Disney Announces New Lion King Attraction for Paris Resort
Disney has revealed plans for an exciting new Lion King-themed attraction at its Paris resort, set to take visitors on an immersive journey through the African savanna. The announcement was made by Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro during the D23 convention, where fans got a glimpse of the new ride.
The attraction promises an adventure alongside beloved characters like Mufasa, Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. Concept art showcased a thrilling log flume ride plunging down Pride Rock, with the wise Rafiki overseeing the scene. This highly anticipated addition comes just days after Disney reported disappointing financial results for its theme parks in the last quarter.
Rumors of a Lion King experience at Disneyland Paris have circulated since 2022. Last year, Disney committed to investing $60 billion over the next decade to expand its parks and cruise lines—double the previous decade’s spending. Fans were thrilled when Disney confirmed that the Lion King attraction would join the resort after the World of Frozen area, scheduled to open in 2026.
The new Lion King-themed land will be located in the Walt Disney Studios Park, which is set to be rebranded as Disney Adventure World. Disney’s Imagineering team has promised to bring Pride Rock to life, offering guests an unforgettable water attraction that follows Simba’s transformation from cub to king.
Meanwhile, Disney is also planning major expansions at its other parks. In Florida, the Magic Kingdom will see its largest expansion ever, featuring new lands dedicated to Disney villains and Pixar’s Cars franchise. Additionally, Hollywood Studios will introduce a long-awaited Monsters Inc. rollercoaster, and Animal Kingdom will welcome rides inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones.
On the West Coast, Disneyland Resort in California will soon offer two superhero-themed rides, a water-based Avatar attraction, and the company’s first Coco ride. Over in Hong Kong, a new Spider-Man ride will debut in a Marvel-themed area.
Disney also announced plans to nearly triple the size of its cruise ship fleet by 2031, with four new ships set to join the existing four already in the works. D’Amaro emphasized that these projects are actively in development, with plans finalized and construction underway.
These announcements come at a time of significant change for Disney, following the dramatic return of CEO Bob Iger. Since his return, Iger has overseen a company reorganization and job cuts aimed at boosting profitability. Despite challenges, including a boardroom battle with activist investors, Disney remains committed to expanding its parks and delivering magical experiences to guests around the world.
Disney’s parks and experiences unit has been a bright spot in the company’s financials, accounting for 60% of operating profit in the last quarter. The success of recent films like Inside Out 2 has also helped offset some of the challenges faced by other areas of the business. As Disney continues to evolve, fans can look forward to even more exciting adventures in the years to come.
