Tag: Tiana's Bayou Adventure

So long, Splash Mountain! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is on the way.

Disney has now released an opening time frame for the incoming attraction, along with a first look at a new Princess Tiana animatronic.

Splash Mountain closed its doors at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom on January 23, 2023. Disneyland Park’s Splash Mountain closed slightly later on May 31, 2023.

The controversial closure is Disney’s efforts to remove the former Song of the South (1946) theme for The Princess and the Frog (2009).

Now, over a year later, Disney has revealed more details about the Splash Mountain replacement.

First up, we have a new look at one of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure audio-animatronics. That’s right, check out Tiana in her new adventure outfit:

A video from Walt Disney Imagineering reveals a first look at the movement of Tiana’s animatronic:

@disneyparks

FIRST LOOK 👀 at one of the new Audio-Animatronics figures coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ✨💚 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #Tiana #TianasBayouAdventure #DisneyNews #MardiGras #Technology

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

And while we’ve done our best to wait patiently for an official opening time frame, Disney has finally dropped the news!

Disney has announced:

We can’t wait for you to “come join the party” when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida this summer, and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California. For now, I leave you with a new phrase I’ve learned as I get into the Mardi Gras spirit: laissez les bons temps rouler – let the good times roll and happy Mardi Gras!”

So, while we’ll have to wait “later in 2024” at Disneyland Resort in California, we’re thrilled to hear the new attraction will open at Walt Disney World “this summer.”

The Walt Disney World website goes on to describe the boat ride attraction:

Dreams Come True in the Bayou:

Join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on their journey through a shimmering bayou as they prepare for a spirited celebration during Mardi Gras season. Along the way, you’ll see familiar faces and make new friends as you’re brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s inspiring story.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is scheduled to open in Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort in summer 2024.

In a momentous occasion marking a significant step forward in the transformation of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, the long-awaited revitalization of the iconic Splash Mountain ride has finally begun. After its closure last year, the attraction has now experienced an exciting development. For the very first time in months, the refreshing sound of gushing water can be heard once again as the flume ride was recently filled with water. This crucial preparatory step is an essential milestone in the ride’s transition into the enchanting world of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The anticipation for this transformation has been steadily building among Disney fans and guests alike, who have eagerly awaited the next chapter of this beloved attraction. Known for its thrilling dips, splashes, and captivating storyline, Splash Mountain has long been a favorite among visitors of all ages. However, the time has come for this classic ride to be reborn with a unique twist inspired by the magical and vibrant world of Princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog.

As the water funneled down the familiar flume channels, it signaled the beginning of a new chapter for the Splash Mountain attraction. The ride’s transformation is a testament to the innovation and creativity of the renowned Walt Disney Imagineering team, who have seamlessly merged the iconic aspects of the ride with the captivating world of Tiana and her Bayou Adventure.

Imagineers meticulously designed every aspect of this transformation to transport guests directly into the heart of Tiana’s enchanting bayou. From the moment guests embark on their journey, they will be immersed in the sights, sounds, and vibrant atmosphere of New Orleans and its surrounding natural wonders. As the flume boat glides through the bayou, theme park guests will encounter familiar characters from the beloved film, such as Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, and the jazz-loving alligator Louis.

Another big milestone for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park — the flume after the 50-foot drop was filled with water last night for the first time since Splash Mountain closed!

📸: Picasso243 / WDWMAGIC Forums pic.twitter.com/hqit3Hrad6

— Drew (@DrewDisneyDude) February 3, 2024

The near completion of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort represents another fantastic addition to the vast array of unforgettable experiences available at Walt Disney World Resort. It also exemplifies Disney’s commitment to continually crafting new and immersive adventures for guests of all ages. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Princess Tiana or a first-time visitor to the magical world of Walt Disney, this transformative ride is sure to create lasting memories and capture the hearts of all who embark on this enchanting adventure.

Prepare to be swept away by the rhythmic melodies, thrilling water effects, and immersive storytelling that await you on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. With its vibrant setting, beloved characters, and unforgettable moments, this reimagined attraction promises to be a must-visit destination for all those seeking a taste of the magic that only a Disney Park can deliver. Let the anticipation build as we eagerly await the grand unveiling of this extraordinary journey into the heart of the bayou alongside Princess Tiana later this spring!

With the addition of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland official websites, the height requirement has been confirmed.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Height Requirement

Guests will need to be 40″ (102cm) or taller to ride. This is the same as the former Splash Mountain, which Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has taken over. The attraction will use the same ride system as its predecessor, meaning there was no change to the existing requirements.

New details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure have been revealed by NOLA.com, including information about the advanced audio-animatronics that will be used on the ride. A NOLA.com reporter toured the attraction at Magic Kingdom in early January with Imagineering executive creative director Ted Robledo.

Robledo began his tour on the queue courtyard for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, where there are new flagstone pathways and a mural by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite. The mural is on a two-story barn that remains from Splash Mountain but was repainted yellow before the mural was added.

Robledo said the courtyard will set the scene for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Like a movie, this is the setting. We’ve got to know where we’re at,” he said.

The first floor of the barn, which guests enter as part of the queue, will house the offices of Tiana’s Foods. The backstory of the attraction explains that Tiana founded the co-op after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.”

Poles outside the barn will support loudspeakers broadcasting a 1920s radio show. Reimagined classic New Orleans songs will play, performed by local musicians assembled by New Orleans musician and Grammy winner Terence Blanchard.

In addition to Favorite and Blanchard, Disney has recruited Maroon 5 keyboardist P.J. Morton, another New Orleans native, and the family of the late Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase, who served as inspiration for Tiana.

“This is our love letter to New Orleans, and in that spirit, art is everywhere,” Robledo said. “The city as a place is as important as a character. The story reacts to the place. We’re starting to hint at that in the queue, to try to craft that love letter to New Orleans in every way possible.”

At the ride’s loading area, NOLA.com noted there were cranes hoisting pallets of Tiana’s Foods crates. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will use the same ride vehicles and track as Splash Mountain. The NOLA reporter got to walk some of the track and stated all of Splash Mountain’s fake vegetation has been replaced with plants native to Louisiana, including cypress trees, marsh grasses, and Spanish moss.

“This will be where we first see ‘the critters,’ as we’re calling them,” Robledo said, referring to the ride’s new animal band seen in the above concept art.

Two-dimensional cutouts of Louis and Tiana currently represent their future animatronics. We previously saw a preview of a Louis animatronic. The cutouts help designers see how the characters fit into the scenes.

There will be several Tiana animatronics that will speak directly to guests. The animatronics, NOLA.com stated, will be the same high-tech versions recently used for World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. The animatronics are notable for having advanced physical faces instead of projected screen faces, which were popular for Disney a few years ago.

The Audio-Animatronics will be the same at the Disneyland Park version of the attraction, as will most aspects of the experience.

Other new elements inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure included a pair of stone arches over the ride flume. But some of the Splash Mountain architecture like rocks and boulders will remain.

We saw a glimpse inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during “A Special Edition of 20/20 – Disney 100: A Century of Dreams.”

Robledo said of the removal of the tree from the top of Splash Mountain, “We needed some real estate there to fit the added show magic.”

The tour stopped before the ride’s climactic scene, which was previously the Laughin’ Place. Robledo said of the surprise scene, “I’ll just say it’s got a lot to do with magic. It’s a magical moment that happens down there.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this year at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.