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The wait is finally over! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the highly anticipated new attraction at Magic Kingdom, is now open to the public.
Located in Frontierland, this musical adventure takes guests on a journey through the Louisiana Bayou with Princess Tiana and her friends. The attraction is a reimagining of the classic Splash Mountain ride, which closed its doors in 2022 to make way for this new experience.
A Brief History of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been in the making for several years, with the first announcement of the attraction’s development made in 2020. The Imagineering team took several research trips to Louisiana, visiting locations such as the French Market and Bayous, consulting with cultural institutions, chefs, academics, musicians, and also experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The attraction’s music was provided by Grammy award-winning New Orleans musicians PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard. Morton wrote a song, “Special Spice”, while Blanchard provided the queue music.
Blanchard previously provided Louis’ trumpet playing in the film. Morton and Blanchard also used music from the film, composed by Randy Newman.
The Queue
The queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is an experience in itself. Guests can join the virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app, which allows them to reserve a spot in line without having to physically wait.
The virtual queue is available at two specific times: 7 am and 1 pm. Guests can also purchase the lightning lane single-pass, which bypasses the regular queue.
The queue includes a mural designed by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite, and the exterior of the attraction features a weathervane created by Louisiana blacksmiths Darryl Reeves and Karina Roca.
Hidden Easter Eggs
As with any Disney attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is full of hidden Easter eggs and nods to the original film. Keep an eye out for hidden references to the movie, such as the iconic beignet cart and the jazz-loving alligator Louis’s trumpet.
The attraction also features colorful artwork made by local artists, which adds to the atmosphere of the bayou. Some of the Easter eggs include a painting of Mama Odie’s home, a nod to the film’s iconic “Almost There” sequence, and a reference to the film’s villain, Dr. Facilier.
The Ride Experience
The ride experience begins with an outdoor float-through that leads to indoor dark ride segments, with a climactic steep drop followed by an indoor finale. The drop is 52.5 feet (16.0 meters), and guests will get wet on this ride.
The story is completely different from the original Splash Mountain, with Tiana achieving her dream of owning a restaurant and hosting a big Mardi Gras party. However, things take a turn when Mama Odie shrinks guests down to the size of frogs to help look for a key ingredient in the bayou.
Animatronics
The animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are some of the most advanced and impressive in any Disney attraction. The characters, including Tiana, Louis, and Claude the Louisiana Black Bear, are brought to life with incredible detail and fluidity.
The animatronics are so lifelike that we felt like we were watching the real characters.
There are 48 Audio-Animatronics figures in the attraction, including multiples of Princess Tiana and Louis the Alligator.
New Songs
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure features several new songs, including a catchy Mardi Gras-themed tune that we couldn’t stop dancing to.
The music is an important part of the attraction, just like it is in Louisiana.
The soundtrack is now available on Walt Disney World Records across all streaming platforms.
Tips and Tricks
To experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you will need to join the virtual queue or purchase a lightning lane single-pass.
Here are a few tips to increase your chances of getting a spot:
- Make sure your My Disney Experience app is installed and updated before the queue opening times.
- Set alarms for a few minutes before 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. to make sure you’re ready to join the queue as soon as it opens.
- Have multiple devices ready to increase your chances of getting a spot.
Final Thoughts
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a must-see attraction for any Disney fan. With its history, hidden Easter eggs, and advanced animatronics, this musical journey through the bayou is an experience unlike any other.
Don’t miss out on the chance to join Tiana and her friends on this wild adventure today!
