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Performance times are now decreased for this fan favorite Disney World show

Performance times are now decreased for this fan favorite Disney World show


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Do you have an upcoming trip planned to Walt Disney World? Be sure to keep an eye on showtimes because they are now changing quite a bit. See which show is currently affected.

Modified Show Scehdules

Credit: KtP Writer Christina

Many Disney Guests enjoy creating touring plans months prior to their Disney trip. Part of modifying your touring plan on Character Locator is a big joy as Guests countdown to their Disney vacation.

Since the reopening of the Disney Parks, the Walt Disney World website lists a disclaimer, “Certain parks, hotels, restaurants and other offerings may be modified or unavailable, limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.”

Currently, Guests set to visit Walt Disney World this holiday weekend will experienced a limited offering of showtimes for Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s show The Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King.

Decreased Performance Times

Credit: Donna

In the past, one of my “must-do” experiences in Disney’s Animal Kingdom was to attend at least one showing of the Festival of the Lion King. In my (Donna) opinion, this is simply the best show throughout all of the Walt Disney World. Frozen Singalong is lovely, but “Let it Go”, Elsa: it simply can’t compete with Festival of the Lion King.

The Festival of the Lion King is a modified experience with a name change to the Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King. Check out the review of these changes HERE.

Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King offers additional showtimes on select dates such as on weekends and holidays. Today, Saturday, January 15th, Guests could typically enjoy up to 8 showtimes for this fantastic show.

Unfortunately, showtimes have been adjusted on the Walt Disney World website and on the My Disney Experience app. Today, only 4 showtimes are listed for 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 5:00pm.

Credit: Donna

A Sunday typically has 8 showtimes, but tomorrow, January 16th, there are 5 showtimes at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm. With Monday being the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, there additional showtimes. Guests may enjoy the full 8 showtimes on this day.

One would hope that this is a positive sign that showtimes had returned to normal. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, January 18th there are only 3 showtimes listed at 10:00am, 11:00am, and 12:00pm.

If you were hoping to Park Hop at 2:00pm to arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom you would miss out on all of showtimes for this great show. We are hoping that showtimes may return to normal in the next coming weeks.

What do you think of these deceased showtimes? How would this affect your touring plan? Is the Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King one of your “must do” experiences at Walt Disney World? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page.

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Joyce L Lambert

Saturday 15th of January 2022

I think WDW is causing a lot of the anger, fights and frustration amongst the guests. Higher prices, all types of reservations needed, longer lines AND now less show times - this is POOR guest relationship. I know Walt Disney is dead but now all his beliefs and ideas are dead as well.

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