What’s your favorite animated Disney movie? That’s such a hard question, right? When it comes to Disney movies, it’s so hard to commit, isn’t it? I get it.

But when I think of a movie that has shaped my life and that I continue to draw inspiration from, I have to say it’s The Lion King.

In fact, when I thought of a visual to represent what The Positive MOM brand, I chose to design a logo that represented the epic moment where Rafiki presents Simba to the pride.

“The Lion King” follows the adventures of Simba, a feisty lion cub who cannot wait to be king, as he searches for his destiny in the great “Circle of Life.”

The film earned a Golden Globe® for Best Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical and inspired a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical that is currently the third longest-running musical in Broadway history.

Every moment in The Lion King has significant meaning and purpose, and there about 89 minutes of valuable lessons we can learn as moms, as well as so many we can teach our children. It’s so exciting that today, August 29, the The Lion King roars to Its rightful place in the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Blu-ray™!

I learned so much about how the movie was made (and almost didn’t get made!) on The Lion King panel, the last day of D23 Expo, where executive producer Don Hahn, co-director Rob Minkoff, Mark Henn (Supervising Animator “Young Simba”), Tony Bancroft (Supervising Animator “Pumbaa”), Ernie Sabella (voice of Pumbaa), Jim Cummings (voice of Ed the Hyena), and new Disney Legend Whoopie Goldberg (voice of Shenzi) shared their favorite anecdotes and stories.

The Lion King is definitely one of the biggest animated films in history, with the most heart and classic humor. It’s a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

Top 10 Empowering Life Lessons From The Lion King

“Remember who you are!” ~ Mufasa  (James Earl Jones)

“Look, kid, bad things happen, and you can’t do anything about it.” ~ Timon (Nathan Lane)

“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance…You need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures.” ~ Mufasa (James Earl Jones)

“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” ~ Rafiki (Robert Guillaume)

“Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.” ~ Mufasa  (James Earl Jones)

“Hakuna Matata!” (And that’s Swahili for “No worries for the rest of your days!”) ~ Timon (Nathan Lane)

“Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become.” ~ Mufasa  (James Earl Jones)

“You can’t change the past.” ~ Simba (Matthew Broderick)

“We are all connected in the great circle of life.” ~ Mufasa  (James Earl Jones)

“Change is good!” ~  Rafiki  (Robert Guillaume)

Besides the legendary quotes, The Lion King teaches us unforgettable lessons about life and death, depression, shame, envy, betrayal, friendship, greed, respect, desperation, fear, leadership, sibling rivalry, love, devastation, forgiving yourself, and even marrying your best friend!

The Lion King Blu-ray, Digital Bonus Features (NOW AVAILABLE!!!)

The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film’s award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of “The Lion King.”

Brand New The Lion King Sing-Along Version

Two Ways to Experience the Movie!

·       Audio Commentary – View the film with commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.

·       Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated “Be Prepared” sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil.

·       The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.

·      Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experiences.

 Inside The Lion King Story Room 

Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.

o    Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film’s iconic opening.

o    Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.

o    Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!

o    Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the “Hakuna Matata” sequence.

o    Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn.

The Lion King Music (Sing along!) & More 

o   “Circle of Life”

o   “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”

o   “Be Prepared”

o   “Hakuna Matata”

o   “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994 Academy Award®–winning “Best Original Score and Best Original Song”)

The Lion King Galleries 

o   Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie’s look and feel.

o   Character Design – Trace the development of the film’s unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings.

o   Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.”

o   Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.”

o   Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.”

 Classic Bonus Features (The Lion King Digital Only) 

These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as bloopers, audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and in-depth journeys into the music, film, story, animals and stage show.

Hurry and get yours!

We’ve been watching The Lion King as a family non-stop since I got my pixie-dusted advanced copy.

It’s been a joy to transport ourselves to the beauty of Africa, to dance the hula with Timon and Pumba, cry during that scene that may not be mentioned (and watch it without fast-forwarding), and learn from the wisest and most enigmatic baboon in history: my beloved Rafiki.

This moving story is rated G so you can watch it with your little ones and start these necessary conversations with them. I’m so excited that this heartwarming classic is coming out of the Disney Vault and into our homes. While at D23 Expo, during the live-action panel, we all screamed when we heard the legendary tune and words:

Nants ingonyama

bagithi baba

sithi uhhmm ingonyama

We were taken back to the opening scene of The Lion King and remembered once again how adorable cub lions are when they sneeze.

In 2019, a reimagined live-action film, helmed by Jon Favreau, will delight audiences with the thrilling retelling of the original tale utilizing groundbreaking technological advances—as only Disney can do. Seeing that exclusive preview of The Lion King live-action movie makes me appreciate the breathtaking animation of The Lion King, 23 years later. I’ll be sharing more updates as they come available.

For now, let’s watch our Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD combo-packs (in English, Spanish, and French) and enjoy soul-stirring music of the first original Disney animated film and my favoritEST of all time!

What is the most soul-stirring lesson you learned from The Lion King? Are you excited for The Lion King’s first ever Digital and Blu-Ray release? Make sure to share your thoughts and to follow along with #TheLionKingBluRay. For more information, go to Movies.Disney.com/The-Lion-King and Follow on Facebook!

Other D23 Expo Recaps and Updates: 

Join me at D23 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event!

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios Film Announcements

Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm Live Action Movie Announcements

Upcoming Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Attractions and Experiences

What to Expect at D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Seize The Chance to Hero Up

D23 Expo Recap: My Exclusive Interview with the DuckTales Producers

D23 Expo Recap: Fun Facts and Surprises From THE LION KING Panel

D23 Expo Recap: Meeting Mantis & Nebula

Finding Your Place In The Galaxy

Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results and help others do the same. Dr. Elayna Fernández is a single mom of 4, an award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 5x TEDx speaker. She has spoken at the United Nations, received the President’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected as one of the Top Impactful Leaders and a Woman of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine. Connect with Elayna at thepositivemom.com/ef and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

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