WARNING: This Announcement Will Make Fans of 'The Lion King' Feel OLD.

A very special anniversary is coming up next month, and it may not be what you expect!

©Disney

The Lion King is a beloved film for many members of our team, and we know it holds a special place in a lot of your hearts too! Animal Kingdom is starting to celebrate The Lion King’s 30th Anniversary (!!!) later this month with special snacks, meet and greet opportunities, and more, but here’s how you can celebrate at home!

Disney has just announced that The Lion King will be returning to theaters starting July 12th to celebrate the film’s 30th Anniversary! Does anyone else feel incredibly old when they realize that movie is now 30 years old?? Yeah, same.

Return to Pride Rock this summer. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Lion King and experience it in theaters beginning July 12. pic.twitter.com/JhKKFWvlOD

— Disney (@Disney) June 6, 2024

Now, Disney hasn’t announced where exactly you’ll be able to find the film, so you’ll need to check your local theater’s schedule closer to July 12th to see if they’re participating in this exciting event.

The Lion King ©Disney

It’s also important to understand that this isn’t a special edition of the film — it’s the same film that was released 30 years ago, so the nostalgia level will be through the roof!

©Disney

But if you’ll be in Disney World any time from June 10th through September 6th, 2024, you can celebrate the anniversary of the film in the parks! In Animal Kingdom, you’ll be able to experience a meet-and-greet with Timon and Rafiki and an animation experience where you can learn to draw characters from The Lion King at Conservation Station, photo opportunities in Africa, and special food and merchandise.

Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa statues

So what kind of snacks can you expect? There are 10 new snacks and drinks to grab to celebrate the anniversary, which all will be available from June 10th through September 9th, 2024. Some of the ones we’re most excited about are:

Timon’s Luau: a layered dessert with vanilla chiffon, passion fruit curd, guava jam, vanilla chantilly cream, an edible tropical flower for the lei and mint for the hula skirt (Isle of Java)
Zazu Ice Cream Sandwich: vanilla ice cream between two blue cake-coated sugar cookies with a chocolate medallion on top (Tamu Tamu Refreshments)
You Follow Old Rafiki Cheesecake: passion fruit-mango cheesecake with a coconut-lime crust, vanilla bean chantilly, and a chocolate medallion (Harambe Market)
Zazu DOLE Whip Lime and Coconut Float: DOLE Whip Lime swirled into Sprite with coconut and blue curaçao syrup, and topped with a white chocolate medallion (Trilo-Bites)

©Disney

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