Disneyland Paris’ Powerful Lion King Show on YouTube

Just when The Lion King fans thought they had seen it all, Disneyland Paris has brought a fresh adaptation of the classic story, available to watch on YouTube.

For the last few weeks, Disneyland Paris has been streaming “watch parties” of recent stage productions. Their latest is The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands, which had been scheduled to return to the park this summer. The half-hour production borrows elements of the Broadway show’s aesthetic, and feels far bigger than the average theme park presentation.

Certainly, for North Americans who still associate the park with its “Euro Disney” missteps, this powerful show helps shake on that lingering stigma.

The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands ran just three months, during last year’s “Lion King and Jungle Festival.” The festival and this show was scheduled to return run from June 20 to September 13, 2020. The park cancelled reservations through July 14, earlier this month, as the global pandemic drags on.

The show does have its quirks. Zazu has the gravel of Harvey Fierstein, and “The Circle of Life” lyrics have been altered to say “this planet.” But the performers all deliver high-quality live vocals with original choreography, wholly different than any of the previous adaptations.

Did you enjoy this version of The Lion King? Would you go and see it in the park? What’s your favourite adaptation?