TDF presents Broadway shows in a welcoming, supportive environment for people with autism and other disabilities and their families. Jarring sounds and strobe or spotlights into the audience are reduced, house lights stay on, and Break Areas are staffed with trained professionals, with volunteers and autism specialists throughout the theatre. The next performance is The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre on Sunday, January 31, 2027, with tickets on sale Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 11 am.
“Slight adjustments are made to the production, including the reduction of jarring sounds and strobe or spotlights that shine into the audience. House lights are dimmed but remain on.”
“On the day of the performance, volunteers and autism specialists are available throughout the theatre. Break areas are open to anyone who needs to leave the theatre during the performance.”
“We can make no assurances that these performances will be suitable for everyone with autism. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for their child’s viewing and engagement with these performances.”
“If the show is ever too loud or too bright, Break Areas are available. In these areas, there are beanbag chairs and mats to sit or lie on.” The Lion King Visual Narrative, TDF
TDF makes a Logistics Guide, Character Guide, Visual Narrative and Picture Checklist for each show; The Lion King's are already on its page, and printed Character Guides will also be available at the performance.
For The Lion King, TDF trained the whole cast and the Minskoff Theatre staff. Volunteers can guide you to restrooms but can't go in or help; caregivers stay responsible for the people they care for the whole time. Communication devices are welcome, though photos and videos of the show aren't. TDF's own photographer takes flash photos for social media; tell the photographer if you don't want to be photographed.
The Minskoff entrance has no steps; stairs or an escalator lead to the lobby and seats, and for guests with mobility disabilities a theatre representative can take you to the main lobby elevator. All seats except wheelchair and companion seats need steps.
If you're bringing a service animal, TDF asks you to let it know ahead at autism@tdf.org.
TDF reduces jarring sounds and strobe or spotlights into the audience, keeps the house lights dimmed but on, and has volunteers, autism specialists and Break Areas throughout the theatre.
The Lion King is Sunday, January 31, 2027 at 1 pm at the Minskoff Theatre, ages 6 and up, $45 to $75, on sale Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 11 am only through TDF.
The performances are for people with autism and other developmental or cognitive disabilities and their families and friends, not the general public.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
Ask before you go
prices, ages or the on-sale date for the shows after The Lion King
More about TDF Autism Friendly Performances
Quieter, in TDF's words
Break Areas, staffed with trained professionals (on all levels at The Lion King)quiet zone
Buying tickets: The Lion King tickets are only available through TDF, up to nine per order; TDF warns about secondary sellers who may pretend to have seats at much higher prices. Sign up on TDF's Autism Friendly Performances page to join the mailing list. TDF mails tickets for these performances; if yours don't arrive, email autism@tdf.org and TDF can ask the box office to reprint them for pickup on the day.
Refunds for The Lion King: case by case and only up to 30 days before the performance. In an exceptional case, such as COVID within 30 days, send proof of a positive test or a doctor's note to autism@tdf.org. TDF is not responsible for cast changes or bad weather and can't refund for them, and its page also says refunds are only issued if a performance is cancelled.
At The Lion King: all restrooms are Family Restrooms, on the orchestra and mezzanine levels, and any person can use any restroom. During the intermission you can walk into the lobby or stay in your seat; a chime means the show is about to start again. Ramps at the edge of the stage are for the actors only, so if someone in your group may be tempted to explore them, pick seats farther from the stage.
TDF's season also lists The Book of Mormon on Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 1 pm at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, between The Lion King and Wanted. TDF lists all its upcoming Autism Friendly Performances, with dates and theatres, on its own Autism Friendly Performances page, tdf.org/accessibility-services/tdf-autism-friendly-performances.
Email
autism@tdf.orgTDF Autism Friendly Performances: refund exceptions, tickets that didn't arrive, service animals
