Zazu is a character from the film The Lion King (1994). He has assorted connections to Jungle Cruise franchise attractions and Adventureland, most notably through Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
History[]
Background[]
Origins[]
Zazu is a hornbill who served as majordomo of the Pride Lands to king Mufasa. After Mufasa's death and the disappearance of his son, Simba, Zazu was forced to serve Mufasa's evil younger-brother, Scar. Years later, Simba returned and revealed that it was Scar who killed Mufasa before defeating Scar himself to take the throne. Zazu went on to return to his role as majordomo, serving Simba along with his mate Nala and their daughter, Kiara.
Enchanted Tiki Room[]
Around the 1990s, Zazu became affiliated with a Hollywood bird-agent (either William or Morris) whom assisted him in purchasing the Enchanted Tiki Room in Polynesia. However, Zazu co-owned the Tiki Room with the scheming and egotistical parrot Iago who intended on transforming the Tiki Room into a revue centred around himself, only to anger the goddess of disaster, Uh-Oa.
Uh-Oa maimed Iago as punishment and it is likely that following this, the two birds revoked or reduced their management of the Tiki Room.
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Africa (Disney's Animal Kingdom)[]
The Lion King Scavenger Hunt[]
A wooden-sculpture of Zazu was placed in Harambe's Ziwani Traders shop.
Skipper Canteen[]
In the Skipper Canteen's library is a book titled, "A New Way to Manage Birds" by I & Z Management Publications. This is a reference to Iago and Zazu running the Enchanted Tiki Room in the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management).
Other Connections[]
Iago and the plot and characters of the Enchanted Tiki Room's Under New Management incarnation is referenced in various Jungle Cruise attractions.
Adventureland[]
In Disneyland Paris' Adventureland, there is a sculpture representing Zazu in Adventureland. He appears perched in a tree with Kaa from The Jungle Book lurking behind him.
The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)[]
Zazu was one of the central characters in this update to the Magic Kingdom's Enchanted Tiki Room.
Other appearances[]
Mickey's PhilharMagic[]
Zazu makes a cameo in the Lion King sequence.
Trivia[]
- In The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management), Zazu was voiced by actor Michael Gough instead of his original voice-actor, Rowan Atkinson.
- It is unclear if Iago's agent was William or Morris. It may be implied to be Morris as William says his client does not share credit, potentially alluding to Iago's ego, while Morris mentions his client having been given a premium to purchase the Tiki Room by the Walt Disney Company.
Gallery[]
