The Lion King stage musical is one of the most popular and beloved Broadway shows of all time. Ever since it opened on Broadway in 1997, it has delighted audiences with its imaginative costumes, puppetry, and music. But enjoying this spectacle of sight and sound does come at a cost. So how much will you need to budget to see The Lion King on Broadway?
Ticket Prices
The cost of Lion King Broadway tickets can vary greatly depending on factors like performance date, seat location, special offers, and ticket source. Prices typically range from $80 – $250 for regular seats. Premium seats like orchestra and front mezzanine can run over $300 per ticket.
Some specific examples of Lion King ticket prices:
- Rear mezzanine seats: $80 – $150
- Mid mezzanine seats: $100 – $200
- Orchestra and front mezzanine seats: $175 – $300+
Dates around holidays and school breaks are usually the most expensive. Matinee shows are cheaper than evening performances.
Third party ticket sellers like brokers and resellers often charge higher prices due to extra fees. Buying direct from the box office or Disney’s official website will generally have lower prices.
There are also options to find discounted NYC Broadway tickets like:
- Entering lotteries for a chance at $30 – $40 rush tickets
- Using a Broadway ticket discount code
- Purchasing standing room only tickets for $50 – $60
But discounts are typically limited and may sell out quickly. So full price tickets are more reliable for getting the date you want.
Service and Booking Fees
In addition to the base ticket price, there are almost always extra fees added by the ticket seller. These service, processing, and booking fees can add a surprising 15 – 25% to your total ticket cost.
For example, a $100 orchestra seat with 25% in fees will actually cost you $125. Make sure to account for these when budgeting the full price.
Common fees to expect when buying Lion King Broadway tickets:
- Electronic Ticket Fee – $5+ per ticket for digital delivery
- Order Processing Fee – $15+ per order
- Venue Charge – $3-$5 per ticket
- Service or Handling Fee – $10+ per ticket
Third party resellers often have higher fees compared to buying direct. Shopping around can sometimes help find lower fees.
Group Sales Discounts
For large groups and school groups, discounted Lion King Broadway tickets can purchased in bulk. Group tickets start at around 10+ people but the savings become more significant at 20+ tickets.
Discounts for groups may include:
- Up to 35% off ticket prices
- No added service fees
- Free administrative support for organizing groups
Contacting The Lion King group sales department directly can help get group quotes and browse available performances for a big block of seats. Certain weekday shows may be designated for group sales as well.
Lottery, Rush, and Standing Room
For flexible theatergoers on a budget, The Lion King Broadway lottery offers discounted tickets. A limited number of $30 rush tickets are sold through an in person lottery 2.5 hours before each show.
General lottery rules include:
- 2 tickets maximum per person
- Tickets are limited view obstructed
- Cash or credit accepted for payment
- Must be present with valid ID to claim tickets
Similarly, standing room tickets can be purchased day-of for $50-$60 depending on availability. Perks include discounted prices, but the tradeoff is having to stand for the entire show.
Child and Senior Discounts
Discounted Broadway tickets for children and seniors are available under specific restrictions.
For Lion King Broadway shows, child tickets are full price for ages 10 and older. Ages 9 and under receive significantly lower child prices. Proof of age may be required.
Senior discounts begin at age 65 and up. Patrons can get up to 20% off regular ticket prices. But availability for senior discounts is typically limited.
When To Buy Lion King Broadway Tickets
Timing your ticket purchase strategically can maximize savings on Lion King tickets on Broadway:
- Buy early – tickets are cheapest when they first go on sale to the public, up to 6 months in advance.
- Buy 1-2 weeks out – last minute tickets may be discounted closer to show dates.
- Avoid peak times – holidays, summers, weekends are highest demand.
- Matinees are cheaper than evenings.
- Choose a Tuesday – Wednesday show for lower costs.
Historically, the best availability and prices have been buying Lion King NYC tickets as early as possible. But flexibility on show dates can allow snagging last minute deals also.
Total Cost – What To Budget
When all is said and done, how much should you reasonably budget for Lion King on Broadway tickets per person?
The average price paid for Lion King Broadway tickets has typically been between $120 – $250. But what you end up paying can vary greatly depending on factors like:
- Seat location – rear mezzanine vs. front orchestra
- Peak showdates – weekend, holiday, summer
- Added fees – service charges, order processing
- Discounts – group, senior, child, codes
- Ticket source – box office, third party resellers
For a straightforward weekday evening orchestra seat with fees included, budget around $175-$200 per ticket. Rear mezzanine seats can be found for $100-$150 usually.
Section | Avg Price (Per Seat) |
---|---|
Rear Mezzanine | $100 – $150 |
Mid Mezzanine | $125 – $175 |
Orchestra/Front Mezzanine | $150 – $250 |
VIP/Premium Seats | $250+ |
Cities like NYC often have higher prices than touring productions, so expect touring cities to be 5-15% cheaper on average.
For a major Broadway spectacle like The Lion King, getting the full experience is worth the splurge at least once. But flexible timing, using discounts, and comparing prices can still save money on this world-class show.
Extra Costs – Food, Merchandise, Hotel
Beyond just the event tickets, see below for estimated costs of other common expenses to account for in your Lion King Broadway budget:
- Dinner before/after the show – $15 – $30 per person
- Snacks and drinks – $10 – $15 per person
- Broadway souvenirs and merch – $25 – $50+ per person
- New York City hotel – $150 – $300 or more per night
- Parking fees – $20 and up for NYC parking garages
- Public transit fees – NYC subway $2.75 per ride, per person
- Rideshares like taxis and Ubers – $20+ each way within NYC
Matinee shows can allow skipping some costs like dinner before the performance. But merch, hotels, parking, and transportation still add up quickly.
How To Save Money on Broadway Lion King Tickets
Some tips and strategies for getting cheaper Lion King Broadway tickets include:
- Enter lotteries for rush tickets – Lotteries can provide $20 – $40 tickets if you win.
- Stand in line for SRO tickets – Day-of standing room tickets are first come, first served for $50 or less.
- Buy groups tickets – Groups 10+ get big discounts when booking together.
- Try for senior/child discounts – Check policies for young kids or 65+ patrons.
- Find discount codes online – Sitewide sales or promo codes can save 5-10% or more.
- Choose off-peak dates/times – Midweek matinees are generally the cheapest shows.
- Buy directly from the box office – Cut out extra fees from third party resellers.
- Buy early when on sales first open – Prices typically go up as show dates approach.
- Compare across sellers – Check official website, BroadwayBox, TodayTix, Stubhub, etc.
Flexibility on show dates and seat locations can open up cheaper Lion King ticket availability. Families and groups can save the most with bulk group ticket discounts.
Is The Lion King on Broadway Worth It?
For many Broadway fans, watching The Lion King stage musical is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list event. The show brings the beloved Disney film to life in an awe-inspiring theatrical experience.
Key things that make The Lion King on Broadway worth the price include:
- Jaw-dropping costumes and puppets – The intricate animal costumes and giant puppets are unmatched on Broadway.
- Visual spectacle – Vibrant, unique scenic design and lighting transports you to the Serengeti plains.
- Soulful musical numbers – Song classics like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” sound incredible live.
- Captivating story – Timeless coming-of-age tale, meaningful themes, and endearing characters.
- Top-tier talent – An outstanding cast, creative team, and orchestration.
- Family appeal – Fun for all ages. Kids and adults alike will be amazed and entertained.
The price may give some sticker shock. But most come away feeling The Lion King Broadway tickets were money well spent. It’s a live theater experience like no other.
Conclusion
Attending Disney’s The Lion King stage musical on Broadway is a memorable bucket list event, but also a considerable expense. Plan to budget about $175-$200 per person for a typical orchestra seat, more for premium locations. Costs can rise over $250 each for front row and VIP seating.
There are ways to get cheaper Lion King tickets through lotteries, rush tickets, standing room, group discounts, and off-peak dates. Comparing prices across multiple ticket sellers can also uncover the best deals.
While the cost is high, the phenomenal music, costumes, puppetry, and storytelling create an incredible experience that most find well worth the ticket price. The Lion King on Broadway is a spectacular theater production that exceeds expectations.