Just this week, Disney released a bulk of new information regarding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the upcoming replacement for the now-defunct Splash Mountain at both Walt Disney World & the Disneyland Resort. The soon-to-be attraction is based on the 2004 Disney film “The Princess & the Frog,” and will serve as a sequel to the beloved story. The ride path & drop sequence will stay the same as the former Splash Mountain, but the rest of the attraction (including the façade, queue, & all show elements) will be completely new.
Officially announced in 2020, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been highly-anticipated & also highly-scrutinized since it’s announcement, with most fans excited for it’s potential but skeptical as to what the project may entail, especially with a dearth of details surrounding the project. Luckily, Disney calmed most of these fears this past week by releasing a mass of new information, details, & inside looks at the upcoming ride, set to open late next year on both coasts.
THE MUSIC
First & foremost, Disney confirmed that classic songs from “The Princess and the Frog” WILL be apart of the new attraction – easing many concerns from the fandom that the ride would only feature new music & none of the classic movie tunes. Grammy award-winning musician, producer, singer, & songwriter P.J. Morton will be tasked with producing new renditions of the classic songs for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, as well as creating a brand new original song for the log-flume ride. Morton, long-time keyboardist for pop-rock band Maroon 5, will collaborate with fellow Grammy award-winning musician & famous Jazz composer Terence Blanchard in bringing the songs – both old & new – to life in the attraction. “Just like Tiana’s recipes, the music will combine a medley of instrumental ingredients to cook up something worth savoring,” Disney said.
Music is a staple for setting the tone & story of any great theme park attraction, as will be the exact case with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – even starting in the queue. Blanchard (who was also the trumpeter for Louis the Alligator in the original film) will be working with Disney on an original score for the queue to the attraction, which will play alongside a fictitious radio show that will depict the Mardi Gras celebration guests are about to visit in the bayou, while also informing guests that Tiana needs their help in preparing for this particular celebration. There may even be a sweet scent of beignets wafting through the queue!
THE AUDIO-ANIMATRONICS
Another way Disney plans on bringing the music & atmosphere of the bayou to life is via the ample amount of brand-new Audio-Animatronics planned for the attraction. Disney had previously announced that multiple Audio-Animatronics would be present inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but it’s now been confirmed that there will be dozens of Animatronics throughout, including SEVENTEEN brand new Audio-Animatronic characters created for the ride. It is unknown if any of the former Audio-Animatronics from Splash Mountain will be repurposed & added to the new ride, but we will be receiving dozens of new Audio-Animatronics either way! According to Disney, these characters will help bring “sounds of New Orleans to life” like never before.
Of these characters will be, of course, Princess Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) herself, reportedly making appearances throughout the attraction in multiple different outfits. Joining the Bayou Princess will be a plethora of familiar faces in Audio-Animatronic form, including Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis), Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), Louis (Michael Leon Wooley), Eudora (Oprah Winfrey), Charlotte (Jennifer Cody), & even Prince Ralphie, the younger brother of Prince Naveen. We may even see many of these fan-favorite characters multiple times throughout the 9+ minute attraction! Amazingly, the original voice talent for ALL of these beloved characters will be reprising their roles for the ride.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the bayou without a cast of cozy creatures joining us, & Disney has confirmed that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be full of friendly critters playing “joyful Zydeco-style music” throughout the attraction. On top of the familiar faces listed above, guests will find a brand new cast of original characters created just for the attraction. Many of the friendly critters & new human characters will be Audio-Animatronics, as well!
THE INSPIRATION FOR THE RIDE
Outside of the boundless new (and old) characters, music, & scenes coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, there is one thing that will be the true heart & soul of this new attraction, according to Disney – New Orleans itself. A huge chunk of the team working on the project – including Disney Imagineers, artists, musicians, & more – have spent many weeks & months visiting, exploring, & interacting with the city & it’s people in order to make Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as authentic as possible. Disney uses these trips to the Crescent City to find inspiration in the artists, restaurants, culture, & people of New Orleans, & incorporates what they’ve learned into the new attraction. Undoubtedly, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the bayou, as well!
There was one more new piece of news released by Disney regarding the upcoming attraction – Disney Animation Studios has joined Disney Imagineers on the project, as new animation from the studio will debut with the attraction that will enhance the characters & scenes in new ways from “The Princess & the Frog.”
THE BACKSTORY
Disney had previously released the backstory for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure a few months prior, which goes as follows: Princess Tiana has purchased a local salt mine in New Orleans & has transformed it into Tiana’s Foods, an employee-owned co-op specializing in spices & seasonings. Tiana, Prince Naveen, & Louis are preparing to host a one-of-a-kind celebration at Tiana’s Foods for Mardi Gras, & they have invited you on an adventure through the bayou to help prepare the party. But of course, it can’t be a Disney ride without something going wrong, & chaos begins when it’s discovered that there’s a missing ingredient for the party. It’s up to the guest to help find the missing ingredient, but remember, sometimes the missing ingredient isn’t always food!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will debut at Magic Kingdom Park & Disneyland Park in the Fall/Winter of 2024. Stay tuned to Theme Park Professor for more details!
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