The bayou is coming alive in Disney’s Magic Kingdom this summer with the debut of the highly-anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This musical boat ride picks up the story of Tiana after the events of the beloved “Princess and the Frog” film and promises to be a celebration of New Orleans culture. I‘ve explored everything we know so far about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, from an inside look at the ride experience itself to the technology powering it. Read on for details on the storyline, characters, music, and more as Disney prepares its “love letter to New Orleans.”
The Ride Experience: A Musical Tour of Tiana’s Bayou
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure utilizes the same ride system as the classic Splash Mountain attraction it is replacing. Riders will board six-person log-shaped boats for a journey that begins floating peacefully through outdoor scenes of the bayou. The ride then transitions into immersive indoor show scenes, bringing the bayou to life through advanced audio-animatronics and lighting.
Here, riders will encounter Tiana, Louis, and other critters as they prepare for a Mardi Gras celebration and search for a missing ingredient. The indoor portion culminates in a 50-foot plunge down a waterfall into Briar Patch. The drop provides the same stomach-flipping thrill Splash Mountain was known for, now set to an original musical score. The ride concludes with a final float-through the bayou as riders head back to the station.
Storyline: Tiana’s Foods and Her Bayou Community
The story picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog” film. Guests will learn in the queue that Tiana has now expanded her business into a bustling employee-owned cooperative called Tiana’s Foods. She has transformed an aging salt mine into a community space housing both a teaching kitchen and boutique farm growing fresh Louisiana ingredients.
As Tiana prepares to host a big Mardi Gras party to thank everyone, she realizes a key ingredient is missing and needs riders’ help finding it on a musical tour of the bayou. Along the journey, guests will see Tiana’s impact on the community, from mentoring children to empowering women entrepreneurs. The ride celebrates how her business brings people together while highlighting the sights and sounds of New Orleans culture.
Advanced Audio-Animatronics and Technology
A key part of bringing Tiana’s world to life is the ride’s use of cutting-edge audio-animatronic figures. Disney has developed new animatronics with ultra-fluid, natural movements through advanced robotics and programming. Riders will see dozens of animated critters and classic characters from “The Princess and the Frog,” including a stunningly lifelike Tiana singing and dancing through the ride. Disney animation also created animated fireflies to light up the bayou scenes. The ride employs a combination of digital projection, LED lighting, and classic show lighting to fully immerse riders in each scene. The audio includes both original compositions and songs from the film to complement the visuals.
The Reimagining of a Disney Classic
The retheming of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is one of the most significant attraction makeovers Disney has undertaken. The ride utilizes the same infrastructure, including the drop and basic ride path, while everything guests see and hear is brand new. It transforms Frontierland just as completely with Tiana’s Foods as the new icon and a vibrant New Orleans look to the mountain itself. The reimagining removes all traces of the controversial “Song of the South” film Splash Mountain was based on. While the drop remains as thrilling as ever, Tiana’s story of community, inclusion and empowerment brings an uplifting new spirit to the classic ride.
How Does It Compare to Other Disney Rides?
While utilizing a similar flume ride system to Splash Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure sets itself apart with longer, more immersive show scenes throughout. The advanced audio-animatronics also help differentiate it from classic animatronic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride’s focus on music and culture creates connections to other musical attractions like It’s a Small World, but with a more cohesive storyline tying everything together. The next-generation technology used helps bring it closer to cutting-edge rides like Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Yet it retains the charm and playfulness inherent to the animated “Princess and the Frog” film.
Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou
Splash Mountain History
- Originally conceived by Imagineer Tony Baxter in 1983 to attract guests to the undervisited Bear Country land in Disneyland
- Utilized animatronic characters from the closing America Sings attraction to save money
- Loosely tied to the controversial 1946 Disney film “Song of the South” but focused on the animated Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox characters
- Opened at Disneyland in 1989 with Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland versions opening in 1992
- Became one of Disney’s most popular and iconic rides over 30+ years of operation
Differences with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Based on 2009 Disney film “The Princess and the Frog” instead of “Song of the South”
- Picks up story after the events of the film with Tiana expanding her restaurant business
- Will feature advanced audio-animatronics figures, including a fluid and lifelike Tiana animatronic
- Includes original musical compositions by New Orleans musicians Terence Blanchard and PJ Morton
- New Orleans aesthetics and culture will be highlighted throughout both outdoor and indoor scenes
- Longer, more immersive indoor show scenes compared to Splash Mountain
- Retains same basic flume ride system with animatronics instead of taxidermy animals
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure open at Walt Disney World?
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Magic Kingdom this summer, 2024. Disneyland’s version opens later in 2024.
What was the last day of Splash Mountain?
Splash Mountain’s final day of operation was January 22nd, 2023 at Walt Disney World and May 31st, 2023 at Disneyland.
What is the height requirement?
The height requirement for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is 40 inches, the same as Splash Mountain.
Will Genie+/Lightning Lane be offered?
Disney has not announced details yet on how Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will handle line management. Check back for updates as the opening nears.
Will the Disneyland and Disney World versions be the same?
Yes, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be identical at both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Culture and Community
With upbeat music, stunning visuals, and a timely story of empowerment, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure looks to bring the heart and magic of “The Princess and the Frog” into a ride experience like no other. It celebrates the culture of New Orleans and ideas of inclusion that are at the core of Disney parks. This transformative new attraction simultaneously pays tribute to a former classic while also demonstrating Disney’s innovative vision for the future. Tiana invites us on a musical adventure this summer that promises to be far more than just a ride, but rather a vibrant, joyous celebration of community.
