Series: The Lion King II Simba’s Pride
Company: Disneyland / Walt Disney World
Release date: 1998
Size: various
Main distribution: Worldwide (Disney Theme Parks / Disney stores)
These are the Lion King plush that were sold in the theme parks and Disneystores in 1998 when the second film released. Possibly the first official plush of Simba’s Pride from Disney. These are often referred to as the “vintage” Lion King plush.
Several plush were released in this line;
Kiara (laying)
Kovu (laying)
Kiara (sitting)
Kovu (sitting)
Kiara (jumbo)
Kovu (jumbo)
Kiara (handpuppet)
Kovu (handpuppet)
Kiara (beanie)
Kovu (beanie)
Kiara (magnet)
Kovu (magnet)
Kiara (laying)
Size: +/- 35cm
Kiara has a nice shade of pinkishbrown, with a darker shade muzzle, paws and underbelly. Her mouth is open and her nose and eyes are embroidered.
She’s in a laying position and a medium sized plush, making it ideal for in bed to cuddle. Proportion wise she looks ok, although her paws could be a bit bigger. Her colouring is also more natural than her movie counterpart, with a more brown/beige fur colour than saturated pink. Her tail tip is fluffy. She feels quite soft with pellets in her bottom and paws.
She’s made from that classic plush material common in the 90s. Her tush tag is on her bottom left and is the standard Walt Disney Company one.
These are classic and proper vintage. And yet I don’t hold them as dear as the Mattel ones from the same era. This is because I didn’t grew up with these, nor ever went to the theme parks and the Netherlands did not have a Disney store.
It’s interesting how natural these look as well compared to the modern pink lionesses. I guess the saturated bright colours weren’t commercialised yet. However I find the brownish tones quite nice.
On top of being vintage, Kiara and Kovu never got much merchandise, and it’s a well loved film. This makes them now incredibly expensive to get. Although I love the cubs and would like a Kovu, I’m not super attached to these as I am to my Mattel ones and so not actively looking for them. I got this Kiara for a nice price at the time.
I won’t be looking for the others, although if I end up with them I wouldn’t mind. I’m not super attached to the ones I got either, but they feel classic.
If you love Disney, The Lion King or vintage plush, you’ll like these.
If you prefer more accurate or modern plush, you’ll give these a miss.
Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own the same plush? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!
I found a plush that looks a lot like this but it is labelled as Young Simba! I haven’t been able to find the same plush anywhere, this one is the closest to it! It’s definitely a Simba’s Pride toy and it’s from Cali Disney World. Any help identifying him would be much appreciated!
Hi Emma,
The only one I have that would fit that description would be this one: https://abitof.jennystroom.nl/2023/09/01/simba-young-2004-uk-disney-store-plush-disney-store/
I know the parks got a similar one in 2003 too.
I’m not sure if they are specific Simba’s Pride though.
Have you tried a Google image search?
Hope you can ID him!