From new Avatar, Coco, and Avengers rides coming to Disneyland to Cars, Encanto, and Indiana Jones at Walt Disney World, there was no shortage of major announcements for domestic Disney theme parks during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. But one of the most exciting announcements was a new Lion King ride coming to Disneyland Paris. Here, we take a closer look at the details plus everything else announced for Disneyland Paris.
(Photo Credit: Disney)
World of Frozen Opens and New Nighttime Show Debuts in 2026
Disney announced in April that Disneyland Paris’ second park, Walt Disney Studios Park, would be renamed Disney Adventure World as part of its massive expansion and transformation. On the not-too-distant horizon, the park’s highly anticipated World of Frozen will open in 2026. Also in 2026, a new nighttime show will combine water screens, fountains, special effects, and first-of-their-kind water drones to light up the water and sky above Adventure Bay, which was described as the gateway to all the different worlds in the park.
Lion King attraction (Photo Credit: Disney)
Lion King Ride Coming to Disney Adventure World
Disney Adventure World will debut the first-ever ride themed to “The Lion King.” The water ride will retell the story of the film, tracing Simba’s path from cub to king as it travels through caves beneath Pride Rock. The ride will combine a “spectacular water experience with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology,” according to a Disneyland Paris press release.
The new Lion King-themed area will also include character experiences, shopping, and immersive dining.
We were also able to check out an impressive concept model of the Lion King attraction at D23 in the Imagineering: Behind the Dreams pavilion.
Construction begins in 2025.
New nighttime spectaculars (Photo Credit: Disney)
New Nighttime Spectaculars Debut at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland in 2025
A new nighttime spectacular featuring Disney Animation and Pixar stories is coming to Disneyland Paris in January 2025. The nightly show will combine lighting effects, fountains, an original soundtrack, and projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle and — for the first time ever at Disneyland Paris — on Main Street, U.S.A.
“Reach for the Stars” is a new nighttime spectacular debuting at Tokyo Disneyland Sept. 20 and will feature “some of your favorite Super Heroes in the park for the first time.”
Spider-Man attraction (Photo Credit: Disney)
New Spider-Man Attractions Coming to Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is expanding its Marvel-themed area with a new attraction, the third pavilion to be added to the Stark Expo, a destination for the Avengers to showcase their latest developments. Here, the newest Stark Industries intern, Peter Parker, is demonstrating a groundbreaking innovation. However, his presence attracts a formidable villain, and Spider-Man must protect the new technology — and visiting guests.
Shanghai Disneyland will also debut its first Marvel attraction, a Spider-Man-themed coaster that follows Spidey in his attempt to get himself out of trouble as guests race along with him at high speeds.
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