YouTuber and engineer Mark Rober has shared a new video touring the Walt Disney Imagineering building, which includes a first look at what may be a model for the new Lion King land coming to Disneyland Paris.
Possible Lion King Land Model
In a section near the beginning of the video, Rober shares an image of a scale model showing the new Lion King land coming to Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris. This first model is the same as the model used to preview the new land when it was announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024.
When touring the Model Shop section of the building, Rober meets an Imagineer actively working on a newer model. Unlike the more detailed previous image, this second model is in a much earlier state with only basic shapes and minimal colors.
The model is shaped like the floor of a jungle or forest, with features shaped like the trunks of trees and rockwork. The model has been decorated using plastic plants and some fake leaves, adding to the jungle theming.
The Imagineer explains the process of looking at models from the perspective of the guests visiting it, which involves running a 360 camera along a track through the center of the model.
The YouTube video includes a short clip of the model as seen from this guest-sized perspective.
The video does not specify whether this model is for a new attraction or land. However, one of the only upcoming projects that has been confirmed by Disney that would fit this jungle-style theme would be the upcoming Lion King land coming to Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris.
Near the end of the video, there is also a quick glimpse of Rober interacting with a 3D model on a computer. While the video makes no comment of what this object might be, it appears to be a mask or statue shaped like the head of a lion. The lion has round eyes, pointed teeth, and a mane made of leaves or triangles. The mane appears similar in texture to the scene of Simba wearing a mane of leaves from the animated film. This item may also be part of the development for the new Lion King land, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Lion King area will be called Pride Lands and will be based on the original animated film, although the style of the concept art is more reminiscent of the 2019 remake. The land will be added to Walt Disney Studios Park, which will be renamed Disney Adventure World. The land is only one component of an expansion that will also add a lake called Adventure Bay and a World of Frozen to the park.
As part of his tour, Rober also meets four of the interactive BD-X droids that Disney confirmed will be coming to Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Walt Disney World sometime in 2025. If you want to see the complete video of Rober’s tour of Imagineering, it is available now on the CrunchLabs YouTube channel or you can watch it below.
Are you excited for Disneyland Paris to get the first ever Lion King-themed land? Let us know in the comments.
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