While I was on my trip for D23Expo I got the opportunity to attend the Lion King panel discussion.  It was such an amazing experience.  I am a huge fan of "The Lion King", how can you not  be?! The movie is a classic that I grew up watching over and over, someday I'll put it on repeat for my future babies.  "The Lion King" was incredible when I was a child and just as intriguing as an adult.

At D23Expo, I saw the voices of some of my favorite characters from the Lion King come to life on the stage.  It was full of one celebrity appearances and great conversations.  Producer Don Hahn and Co-Director Rob Minkhoff moderated the panel and gave us the scoop on all things Lion King with guests Mark Henn (animator) Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Whoopie Goldberg (Shenzi), and Jim Cummings (Ed the Hyena). The session ended with the most amazing performance of, "The Circle of Life".

Now for the exciting news we can all take home with us. 🙂 Disney announced at D23 Expo that on August 29th one of the biggest animated films in history, The Lion King, the coming-of-age masterpiece, filled with humor and heart, breathtaking animation and soul-stirring Academy Award®–winning music (1994: Best Original Score and Best Original Song, “Can You Feel Love Tonight”), joins the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection.

BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES

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.”

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL*:

• Brand New Sing-Along Version
• 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 Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.
  • Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film’s iconic opening.
  • Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.
  • Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!
  • Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the “Hakuna Matata” sequence.
  • 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.

• Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie!

  • “Circle of Life”
  • “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”
  • “Be Prepared”
  • “Hakuna Matata”
  • “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”

• Galleries

  • Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie’s look and feel.7 pm
  • Character Design – Trace the development of the film’s unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings.
  • Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.”
  • Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.”
  • Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.”

  Classic Bonus Features (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.