Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to debut at Disneyland on November 15, 2024. This reimagined attraction (which utilizes the old Splash Mountain ride layout and boats) invites guests to journey through the Louisiana Bayou, the setting of The Princess and the Frog. Currently, previews are limited to Cast Members and Magic Key holders. However, once it is open to all guests later this week, the ride will require a virtual queue or Lightning Lane for access.
Splash Mountain closed on May 31, 2023, and Critter Country followed nearly a year later on May 1, 2024. The area has undergone significant changes to reflect the themes of the new attraction. While the ride system remains familiar, guests will find an updated storyline and fresh visual elements that distinguish Tiana’s Bayou Adventure from its predecessor.
We secured one of the highly sought-after preview spots to explore Disneyland’s newest ride. In this MiceShots photo essay, we’ll take you on a journey through the Bayou with a collection of images from the attraction.
MiceShots is where we showcase the work of our talented photographers, each offering a unique perspective on Disneyland. This time, they’ve focused their lenses on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, sharing their favorite views of the park’s newest addition.
What are you waiting for? Let’s hop in a log and float on down that bayou. Caution, you may get wet!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Many details have been put into the new queue. We like the Children’s Garden, which has planters filled with vegetables.
If you pay close attention to the details around the attraction, you might just spot this hidden Mickey.
As you approach the indoor part of the queue, you’ll notice some art decorating the building.
Imagineers spent time exploring New Orleans so they could incorporate as much authenticity into the attraction as possible. The authentic look combined with artistic creativity makes for a very entertaining queue.
If you pay close attention to the props in the queue, some items may come up later in the ride. Keep an eye out for that missing license plate.
Moving through the queue, you pass through the kitchen, where fresh beignets are cooling and a new batch is prepared to go into the oil.
A book of Tiana’s family recipes sits on top of the oven.
As you transition from the office to the salt dome, the hallways have themed signs.
You’ll see some drenched guests as the logs return to the station. If you didn’t bring a poncho, it’s too late now.
After this first lift, you’ll get your first view of the bayou. It’s a beautiful sight, even more so as the sun sets. The golden hour’s contrasting colors and orange glow make for a vibrantly lit scene.
As you ascend the second lift, Tiana has stepped out of her office to welcome you. She’s looking for musicians to play at her big gala at Tiana’s Place, so you get to team up with her and Louis to help find them.
“Hey, y’all! Thanks for helping me look for musicians for our party tonight. Louis! They’re on their way!”
Before plunging down the first set of falls, you float by Mama Odie’s home.
If you had any questions about whether you still get wet on this attraction, this first drop answers that question (yes, you still get wet, perhaps even soaked). It almost feels like the attraction is splashier than ever.
You’ve left the salt dome and ventured deep into the bayou. The fireflies are the first to welcome you as they dance in the night.
You’ll see Louis everywhere.
Do you remember the missing license plate? I believe we found it. In this small band, we see that Gritty the Rabbit is using it as a washboard, an essential instrument for any Bayou bluegrass ensemble. The rest of the band is comprised of Byhalia the Beaver, Beau the Opossum, Apollo the Raccoon, Rufus the Turtle, and Timoleon the Otter.
No creature is too small to be a musician, but to search high and low, you need to think small. Mama Odie is here to help you discover the talent hiding in the reeds. To do that, she casts a spell to make you little.
After finding plenty of critters to play at the party, it’s time to get big again. Mama Odie reverses her spell as you climb the last hill.
They say that the bigger the heart, the bigger the splash.
Unfortunately, all that little and big stuff from Mama Odie isn’t a great buildup to this big drop. This ride would really benefit from the addition of a tense villain scene… and Princess and the Frog had some really strong villains that would have fit just perfectly… Friends from the Other Side, anyone?
This armadillo appears in several parts of this attraction, reminiscent of Scary Teddy’s appearances in various scenes of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
As you float back into town, you arrive at the party, where everyone is in fancy dress and enjoying the music.
Prince Naveen’s little brother Ralphie is even there to keep the beat going on his drum set. Tiana is singing a new song, “Special Spice,” which was written specifically for the attraction. It’s a pretty catchy tune.
As we leave the party, we see Mama Odie one last time with her trusty sidekick, Juju (who definitely has his eye on those mouth-watering beignets).
The animatronics in this attraction are phenomenal. The detail in the appearance and movement really brings you into the story, and the characters constantly look right at you and address you as though they know you are there with them.
Let’s Hear From You
This attraction has sparked mixed feelings among many. Some see it as a welcome change, and others lament the loss of the classic Splash Mountain. Regardless, it’s a colorful and beautiful musical adventure that is sure to be a hit with kids, even if many of their parents miss what was here before.
Now that you’ve seen the beautiful new attraction, you can take the full ride down the bayou with Dusty Sage:
Thank you for joining us on this journey down the bayou. It’s always fun to experience a new ride. Have you had a chance to preview Disneyland’s newest attraction? What are your thoughts? Do you think a villain is necessary, or does it stand fine as it is? Did you feel like you got more soaked than on Splash Mountain? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Would you like to know more about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Walt Disney World? Please visit our dedicated article for information about how to access the attraction, backstory, videos, information on how it was built, and much more:
GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!