You’d think that a box office-breaking, award-winning animated movie – spawning sequels, prequels, remakes, TV shows, video games and a West End musical – like The Lion King would already have its very own attraction by now. That’s about to change very soon thanks to Disneyland Paris and – alongside the Beyonce-starring Mufasa coming this Christmas – our Lion King excitement is palpable!
During D23 aka “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” (August 9 to 11), Disneyland Paris unveiled the very first immersive attraction and themed area inspired by The Lion King to mark the beloved Disney franchise’s 30th anniversary. There’s still a wait until we experience the immersive retelling of the classic animated film, however. It’s not expected until after the opening of World of Frozen in 2026.
“This marks another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Disneyland Paris,” said Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris. “After Worlds of Pixar, Marvel Avengers Campus and World of Frozen – our Frozen-themed land that will open in 2026 – the creation of an immersive experience dedicated to The Lion King is a testament to our commitment to immersing our guests into breathtaking adventures inspired by their favourite films.”
Once open, visitors can expect an adventure-filled water attraction that follows Simba’s journey. Construction will begin next year, as it pushes “the boundaries of immersion with its unparalleled level of detail and a new, unique attraction”, utilising state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics® technology. There will also be iconic Disney character greetings, themed dining, shopping opportunities, and (from the looks of it) log flumes.
“From the moment the sun rose on the big screen in theatres all around the world, audiences were captivated by the story of The Lion King,” said Michel Den Dulk, Portfolio Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris. “Our goal as Imagineers is to translate the emotional core of the film into this exciting project and have you relive that feeling all over again as you experience this unique attraction.”
What new additions are coming to Disneyland Paris?
Before any of this, Disneyland Paris has a lot of new experiences to offer at its expanding, second theme park. These include the Adventure Way promenade, the family attraction Raiponce Tangled SpinThe Regal View Restaurant & Loungeand the highly anticipated land inspired by Disney’s Frozen, the Kingdom of Arendelle, in 2026.
In the same year, an all-new nighttime show will debut on the lake – combining water screens, fountains, special effects, and drone choreography. It’s part of a €2 billion rebuild with all of these new experiences roughly doubling the footprint of the second park, which will be renamed Disney Adventure World in 2026 (currently called Walt Disney Studios Park).
Other changes include a new nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park (the first theme park) – featuring iconic songs and projections of Disney characters onto Sleeping Beauty Castle – starting in January 2025. Meanwhile, Disney Village is also undergoing a reimagining with new restaurants and shops in the coming months, as will the resort’s Disney Davy Crockett Ranch bungalows.
