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Guests at Disneyland Paris are buzzing with excitement following a huge update regarding plans for a brand-new Lion King ride as part of a wider themed area. But as it’s seemingly set to draw from the original 1994 film, what does this mean for the recent live-action remakes?
The new Lion King area marks a bold move by Disney, as it opts to embrace the 1994 animated aesthetic over the photorealistic approach seen in the recent live-action remakes.
As part of the major revamp taking place at Disneyland Paris, which comes as the result of a €2 billion investment, the brand-new Lion King area will be nestled within the park’s Disney Adventure World–the new name that will be given to Walt Disney Studios Park.
Credit: Disney
The expansion, first teased way back in 2018, includes several exciting additions like the upcoming Frozen area and new attractions based on Up and Tangled. However, it’s the Lion King area that’s truly capturing the imagination of Disney fans everywhere.
Per Disneyland Paris News, the area will bring to life iconic settings and characters introduced in the beloved 1994 film, with a massive re-creation of Pride Rock serving as both the centerpiece and a water-based attraction.
Credit: Disney
Related: 8 Totally Cool Things About The Festival Of The Lion King At Walt Disney World
Visitors will be able to experience a thrilling log-flume ride that takes them deep into the Pride Lands. Seemingly inspired by the former Splash Mountain ride, this attraction promises to immerse guests in the world of Simba and other beloved characters through stunning Audio-Animatronic figures, detailed environments, and unforgettable songs from the original film’s equally iconic soundtrack.
“When the sun rises on this realm after the grand opening of World of Frozen, an all-new attraction blending a spectacular water experience with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics® technology will plunge guests into the heart of the Pride Lands, where Simba will await them for an unforgettable adventure complete with iconic songs from the 1994 masterpiece,” the description for the Lion King ride from Disneyland Paris News reads.
It continues: “After making their way to the caves beneath the 37-meter-high Pride Rock, guests will embark on a wondrous, and sensational adventure through iconic scenes and sceneries from the beloved animated movie, navigating a path with three exciting slopes, including an impressive 16-meter-high descent.
With a seamless blend of many Audio-Animatronics® figures scattered across a highly detailed environment coming to life thanks to state-of-the-art special effects and an unforgettable soundtrack, this attraction will be one of the biggest at Disneyland Paris!”
Credit: Disney
What’s particularly exciting is that Disney has seemingly decided to design this area with the 1994 film’s visual style, not the more recent live-action remakes, which speaks volumes about Disney’s recognition of the lasting impact of the original film and its timeless appeal.
Despite the success of the 2019 remake alone ($1.657 billion worldwide), the choice to stick with the 2D animation aesthetic shows that Disney knows where the heart of the franchise lies for many fans. The Lion King franchise, which includes sequels, TV shows, remakes, and a Broadway musical, is still incredibly relevant today, and Disney’s commitment to honoring the 1994 version only strengthens its lasting cultural footprint.
Fans can look forward to this thrilling new adventure, which will bring the magic of The Lion King to life in a way that only Disney can. If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on Pride Rock or experiencing the epic tale of Simba’s journey first-hand, you’ll soon have your chance.
Are you excited about the new Lion King-themed area? Share your thoughts!
