As we get closer to the grand openings of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, more and more details are being revealed about the all-new “Princess and the Frog” storyline taking over the classic Splash Mountain.
The ride, opening summer of 2024 in Orlando and later in 2024 in Anaheim, promises a musical adventure through a magical New Orleans bayou filled with musical critters. Let’s take a look at what’s known so far about the story, characters, music, Imagineering process, concept art and details of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure… including some amazing images of the animatronics!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Attraction Poster
The Walt Disney World attraction poster contains many elements you’d expect to see in an attraction poster, such as characters, a view of the show building, and the star of the attraction front and center (in her work clothes instead of a princess gown).
An Animatronic Extravaganza
When Splash Mountain opened in July of 1989, it was filled with all sorts of limited movement animatronic figures, but the not-so-closely-held secret was that many of those figures were recycled from the 1974 America Sings attraction. Thankfully, rather than recycling the same 50-year-old animatronics for a third time, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure goes big with dozens of large scale, highly-functional, human animatronics and loads of smaller-scale animated animal figures.
Tiana’s outfits reflect the adventure she’s on.
Our own Dusty Sage was able to visit Imagineering on April 2nd, and got to see some of the new figures (many of them moving and even reciting their dialogue). According to Dusty, they are slightly larger than real-life and have an incredible range of motion, facial expression, and character.
Dusty reported there are numerous Tiana figures, most of them completed and some of them being tested, but the Louis figures were also numbered (he counted at least 15 of them). And while we’ll clearly be seeing more of Tiana and Louis than any other characters in the ride (they are joining us on our adventure after all), there are other characters who will pop up as well.
We don’t have a photo of Prince Naveen to share, we assure you that he is dashing and playing a ukulele. His little brother Ralphie will be found playing the drums.
In addition to Tiana, Louis, Naveen, Ralphie, and Mama Odie… Tiana’s mother Eudora makes an appearance, as does Charlotte, her father, the king and queen of Maldonia, and other characters from the Princess and the Frog. The final figure of Tiana was locked in a crate, and Dusty has his own theory about why, which involves a royal surprise.
If you’re worried the new ride won’t have as impressive a cast of characters as Splash Mountain, all those incredible human animatronics being added will be joined by loads of whimsical animals as well.
A Bayou Of Critters
We have learned our entrepreneurial princess has invited us on a romp through the bayou in search of a “missing ingredient.” It seems that Princess Tiana planned a big Mardi Gras party, but thanks to a miscommunication between Prince Naveen and Louis the alligator, she finds herself without a band. And thus, we set out to find our missing ingredient… MUSIC… courtesy of adorable bayou critters!
The first group of musical critters we meet are a six-piece Zydeco band that plays us onto our bayou adventure: Timoléon the otter, Rufus the turtle, Gritty the rabbit, Byhalia the beaver, Beau the opossum, and Apollo the raccoon.
You will even find Beau, Apollo, and Rufus plushes once the attraction opens.
Providing the music for the ride’s “grand finale” Mardi Gras party is a second group of critters specializing in Rara, a musical style originating from Haiti that is also part of New Orleans’ musical landscape.
You’ll notice several of the animals are family members. Claude, Bernadette, and Sebastían are a family of Louisiana Black Bears and Octavia and Pawpaw are granddaughter-grandfather bobcat duo.
Most recently, we learned about the final group of musical critters: a quartet of frogs who will bring Afro-Cuban music to the bayou.
The new critter characters were designed by Laura West, a lead concept designer with Walt Disney Imagineering.
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The Last Drop: Splash Mountain Gone But Not Forgotten
The popular Splash Mountain water flume ride, which has entertained visitors at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, has taken its final plunge on both coasts. Walt Disney World’s version closed its doors on Jan. 23, 2023, while Disneyland bid farewell to the attraction months later on May 30th. As the closure approached, fans patiently endured extensive wait times of up to 4 hours, eager to experience the classic ride one last time.
There’s nearly a 3 and a half hour wait for Splash Mountain on its last day at #Disneyland! More news from Disneyland: https://t.co/XvA4XRLVqZ pic.twitter.com/FjRVbREGBC
— MiceChat (@MiceChat) May 30, 2023
Its replacement, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” is expected to open in the summer of 2024 in Magic Kingdom, and the Disneyland version will follow later in 2024.
Relive the final days of Splash Mountain, along with beautiful photos and video:
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Attraction Story
As is so often the case with new rides, much of the story detail of this upcoming adventure remains shrouded in mystery. However, details are starting to be revealed. Here’s what we’ve been able to piece together so far.
Set in the world of Disney’s animated “The Princess and the Frog” film, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction will take guests on a journey that unfolds after the events of the original film. Following the success of Tiana’s Palace restaurant, Princess Tiana ventures into a new culinary endeavor called “Tiana’s Foods.”
According to the story, Tiana has nestled her business within an old salt mine. This unique enterprise encompasses a multifaceted space that includes a boutique farm, a working kitchen, and an educational area aimed at teaching the art of cooking and gardening to visitors of all ages. Tiana and her dedicated colleagues at Tiana’s Foods also create delectable products, including their very own line of original hot sauces, adding a touch of spice to their culinary offerings.
As guests make their way through the queue, a period radio program fills the airwaves with nostalgic music, occasionally interrupted by an urgent message from the radio host. Tiana is in need of assistance for tonight’s party, and those willing to help are encouraged to head over to Tiana’s Foods. The enticing scent of freshly prepared beignets, Tiana’s signature dish, wafts through the attraction’s queue, immersing guests in the culinary delights they are about to experience.
Upon arriving at Tiana’s Foods, visitors are greeted by a vibrant display of artwork created by local artists, setting the stage for the grand finale—an extravagant Mardi Gras party. The entire facility buzzes with activity as preparations are underway, with plenty of Tiana’s famous beignets in sight. However, a mix-up in the party arrangements unfolds, and a vital ingredient goes missing… the music!
Guests are invited to join the adventure and help locate the elusive item. But in this magical world, “ingredient” may not refer solely to food but rather to music, magic, and adventure.
The adventure reaches its climax as guests encounter the mystical Mama Odie, a bewitching force who alters the course of the voyage. Mama Odie serves as the catalyst of magic within the ride, showcasing her remarkable abilities before delightfully laughing alongside guests as they float by.
Throughout the attraction, guests are transported to an enchanting evening in the bayou, surrounded by the sights and sounds of its vibrant wildlife. Spanish moss gracefully drapes from trees, while aquatic grasses and weeds reach skyward. The canopies of cypress, oak, and magnolia trees create a captivating ambiance, complemented by cypress knees emerging from the water, lily pads adorning the surface, and a variety of bayou plant and animal life abound.
The journey is brought to life by a multitude of all-new Audio-Animatronics figures featuring native animals such as otters, rabbits, raccoons, beavers, opossums, and frogs. These resourceful critters ingeniously fashion musical instruments from their natural surroundings, forming a delightful part of the adventure’s musical backdrop.
Mesmerizing lighting effects illuminate swarms of fireflies which will guide guests along their path with their ethereal glow. The fireflies will lend an enchanting atmosphere to the journey, adding an extra touch of magic to the Bayou Adventure.
While a scene-by-scene description of the ride has not been shared by Disney, we know that after a thrilling drop, guests will find themselves in a jubilant Mardi Gras celebration at the conclusion of the ride.
Princess Tiana herself, Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, stated,
“It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us the Princess and The Frog Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”
The Characters of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature a cast of animatronic characters, both new and familiar. Just like the trumpet-playing Louis the Alligator, the ride will come to life with the inclusion of numerous critters showcasing their musical talents. Alongside these fresh additions, visitors will also see well-known characters from “The Princess and the Frog,” including Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis the Alligator, Eudora, Charlotte, and “Big Daddy.” They’ll also see the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Prince Ralphie, Naveen’s younger brother.
The voice actors from the original film will reprise their roles. Jenifer Lewis will once again lend her voice to Mama Odie, while Bruno Campos will bring back Prince Naveen. Michael Leon Wooley’s deep and resonant tones will breathe life into the lovable Louis the Alligator. And Anika Noni Rose will reprise her role as the determined and talented Princess Tiana.
At one point in the attraction, Princess Tiana will be showcased in a new adventure outfit, paying homage to the fashion trends of the 1920s. Adorned with knickers, boots, and a jacket, Tiana’s bayou ensemble captures the essence of the era. As the adventure unfolds, guests will observe Tiana in various outfits.
The Music of Princess and the Frog
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is as much about music as it is about visuals. A medley of tunes from the film “The Princess and the Frog” and new original music compositions will be part of the attraction. The Audio-Animatronics critters in the ride will embody the diverse sounds and cultures of the region.
Grammy Award-winning musician and New Orleans native PJ Morton has been entrusted with the task of writing, arranging, and producing an original song exclusively for the attraction. He hopes to leave guests with an earworm they’ll exit the attraction humming. PJ is also working on fresh arrangements of songs from “The Princess and the Frog” film, sometimes with new lyrics to better fit into the ride experience.
Joining PJ Morton in this musical endeavor is Grammy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated musician Terence Blanchard (also hailing from New Orleans). Terence serves as the arranger, producer, and one of the performers for the attraction’s queue music. Terence is handpicking songs from “The Princess and the Frog” film to be included in the queue’s musical mix, as well as incorporating some iconic musical themes from New Orleans itself.
Throughout the ride, guests will be immersed in the lively rhythms of Zydeco music, a distinctive fusion of rhythm and blues born in the heart of Louisiana. As the melodies fill the air, visitors will be transported to the soul-stirring sounds that have become an integral part of the region’s cultural fabric.
The Princess and the Frog was released during the holiday season of 2009, that’s just long enough ago that some may not remember the catchy tunes. Listening to these, you can absolutely imagine a version of them in the attraction:
Imagineering Research for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
To ensure an authentic experience, Walt Disney Imagineering embarked on a comprehensive research journey into the vibrant culture of New Orleans for the creation of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Years of meticulous exploration and research were devoted to exploring the city’s museums, restaurants, locations, and wild spaces, allowing the Disney team to gain a deep understanding of the region’s essence.
The Imagineers share one of their Tiana’s Bayou Adventure research trips:
One of the artistic influences on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure stems from a collaboration with local artist Sharika Mahdi, an alumna of Young Aspirations Young Artists (YAYA). Walt Disney Imagineering commissioned a series from Sharika featuring stunning artwork inspired by Tiana and her friends, a lively jazz club scene accompanied by a band of frogs, Mama Odie and her “seeing eye snake,” Juju, and a family scene. Elements from Sharika’s artwork have found their way into various scenes within the attraction, most notably the enchanting encounter with Mama Odie, the wise and whimsical guardian of the bayou, and a catalyst for the magic that unfolds on this journey.
Leah Chase, the renowned “Queen of Creole Cuisine” and inspiration for the character Tiana, holds a special place in the hearts of the Imagineers. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, owned by the Chase family, serves as a connection to New Orleans for the Imagineers and continues to play a role in the development of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Immersing guests in the authentic atmosphere of the era, the attraction queue features posters and signage inspired by newspaper clippings, advertisements, and other media sourced from The Historic New Orleans Collection archives. These carefully curated elements provide a glimpse into the vibrant past of the city and its diverse inhabitants during the 1920s and 30s, the era in which the story takes place.
Props throughout the attraction reflect the multitude of cultures that have shaped New Orleans’ identity over the years. Artifacts discovered during the research tour offer glimpses into the origins of the city’s inhabitants during the period of the story.
Food and music take center stage in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, as they are crucial elements of the Mardi Gras experience. Set and prop designs draw inspiration from the packaging of food products, culinary instruments, and musical influences encountered during the research phase.
The New Orleans Jazz Museum played a pivotal role in informing and inspiring several scenes and props within the attraction. Notably, Prince Naveen’s little brother, Ralphie, will be seen jamming along on a drum set inspired by a 1920s Leedy bass drum found in the museum’s collection.
To further honor the city’s vibrant spirit, an authentic radio can be found in the attraction queue, playing music and making announcements regarding Tiana’s need for assistance in preparing for the evening’s party.
At Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans, a gathering of key creative minds involved in the attraction’s planning took place. Kenneth Moton, National Correspondent for ABC News, joined Stella Chase Reese, owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and daughter of Leah Chase, Carmen Smith, Creative Executive and Vice President of Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering, Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, and Marlon West, VFX Supervisor for Walt Disney Animation Studios. The group discussed the integration of New Orleans’ culture into the ride’s sound and visuals, the utilization of cutting-edge technology, and the profound impact of Tiana’s story over the past decade.
The creative team also took special care when fashioning Tiana’s hairstyle, creating a cut that emphasized the versatility of Black women’s hair:
Our efforts are a tribute to the beauty and dignity of all proud Black women who came before us. And to their great-granddaughters joining us on the journey today, we’re celebrating with you.
Here is a look at the concept art for Tiana:
The Imagineers behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are attempting to fuse the essence of New Orleans into every aspect of the attraction, from its visuals and smells to its captivating soundscapes.
The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Creative Team
There are hundreds of Imagineers and contractors working on the two Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attractions, but the top talent on the project are featured below. It’s rare for Disney to put their creatives front and center like this, so we do want to make a note of the crew you’ll likely be seeing much more of in the future.
Carmen Smith – Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Development Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (DPEP). Carmen is leading the development of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. But she has a major role for all of DPEP where she leads a holistic, global approach to offering more inclusive products and experiences and expanding Disney’s reach, relevance and impact with guests and consumers worldwide.
Charita Carter – Executive Creative Producer for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Charita is responsible for creating, collaborating on, and developing Disney Parks experiences, from blue-sky ideation through delivery. Under Charita’s oversight, the Scenic Illusion team has been awarded more than 20 patents for Disney.
Ted Robledo – Executive Creative Director – Ted provides creative direction for various artistic and engineering disciplines as they bring stories and characters to life for guests at Disney parks worldwide.
John Dennis – Executive Creative Director, Music. John is responsible for the visioning, creative development and production of music for Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships and more around the world.
PJ Morton – The Grammy-award-winning artist PJ Morton was appointed to help create an original theme song and produce and perform new arrangements of songs from “The Princess and the Frog” film within the new Tiana’s Bayou attraction.
Terence Blanchard – Terence Blanchard is a seven-time Grammy Winner and twice Oscar-nominated film composer. He is one of jazz’s most esteemed trumpeters and is involved in a range of artistic pursuits. Terence is primarily responsible for the queue music in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Construction
Splash Mountain closed at Disneyland at the end of the day on May 30th, 2023. On its last day, it looked like this:
When construction is complete, it will look something like this:
Both version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are well under construction with nearly all elements of the old Splash Mountain removed and new Bayou elements added. On one of our recent Magic Kingdom visits, we caught a few glimpses of the external details during construction. Look at those lanterns hanging at the drop’s opening!
In June 2023, Imagineers installed the new signature water tower in front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World. The tower is adorned with a crown, signifying Tiana’s royal status.
A previous image had been released for the tower which will apper in the queue to the attraction:
Disney shared the placing of the tower in a TicToc video:
@disneyparks The Disney Imagineers really got us in the feels with the details on Tiana’s water tower 🥹✨ #Disney #DisneyParks #Tiana #TianasBayouAdventure #BTS #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom #Imagineering ♬ original sound – Disney Parks
WDW local, Lil Miss EPCOT, posted this amazing photo and video of the tower being trucked over to the Magic Kingdom completely uncovered. Disney loves a little drama 😉
Uhhhhh, I’m driving and I’m behind this??? pic.twitter.com/AVVeVJeoU7
— lil miss epcot’s wild ride (@mirandaiiisms) June 27, 2023
Cast took a photo with the new tower early in the morning before park guests arrived:
Disneyland’s version of the ride is a few months behind Walt Disney World’s schedule.
Signage on the construction walls has many guests confused if an attraction is coming or a restaurant.
New announcements are coming fast and furious as the attractions near their final phase. At Disneyland, the two previous Splash Mountain themed shops are getting a re-brand. The Briar Patch will become Ray’s Berets, keeping its live fern rooftop.
And the half of Pooh Corner nearest the exit to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will become the Critter Club, which shows how the Bayou and Critter Country themes will tie together.
The transformation of the mountains have already changed the landscape of Disneyland’s Critter Country and Magic Kingdom’s back corner of Frontierland.
With the Magic Kingdom’s attraction now testing ride vehicles, it won’t be long now until we are floating down the bayou for ourselves!
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Let’s Hear From You
Are you ready to join Tiana, Louis the Alligator, and their friends down on the bayou? Did you make a special trip to ride Splash Mountain one last time? What do you think about what is known about the attraction story so far and the tremendous amount of cultural and historical research the Imagineers are conducting?
More Tiana / Princess and the Frog-related news
A Tiana-themed restaurant is taking over the old French Market in New Orleans Square at Disneyland:
And a Tiana themed shop has moved into the old dress shop location in New Orleans Square:
NEW DISNEYLAND SHOP! Eudora’s Chic Boutique Opens in New Orleans Square
Revisions:
- Published 6/25/20 and updated with additional images and quotes on 6/26/20 (DS)
- Updated 8/23/21 with new concept art and story details (DS)
- Updated 11/30/21 with refurbishment dates (DS)
- Updated 6/2/22 with opening date (DS)
- 7Updated 7/1/22 with attraction name and official details (NK)
- Updated 12/02/22 with new concept art and story details (DS)
- Updated 2/03/22 concept art and cooking theme details
- Updated 4/12/23 with Splash Mountain closing date, Mama Odie artwork, and new attraction details
- Updated 6/1/23 with new story and design details
- Updated 6/27/23 with images of the Water Tower being placed
- Updated 2/13/24 with images of Tiana animatronic and WDW opening timeframe
- Updated 3/26/24 with images of new critters and story details, as well as new construction images and testing information
- Updated 4/2/24 with images and details on the Rara critter band and Walt Disney World’s attraction poster
- Updated 4/4/24 with animatronic photos and additional details from Dusty’s visit to Imagineering
- Updated 4/14/24 with the Afro-Cuban frog musicians
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