WDW Daily News

All-new entertainment experiences, including a new nighttime spectacular, are among the exciting projects coming in the years ahead as Disney’s Animal Kingdom begins the largest expansion in park history. “Rivers of Light” promises to be an innovative show unlike anything ever seen in Disney Parks, combining live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. The show will magically come to life on the broad, natural stage of the Discovery River, between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest. (Disney)

The Harambe Theatre is nearing completion in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When it opens in June, the theater will be the new home for the immensely popular show, “Festival of the Lion King.”

The lineup of celebrity narrators for “The Lion King – Concert in the Wild” features stars from movies, TV, and Broadway. Those scheduled to appear each night of the event include*:

June 7 – Viola Davis: “The Help,” “Ender’s Game”
June 14 – TBD
June 21 – Montego Glover: “The Following,” “Memphis”
June 28 – David Alan Grier: “Porgy & Bess,” “In Living Color”
July 5 – Michael Beach: “ER,” “Third Watch,” “Sons of Anarchy”
July 12 – Harry Lennix: “The Blacklist,” “The Five Heartbeats”
July 19 – Joe Morton: “Scandal,” “American Gangster,” “The Good Wife”
July 26 – Alfre Woodard: “Desperate Housewives,” “Miss Evers Boys”
August 2 – Brian Stokes Mitchell: “Ragtime,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Glee”
August 9 – Patina Miller: “Pippin,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1”

Full Details on Harambe Nights

‘Rivers of Light’ will be a brand new show on the Discovery River, between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest, inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  The show will feature floating lanterns, music, and water screens.  Opening of the show will be announced at a later date.  Check out the concept art below.

Harambe Nights, a dazzling theatrical production based on the beloved Disney classic film, “The Lion King,” and an energetic street party with gourmet dining will debut in June 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Oscar-winning movie, it was announced today.

A 55-minute theatrical extravaganza, “The Lion King Concert in the Wild” comprises celebrity narrators, a live orchestra, choir and special effects to present the story of Simba’s coming of age like never before. A lively welcome reception and the post-show street party featuring Afro-pop rhythms, performers and a buffet of culinary creations keep the celebration rocking through the evening.

The theme park’s first-ever ticketed special event will welcome guests every Saturday from June 7 through August 9 to this memorable evening of theatrical storytelling, inspired dining, live music and dance amid the non-stop fun of an immersive street party.

It all begins with a welcome reception in the park’s Harambe Village where savory appetizers and a selection of refreshing wines and beers are on the menu.

Soon after, guests will find their seats waiting at the brand-new Harambe Theatre, where dramatic lighting, breathtaking scenic pieces and projection exclusive to this production will transport them to the African savanna. “The Lion King Concert in the Wild” show brings the humor and heart of the story to life by blending excerpts from the Disney classic film with stage theatrics. Each week, a celebrity narrator backed by a live orchestra will join a company of singers and dancers to recreate the drama of an African story circle. The lineup of narrators will include Viola Davis, David Alan Grier, Joe Morton and other noteworthy actors.

Beginning with the iconic birth-of-Simba scene and continuing through the show’s gripping climax, guests will be immersed in Simba’s journey to find his place as the Lion King. The guest narrator adds emotional perspective to the original tale inspired, in part, by African folklore and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

As the show wraps, the celebration continues in Harambe Village to the tune of live Afro-pop rhythms. Dancers, costumed stilt-performers, puppets, popular characters from “The Lion King” and a DJ ratchet up the fun and encourage guests to participate in the street party.

The celebration will feature a culinary nod to Africa with multiple buffet stations of perfectly seasoned dishes for pairing with a selection of beers, wines and specialty beverages all included in the event admission. Soft drinks and water also are offered. Sweet bites of gourmet desserts under the stars and a special farewell experience will deliver a delicious ending to a magical evening.

Exclusive Lion King-themed merchandise and collectibles will be available to Harambe Nights guests. A limited-release case for iPhones 4 and 5 designed by Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble will feature imagery from “The Lion King,” and a 20th anniversary “The Lion King” puzzle will be offered. Other exclusive merchandise will include art and apparel.

General admission tickets for Harambe Nights run $119 ages 10 and up; $79 ages 9 and under. Premium floor seating tickets run $134 ages 10 and up; $94 ages 9 and under. The event runs from 7-10:30 p.m., and parking is complimentary.

To reserve tickets for Harambe Nights, guests can visit Disneyworld.com/HarambeNights or call 407-939-1319.

Take a look at the new interactive area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom where Doug and Russell hold their Meet and Greet.  Guests are encouraged to try barking into the machine and see what words their bark gets translated into.

Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, one of the largest animal theme parks in the world. Home to more than 1,700 animals across 250 species, the park reflects Walt Disney’s dedication to conservation and is committed to animal care, education and research.