March 27

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

Planning your 2021 visit to Walt Disney World? You’ll want to keep an eye on your My Disney Experience App for the latest update in park hours. The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through March 27! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for January, February and March.

Magic Kingdom:

  • January 8 – 9: 8:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • January 10 – 30: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • January 31: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • February 1 – 28: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • March 1 – 27: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)

EPCOT:

  • January 8 – 9: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • January 10 – 30: 11:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • January 31: 11:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • February 1 – 28: 11:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • March 1 – 27: 11:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • January 8 – 30: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • January 31: 10:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • February 1 – 28: 10:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • March 1 – 27: 10:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • January 8 – 10: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • January 11 – 15: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • January 16: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • January 17 – 22: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • January 23 – 24: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • January 25 – 29: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • January 30: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • January 31: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • February 1 – 28: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • March 1 – 27: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)

Keep checking the My Disney Experience App before visiting as Disney has been known to add an extra hour or two on select days due to higher crowd levels. Happy planning, Disney fans!