Disney Parks & Beyond: What’s New for 2025 and Beyond
Table of Contents
- 1. Disney Parks & Beyond: What’s New for 2025 and Beyond
- 2. Disneyland Paris: A New Lion King Adventure Awaits
- 3. Global Theme Park Expansion: Other Noteworthy Projects
- 4. Star Wars: BDX Droids Venture Beyond Galaxy’s Edge
- 5. Snow White Celebrations: From Parks to the Silver Screen
- 6. Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights
- 7. Epic Universe Lore Grows
- 8. What is the biggest challenge facing Disney Imagineering right now?
- 9. Disney Parks & Beyond: Interview with Imagineer Sarah Chen
By archyde.com News Team | March 22, 2025
From Disneyland Paris expansions to the silver screen, Disney is bringing the magic to fans in exciting new ways.
Disneyland Paris: A New Lion King Adventure Awaits
get ready to roar! Disneyland Paris is set to debut a brand-new Lion King-themed log flume ride. This immersive attraction will take guests on a journey following Simba’s life, from a playful cub to the King of the Pride Lands. The ride promises to recreate iconic moments from both the animated classic and the CGI live-action adaptation.
This exciting addition is part of a larger strategic investment to enhance Disney experiences worldwide. As Bob Iger stated,”Last year we talked about our plans to turbocharge growth in this segment through strategic investments. Today I’m proud to share some of what we’ve been up to. Right now, we have more projects underway around the world than at any time in our history.”
This ambitious project signifies Disney’s commitment to evolving its theme parks, offering guests more immersive and technologically advanced experiences. The Lion King ride is just one piece of a larger expansion puzzle, with other projects underway at various Disney parks across the globe.
Global Theme Park Expansion: Other Noteworthy Projects
The Lion King attraction isn’t the only exciting project in the works. Disney is investing heavily in park expansions across the globe. Here’s a brief rundown:
| Park | New Addition | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | expansion | Pixar’s Cars and Disney Villains |
| Hollywood Studios | New Land | Monsters Inc. |
| Animal Kingdom | Tropical Americas Land | Encanto and Indiana Jones |
| California Adventure | New rides | Coco and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) |
These additions reflect Disney’s dedication to incorporating its most beloved franchises into its parks, offering something for every type of fan. Imagine soaring through the skies with Dumbo or racing alongside Lightning McQueen; these expansions promise to enhance the magic for park-goers.
Star Wars: BDX Droids Venture Beyond Galaxy’s Edge
The BDX droids, already familiar faces at Galaxy’s Edge, are about to make a giant leap into the wider world.These interactive droids will soon be seen in The Mandalorian and Grogu and beyond. Disney imagineering has partnered with NVIDIA to integrate the BDX droids more deeply into technological research and development. This collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of the droids, allowing for more immersive participation in tech-related activities.
According to Kyle Laughlin, senior VP at Walt Disney Imagineering research and development, “The BDX droids are just the beginning. We’re committed to bringing more characters to life in ways the world hasn’t seen before, and this collaboration with Disney Research, NVIDIA and Google DeepMind is a key part of that vision. This collaboration will allow us to create a new generation of robotic characters that are more expressive and engaging than ever before—and connect with our guests in ways that only Disney can.”
This partnership could revolutionize animatronics, making characters more realistic and interactive. The key lies in “Newton,” an open-source physics engine that allows robots to learn complex tasks with precision. while the possibilities are exciting, it also raises questions about the future of AI and robotics in entertainment.
Snow White Celebrations: From Parks to the Silver Screen
As the classic tale of Snow White enjoys a resurgence, Disney is pulling out all the stops. Candy-dipped “poison” apples are making their debut at Disney Parks, offering a deliciously wicked treat for fans. While the merchandise selection within the parks is limited, the magic extends beyond the park gates.
Movie theaters across the country,including the alamo Drafthouse and AMC Theaters,are joining the festivity with special screenings,themed menus,and exclusive merchandise. The Drafthouse with its curated cuisine and unique offerings, is hosting Snow White family parties, and AMC Theaters are offering collectible popcorn buckets and travel tumblers.
This cross-promotional strategy highlights Disney’s ability to create a cohesive experience across multiple platforms, engaging fans both inside and outside of its theme parks. It also showcases the enduring appeal of classic Disney stories that continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights
Not to be outdone, Universal Studios Hollywood is hosting Fan Fest Nights, offering a blend of tasty treats and franchise authenticity. Highlights include a Gum Gum fruit concha inspired by One Piece and a Star Trek Ceti Eel drink. For tickets and dates for this event visit here.
Epic Universe Lore Grows
Dive deep into the immersive entertainment offerings at Epic Universe. Explore monster makeovers at Dark Universe and engage with storytellers from each portal land.
listen to this podcast for more insights:
What is the biggest challenge facing Disney Imagineering right now?
Disney Parks & Beyond: Interview with Imagineer Sarah Chen
Archyde.com: Welcome, Sarah! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting developments at Disney Parks. As an Imagineer, you’re at the heart of these projects. Can you give us an overview of what guests can expect in 2025 and beyond?
sarah Chen: Thank you for having me! It’s an incredibly exciting time.We’re building on decades of innovation, with a focus on immersive storytelling and cutting-edge technology.We have more projects underway now than ever before.
Archyde.com: One of the most talked-about additions is the new Lion King-themed ride at Disneyland Paris. What can you tell us about this ambitious project?
Sarah Chen: The Lion King ride will be a truly immersive experience. Alex Reeds will journey through Simba’s life in a log flume ride,reliving iconic moments from both the animated film and the CGI adaptation. We’re using innovative ride technology to create that feeling of truly being a part of the Pridelands.
Archyde.com: Beyond Disneyland Paris, ther’s a significant global expansion underway. Can you highlight some of the most anticipated projects?
Sarah chen: Absolutely! At Magic Kingdom, we’re expanding with Pixar’s Cars and Disney Villains.Hollywood Studios is getting a new land themed around Monsters, Inc., and Animal Kingdom is set to welcome a Tropical Americas land featuring Encanto and Indiana jones. California Adventure is adding rides based on Coco and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Archyde.com: let’s talk about the BDX droids in Star Wars: galaxy’s Edge.They’re venturing beyond the land, now correct? What are the technological advancements involved, and what’s the vision for these interactive characters?
Sarah Chen: The BDX droids will be making appearances in The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is very exciting!. we’re partnering with NVIDIA and others to integrate the droids with a deep learning approach.This allows for more nuanced and interactive technology, making them truly expressive and engaging. Essentially, we can create a new generation of characters in the metaverse.
Archyde.com: The Snow White celebrations are also noteworthy, with special screenings and merchandise. How does Disney create these cohesive experiences across different platforms from the parks to the silver screens?
Sarah Chen: We want our guests to immerse themselves in our stories beyond the parks, the magic of Disney. Whether it’s through themed menus, exclusive merch, or special screenings, we want our fans to share that love for the Snow White experience.
Archyde.com: Considering all these innovative projects, what do you think is the biggest challenge facing Disney Imagineering right now, and how is the team overcoming it?
Sarah Chen: That’s a great question! Balancing cutting-edge technology with classic storytelling is always the main goal. We aim for memorable experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. The goal is to strike a good balance and it is very exciting.
Archyde.com: Thank you so much for your time and insights, Sarah! It’s clear that Disney is poised for an exciting future.
Sarah Chen: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to share our passion for bringing these dreams to life.
