1
Credit: Bastien Nvs, UnsplashThe Walt Disney Company is really doing what they said they would — turbocharging the parks business, full steam ahead.
At this year’s D23 Expo–hosted across sites in Anaheim, Southern California–Disney Experiences revealed details on a number of projects during their Horizons showcase. From confirmations of attraction names at Walt Disney World Resort to new information regarding the Avengers Campus expansion at Disneyland Resort, Thomas Mazloum (Chairman, Disney Experiences) laid a lot on the table.
With a steadily rising revenue stream from its profitable theme park business, it’s clear that Disney is investing in these destinations for years to come. At Disney World, Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land will anchor the next era of Magic Kingdom Park, while the Tropical Americas–complete with signature Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions–will lead Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s evolution.
When it comes to the international parks, Tokyo Disneyland captured the main headlines with its Space Mountain: Earthrise reveal, while the company dropped exciting details on Disneyland Paris. The parks in France are currently reaping the benefits of former CEO Bob Iger’s multi-billion-dollar investment, with the opening of the new theme park–Disney Adventure World–plus the launch of the company’s second World of Frozen.
The sisters of Arendelle are a huge draw for guests and will continue to be for years to come, especially as the franchise is only set to grow with new movies; in fact, Disney noted this uptick in attendance at Disneyland Paris in its latest earnings call for fiscal Q3, saying Disney saw “strong attendance growth at Disneyland Paris following the opening of the World of Frozen.”
But the expansion projects at Disneyland Paris will not stop at World of Frozen. The new Disney Adventure World will eventually see more lands and attractions join Arendelle and the already existing Avengers Campus. Most notable is the huge land themed to the 90s classic, The Lion King (1994).
A massive part of Disney’s Renaissance era, The Lion King has endured for decades, spawning sequels, TV shows, a long-running Broadway show, and live-action hits, not to mention a huge merchandise business. Its legacy is what makes it a strong concept to bring to life in theme park form. While some think the Lion King area set for Disney Adventure World should be at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, this first-of-its-kind destination will bolster the international park and give Paris its own take on the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) attraction.
“This attraction will be the centerpiece of the first immersive world based on The Lion King,” Disneyland Paris News writes, “Construction began in Fall 2025, with foundation work completed next to the banks of Adventure Bay, near World of Frozen.”
The company added, “At the heart of this immersive world, a spectacular new water-based attraction will invite families on a thrilling journey through iconic scenes from The Lion King. Brought to life through state-of-the-art visual effects, Audio-Animatronics® figures – Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Scar, and more – and the film’s beloved soundtrack, this adventure will navigate an exciting path with three exhilarating drops, including an impressive 16-meter-high descent from the iconic Pride Rock.”
The press release makes particular note of the Audio-Animatronic Scar coming to the yet-to-be-named Lion King attraction, and confirms that the entire African savannah-themed land–attraction, boutique, and dining location–will cover 30,000 square meters (approximately 7.4 acres).
“The teams at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Animation are hard at work bringing to life the beloved world of The Lion King, which has captivated audiences for more than three decades,” says Michel den Dulk, Vice President Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Paris. “We believe this epic story was also embraced thanks to its unforgettable villain, so we are excited to lift the curtain on Scar’s presence in this major attraction.”
While initial concept art showed the use of live-action characters, brought to life by Jon Favreau in 2019’s live-action remake, Disney eventually confirmed that the classic 90s animated characters would be featured in the attraction. Further solidified in the most recent artwork revealed during the D23 Expo weekend.
Disney Adventure World opened at Disneyland Paris in late March, replacing the struggling Walt Disney Studios Park. As the sister to Disneyland Park, the investment in Adventure World should give the European resort a much-needed attendance boost.
With attractions like Frozen Ever After and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, and experiences like the new Disney Cascade of Lights show across Adventure Bay, Disney Adventure World is proving that change can be a good thing. There is no confirmed opening date for the Lion King land or the attraction, but if it’s anything like the plan for Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, a phased opening schedule could be in place.
What are your thoughts on this major new Lion King land in Disneyland Paris? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
