by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 13, 2024
We’re almost there - We have an opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom!
During last night’s (May 12) “Disney Night” episode of American Idol, which was heavily Tiana-themed, a special announcement was made to celebrate the opening of the ride at Walt Disney World.
If you are in the neighborhood on June 28, 2024, you can catch your first trip down the bayou as the ride debuts its Florida splash with park guests.
The episode of American Idol featured a guest performance by Jenifer Lewis, the voice of Mama Odie in the 2009 Princess and the Frog animated movie, singing “Dig a Little Deeper” from the film. She was accompanied on the trumpet by Grammy winner and jazz musician Terrance Blanchard, also from the Princess and the Frog film, and a collaborator on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The new ride replaces Splash Mountain in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom, though it is using the same ride track, and takes place after the events of the Princess and the Frog movie. New, updated animatronics will bring the movie characters to life, many with the voices of the original actors, but there will be a number of newly created critters added to the ride tale as well.
A tiara-topped water tower graces the top of the ride, which was built on an old salt mine that now houses Tiana’s new company, “Tiana’s Foods,” an employee-owned cooperative. The premise of the ride is that Tiana is hosting a celebration during Mardi Gras to thank all of her friends and family for their help in launching her new business, which grows the herbs and spices she uses in her recipes at her restaurant, “Tiana’s Palace.” Tiana’s Foods is also producing a line of original hot sauces. The ride is accompanied by music from the film, along with original New Orleans-style music and art. Louis, the alligator musician, will help out by bringing the tunes.
The former Splash Mountain souvenir shop has also been converted into “Critter Co-op,” a kind of community center for the bayou residents. Posters in the window advertise an upcoming Mardi Gras Ball; cooking, dance and quilting classes; Firefly Family Sing-Alongs, and even lost and found notices and postings for a new drummer.
Riders must be at least 40 inches tall to take the plunge in the water flume-style ride. Disney Parks Blog has a whole page of stories to keep you busy until you can take your turn “goin’ down the bayou.” Disneyland’s version of the Tiana ride is also currently under construction, but has not been given a launch date yet (sometime in 2024).
More information regarding cast member, Disney Vacation Club and Annual Passholder previews is expected to be released on May 14.
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
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