Disney unveils new plans for MASSIVE expansion including brand new ride and area themed to beloved franchise

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

Disneyland Paris has unveiled new plans for a massive expansion to the beloved park that will be themed to a beloved franchise.
Permits for a new area and ride dedicated to The Lion King have reportedly been approved this week.
And the news has left thrilled Disney enthusiasts eagerly awaiting for the construction to start.
Digital renderings and plans for the upcoming Lion King expansion at Disneyland Paris, which has been given the name Project Sun, have been shared on several Disney blogs.
Rendered images show the new land, which includes an attraction, shop, and food vendors.
As per DLP Works - which touts itself the 'premier source of Disneyland Paris' - construction permits for were submitted on April 14, and were approved by the authorities on August 14, 2025.
According to blueprints shared by the site, the Parisian park's upcoming Lion King-themed land will occupy most of the left side of Adventure Bay, measuring roughly 100,000-square-feet in total.
It's the first time any Disney park in the world has opened an area dedicated to the much-loved Disney film.
As per Disneyland Paris News, the new ride will center around the 'majestic Pride Rock,' a pivotal part of the 1994 animated classic.
The ride will serve as the 'gateway' to an 'adventure-filled water attraction.'
'[The ride will] plunge guests beneath the rock to follow Simba on his journey from cub to king, in a retelling of the story from the classic animated feature film,' the blog wrote.
The Disney experts continued: 'When visiting this first-ever themed area, guests will be immersed in the world of The Lion King thanks to Disney character greetings, themed dining, and shopping opportunities, which promises an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages.'
The Daily Mail previously reported that the all-new attraction will blend a spectacular water experience with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology, making guests feel like they're in the heart of the Pride Lands, where Simba will await them for an unforgettable adventure complete with iconic songs from the 1994 masterpiece.
Guests can then move to the caves beneath the 121-foot-high Pride Rock, taking them through iconic scenes from the beloved animated movie, navigating a path with three exciting slopes, including an impressive 52-foot-high descent.
'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,' Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, previously said.
'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.'
Natacha Rafalski, President of Disneyland Paris, added: '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.
'As part of the 2 billion Euro investment plan announced in 2018, we continue to reinvent this park with a fresh creative vision.
'At the end of its expansion journey – which includes the opening of Adventure Way, Adventure Bay, and World of Frozen in 2026, and later an immersive world themed to The Lion King – we'll have reimagined more than 90 percent of the park's offerings since its debut in 2002, and roughly doubled its footprint to truly become a can't-miss experience!'
In addition to Lion King, Disneyland Paris is also opening another immersive world next year - The World of Frozen, which will transform guests to the Kingdom of Arendelle and get the chance to meet Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.
Disney recently unveiled images showing the finishing touches being made to the area's North Mountain, rising 118-feet above the ground.