Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opened on June 28, 2024, at Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando and on November 15, 2024, at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. We’ve got everything you need to know about the attraction, from its rich backstory to photos, videos, and—most importantly—how to plan your visit.
Even though the attraction is still new, there are some recent updates we want to bring to your attention:
Disneyland Virtual Queue Ending: Starting December 10th, guests visiting Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will have three options to experience the attraction: standby queue, Lightning Lane Premier Pass, or Lightning Lane Multi Pass. The virtual queue will be retired for this ride, simplifying access for visitors.
Walt Disney World Addition: Although Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is just five months old, Imagineering has already found a way to “plus” the WDW version. Guests riding in Orlando will now notice a charming new detail at the end of the experience: star-crossed lovers Ray and Evangeline twinkling in the skies above the New Orleans skyline, just after the Mardi Gras party finale.
It’s a sweet nod to fans of The Princess and the Frog and a testament to Disney’s willingness to enhance their newest attraction. Whether this romantic addition will make its way to the Disneyland version remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a delightful touch for WDW guests to enjoy.
And now, for everything you need to know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland
The attraction officially debuted at Disneyland on November 15, 2024, but the park hosted a spectacular press event on November 13. We were there to capture new photos and videos of the ride, merchandise, and food celebrating Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the reimagined Bayou Country!
The dedication moment for the new ride was nothing short of breathtaking as Anika Noni Rose & Jenifer Lewis performed aboard Disneyland’s Mark Twain!
Watch the dedication video here:
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Splash down with us. Here’s our FULL RIDE video from opening day:
Want your chance to ride? The hottest ticket in town is the virtual queue. Here’s how to snag a spot…
How to Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland versions of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure offer Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Premier Pass as well as Virtual Queue:
- Walt Disney World guests can request to join the Virtual Queue via the My Disney Experience app at 7am or 1pm
- Disneyland guests can request to join the Virtual Queue via the Disneyland App at 7am, noon, and 4pm.
NOTE THAT ON DECEMBER 10TH, THE VIRTUAL QUEUE OPTION WILL BE RETIRED AT DISNEYLAND AND REPLACED BY A REGULAR STANDBY LINE.
First Thoughts – Disneyland’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Let’s head on down the bayou and see what we think about the new ride…
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a vibrant and upbeat musical adventure filled with all sorts of critters and whimsical fireflies everywhere.
The animatronics are top notch and the ride is safe for kids and grownups alike with nothing too scary… other than the drop itself.
We think Disneyland’s version of the ride is “tighter” than Orlando’s, with less dead space between scenes… but we still wish Disney had added a villain and some tension in the scene just before the final lift and drop. That segment of the ride just doesn’t set up the big thrill moment in a way that amplifies the excitement. But the ride does deliver character, music, beautiful lighting, detailed sets, impressive animatronics, and a feel-good vibe that is sure to click with younger guests (who haven’t been scared off by the big drop they see as they approach the ride).
Is the ride better than the one it replaced, Splash Mountain? Not all will agree. We think the queue, animatronics, and sets are all better on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The music is equally good on both versions of the ride. But we would give the nod to the original occupant of the building for story. It won’t be clear to all guests why you are heading into the bayou and why you are being made “little” for some reason before the big drop. There’s a lot of backstory that guests could benefit from, but most will miss it before they board their logs into the bayou.
Check out our POV videos of both the Disneyland and Orlando versions and let us know what you think:
Disneyland’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
Walt Disney World’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
For a closer look inside the beautiful new attraction, check out our MiceShots article:
MiceShots: Floating Through the Bayou on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Ray’s Berets & Louis’ Critter Club Shops at Disneyland
The two previous Splash Mountain-themed shops at Disneyland got a re-brand ahead of the November 15th opening of Disneyland’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Louis’ Critter Club is located at the end of the cul-de-sac in Bayou Country and takes up a portion of what was once Pooh Corner (the original confectionery portion is still there). The store’s theme focuses on the musically inclined critters that make the bayou their home. The majority of the ride-specific merchandise is sold here.
The decor is made to accommodate the animal performers (from inside the ride), with a froggy lounge and different-sized doors.
Mama Odie and her snake buddy Juju also seem to be frequent patrons (in fact, Juju is there taking a nap right now!).
Expect to find popular Parks items, like the ear headband, Loungefly mini backpack, MagicBand+, and more as well.
The Briar Patch became Ray’s Berets, keeping its live rooftop.
While it is currently stocked with temporary merchandise, we can expect the store to switch over to new merchandise on November 21 or 22.
The inside is filled with dozens of “firefly” lanterns and plenty of whimsical details.
Here’s a video walk-through:
To find even more Tiana’s Bayou Adventure merchandise, check out our guide:
UPDATED! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Merchandise Guide – Shop ’til the Drop!
Everything We Know About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The all-new “Princess and the Frog” storyline takes riders on a musical adventure through a magical New Orleans bayou filled with melodious critters. Let’s take a look at the story, characters, music, Imagineering process, concept art and details of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure… including amazing behind-the-scenes images of the animatronics!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Attraction Story
Set in the world of Disney’s animated “The Princess and the Frog” film, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction takes 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 they may need a little magic to help them find it.
Mama Odie serves as the catalyst of magic within the ride, showcasing her remarkable abilities before delightfully laughing alongside guests as they float by.
The journey is brought to life with 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 guide guests along their path with their ethereal glow. The fireflies lend an enchanting atmosphere to the journey, adding an extra touch of magic to the Bayou Adventure.
And after the thrilling drop, guests find themselves in the middle of a Mardi Gras celebration.
Princess Tiana herself, Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, said:
“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 features a cast of animatronic characters, both new and familiar. Just like the trumpet-playing Louis the Alligator, the ride comes to life with numerous critters showcasing their musical talents. Alongside these fresh additions, visitors 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 also see Prince Ralphie, Naveen’s younger brother.
The voice actors from the original film reprise their roles, including Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael-Leon Wooley as the lovable Louis the Alligator, and of course, Anika Noni Rose as the determined and talented Princess Tiana.
Princess Tiana is also wearing 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 observe Tiana in various outfits. Her final outfit is not her princess gown, but rather a Mardi Gras-inspired look.
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, as well as the era.
Dusty was able to visit Imagineering on April 2, and saw the new figures before either attraction opened. They are slightly larger than real life and have an incredible range of motion, facial expression, and character.
We see more of Tiana and Louis than any other characters in the ride (they are joining us on our adventure after all), but other characters pop up as well.
Prince Naveen 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 do Charlotte and other characters from “The Princess and the Frog.”
A Bayou Of Critters
Our entrepreneurial princess invites 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 find Beau, Apollo, and Rufus plushes once the attraction opens.
A second group of critters specializes 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 a granddaughter-grandfather bobcat duo.
The final group of musical critters is a quartet of frogs who will bring Afro-Cuban music to the bayou, but we need some bayou magic (courtesy of Mama Odie) to find them.
The new critter characters were designed by Laura West, a lead concept designer with Walt Disney Imagineering.
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 embody the diverse sounds and cultures of the region.
Grammy Award-winning musician and New Orleans native PJ Morton was entrusted with the task of writing, arranging, and producing the original finale song exclusively for the attraction. He hopes to leave guests with an earworm they’ll exit the attraction humming. PJ also created fresh arrangements for 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 served as the arranger, producer, and one of the performers for the attraction’s queue music and handpicked songs from “The Princess and the Frog” film to be included in the queue’s musical mix, as well as incorporating iconic musical themes from New Orleans itself.
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:
Now Streaming: Music From Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The full soundtrack to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is available for streaming.
The ride features new versions of familiar songs from the film, as well as an original song called “Special Spice,” performed by Anika Noni Rose.
- You can stream the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure music below:
- Or on Spotify HERE
New Cast Member Costumes For Bayou Country
To better fit the story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disneyland’s Critter Country (where the attraction is located) will be rethemed to Bayou Country once the attraction opens on November 15. And with this new theme and moniker come new cast member costumes. Much like those found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the costumes are made in a mix-and-match style, allowing the land’s cast members to somewhat personalize their look. Guests will spot these new costumes for cast members holding many different roles, including attractions, retail, food & beverage, and entertainment.
Examples of some of the customized outfits can be seen in this reel:
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The Last Drop: Splash Mountain Gone But Not Forgotten
The popular Splash Mountain water flume ride, which entertained visitors at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, took its final plunge at Walt Disney World on Jan. 23, 2023, and at Disneyland 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.
Relive the final days of Splash Mountain, along with beautiful photos and video:
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, still 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.
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 were hundreds of Imagineers and contractors who worked 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 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
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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? Did you watch our POV videos? What did YOU think of the new ride? Let’s Hear from you!
More Tiana/Princess and the Frog-related news
Walt Disney World introduced new themed bites and sips along with the New Orleans-inspired attraction:
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Brings A Taste of New Orleans to Walt Disney World!
A Tiana-themed restaurant took over the old French Market in New Orleans Square at Disneyland:
And a Tiana themed shop moved into the old dress shop location in New Orleans Square:
NEW DISNEYLAND SHOP! Eudora’s Chic Boutique Opens in New Orleans Square