“Festival of the Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® is currently in hibernation until early this summer but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the Disney ® animated film and its many characters including Timon, Pumbaa and Simba inside the park, or at least the animals they represent. In fact, you can make a fun game out of finding this “Lion King” trio on your next Disney ® vacation!
If you’re a fan of “The Lion King” you might already know where these African animals are located but if you usually rely on “Festival of the Lion King” for your “Lion King” fix than Best of Orlando is about to open up your world to three new places to spot your favorite animals from “The Lion King!” Let’s start with everybody’s favorite lion Simba.
Not specifically “Lion King” themed, Kilimanjaro Safari in the Africa area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® is still home to some of Simba’s lion family members. While you won’t see the actual King of Pride rock from the film, you will catch glimpses of the golden-haired animals as they roam the plains. In fact, as you pass the lion exhibit you can even spot the lions standing on Pride Rock in honor of Simba. And as if that wasn’t enough lion love guests will be swept through the Savannah in the safari bus named “Simba 1, making guests swell with pride as they roam the Kilimanjaro in a vehicle named after one of Disney’s ® most heroic characters. 
Simba and the lions aren’t the only way to see some of your favorite animals from “The Lion King.” If you always loved the hilarious warthog Pumbaa the Kilimanjaro Safari will also put you up-close with several warthogs in their natural habitat.
The smart-talking meerkat Timon can be spotted at Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Here guests will not only be able to explore a lush tropical forest but you’ll also get to see some African wildlife, including some of Timon’s meerkat family members. Guests will embark on a self-guided tour of the Pangani Forest Conservation School and Wildlife Sanctuary where they will experience up-close encounters with many creatures like meerkats who can be spotted atop a rocky savannah perch.
To see the “Lion King” trio at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® and see the rest of the park’s many wild animals look for discounted Walt Disney World ® tickets right here on Best of Orlando.
Orlando, FL - 03/17/14
Photos: Alex Mateo | 
