Lion king show is leaving ???
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NOT A PACKER'S FAN · 09-08-2012, 02:32 PM

Better NOT be true!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Lion King show!!! Heard Avatarland is off the drawing table???

CinderAbby · 09-08-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Heard Avatarland is off the drawing table???

Not necessarily off, just delayed with no new timeline.

**mike56** · 09-11-2012, 11:35 AM

Just heard that the entertainers received 6 months notice yesterday

-we shall see what happens.

CinderAbby · 09-11-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Just heard that the entertainers received 6 months notice yesterday

-we shall see what happens.

From where - do you have a link to that?

Minnie-ZB · 09-12-2012, 11:58 AM

I'd rather they do a theme using John Carter vs. Avatar. That's my input.

I'm sure they will be calling me for my opinion!

**Dave Marx** · 09-12-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

From where - do you have a link to that?

I don't know if this is Mike's source, but it's highly probable: REPORT: 'Festival of the Lion King' at Disney's Animal Kingdom Won't See 2013 - Stitch Kingdom.com

Casting notices like this have caused more than one false alarm over the years, as a show closing notice (which is required by the Actors Equity contract) can mean more than one thing. Yes, it can mean a show is closing permanently. However, it can also mean that the show is being modified in some way - new/different characters, for example, major changes to the sets that require a show shut-down, moving to a different theater.... Such changes can be used as an excuse (under the Equity contract) for re-casting the entire show. Over the years, I've seen it go both ways, and usually, if it's a show modification, we don't see the casting notices for the modified show quite as soon as we see the show closing notice for the previous version.

So, I'd consider this report to be very useful info, but not enough to come to a firm conclusion. And as to the speculation that Disney might close the show earlier and simply pay off the cast? It's very doubtful that they'd close any attraction and start construction just before or during the holiday season. It's happened for emergency rehabs, but other rehabs and closings tend to be saved for the slowest times of the year. They need all the park capacity they can get during the holidays.

**mike56** · 09-12-2012, 01:28 PM

My sources came from Stich as Dave noted ,and Chip N Dale update.

It is possible that only the Monkees will be let go but I suspect its only the beginning.

My hope is for the Lion King Show to be relocated elesewhere in the AKL park.

CinderAbby · 09-12-2012, 01:48 PM

Ok, I just went and read the article and no offense to anyone, but it starts out talking about the Tumble Monkeys leaving and then it "leaps" to the whole show leaving. Maybe I'm just stupid but the article said that only the gymnasts were given notice. Does this mean that Disney is considering the entire show nothing but gymnasts? I find that hard to believe. The Tumble Monkeys and the Ariel performers, yeah, ok. The "hosts", the dancers and the stilt walkers, no not gymnasts IMO.

Happymommy · 09-13-2012, 12:58 AM

Love this show. My son was picked to be in it, at the end, on our trip last month. It was a highlight of our trip. Hope they dont' close it.

MommaDante · 09-15-2012, 09:46 AM

Yup, definitely going to have to see this before it goes. Even if it doesn't go away completely, it sounds like the show is going to get a big revamp and possibly a new location. Change is good. I hope.

I'm still wondering how Avatar Land is going to fit in with the rest of AK, but maybe this will mean more in the park to do.

**disneydreamer33** · 09-16-2012, 10:08 AM

I read somewhere a couple of weeks ago that Disney and James Cameron were having "creative differences" and that it has been put on hold indefinitely. I hope it doesn't happen. While we liked the movie I just don't think it fits with Disney and if it means getting rid of FOTLK it makes me even more dislike it coming to AK.

Happymommy · 09-17-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneydreamer33

I read somewhere a couple of weeks ago that Disney and James Cameron were having "creative differences" and that it has been put on hold indefinitely. I hope it doesn't happen. While we liked the movie I just don't think it fits with Disney and if it means getting rid of FOTLK it makes me even more dislike it coming to AK.

I agree. The movie was ok, but for me, it's not Disney.

hldunlap · 09-17-2012, 06:08 PM

I do like the Avatar movie, but it doesn't really fit with the rest of the Animal Kingdom themeing. I love the Lion King show. I make sure I see it at least once in every trip. I would much rather see the Finding Nemo show go. I love the movie, but the show gave me a giant headache.

Bee · 09-18-2012, 01:21 PM

I think the lion king can use some updating I hope they dont' get rid of it though its one of my favorites.. I'm not sure how the avatar theme fits in there

Beautiful Mother · 09-19-2012, 07:11 PM

Personally, I'd rather see Hobbiton and a Lord of the Rings with dragons etc! THAT would have me parked there permanently!