Minskoff Theatre Guide: Best Seats for The Lion King and Tips
The Minskoff Theatre sits above Times Square, three floors up inside the One Astor Plaza office tower, and since 2006 it has been the home of Disney’s The Lion King, one of the longest running and highest grossing shows in Broadway history. This guide explains how to find the entrance, how the seating works, where to sit for The Lion King, how to try for discount tickets, and what to know on the day.
Minskoff Theatre at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 West 45th Street, in One Astor Plaza (1515 Broadway) |
| Current show | Disney’s The Lion King, here since June 2006 |
| Seats | About 1,710 |
| Levels | Orchestra and mezzanine |
| Opened | March 13, 1973, with a revival of Irene |
| Operator | The Nederlander Organization |
| Nearest subway | Times Square to 42nd Street (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S), 49th Street (N, Q, R, W), 42nd Street Port Authority (A, C, E) |
Finding the entrance
The Minskoff is easy to walk past if you are looking for a classic marquee at street level. The theater is on the third floor of One Astor Plaza, the tall office building on Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. You enter from a covered arcade that runs through the base of the building from 44th Street to 45th Street. Escalators take you up from the arcade to a grand foyer, and a second set leads to the seating areas.
The foyer has a wall of glass looking out over Times Square, which is one of the better views you can get from any Broadway lobby. It is worth arriving early enough to see it before the crowds fill the space.
A short history
The Minskoff opened in 1973, named after Sam Minskoff and Sons, the family that developed the building. It replaced the old Astor Hotel, and it was one of a handful of new theaters built inside office towers in that era. Over the years it hosted the 1980 revival of West Side Story, The Pirates of Penzance, Sweet Charity, Black and Blue, Sunset Boulevard from 1994 to 1997, and the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof.
The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street and moved to the Minskoff in June 2006, after a renovation that included hand painted, gold leaf sculpted panels in the lobby inspired by the show. In 2014 The Lion King became the highest grossing musical in Broadway history.
The Minskoff is also the home of the Jimmy Awards, the national high school musical theater awards, and it hosts Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS events such as the Easter Bonnet Competition.
How the seating works
The auditorium has two levels: a large orchestra and a smaller mezzanine above it. The orchestra is steeply raked, which means each row sits noticeably higher than the one in front. That helps sightlines a lot, and it is one reason the Minskoff is considered a good house for a visual show like The Lion King. The theater uses continental seating, with long rows and no center aisle, so plan to arrive early if you are in the middle of a row. Getting in and out after the row fills means asking a lot of people to stand.
Accessibility
Because it was built in the 1970s rather than the 1920s, the Minskoff was planned with access in mind, and it was reportedly the first Broadway theater designed to be fully wheelchair accessible. Even so, the escalators and long rows mean it helps to request accessible seating when you buy, rather than on arrival. The box office and the official ticket seller can book wheelchair locations and companion seats and tell you which entrance and lift to use. Assistive listening devices are commonly offered at Broadway theaters, so ask at the theater if you need one.
Where to sit for The Lion King
- Orchestra aisle seats. The opening number, “Circle of Life,” sends performers and animal puppets down the aisles of the orchestra to the stage. Seats on the aisles put you within arm’s reach of the procession, which is a big thrill for kids and adults alike.
- Middle orchestra. Thanks to the steep rake, almost any orchestra seat from the middle rows back has a clear view. This is the safest choice if you want a good all around experience.
- Front mezzanine. The first several rows of the mezzanine show off the full stage picture, the lighting and the large scale puppetry. Many people prefer them to the very front of the orchestra.
- Rear mezzanine. Cheaper and further away, but the view is still clear. A good budget option, especially for adults who have seen the show before.
- Front orchestra. Very close to the action. Great for faces, but you may need to look up, and you see less of the overall design.
Discount tickets
The Lion King runs a digital lottery through Broadway Direct. New York Theatre Guide lists the price at $60, with entries open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the day before each performance. Winners are notified by email and have one hour to buy, up to two tickets. There is no regular rush program listed. See our Broadway lottery and rush guide for how The Lion King compares with other shows.
For full price tickets, buy through the official Lion King website or the Minskoff box office. Lion King tickets are among the most resold on Broadway, and resale prices for weekends and holidays can run well above face value. Before buying anywhere else, read our guide to ticket fees and compare the full total.
Running time and kids
The Lion King runs about two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. It is one of the most popular choices for a child’s first Broadway show. Disney publishes its own age guidance and rules for young children on the official Lion King site, so check there before you buy. Every person in the theater, including a child, needs a ticket. For more family picks, see our list of Broadway shows for kids.
Getting there
The Minskoff is in the middle of Times Square, so nearly every subway line is a short walk away. Times Square to 42nd Street, served by the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and the shuttle, is two blocks south. The 49th Street station on the N, Q, R and W is a few blocks north, and the A, C and E stop at 42nd Street Port Authority. If you are driving, garages on West 44th and West 45th Streets are close, but Times Square traffic before an evening show is slow. Booking a garage spot online ahead of time usually saves money.
Before you go
- Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. You have to clear security, ride two sets of escalators, and find your seat in long rows with no center aisle.
- Keep bags small. Bags are checked at the entrance.
- Plan for intermission. Restroom lines are long. Go before the show if you can.
- Eat nearby. Restaurant Row on West 46th Street and Ninth Avenue have plenty of pre theater options within a few minutes’ walk.
The Lion King outside New York
The Lion King also has a North American touring company. See our Lion King tour dates, including a two month summer 2027 run in Chicago. For other NYC theaters, read our guides to the Gershwin Theatre for Wicked, the Richard Rodgers Theatre for Hamilton and Radio City Music Hall.
Related guides
NYC theater guides
- Gershwin Theatre guide (Wicked)
- Richard Rodgers Theatre guide (Hamilton)
- Radio City Music Hall guide
- Broadway shows in New York
The Lion King
Minskoff Theatre: Common Questions
Where is the entrance to the Minskoff Theatre?
Enter through the covered arcade under One Astor Plaza, between West 44th and West 45th Streets. Escalators lead up to the third floor theater.
How many seats are in the Minskoff Theatre?
About 1,710, split between a steeply raked orchestra and a mezzanine.
What are the best seats for The Lion King?
Orchestra aisle seats for the opening procession, the middle orchestra for an all around view, or the front mezzanine for the full stage picture.
How much is The Lion King lottery?
New York Theatre Guide lists the Broadway Direct digital lottery at $60, with entries the day before each performance.
How long is The Lion King on Broadway?
About two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
When did The Lion King move to the Minskoff?
In June 2006, after opening at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 1997.
Featured photo: Minskoff Theatre entrance. Photo: Americasroof at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized for web.
Sources and corrections
Dates and details were checked on November 8, 2026 against these sources:
- Wikipedia: Minskoff Theatre (Opening, layout, escalators, accessibility, history, Lion King move)
- BroadwayWorld: Minskoff Theatre (Address, seat count, lobby renovation, Jimmy Awards)
- New York Theatre Guide: rush and lottery guide (updated November 6, 2026) (Lion King lottery price and rules)
- Wikimedia Commons: featured photo (Photographer and license)
Dates change. Always confirm your performance on the official page before you buy. Spot an error? Email info@theatertickets.com and we will check it and update this page.
