Be prepared, because Disney’s first-ever Lion King attraction is going to be a LOT more thrilling than we originally thought.
Disney just revealed major new details about the massive Lion King attraction under construction at Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris, and we finally have a much better idea of what will happen when guests venture beneath Pride Rock.
During D23, Disney confirmed that the upcoming attraction will be a large-scale water ride featuring a new flume system, Audio-Animatronics, special effects, three slopes, and a whopping 52-foot drop.
And unlike some attractions that tell a brand-new story with familiar characters, this one is taking us straight back into the 1994 animated classic.
We’re following Simba’s entire journey from cub to king.
We’re Going UNDER Pride Rock
Disney first announced its plans for an immersive Lion King land at Disneyland Paris back in 2024, but the latest details finally give us a clearer picture of the adventure waiting inside.
The attraction will be located within the first-ever immersive world dedicated entirely to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Lion King at Disney Adventure World. And you certainly won’t have trouble finding it.
The land’s centerpiece will be an enormous 120-foot-high Pride Rock, with the attraction itself hidden within the caverns underneath. Guests will make their way beneath Pride Rock before boarding the water attraction and setting off through Simba’s story.
Which brings us to one of the biggest things Disney just confirmed.
This Will Be a FULL Retelling of The Lion King
Rather than creating a sequel or side adventure, Disney is going straight for the classics.
The attraction will tell Simba’s complete journey from cub to king, revisiting both the happy (and considerably less happy) moments that eventually lead him back to Pride Rock.
Disney says guests will travel through a variety of memorable scenes from the 1994 animated film while listening to its classic songs. And one of those scenes has already been confirmed.Simba’s final confrontation with Scar will be part of the attraction.
Disney also shared new artwork showing Simba and Scar during that climactic battle, giving us another glimpse at how Imagineers plan to translate the movie into a physical theme park environment.
YES, There Will Be Audio-Animatronics
This isn’t going to be a ride where you’re simply floating past screens. Disney has confirmed that the Lion King attraction will feature Audio-Animatronics figures and special effects to physically bring Simba’s story to life.
That’s an especially interesting detail considering just how many characters could potentially appear throughout a full retelling of the movie. Disney hasn’t provided a complete list of which characters will receive Audio-Animatronics figures yet, so we won’t get ahead of ourselves there.
But with Simba’s journey from cub to king forming the backbone of the attraction…and his confrontation with Scar specifically confirmed…we know Imagineering has a LOT of story to work with.
And This Isn’t Just a Gentle Boat Ride
Here’s where the announcement gets REALLY interesting. Disney confirmed the attraction will use an all-new flume system and feature three different slopes throughout the adventure.
And one of them is pretty substantial. The attraction’s largest drop will be 52 feet. For comparison, that’s enough to tell us this isn’t simply going to be a slow-moving family boat ride through scenes from The Lion King.
Disney is specifically describing the attraction as combining the movie’s music and storytelling with water-based thrills, making it one of the most ambitious new attractions planned for Disney Adventure World.
Exactly how those three slopes fit into Simba’s story hasn’t been revealed yet. But suddenly we’re looking at Pride Rock a little differently.
The Music of The Lion King Will Be a BIG Part of the Ride
You can’t really build a Lion King attraction without the music. Thankfully, Disney isn’t trying.
The attraction will feature iconic songs from the original 1994 animated movie as riders travel through Simba’s story. Disney hasn’t revealed the complete attraction soundtrack yet, so we don’t know exactly which songs will make the final cut.
But with a full retelling covering Simba’s life from cub to king, there are plenty of obvious possibilities.
And combining that music with large physical sets, Audio-Animatronics, special effects, and water-ride elements could make this feel considerably different from anything else currently at Disneyland Paris.
It Will Be One of Disneyland Paris’ Largest Attractions
Disney isn’t exactly going small with this one. The Lion King ride will become one of the largest attractions at Disneyland Paris when it opens.
And the attraction is only part of what’s coming. The surrounding immersive world will also feature dining, shopping, and opportunities to meet characters from The Lion King.
That means Disney isn’t simply building a Lion King ride and dropping it alongside the park’s existing attractions.
It’s creating an entire Pride Lands destination anchored by that massive 120-foot Pride Rock.
Construction Is Officially Underway
And this project is no longer just a rendering.
Construction is officially underway on the Lion King land at Disney Adventure World. Disney originally announced the project at D23 in 2024, later confirming that construction would begin in fall 2025.
Now, following the 2026 debut of Disney Adventure World, work is actively progressing on what will eventually become the park’s fourth immersive world.
Disney has not announced an opening date for the Lion King attraction or its surrounding land yet. So we’re still waiting on one pretty important piece of information.
Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Lion King attraction updates, Disneyland Paris construction news, Disney Adventure World announcements, and everything new coming from Walt Disney Imagineering.
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