Disneyland Paris Unveils Lion King‑Themed Land Plans

by

As a huge Disney fan, I was thrilled to hear that Disneyland Paris is building a whole new land dedicated to *The Lion King*! It’s part of a massive, €2 billion makeover of the Walt Disney Studios Park, which is getting a new name – Disney Adventure World – once everything is finished. It sounds like it’s going to be an incredible, immersive experience, and I can’t wait to see it!

I just got a sneak peek at the plans for the next big expansion, internally called ‘Project Sun,’ and it’s going to be amazing. It’s being built right next to the *World of Frozen* area, and when you combine that with Avengers Campus and the central Adventure Bay lagoon, the whole park is going to feel totally different. It’s shifting from just rides to fully immersive worlds where you really feel like you’re *in* the story. I’m really excited to see it all come together!

Centerpiece Attraction and Layout

The centerpiece of the land will be a major water ride housed inside a 13,755-square-meter show building. Guests will ride in log-flume boats through scenes inspired by the movie, featuring iconic moments like the “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” The ride will have three drops, the biggest of which will be around 16 meters high – similar to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, or the former Splash Mountain.

Here are the details for the new Lion King attraction, based on recently released plans: The show building will cover 13,755 square meters, with a total height of 23 meters and Pride Rock reaching 37 meters. The ride itself will feature 2 lifts and 3 drops, spread across 19 different scenes. Guests will board using a high-capacity, dual-platform loading station, and exit via a separate unloading area. The attraction will include 3 queues, and PhotoPass will be available.

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) August 21, 2025

Pride Rock will be the main visual feature of the land, standing around 37 meters tall. The waiting area and show buildings will blend seamlessly with the African savanna setting. Disney creators are planning to use lifelike animatronics and special projection technology to make the characters feel real.

Permits and Construction Timeline

Building permits for the project were granted on August 14, 2025. The plans include new roads behind the stage, walkways for guests made of decorative concrete, and all necessary utilities and drainage. The area will also feature significant landscaping, including the planting of 297 trees to blend it with the surrounding environment.

Work on the new land is scheduled to start in late 2025, after the Frozen area opens. While there’s no confirmed date yet, the Lion King land is expected to be finished between late 2027 and 2028.

Supporting Amenities and Guest Experience

Beyond the main attraction, the area will also feature a fast-food restaurant, a store, and places where guests can meet characters. Plans show a 63-square-meter food kiosk, with the total dining area around 307 square meters. The store next door will be approximately 299 square meters in size.

Here’s a first look at official designs for the new Lion King-themed area coming to Disneyland Paris. These renderings, taken from construction permit filings, show the entrances to the ride, the shop, a quick-service food spot, and the restrooms. Please note that these designs don’t reveal all the details of the area’s theming.

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) August 18, 2025

I’m so excited about the new area! They’re making sure the restrooms are really family-friendly, which is great. And it’s going to be easy to get around – there will be walkways connecting everything to the rest of Adventure World, so you can easily walk over from the Frozen area or the lagoon. It’s going to feel totally connected!

Strategic Significance and Context

This area reflects Disney’s new approach to park design, focusing on immersive storytelling and detailed environments rather than typical theme park layouts. The transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World demonstrates a move towards creating unique, highly-themed lands, much like the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Pandora found at other Disney parks.

Park leaders say the new Lion King area is part of a long-term plan to bring in more visitors from around the world and keep the park busy throughout the year.

Read More

2025-09-17 21:57