Inside Disney's The Lion King: The Real Animals Behind the Film

A behind-the-scenes trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom reveals how filmmakers used the park's lions, hyenas, and wildebeests to bring the 2019 Lion King to life. VFX chief Rob Legato also shares the jaw-dropping truth that only a single shot in the entire film is real.

Ahead of the Digital and Blu-ray release of Disney's The Lion King, we journeyed to Walt Disney World Resort to meet the real-world animals and experts who inspired the film's photorealistic characters. It turns out that Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge were absolutely central to how filmmakers captured the look, sound, and soul of Pride Rock.

How Disney's Animal Kingdom Shaped the Film

Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to more than 250 species of animals, and roughly 75% of the creatures featured in The Lion King can be found somewhere in the park. For filmmakers retelling one of Disney's most beloved classics, that proximity was a gift: rather than rely on reference footage alone, they could study real behavior up close.

Step 1: Kilimanjaro Safaris

Riding Kilimanjaro Safaris feels like touring the world of The Lion King in miniature — wildebeest herds, hyenas curled in their den, hippos wading beside pink-backed pelicans, and lions lounging on the park's own Pride Rock. We spoke with Jon Ross, a cast member with Disney's Animals in Film & TV, about how the animals became collaborators on the production.

"The filmmakers spent about 6 weeks [at Disney's Animal Kingdom], basically getting unprecedented access to the animals," Ross told us. "We worked really closely with our animal care teams to make sure the filmmaking process wasn't getting in the way of the animals' day-to-day lives. This allowed the filmmakers to focus on [the animals'] natural habitat and really hone in on those natural behaviors."

Step 2: The Lions

Those roars you hear in the movie? Many originated right at the park. A sound crew from Skywalker Sound spent a week capturing vocalizations from the resident lions, guided by animal care teams who knew exactly when the cats were most active.

"We got to spend a lot of time around the lions. They are super active early in the morning... And when they come up to the front of their exhibit and start roaring, you can feel it in your chest. It's awesome," said Jon Ross.

Claire Martin, who leads Disney's global conservation team, agreed — calling it the "best sound in the world." Disney also launched Protect the Pride, a global campaign directing $3 million to the Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund.

Step 3: The Hyenas

Sitting just a few feet from the hyenas completely reset our expectations — their fur is gorgeous, their play is intricate, and the animal care team was thrilled to see the film accurately depict their posture, movement, and female-led social hierarchy. Real-world counterparts to Shenzi, Kamari, and Azizi, Claire assures us, are far friendlier than their Pride Lands villains.

Step 4: Building the Pridelands

We also sat down with three-time Oscar-winning VFX Supervisor Rob Legato, who dropped a stunning fact: only a single shot in the entire film was captured in the real world — the opening sunrise over the Pridelands. Everything else is virtual, built with technology so convincing that even Legato admits he couldn't spot the difference without insider knowledge. And yes, he confirmed the film hides its requisite Mickey Mouse ear Easter egg somewhere on screen.

What This Means for Disney+ Fans

As The Lion King arrives for home viewing, the behind-the-scenes work at Disney's Animal Kingdom adds a new layer to every rewatch — from the authentic hyena body language to the roars pulled straight from Kilimanjaro Safaris. It's a reminder that Disney's parks aren't just destinations; they're living reference libraries that continue to shape the storytelling fans will keep discovering on Disney+.