A closeup look at Disney KiteTails now playing at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Oct 06, 2021 in "Disney KiteTails"

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Disney KiteTails Lion King show

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Posted: Wednesday October 6, 2021 9:54am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney KiteTails made its debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom this past week as part of "The World's Most Magical Celebration."

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

Taking place in the Discovery River, with seating in the DinoLand side of the theater originally built for Rivers of Light, the show last for 20 minutes, including a pre-show with a kids' parade.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

The show features various kites depicting familiar characters from "The Lion King" or "The Jungle Book," including Baloo, Zazu, Simba, King Louie, Timon and Pumbaa. There are two separate shows, with one featuring the Lion King, and the other featuring the Jungle Book - you do not see both sets of kites in the same show.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

Watch the video below for a look at an entire performance of Disney KiteTails. (4K YouTube)

Six jetskis are used in the show to pull the three large 30ft long kites above the water.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

In addition to the water-based kites, there are performers on land at the front of the theater flying smaller kite and wind catchers.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

An interesting part of the show is the rather heavy landing of each of the large kites, directly into the Asia seating section.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

Click the gallery to see more pictures from Disney KiteTails.

The show officially made its debut on October 1 as part of "The World's Most Magical Celebration" at Walt Disney World. Showtimes ware currently 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:15pm, and 5:15pm daily.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

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ToTBellHopOct 28, 2022

This is the only way:

brb1006Oct 28, 2022

What about King Louie and Baloo taking a nap?

MisterPenguinOct 28, 2022

When will Kitetails be back? It was a family-favorite for weeks and weeks. Can't wait to someday bring my grandkids to see Kitetails and see the same shocked look of horror on them when Simba crashes head first into the stands, just like it was for me!

brb1006Oct 28, 2022

I forgot that Kitatails is closing in a few days.... really tells you how WDW's 50th Anniversary offerings was executed. Here's a live look at WDW's 50th Anniversary Campaign as it's getting closer to it's conclusion. Spongebob Laughing = Iger/Chapek What a complete joke WDW's 50th Anniversary Celebration turned out to be compared to Disneyland's 50th and 60th Anniversaries. Disney's 100th Anniversary ("100 Years of Wonder") starting next year better make up for this.

pdude81Oct 28, 2022

Kitetails was cute and fun. But since it didn't work super well with selling G+ to the crappy side of the "stadium" they killed it. I personally would assume they'd just install some infrastructure on the other side for G+ and work out the kinks.

TwilightZoneOct 28, 2022

IDK I kinda liked kitetails, for what it was. Reminded me of 90's disney charm. But I guess that doesn't really translate well into a long term show...

wdriveSep 29, 2022

I hope so but I find it more likely they’ll take it as live entertainment isn’t popular

cjkeatingSep 28, 2022

Hopefully this shows a few more people in WDW that IP doesn’t equal popularity.

gerararSep 28, 2022

KiteTails had its last performance today and took its final bow, earlier than planned due to the upcoming closures of the parks. Must be bittersweet and sad for the CMs working this show. Since they were 3rd party, their contracted jobs are essentially done now. "This afternoon at 3:10pm, kites filled the skies of the Discovery River Amphitheater for the final time. Disney KiteTails was originally scheduled to end on September 30th but had its final performance this afternoon instead. Cast Members and managers made an announcement to guests in attendance that it would be the final show and the skilled performers took a 'final bow' after the show by taking one final lap around the lake."

JoeCamelSep 19, 2022

I think that was a new offering that was moderately entertaining. 5 years on I doubt you would see many sticking around for it. As they say the show had no legs

mdcprSep 19, 2022

The Amphitheater was packed during River of Light--a show that some people did like. But this one, no need to be sitting to see the kites from somewhere else.

VJSep 18, 2022

7 years ago isn't really "a little bit", to be fair

crazy4disneySep 18, 2022

Without a doubt.

erasure fan1Sep 18, 2022

I think you missed the point. Yes they are making excuses, that's the PR spin. But people think the reason all this stuff happened or didn't happen is because of covid. It's not. Covid was the catalyst to implement everything. But they distract people with fake excuses like covid forced us. When in reality they are perfectly fine with how covid played out.