Character Kites and Banners Appear in Discovery River Theater Ahead of Debut of Disney KiteTails at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The kickoff of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, an 18-month long event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, is just days away, and the outdoor Discovery River Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that will play host to the new Disney KiteTails show has received some decor.

All photos by Geoffrey Nease

What’s Happening:

Beginning October 1st as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration, Disney KiteTails will take the magic of nature and Disney storytelling to new heights, immersing everyone in a gala performance of color and movement at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
New kites and banners have appeared, peppered throughout the Discovery River Theater and featuring recognizable characters from Disney classics hanging above the seating area for the new show.
Happening several times daily at the Discovery River Theater near DinoLand U.S.A. (former home of Rivers of Light), guests make their way into the space, joined by a team of performers bringing with them a colorful collection of oversized props and kites adorned with Disney animal friends from Moana, A Bug’s Life, and Finding Nemo. Original, worldbeat arrangements of favorite Disney tunes fill the air, and the excitement builds toward the launch of an impressive show of kites over the lagoon.

Watercraft zoom into view during the show, pulling with them dynamic kite trains and enormous, three-dimensional kites depicting familiar characters from The Lion King or The Jungle Book. From one performance to another, you may see Baloo the bear dancing in the sky or Zazu the red-billed hornbill chasing after Simba. These remarkable kites, some as large as 30 feet in length, are inflated by moving through the air, allowing characters like King Louie or Timon and Pumbaa to soar like never before!