Bonjour, Disney fans!
If Disneyland Paris has been sitting on your Disney bucket list, D23 just gave you a few more reasons to start planning.
Our team was on-site at the Disney Parks panel to hear firsthand about some of the exciting updates coming to the theme parks overseas.
Disneyland Paris had some particularly big news, including new ride details for the previously announced Lion King land, a brand-new daytime parade, and the return of an original favorite.
Load up on the baguettes and cheese, and let’s dive into the updates!
Space Mountain Is Returning to Its Origins
Space Mountain may be a familiar name for Disney Parks fans, but the Disneyland Paris version has always had a story of its own.
The attraction originally opened with a theme inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel From the Earth to the Moon. In more recent years, it has operated as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, taking guests on a high-speed adventure through the Star Wars galaxy.
Now, Disney is taking the attraction back to its roots.
Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will return with a reimagined experience inspired by the Jules Verne story that originally shaped the attraction. The transformation will also bring back the attraction’s original musical score and its iconic Space Mountain name.
For Disney fans who have only experienced Space Mountain at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, this is one of the things that makes Disneyland Paris so much fun to explore. Even an attraction with a familiar name can offer an entirely different Disney experience.
New Details About The Lion King Attraction at Disney Adventure World
We already knew that the first-ever immersive world dedicated to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Lion King was coming to Disneyland Paris. At D23, Disney gave us a much better idea of what we’ll actually experience when we step into the Pride Lands.
The new area is currently under construction at Disney Adventure World and will be completely unique to Disneyland Paris. No other Disney Park currently has an immersive land or attraction dedicated to The Lion King.
At the center of the new area will be a 120-foot-high Pride Rock, with the entrance to an all-new water attraction tucked into the caves below. At D23, Disney revealed that the ride will retell Simba’s full journey from cub to king, taking guests through memorable scenes and songs from the 1994 animated film, including his final confrontation with Scar.
We also learned much more about the ride itself. The attraction will use a new flume system featuring three slopes and a 52-foot drop, along with Audio-Animatronics figures and special effects to bring Simba’s story to life.
And the experience extends beyond the attraction. The immersive world will also include dining, shopping, and opportunities to meet favorite characters from The Lion King.
The new ride will be one of the largest attractions at Disneyland Paris and a major addition to Disney Adventure World. Construction is already underway, and with these new details, we have an even better idea of just how ambitious this first-of-its-kind Disney experience will be.
A Brand-New Parade Is Coming to Disneyland Park
For the first time since 2017, Disneyland Park will debut a brand-new daytime parade created specifically for Disneyland Paris.
Mickey Mouse and his pals will lead the daily parade, which will celebrate Disney magic and the power of dreams with new floats, costumes, and music. Disney has already confirmed appearances from characters including Genie and Jasmine from Aladdin, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Miguel from Pixar’s Coco.
A lot is going into bringing the new production to life. Disney says the parade has already required more than 10,000 hours of research and technical development, along with nearly 225 sketches for its costumes, wigs, and makeup.
The new parade will debut at Disneyland Park in 2028.
Why Consider Disneyland Paris for Your Next Disney Vacation?
If you usually vacation at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, planning an international trip may sound like a big undertaking. But Disneyland Paris can be a great addition to a European vacation or an entire destination all on its own.
You’ll find plenty of the Disney experiences you already love, along with attractions, entertainment, resorts, and experiences that make Disneyland Paris completely unique.
And with a first-of-its-kind Lion King experience, the return of a Disneyland Paris original, and new entertainment on the way, D23 gave us even more reasons to put Disneyland Paris on the travel wish list.
Not sure where to begin? That’s where we come in! Our experienced travel advisors can help take the guesswork out of planning an international Disney vacation.
Our experts can help you plan every detail of your Disneyland Paris vacation, including where to stay, park tickets, transportation, and everything you need for a magical trip to Paris.