Disneyland Paris introduced the first-ever trip and themed land impressed by The Lion King, which can come to life after the opening of World of Frozen at Disney Journey World. This shares particulars, new idea artwork & mannequin pictures, and every part we all know concerning the upcoming space to what’s at the moment referred to as the Walt Disney Studios Park. Plus complete commentary and a recap of some different bulletins for the reworked park.
This information was introduced through the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation through the 2024 D23 Expo on the Honda Middle in Anaheim, California. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro provided a sneak peek at idea artwork for the long run as well as and teased what was to come back in a number of years. We had been anticipating an enormous D23 Expo for Disneyland Paris, and this Lion King land ended up being the spotlight.
This was simply one in all a number of blockbuster bulletins for Parks & Resorts at Horizons, throughout which D’Amaro revealed a number of ‘shovel to soil’ initiatives that may come on-line within the subsequent 5 years, together with over a half-dozen additions that may debut earlier than the tip of 2025. He and head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn adopted by means of on their promise to ship concrete particulars and never simply tease extra ‘Blue Sky’ potentialities.
Disney unveiled the upcoming creation of an all-new space at Disneyland Paris devoted to one of the crucial beloved Disney franchises, world wide and notably in Europe – The Lion King! This larger-than-life space will convey friends on a journey by means of the African savanna and immerse them into the unforgettable adventures of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and plenty of different iconic characters from the beloved Disney movie, which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this 12 months.
For the attraction, Disney Imagineers will convey to life the majestic Pleasure Rock, which can function the gateway to an adventure-filled water attraction that may plunge friends beneath the rock to comply with Simba on his journey from cub to king, in a retelling of the story from the basic animated characteristic movie. When visiting this first-ever themed space, friends shall be immersed on the earth of The Lion King because of Disney character greetings, themed eating, and procuring alternatives, which guarantees an unforgettable expertise for friends of all ages.
“We’re very excited and proud to be unveiling the following new land of Disney Journey World, our second park that has been present process an growth on a never-before-seen scale. This marks one other milestone within the ongoing transformation of Disneyland Paris…the creation of an immersive expertise devoted to The Lion King is a testomony to our dedication to immersing our friends into breathtaking adventures impressed by their favourite movies, on the coronary heart of themed areas which can be devoted to the originals. This new space – which is impressed by the unforgettable story that has enchanted a number of generations of viewers – exists nowhere else on the earth. It’ll make it attainable for friends of all ages to make one in all their wildest goals come true: exploring the Pleasure Lands alongside all their favourite characters,” mentioned Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris.
Impressed by the African savanna and iconic places from the franchise, this new space will push the boundaries of immersion with its unparalleled degree of element and a brand new, distinctive attraction, which can seamlessly mix a spectacular water expertise with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics know-how. Imagineers have dreamed up the proper method to carry ahead Disney’s distinctive storytelling custom!
“From the second the solar rose on the massive display screen in theaters all world wide, audiences had been captivated by the story of The Lion King, and its characters, and it has not misplaced any momentum since. Our objective as Imagineers is to translate the emotional core of the movie into this thrilling challenge and have you ever relive that feeling another time as you expertise this distinctive attraction. I’m thrilled and excited that The Lion King will make its attraction debut right here at Disneyland Paris.” mentioned Michel Den Dulk, Portfolio Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
(Though the above idea artwork showcases the dwell motion Lion King, this attraction is confirmed to be primarily based on the OG animated Lion King. Why Disney opted to launch outdated idea artwork is past us, however our guess is that this was really for a pitched reimagining of Splash Mountain at Disneyland. Notice the logs within the artwork present single-file seating, which fortunately will not be according to the mannequin.)
Earlier than the long run opening of the themed space devoted to The Lion King, friends shall be handled to an array of recent experiences at Disney Journey World. These novelties embrace the Journey Approach promenade surrounded by lush panorama, the household attraction Raiponce Tangled Spin, the fashionable The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge providing spectacular views over the majestic Journey Bay and the extremely anticipated land impressed by the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie Frozen.
When the Kingdom of Arendelle opens its gates in 2026, friends is not going to solely have the chance to embark on an unforgettable journey alongside Anna and Elsa contained in the all-new attraction at Disneyland Paris, Frozen Ever After, however they may even have the ability to participate in procuring and eating experiences and meet the beloved sisters in individual throughout a royal encounter.
In the identical 12 months, an all-new breathtaking nighttime present may even debut on the lake and above. The banks alongside Journey Bay and The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge would be the good spot to admire the awe-inspiring mixture of water screens, fountains, particular results, and never- before-seen drone choreography.
Honoring its lengthy legacy of innovation in nighttime leisure, and in partnership with its France-based Official Know-how Supplier Dronisos, Disneyland Paris can also be creating the primary of their sort water-drones for use only for this particular present, that may convey every adventure-filled day at Disney Journey World to a spectacular shut.
All of those new experiences will roughly double the footprint of the Walt Disney Studios Park, which is ushering in a brand new period marked by a contemporary inventive imaginative and prescient. To have fun this new chapter, the second park will even be renamed Disney Journey World when the following themed space involves life in 2026!
With development set to start in 2025, the Lion King Pleasure Lands close to Journey Bay will proceed the resort’s ongoing transformation even after these additions to Disney Journey World debut. (No opening date or timeframe has been revealed for the Lion King Pleasure Lands, however our expectation is 2027 or 2028–most likely 2028.)
Turning to commentary, I’m actually wanting ahead to visiting Disney Journey World.
These weren’t phrases I ever thought I’d sort over a decade in the past when experiencing the Walt Disney Studios Park for the primary time (after Crush’s Coaster, however earlier than Ratatouille–so not fairly the opening day incarnation of WDSP, however nonetheless horrible). I knew everybody thought it was unhealthy, however I couldn’t imagine it was this unhealthy. And after spending a pair days within the stunning Disneyland Paris, I additionally thought that possibly Parisian Disney followers had too excessive of expectations. Nope.
It was the worst Disney theme park on the earth by a large margin–the place it has stood ever since in our Disney Parks Energy Rankings. Again in 2013, we even questioned whether or not the Walt Disney Studios Park was deserving of the “Disney” identify, arguing that it didn’t even have the defining traits to be known as a “theme” park. (That wasn’t hyperbole–it was actually that unhealthy.)
In any case, what a distinction a decade (give or take) makes. The Walt Disney Studios Park nonetheless has a protracted method to go, however in wanting on the mannequin on the present flooring, I’m really…excited? It’s an unprecedented feeling for the second gate at Disneyland Paris.
Earlier than I get to the joy, let’s shortly cowl a pair areas of disappointment. I nonetheless want the entrance entrance had been going to be razed and changed. The soundstage concept is neat in principle because it places a roof over friends’ heads to shelter them from the weather, however execution is horrible, and it’s solely a good suggestion in principle. They need to’ve adopted the identical playbook because the Arcades at Disneyland Paris, that are sensible however don’t intervene with the awe-inspiring opening act that takes heart stage.
Then there’s the identify. My first impression of “Disney Journey World” wasn’t optimistic, however it additionally wasn’t the virtually visceral unfavourable response some followers had. Nonetheless, I pause now each time when listening to or writing it, pondering that may’t be it. I’m reminded of regional amusement parks in Michigan and Indiana, and people should not favorable comparisons. I anticipated this identify to develop on my over time and turn into extra pure. As a substitute, the other has occurred. It’s most likely too late to vary course now, however I nonetheless want they’d rethink. It’s not too late for the clearly superior Disney’s CineMagique Journey!
To be clear, these are minor nitpicks within the grand scheme of issues. That is nonetheless an enormous leap ahead in the proper route. Disney is investing extra now on the transformation into the soon-to-be Disney Journey World than they spent on the opening day Walt Disney Studios Park.
Turning to the Lion King attraction particularly, I’m mildly stunned that they’d do a water trip in Paris. There have been rumblings for the longest time about Splash Mountain, which by no means got here to fruition on account of monetary worries. That idea wouldn’t occur now for apparent causes, however I’m interested by whether or not there are any trepidations about doing a water trip in a spot the place it snows.
To be clear, that is idle curiosity and never a declare that they shouldn’t be constructing a water trip in Paris. I don’t know. It additionally snows in Tokyo, and but, Splash Mountain endures there and stays one of the crucial widespread points of interest within the park. Wait instances are positively decrease within the winter, however it’s nonetheless no slouch.
It’s additionally price noting that Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland doesn’t get you moist when it’s chilly out. So I might think about that, as long as it’s engineered appropriately, neither will the Lion King trip at Disney Journey World.
Okay, now it’s time for the joy. I can’t await the Pleasure Rock space of Disney Journey World. As an elder Millennial who grew up through the Disney Animation Renaissance, I really feel like my childhood goals are lastly being fulfilled. It solely took three a long time, however they’re giving The Lion King its personal land (miniland?).
The trip can also be a matter of want success. Splash Mountain was one in all my favourite rides as a child, and I can solely think about how rather more I might’ve cherished that, however with Lion King characters. I even cherished The Legend of The Lion King at Magic Kingdom (for fellow old-timers), and count on this to be so a lot better. First Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland, now this.
What’s subsequent, an Aladdin ‘Cave of Wonders’ attraction that includes the Shanghai Pirates or Fantasy Springs Peter Pan trip methods?! In wanting across the Disney Journey World mannequin, that looks as if an precise chance. There are nonetheless a number of growth pads on this park!
The timing can also be proper for a Lion King trip. Though it has flashes of brilliance, the Little Mermaid darkish trip got here too early. Similar goes for Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. The know-how wasn’t fairly there to convey these to life correctly, however it’s now. Audio Animatronics are next-level, and shouldn’t run the danger of wanting dated a decade from now.
I’m additionally optimistic that Imagineering will be taught classes from Tiana’s Bayou Journey. That’s an apples to oranges comparability because it was a retrofit, however I believe it’s truthful to be involved about lifeless area within the Pleasure Lands just like all the empty grass within the bayou. Hopefully Imagineering realizes what went flawed with that, and undertakes world-building and present design and doesn’t simply have clusters of marquee Audio Animatronics with out a lot in between. I’m assured that they’ll get it proper.
The Pleasure Lands space itself appears fascinating, however it’s considerably troublesome to determine what’s what within the mannequin. And as somebody who has visited Animal Kingdom since opening, I’m admittedly much less impressed by this since I’ve a tough time imagining it’ll surpass what Disney Legend Joe Rohde and his crew of Imagineers achieved there. However, it must be a powerful addition to Disney Journey World. And talking of the fashions, listed below are extra pictures of them:
That final take a look at the mannequin is what excites me essentially the most. This park is basically going from being the scale of Future World at EPCOT to including its personal World Showcase, albeit the animated world. Frozen and Lion King are superlative begins–I’m so blissful it didn’t find yourself getting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Even in any case of this, there are nonetheless an excellent 3-4 main growth pads left in Disney Journey World (it’s secure to imagine Automobiles Highway Journey is within the chopping block). This park is on the precipice of bettering by leaps and bounds, and it nonetheless has an amazing quantity of untapped potential even after Lion King comes on-line. It actually might get an Aladdin space (persevering with the animated worlds pattern) and possibly even Magnificence and the Beast (though two France lands within the Parisian park may be extreme).
The probabilities really are limitless for Disney Journey World or Disney’s CineMagique Journey (whichever identify they find yourself selecting), and I’m actually excited concerning the decade to come back…and past. That’s not one thing I ever thought I’d say concerning the theme park that I as soon as described as Disney organising store on a Walmart car parking zone. The second gate at Disneyland Paris has a shiny future, and I’m actually wanting ahead to it coming into its personal!
For the fundamentals of planning a go to to Disneyland Paris, take a look at our Disneyland Paris Journey Planning Information. Discover the very best place to remain in Disneyland Paris Lodge Evaluations. Take a look at 101 Disneyland Paris Suggestions for some (101, to be actual) of our greatest random ideas for doing DLP like a professional. See Disney Park Tickets Suggestions & Tips for tactics to save lots of on tickets. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. Lastly, for recommendation past Disney, take a look at our Final Journey Information to Paris, France.
Your Ideas
Are you excited for the Lion King Pleasure Lands, Journey Bay, World of Frozen, or every other upcoming additions to the second gate at Disneyland Paris? Excited to lastly stroll across the central lake and expertise the reimagined park? What do you consider the identify Disney Journey World? Good, unhealthy or detached to it? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
