The world’s first Lion King ride is officially taking shape as vertical construction begins at Disney Adventure World in Paris. Walt Disney Imagineering just released exciting new behind-the-scenes details, confirming the massive scale of the upcoming log flume attraction. From next-gen animatronics to impressive scale models, this new “Pride Lands” expansion is shaping up to be a true engineering marvel.
Towering Pride Rock and a Massive 52-Foot Plunge
The breathtaking centerpiece of the new land will be a towering, 121-foot-tall physical replica of Pride Rock. Guests will board beautifully detailed logs to follow Simba’s legendary journey from cub to king across 19 distinct storytelling scenes. The water attraction will feature two lift hills and three separate drops. It culminates in a thrilling 52-foot final plunge deep beneath the mountain structure. Take a closer look at the construction below:
Recent model leaks show that Imagineers updated the ride vehicle design to feature a side-by-side seating layout. Each log will hold four rows with two riders per row, maximizing capacity. To keep things moving quickly, the attraction is also utilizing a dual-loading station. European weather fluctuates wildly. Because of this, the ride features an adjustable splash mechanism to dial down the water during chilly winter months.
Disney shared a new look at the stunning scale models for the upcoming Lion King ride coming to Disneyland Paris! 🦁👑
— Disney Dorks (@mydisneydorks) June 23, 2026
Guests will follow Simba’s journey through 19 storytelling scenes featuring a 121-foot Pride Rock, next-gen animatronics, and a 52-foot drop! pic.twitter.com/qCABFRtFgV
State-of-the-Art Animatronics and African Savanna Engineering
The attraction will showcase next-generation Audio-Animatronics crafted at the Glendale Imagineering headquarters. Physical sculptures confirm that the massive cast includes young Simba, adult Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Zazu, and the hyenas. Original film producer Don Hahn and legendary Scar animator Andreas Deja even visited the studios. They wanted to ensure the characters remain flawless to their 1994 animated counterparts.
Bringing East Africa to Europe has forced creative design teams to get incredibly resourceful with landscaping. Horticulturists are currently using specialized pruning techniques to “train” hearty European tree varieties. This forces them to structurally mimic the flat-topped, umbrella silhouettes of a true African savanna. Heavy foundation work is wrapping up now, setting the stage for a truly legendary addition.
If you want to book your magical trip to Disneyland Paris, be sure to contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations and to keep up to date on all the latest Disney news and more, be sure to follow Disney Dorks on Facebook!