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The Famous Tumble Monkeys Are FINALLY Making Their Triumphant Return

lion-king-show-monkeys-disney
Credit: Disney

It’s been a long wait for Walt Disney World Guests.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Orlando Resort, with entertainment and live performances being the last few pieces of the magic to fully come back to their previous theme park form.

We’ve already seen the modified returns of famous Disney shows like Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the beloved Festival of Fantasy Parade, and now, we have the news we’ve all been waiting for!

The Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting its monkeys back!

Festival of The Lion King animal kingdom

Credit: Disney Tips

The Festival of the Lion King is one of Walt Disney World’s most treasured shows, with live music, dancing, and stunts that always leave us in tears.

Guests have been enjoying the show since its opening date back on April 22, 1998, the same day as the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park (along with Kilimanjaro Safaris) itself.

The gorgeous show is a celebration with Simba and his friends, featuring stilt-walkers, puppeteers, dancers, hosts in traditional African dress. Each of the four hosts has a Swahili name: Kiume (meaning “masculine and strong”), Nakawa (“good-looking”), Kibibi (“princess”), and Zawadi (“the gift”).

When the show returned back in May 2021, the performances were modified due to pandemic regulations. The beautiful aerial bird dance, interactive dance-along, and gymnastic Tumble Monkeys were removed. Now, Disney has announced that the Tumble Monkeys will be making their grand return this summer!

tumble-monkeys

Credit: Disney Tips

Disney Parks revealed via TikTok that the popular Tumble Monkey gymnastics act will be coming back to the Festival of the Lion King show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom “this summer”. The announcement does not reveal an exact date, but the development follows a recent Cast Member hiring advertisement for those with trampoline experience.

Disney has also begun casting for dancers with aerial abilities, which may point to the original Festival of the Lion King show returning in all its glory soon.

It…is….time ? Tumble Monkeys are making their return this Summer #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #AnimalKingdom #FestivalOfTheLionKing #Monkey

@disneyparks

It…is….time ? Tumble Monkeys are making their return this Summer #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #AnimalKingdom #FestivalOfTheLionKing #Monkey

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

The Lion King show celebrates the 1994 animated movie with the incredible songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, including Simba and Zazu’s “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, Scar’s “Be Prepared”. and Simba and Nala’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.

Guests sit in four sections, each designated with an animal name: Giraffe, Elephant, Warthog, Lion. These animals are represented by large puppets on four parade-style floats, which were originally built for Disneyland Park’s The Lion King Celebration parade.

Among the characters from the movie in the show are Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon, all joining in with the audience and performers for a rousing rendition of the ‘Circle of Life”.

We’ll keep you posted with more updates on when the full Animal Kingdom show will be returning – along with those pesky monkeys!

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book