Recently plans came to light for a brand new Lion King ride set to come to Disney Adventure World Paris with construction set to begin on the ride in Fall 2025.
In concept images released by the park, it looks reminiscent of a Splash Mountain / Tiana’s Bayou Adventure-type ride which includes a giant iconic water drop.
2026 will see the grand opening of World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World in Paris with the Lion King attraction set to open a while after.
The ride will blend a water experience with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics which will take guests into the heart of the Pride Lands, where Simba will await them for an unforgettable adventure mixed with iconic songs from the 1994 original movie.
A 37-meter-high Pride Rock will be the focal point of the entire ride and the experience will feature three exciting slopes and a 16-meter high descent.
I cannot wait to see the intricate details of the environment and if we can be taken on a journey through the pride lands, maybe even a creepy elephant graveyard and then ascend to the rock before plummeting, it’ll be truly special.
The second I saw plans for the ride I was picturing a lift hill with the soundtrack bellowing as you ascend, animal animatronics surrounding you all lifting their heads slowly as a little Simba is being lifted in the air at the top of the drop, soundtrack hits and you plummet into the splashdown.
My inner child would be in love!
Lion King will be one of the biggest attractions at Disneyland Paris and Vice President and Portfolio Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Michel Den Dulk had the following to say:
We are looking forward to launching the construction of this new immersive world inspired by The Lion King and its major attraction, which will mark another milestone for Disney Adventure World.
The main attraction will showcase the key features of Disney experiences: loveable characters, an unforgettable soundtrack, immersive décor and effects, and exciting thrills thoughtfully delivered throughout the adventure.
All of the Imagineers who work on this project have their hearts set on paying a vibrant homage to this timeless masterpiece by creating unforgettable memories for all our guests.
I’m still not sure how popular a water ride will be in Parisian climate considering it’s as miserable as ours in terms of a considerable lack of sunshine throughout a calender year but I am excited to see how detailed and immersive this ride is going to be!
To give you an idea of what a ride like this could be in terms of that water and animatronic combo experience then check out a video we shot on-board Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom in Florida last year at an early preview.
Until then.
Hakuka Matata my friends!
