The Lion King

A TDF Autism Friendly Performance

Enjoy Disney’s beloved Broadway musical in an inclusive environment

1. Who is this show for?

This is a special performance for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as people with other developmental or cognitive disabilities who may benefit, not for the general public.

2. When is the show?

  • Sunday, January 31, 2027 at 1 p.m.

3. Where is the show?

Minskoff Theatre
200 West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
New York City

Ticket Prices

Orchestra: $75

Front Mezzanine: $70

Mid Mezzanine: $60

Rear Mezzanine: $45

Wheelchair accessible and companion seats: $45.00

Limit nine (9) tickets per order.

Tickets for this performance are only available through TDF! Beware of secondary ticket sellers who may pretend to have seats at a much higher price.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 9 at 11 a.m.

About the show

Based on the beloved animated film, Disney’s Tony-winning musical The Lion King tells the story of Simba, an adventurous lion cub who is next in line to be King of the Pride Lands, a region in the African savanna. After the sudden death of his father, Simba flees and grows up far away from his home. His childhood friends must convince him to return and take his place as King.

Other information

Age recommendation: Ages 6 and up. Every person entering the theatre must have a ticket regardless of age. Children under age 2 will not be admitted.

Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15-minute intermission

Accessibility:

  • Getting into the theatre: 
    • The entrance of the Minskoff Theatre is accessible without steps.
    • There is a main lobby elevator exclusively for guests with mobility disabilities. Please ask a theatre representative to escort you to the elevator.
  • Seating: 
    • Wheelchair accessible and companion seating is located in the rear of the orchestra. These seats are the only ones that do not require steps.
    • We recommend using SeatPlan to determine the best seating for you and your party.
  • Assistive listening, audio description, and closed captioning:
    • Headsets for sound augmentation are available at the theatre. T-Coil loops are available. 
    • On-demand prerecorded audio description is available for every performance through the GalaPro app on personal devices or through devices available at the theatre. 
    • On-demand closed captioning is available for every performance through the GalaPro app on personal devices or I-Caption devices at the theatre. 
  • Additional support:
    • Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the orchestra and mezzanine levels. 
    • You can find more accessibility information on The Lion King’s accessibility website and at TheatreAccess.nyc.

Refunds are on a case-by-case basis and only available up to 30 days before the performance. If you have an exceptional case, such as COVID within 30 days of the performance, you must send proof of a positive test or a doctor’s note to autism@tdf.org for TDF to issue a refund. TDF is not responsible for cast changes or inclement weather and cannot refund in such situations. Refunds are only issued if a performance is cancelled. TDF is not responsible for cast changes or inclement weather and cannot refund in such situations. Refunds are only issued if a performance is cancelled.

Content and Venue Advisory:

  • Violence:
    • There are moments in Act I that some audience members may find frightening, including an onstage stampede and Simba’s father, Mufasa, falling from a cliff.
  • Mature themes: 
    • The impact of a drought and food insecurity are seen and discussed.
  • Venue:
    • Each Act starts with a parade of actors and large animal puppets through the orchestra aisles. Please note this when choosing seat locations.
    • There are ramps at the edge of the stage exclusively for the actors. Please note this when choosing seat locations. If anyone in your party may be tempted to use or explore the ramps, please pick seats farther from the stage.

What makes the performance autism-friendly?
To create an autism-friendly event, the show is performed in a welcoming, supportive environment for individuals with autism; sensory and communication disorders; and intellectual, cognitive or developmental disabilities. Slight adjustments to lighting and sound are made for the performance. In the theatre lobby, there will be a break area staffed by autism specialists in case any theatregoers need to leave their seats during the show. Downloadable resources, including a Visual Narrative with pictures of the theatre and the production, will be available on this page soon.

We can make no assurances that this performance will be suitable for everyone with autism. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for their family’s viewing and engagement with the performance.

TDF wishes to acknowledge the following donors for their generous support of TDF Autism Friendly Performances:

Anonymous, Darlene and Stuart Altschuler, Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Sharon Chertok, The FAR Fund, Howard Gilman Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Jane and In Seon Hwang, Morgan Stanley Soundview Complex, The New York Community Trust, NEXT for AUTISM, Paul Hastings, Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Seventh District Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sony Corporation of America, Standard Industries, The Start It! Foundation, The Taft Foundation, Ronald and Catherine Weiss in honor of Joseph Flom

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council’s Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and the Committee on Disabilities. This program is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.