Hi Ethan!  The costumes can be very simple with student designed paper masks to full out headpieces with a budget.  I love the way Lion King can be performed either way and guaranteed effective! Our friends at Disney have designed it so students can create their own costumes with help from the cirriculum guide that comes with the showkit.  It is detail specific!  Happy to connect you with some directors that have done this show many ways and would share costumes ideas and pics.