Disneyland Paris introduced the first-ever journey and themed land impressed via The Lion King, which can come to existence after the hole of International of Frozen at Disney Journey International. This stocks main points, new idea artwork & type pictures, and the whole lot we all know in regards to the upcoming house to what’s these days referred to as the Walt Disney Studios Park. Plus complete observation and a recap of a couple of different bulletins for the reworked park.
This information used to be introduced all through the “Horizons: Disney Reviews Exhibit” or Parks Panel presentation all through the 2024 D23 Expo on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro introduced a sneak peek at idea artwork for the long run as well as and teased what used to be to return in a couple of years. We were anticipating an enormous D23 Expo for Disneyland Paris, and this Lion King land ended up being the spotlight.
This used to be simply considered one of a number of blockbuster bulletins for Parks & Motels at Horizons, all through which D’Amaro published a number of ‘shovel to soil’ initiatives that can come on-line within the subsequent 5 years, together with over a half-dozen additions that can debut earlier than the top of 2025. He and head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn adopted thru on their promise to ship concrete main points and no longer simply tease extra ‘Blue Sky’ probabilities.
Disney unveiled the impending introduction of an all-new house at Disneyland Paris devoted to one of the crucial loved Disney franchises, around the globe and in particular in Europe – The Lion King! This larger-than-life house will deliver visitors on a adventure during the African savanna and immerse them into the unforgettable adventures of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and plenty of different iconic characters from the loved Disney movie, which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this 12 months.
For the appeal, Disney Imagineers will deliver to existence the majestic Delight Rock, which can function the gateway to an adventure-filled water appeal that can plunge visitors underneath the rock to practice Simba on his adventure from cub to king, in a retelling of the tale from the vintage animated function movie. When visiting this first-ever themed house, visitors will probably be immersed on this planet of The Lion King due to Disney personality greetings, themed eating, and buying groceries alternatives, which guarantees an unforgettable revel in for visitors of every age.
“We’re very excited and proud to be unveiling the following new land of Disney Journey International, our 2nd park that has been present process a ramification on a never-before-seen scale. This marks some other milestone within the ongoing transformation of Disneyland Paris…the introduction of an immersive revel in devoted to The Lion King is a testomony to our dedication to immersing our visitors into breathtaking adventures impressed via their favourite motion pictures, on the middle of themed spaces which might be devoted to the originals. This new house – which is encouraged via the unforgettable tale that has enchanted a number of generations of audience – exists nowhere else on this planet. It is going to make it conceivable for visitors of every age to make considered one of their wildest goals come true: exploring the Delight Lands along all their favourite characters,” stated Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris.
Impressed via the African savanna and iconic places from the franchise, this new house will push the limits of immersion with its exceptional point of element and a brand new, distinctive appeal, which can seamlessly mix a impressive water revel in with cutting-edge Audio-Animatronics generation. Imagineers have dreamed up the very best solution to lift ahead Disney’s distinctive storytelling custom!
“From the instant the solar rose at the large display in theaters all over the global, audiences had been captivated via the tale of The Lion King, and its characters, and it has no longer misplaced any momentum since. Our function as Imagineers is to translate the emotional core of the movie into this thrilling mission and have you ever relive that feeling far and wide once more as you revel in this distinctive appeal. I’m extremely joyful and excited that The Lion King will make its appeal debut right here at Disneyland Paris.” stated Michel Den Dulk, Portfolio Inventive Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
(Even though the above idea artwork showcases the reside motion Lion King, this appeal is showed to be in keeping with the OG animated Lion King. Why Disney opted to liberate out of date idea artwork is past us, however our wager is this used to be in reality for a pitched reimagining of Splash Mountain at Disneyland. Word the logs within the artwork display single-file seating, which fortunately isn’t in line with the type.)
Earlier than the long run opening of the themed house devoted to The Lion King, visitors will probably be handled to an array of latest stories at Disney Journey International. Those novelties come with the Journey Approach prom surrounded via lush panorama, the circle of relatives appeal Raiponce Tangled Spin, the trendy The Regal View Eating place & Front room providing impressive perspectives over the majestic Journey Bay and the extremely expected land impressed via the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie Frozen.
When the Kingdom of Arendelle opens its gates in 2026, visitors won’t handiest find a way to embark on an unforgettable adventure along Anna and Elsa within the all-new appeal at Disneyland Paris, Frozen Ever After, however they’re going to additionally be capable to participate in buying groceries and eating stories and meet the loved sisters in particular person all through a royal come upon.
In the similar 12 months, an all-new breathtaking midnight display will even debut at the lake and above. The banks alongside Journey Bay and The Regal View Eating place & Front room would be the best possible spot to appreciate the awe-inspiring aggregate of water displays, fountains, particular results, and never- before-seen drone choreography.
Honoring its lengthy legacy of innovation in midnight leisure, and in partnership with its France-based Reliable Era Supplier Dronisos, Disneyland Paris could also be creating the 1st in their sort water-drones for use only for this particular display, that can deliver each and every adventure-filled day at Disney Journey International to a impressive shut.
All of those new stories will kind of double the footprint of the Walt Disney Studios Park, which is ushering in a brand new technology marked via a recent inventive imaginative and prescient. To rejoice this new bankruptcy, the second one park may even be renamed Disney Journey International when the following themed house involves existence in 2026!
With development set to start out in 2025, the Lion King Delight Lands close to Journey Bay will proceed the lodge’s ongoing transformation even after those additions to Disney Journey International debut. (No opening date or time frame has been published for the Lion King Delight Lands, however our expectation is 2027 or 2028–most likely 2028.)
Turning to observation, I’m truly having a look ahead to visiting Disney Journey International.
The ones weren’t phrases I ever idea I’d sort over a decade in the past when experiencing the Walt Disney Studios Park for the 1st time (after Weigh down’s Coaster, however earlier than Ratatouille–so no longer fairly the hole day incarnation of WDSP, however nonetheless horrible). I knew everybody idea it used to be dangerous, however I couldn’t imagine it used to be this dangerous. And after spending a pair days within the gorgeous Disneyland Paris, I additionally idea that perhaps Parisian Disney lovers had too top of expectancies. Nope.
It used to be the worst Disney theme park on this planet via a large margin–the place it has stood ever since in our Disney Parks Energy Ratings. Again in 2013, we even puzzled whether or not the Walt Disney Studios Park used to be deserving of the “Disney” identify, arguing that it didn’t also have the defining traits to be referred to as a “theme” park. (That wasn’t hyperbole–it used to be truly that dangerous.)
In the end, what a distinction a decade (give or take) makes. The Walt Disney Studios Park nonetheless has a protracted solution to pass, however in having a look on the type at the display ground, I’m in reality…excited? It’s an exceptional feeling for the second one gate at Disneyland Paris.
Earlier than I am getting to the joy, let’s temporarily duvet a pair spaces of sadness. I nonetheless want the entrance front had been going to be razed and changed. The soundstage thought is neat in principle because it places a roof over visitors’ heads to safe haven them from the weather, however execution is horrible, and it’s handiest a good suggestion in principle. They must’ve adopted the similar playbook because the Arcades at Disneyland Paris, which can be sensible however don’t intrude with the awe-inspiring opening act that takes middle degree.
Then there’s the identify. My first influence of “Disney Journey International” wasn’t sure, but it surely additionally wasn’t the virtually visceral unfavorable response some lovers had. On the other hand, I pause now each and every 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 the ones don’t seem to be favorable comparisons. I anticipated this identify to develop on my over the years and grow to be extra herbal. As a substitute, the other has took place. It’s most likely too past due to modify path now, however I nonetheless want they’d rethink. It’s no longer too past due for the clearly awesome Disney’s CineMagique Journey!
To be transparent, those are minor nitpicks within the grand scheme of items. That is nonetheless an enormous bounce ahead in the best route. Disney is making an investment extra now at the transformation into the soon-to-be Disney Journey International than they spent at the opening day Walt Disney Studios Park.
Turning to the Lion King appeal particularly, I’m mildly shocked that they’d do a water journey in Paris. There have been rumblings for the longest time about Splash Mountain, which by no means got here to fruition because of monetary worries. That idea wouldn’t occur now for obtrusive causes, however I’m all in favour of whether or not there are any trepidations about doing a water journey in a spot the place it snows.
To be transparent, that is idle interest and no longer a declare that they shouldn’t be constructing a water journey in Paris. I don’t know. It additionally snows in Tokyo, and but, Splash Mountain endures there and stays one of the crucial standard sights within the park. Wait instances are unquestionably decrease within the wintry weather, but it surely’s nonetheless no slouch.
It’s additionally price noting that Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland does no longer get you rainy when it’s chilly out. So I’d consider that, as long as it’s engineered as it should be, neither will the Lion King journey at Disney Journey International.
K, now it’s time for the joy. I can’t look ahead to the Delight Rock house of Disney Journey International. As an elder Millennial who grew up all through the Disney Animation Renaissance, I think like my formative years goals are in any case being fulfilled. It handiest took 3 a long time, however they’re giving The Lion King its personal land (miniland?).
The journey could also be an issue of want success. Splash Mountain used to be considered one of my favourite rides as a child, and I will be able to handiest consider how a lot more I’d’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 be expecting this to be such a lot higher. First Enchanted Story of Attractiveness and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland, now this.
What’s subsequent, an Aladdin ‘Cave of Wonders’ appeal that includes the Shanghai Pirates or Fable Springs Peter Pan journey programs?! In having a look across the Disney Journey International type, that turns out like a real chance. There are nonetheless a couple of enlargement pads on this park!
The timing could also be proper for a Lion King journey. Even supposing it has flashes of brilliance, the Little Mermaid darkish journey got here too early. Similar is going for Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. The generation wasn’t fairly there to deliver the ones to existence correctly, however it’s now. Audio Animatronics are next-level, and shouldn’t run the danger of having a look dated a decade from now.
I’m additionally positive that Imagineering will be informed classes from Tiana’s Bayou Journey. That’s an apples to oranges comparability because it used to be a retrofit, however I believe it’s honest to be excited by useless area within the Delight Lands very similar to the entire empty grass within the bayou. Confidently Imagineering realizes what went mistaken with that, and undertakes world-building and display 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 Delight Lands house itself appears attention-grabbing, but it surely’s rather tough to establish what’s what within the type. And as any person who has visited Animal Kingdom since opening, I’m admittedly much less inspired via this since I’ve a difficult time imagining it’ll surpass what Disney Legend Joe Rohde and his workforce of Imagineers achieved there. Nonetheless, it must be a powerful addition to Disney Journey International. And talking of the fashions, listed below are extra pictures of them:
That ultimate have a look at the type is what excites me probably the most. This park is basically going from being the dimensions of Long run International at EPCOT to including its personal International Exhibit, albeit the animated global. Frozen and Lion King are superlative begins–I’m so glad it didn’t finally end up getting Superstar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Even in spite of everything of this, there are nonetheless a excellent 3-4 main enlargement pads left in Disney Journey International (it’s protected to suppose Vehicles Highway Go back and forth is within the slicing block). This park is at the precipice of making improvements to via leaps and boundaries, and it nonetheless has an incredible quantity of untapped possible even after Lion King comes on-line. It truly may get an Aladdin house (proceeding the animated worlds development) and even perhaps Attractiveness and the Beast (even though two France lands within the Parisian park could be over the top).
The chances actually are never-ending for Disney Journey International or Disney’s CineMagique Journey (whichever identify they finally end up opting for), and I’m truly thinking about the last decade to return…and past. That’s no longer one thing I ever idea I’d say in regards to the theme park that I as soon as described as Disney putting in place store on a Walmart parking space. The second one gate at Disneyland Paris has a brilliant long term, and I’m truly having a look ahead to it entering its personal!
For the fundamentals of making plans a consult with to Disneyland Paris, take a look at our Disneyland Paris Go back and forth Making plans Information. In finding the most productive position to stick in Disneyland Paris Resort Critiques. Take a look at 101 Disneyland Paris Guidelines for some (101, to be actual) of our highest random guidelines for doing DLP like a professional. See Disney Park Tickets Guidelines & Methods for tactics to avoid wasting on tickets. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Critiques. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll make stronger your commute, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. In any case, for recommendation past Disney, take a look at our Final Trip Information to Paris, France.
Your Ideas
Are you excited for the Lion King Delight Lands, Journey Bay, International of Frozen, or every other upcoming additions to the second one gate at Disneyland Paris? Excited to in any case walk across the central lake and revel in the reimagined park? What do you recall to mind the identify Disney Journey International? Just right, dangerous or detached to it? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your comments—even whilst you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
