Disney is not slowing down when it comes to park investment, and this year’s D23 Expo made that crystal clear.
Held across multiple sites in Anaheim, the event’s Horizons showcase saw Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum unveil a wave of new details, from confirmed attraction names at Walt Disney World to fresh news on the Avengers Campus expansion at Disneyland Resort.
It’s obvious that Disney is playing the long game with its parks, and the numbers back it up. Over at Walt Disney World, Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land are shaping up to be the next big chapters for Magic Kingdom, while Animal Kingdom is getting its own transformation through the Tropical Americas, headlined by new Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions.
International parks got plenty of attention, too. Tokyo Disneyland stole a lot of headlines with its Space Mountain: Earthrise reveal, and Disneyland Paris wasn’t far behind. The French resort is currently riding high off former CEO Bob Iger’s massive investment push, which brought guests the new Disney Adventure World park and a second World of Frozen.
Frozen’s Popularity Isn’t Going Anywhere
Elsa and Anna continue to be huge draws at the parks, and with more Frozen movies on the way, that’s not changing anytime soon. Disney even called out the Arendelle effect during its most recent fiscal Q3 earnings call, noting “strong attendance growth at Disneyland Paris following the opening of the World of Frozen.”
But Frozen isn’t the only story unfolding at Disney Adventure World. The park is set to keep growing well beyond Arendelle and the already-open Avengers Campus, and the next headline addition is a big one: an entire land built around The Lion King (1994).
Why The Lion King Makes Sense for Disneyland Paris
Few Disney films have the staying power of The Lion King. Decades after its release, the film has spawned sequels, television spinoffs, a long-running Broadway musical, and multiple live-action adaptations, along with a merchandise empire that shows no signs of slowing. That kind of legacy makes it a natural fit for a full theme park land, even if some fans think the concept belongs at Animal Kingdom in Florida instead.
Regardless of where fans think it should live, this new land will be a first for the Disney parks, and it’s set to give Disneyland Paris its own answer to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the water ride that replaced Splash Mountain stateside.
According to Disneyland Paris News, “This attraction will be the centerpiece of the first immersive world based on The Lion King. Construction began in Fall 2025, with foundation work completed next to the banks of Adventure Bay, near World of Frozen.”
The outlet added further detail on what guests can expect once the attraction opens, writing, “At the heart of this immersive world, a spectacular new water-based attraction will invite families on a thrilling journey through iconic scenes from The Lion King. Brought to life through state-of-the-art visual effects, Audio-Animatronics figures – Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Scar, and more – and the film’s beloved soundtrack, this adventure will navigate an exciting path with three exhilarating drops, including an impressive 16-meter-high descent from the iconic Pride Rock.”
Scar Steals the Spotlight
Of everything revealed, the confirmation of an Audio-Animatronic Scar has fans especially excited. Disney also confirmed the full scope of the land, which will include the attraction itself along with a shop and dining location, spanning roughly 30,000 square meters, or about 7.4 acres.
Michel den Dulk, Vice President Portfolio Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, shared his own excitement about the project, saying, “The teams at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Animation are hard at work bringing to life the beloved world of The Lion King, which has captivated audiences for more than three decades. We believe this epic story was also embraced thanks to its unforgettable villain, so we are excited to lift the curtain on Scar’s presence in this major attraction.”
A Classic Look, Not the Live-Action Remake
Early concept art actually showed live-action character designs, styled after Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic remake. Disney has since confirmed the attraction will instead feature the classic 1990s animated versions of the characters, a decision that’s been reinforced in the newest artwork shown at D23.
Disney Adventure World opened its gates in late March, taking over the site formerly occupied by the underperforming Walt Disney Studios Park. As the companion park to Disneyland Park, this new investment is expected to give the resort a real boost in attendance.
Between existing favorites like Frozen Ever After and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, plus new entertainment offerings like the Disney Cascade of Lights show over Adventure Bay, Disney Adventure World is proving that a total park overhaul can pay off. No opening date has been announced yet for the Lion King land or its centerpiece attraction, but if Disney follows a similar approach to Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests could see the land open in phases rather than all at once.
What do you think of this new Lion King land coming to Disneyland Paris? Let us know in the comments.
