by Ray Keating
News
July 24, 2024
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Well, that didn’t take long. After labor unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees voted late last week to authorize a strike at some point in the future, The Walt Disney Company and the unions reportedly have come to an agreement.
by Ray Keating
News/Analysis
July 18, 2024
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The Walt Disney Company is in the midst of negotiating with assorted labor unions that represent some 14,000 workers at Disneyland in California. And it was reported on late Friday (July 19) that union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. Disney and four unions are in the midst of negotiations, which reportedly resume on July 22-23.
Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 25, 2024
That scream you just heard was probably me from miles away from Disney World, tearing my hair out over today’s announcement that Disney’s Genie+/Lightning Lane/skip the line access plan will be changing yet again. And while it’s being touted as simplifying the program…. I’m not sure my friends and family see it that way.
For people who don’t come to Disney often – as in, for some of them it’s a once in a lifetime trip, and for other family members, it’s a once every 15 years trip – it’s again making the planning of a trip more convoluted. I can’t begin to tell you how many incoming guests I’ve had to explain the system to over the past few years, and try and walk them through it. The verbiage alone has overwhelmed some of them, and they’ve just turned their phone over to us and said, “Please handle it.”
For those of you who haven’t been to the parks in a while, Lightning Lanes are the descendants of the old, free FastPass and Fastpass+, and a way to pay to skip the longer stand-by lines. Individual Lightning Lanes are the pass for specific, individual attractions. There are only one or two of those in each park.
More than a year ago, Disney touted the fact that they would be updating the system, and now, the modifications are here.
Of the new changes, Disney says, “On July 24, Walt Disney World will introduce new, simpler names to provide more clarity for everyone. Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.”
Those are Genie’s simpler names? Alrighty, then.
The big bonus, and one that park guests have been begging for, is the ability going forward to make reservations for rides ahead of time, pre-booking attractions up to a week out for hotel guests, and three days out for off-site guests, rather than at 7 a.m. the day of your visit, as Genie+ currently allows. You can also choose your ride times with the new system.
In short, the Genie+ service where you book multiple rides throughout the day will now be called “Lightning Lane Multi Pass,” and the Individual Lightning Lane purchases (i.e., the “fancy rides” that you book à la carte, one at a time like Tron) will become “Lightning Lane Single Pass.”
Pricing will continue to vary by date, attraction and park.
Disney also dropped a YouTube video of how to tackle the new changes.
According to Disney, here’s how Lightning Lane passes will be changing, beginning July 24:
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. You’ll also be able to choose available times as you make your selections.
On the day of your visit, once you use a selection, check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Lightning Lane Single Pass will work much like it does today, where you can secure a time to ride one of our most highly demanded attractions, but you’ll now be able to make your purchase and plan in advance.
How to Plan Ahead
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.
These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.
Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass or both. The app will also be updated to make it quicker and easier to purchase and plan, with fewer steps and a new option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in one transaction.
Lightning Lane passes will blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation.
To dive into even more details, visit our website for the latest information on how to purchase, select and use your Lightning Lane passes.
Disneyland Resort will also use the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single pass names beginning July 24. Based on the different ways we know guests visit Disneyland Resort, the way guests purchase, select and redeem Lightning Lane passes at Disneyland Resort will remain the same.
The complimentary features of Disney Genie service will continue to be available in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. As you may have noticed, both apps have also gotten a series of upgrades over the last year to make features easier to use, including making dining reservations, mobile food ordering, and more.
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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
https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. A PDF version is available here. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast.
by Ray Keating
Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 10, 2024
Are Disney resorts and theme parks meant to be places only for children?
Given the world we live in, vociferous criticisms seemingly must be launched at, well, pretty much everything in life (yes, it’s exhausting), and that includes adults – individuals or couples – who visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland or other Disney theme parks without children.
Often these criticisms are rooted in an assumed, increasing immaturity among adults. Without getting into that larger debate and discussion, how about the simple idea that adults might appreciate a fun experience with or without children? My wife and I have done Disney as a couple (we honeymooned in Walt Disney World and now are Annual Passholders), individuals, parents, and grandparents over the years. We, therefore, get to experience and enjoy the parks in different ways, and this is far from unique.
And as a business, Disney cannot ignore demographics. In the United States, the population is skewing older and in general people are having fewer children. So, it makes sense for Walt Disney World, for example, to cater in various ways to families with children and to adult guests without kids.
By the way, this isn’t a new idea. Walt Disney understood the idea of appealing to the entire family – parents and children – and to adults alone. Just consider the following observations from Walt…
“You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” - Walt Disney
“Disneyland isn’t designed just for children... I believe the right kind of entertainment can appeal to all persons, young or old. I want Disneyland to be a place where parents can bring their children – or come by themselves and still have a good time.” – Walt Disney
Walt Disney understood people, which was one reason why he ranked as one of the great entrepreneurs of the twentieth century.
Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with remaining a kid at heart, as long as that doesn’t involve shirking adult responsibilities, but instead simply means embracing fun, joy and youthful outlook on life. And that includes trips to Disney World.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.
Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at
https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.
Various books by Ray Keating…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
by Ray Keating
Commentary/Analysis
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 9, 2024
Among assorted endeavors, I’m an economist. Therefore, numbers tend to interest me. So, how about a few quick points on the cost of various undertakings in the grand history of the Walt Disney Company? Or, another way to put it is to simply ask: Hey, how much did that cost?
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• Disneyland opened in California in 1955. How much did it cost to build? According to Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Disneyland opened at a cost of $17 million. But we have to adjust for inflation, and in 2023 dollars, that comes in at about $194 million. Understanding that Disneyland was quite different at the start compared to today, that still seems like a bargain. Good job, Walt!
• Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made movie history in 1937, but at what cost? According to Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, it cost $1.4 million to make Snow White. Again, adjusting for inflation, in 2023 dollars, that comes in at about $29.7 million. Now, by Hollywood standards, at least today, that’s a magnificent bargain! By the way, the film reportedly grossed $8.5 million during its original release. In 2023 dollars, that’s roughly $184 million. On a $29.7 million budget – Disney can only dream of such returns today.
• Walt Disney World opened in 1971. What did it cost to bring the Most Magical Place on Earth into being? According to Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, the costs hit $400 million to open. After adjusting for inflation, in 2023 dollars, that comes in at about $3 billion. That’s a mighty price tag, but I’d say worth every penny and more.
• EPCOT opened in Walt Disney World in 1982. So, how much did the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow cost? According to Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, the cost was a whopping $1 billion. But we have to adjust for inflation, and in 2023 dollars, that comes in at about $3.2 billion. Interestingly, in real dollars, that’s about the same cost as the opening of Walt Disney World did 11 years earlier.
• Attending a Disney theme park today isn’t cheap, but how much did it cost to visit Disneyland when it opened in 1955? According to a CNBC report, for an adult, it cost $1 to enter Disneyland in 1955, plus each ride had a fee. If you went on each ride, it would cost $8.70. After adjusting for inflation, a total cost of $9.70 in 1955 comes in at roughly $110 in 2023 dollars. Hmmm, that’s not that far off from the $154 average one-day ticket price for Disneyland in 2023, as estimated by Nerd Wallet. And there’s a lot more to do today at Disneyland than there was in 1955.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.
Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at
https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.
Various books by Ray Keating…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 6, 2024
For most of the country, planning is just starting for this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations. If you are a longer-range planner, maybe you are looking forward to your unofficial kick-off to the summer with a Memorial Day BBQ at the end of this month.
But over at Disney, they launched their #HalfwaytoHalloween celebration this morning. It might be halfway to Halloween if you contemplate Halloween as an October 31st holiday, but when Disney begins their Halloween festivities in August, we’re actually far more than halfway there.
Be that as it may, Disney released a ton of information about their plans for the fall. Many of the items are dates that fans have been waiting for in order to finish making arrangements for their upcoming vacations, including dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party in Florida, and Oogie Boogie Bash in California. (Disney has even set up a special webpage for its Halloween activities and updates.)
Disney Parks Blog also highlighted Halloween fun for Disney’s Hulu, Freeform, and Disney+ networks; showed off spooky villains-themed wedding attire and accessories for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons; and offered up training schedules for the first-ever (but already sold out) runDisney 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend. If you are looking for more info, you can also follow @31nightsofhalloween as they count down October’s “31 Nights of Halloween” flicks on Freeform.
So, on to the stuff you’ve really been waiting for…
At Walt Disney World
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom will kick-off August 9 and take place from 7:00 p.m.-midnight on select nights through October 31. The separately ticketed evening will include a new DescenDANCE Party, inspired by the upcoming Disney+ movie, “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” and the Boo-To-You parade times will be moved earlier to accommodate little ones’ schedules.
Event tickets go on sale for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green starting May 8. Tickets will be available to all guests starting May 15. You can purchase tickets at Disneyworld.com/Halloween, or call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-934-7639.
If the sugar you gather at the Trick-or-Treat stations isn’t enough, and you’d like to add on Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party (which includes fireworks viewing from Plaza Garden or Tomorrowland Terrace), reservations for the dessert party open on June 7.
Ticket prices for Not-So-Scary range from $119 to $199 (with discounts available for Annual Passholders and DVC members). The dates for the 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties include:
Disneyland Resort
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will be returning to Disney California Adventure, with even more dates than in previous seasons. Also a separately ticketed, after-hours event, the party happens on 27 select nights, including: Sunday, Aug. 25; Tuesday, Aug. 27; Thursday, Aug. 29; Tuesday, Sept. 3; Tuesday, Sept. 10; Thursday, Sept. 12; Sunday, Sept. 15; Tuesday, Sept. 17; Thursday, Sept. 19; Sunday, Sept. 22; Tuesday, Sept. 24; Thursday, Sept. 26; Sunday, Sept. 29; Tuesday, Oct. 1; Thursday, Oct. 3; Sunday, Oct. 6; Tuesday, Oct. 8; Thursday, Oct. 10; Sunday, Oct. 13; Tuesday, Oct. 15; Thursday, Oct. 17; Sunday, Oct. 20; Tuesday, Oct. 22; Thursday, Oct. 24; Sunday, Oct. 27; Tuesday, Oct. 29; and Thursday, Oct. 31.
Details on when tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash will go on sale have not yet been released, but prices range from $134 to $189.
The Bone Chillin’ Halloween Merchandise Preview link will give you a peek at some of the merchandise you will be able to find at the event.
If you want to try to win an Oogie Boogie surprise, Disney Movie Insiders Oogie Boogie Sweepstakes! on Instagram (@DisneyMovieInsiders) is running a contest for an Oogie Boogie prize pack. Enter before May 12, 2024.
Disney Cruise Line Halloween on the High Seas
“Halloween on the High Seas” heads to the ocean once again for Disney Cruise Line in 2024 in September and October, for select itineraries.
Disney Treasure
The Disney Treasure sets sail this December, and one of the ship’s most anticipated details is the Haunted Mansion Parlor. As part of the Halfway to Halloween celebration, Disney shared new details and photos on the décor of this first-of-its-kind bar, as well as imparted a bit of spooky history for the lounge. A ghost fish aquarium and an eerie portrait gallery will help set the stage, and a series of ceramic mugs that look like carvings from the wooden planks of a ghost ship will be coming to the Disney Treasure. Among other ghostly depictions, they’ll be inspired by the backstories shared by Disney of The Mariner and The Captain’s bride.
Hong Kong Disneyland
From September 12 to October 31, House of De Vil-lains; “Let’s Get Wicked;” and the Nightmare Before Dinner experience will be returning.
Disneyland Paris
The Disney Halloween Festival will take place October 1 to November 3, with the return of the show, Mickey’s Halloween Celebration.
Tokyo Disney Resort
Brand new theming at Tokyo Disneyland, with new entertainment, will run from October 1 to November 7.
Descendants: The Rise of Red
If you are a fan of the Descendants franchise, there’s a little Halfway to Halloween fun for you, too. The Disney Original movie, Descendants: The Rise of Red (and its soundtrack), begin streaming July 12 on Disney+, but the first single from the movie, “What’s My Name (Red Version),” has been released for streaming now.
Descendants: The Rise of Red follows Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, who is forced to team up with her opposite Chloe, Cinderella’s daughter, when they travel back in time to save Auradon.
Disney Snacks and Stuff
If you just can’t wait to get into the Halloween spirit, you can get a jump on the season by heading to Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs. Until May 8 (or while supplies last), you can enjoy four different spooky treats, edible and non-edible:
• Mephistophelittle’s Hand Pie: A flaky pastry packed with chocolate chip cookie dough and lined with dulce de leche. (Limit two per person)
• The Frankenstein Cookie: Normally dished up in October, this fan favorite has been released for a nanosecond just for Halfway to Halloween. Made from “pieces of all the candies you want in your treat bag,” there will be M&M’s, crushed Oreo Double Stuff, and chocolate chips in every bite. (Limit two per person)
• Gideon’s Trading Card Series 3: There are free trading cards hidden at the bottom of every medium and large cookie box, and only for Halfway to Halloween, a free Barnabas Mephistophelittle Promo Card will materialize with your purchase (while supplies last).
• Barnabas Mephistophelittle Merchandise: Brand new merchandise featuring Gideon’s Halfway to Halloween Ambassador, Barnabas Mephistophelittle, will be available, including a collector’s pin and 24oz cold brew tumbler.
If you are on the West Coast, head to Kayla’s Cake in Downtown Disney District before May 9, for the Skull Macarons, macarons with vanilla confetti buttercream and a printed black skull.
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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
https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast.
by Ray Keating
News/Analysis
DisneyBizJournal.com
April 18, 2024
It might seem strange to some in other parts of the country, but in places like California and New York, efforts by business to invest in the economy, in the community and in jobs often get rebuffed, or chased away by draconian costs. But then the same politicians who chased away business and investment will use taxpayer dollars to subsidize other businesses – you know, the ones they happen to like. Sure, it makes no economic sense, but that’s politics and government.
Therefore, The Walt Disney Company’s effort to get approval for an expansion of Disneyland was anything but automatic in Anaheim, California.
But Disney’s plan to expand the Disneyland theme park did get unanimous approval on Wednesday, April 17, from the Anaheim City Council. A second vote related to the project comes on May 7, and is expected to pass. Disney is pledging a $1.9 billion investment over the coming 10 years, including new rides, attractions, dining and hotels.
As the Orange County Register reported: “The development agreement the city is agreeing to maps out where new theme park construction could occur over the next 40 years, giving Disney flexibility to determine what exactly would be built – though all still within the footprint of its current properties.”
Interestingly, Disney isn’t seeking taxpayer subsidies. Instead, the company has agreed to pay “more than $100 million in community benefits,” which would fund related infrastructure upgrades, and would “give Anaheim $30 million to use to help build affordable housing and $8 million for city parks.” In another Register report, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken was quoted, “I have been a critic of city subsidies to private corporations. I have been a critic of sometimes not working with the community … a critic of the city shortchanging itself and selling its assets for below fair market value, I do believe (Disney) did it right.”
Government subsidizing business makes no economic sense, and quite frankly, a private company having to effectively pay extra – on top of very burdensome taxes and regulations in California – to get its project approved is a costly precedent.
Regarding payments to the city from Disney, the Register noted, “City staff are already thinking of ways to use money coming from Disney.” Of that, I have no doubt.
In the end, Disney got their project approved, and Anaheim got a really good deal … for now.
__________
Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.
Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at
https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.
Various books by Ray Keating…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
March 6, 2024
Star Wars fans, mark your calendars! Starting April 5, 2024, “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” will be adding new scenes to your flights to hyperspace. The Star Tours 3-D flight simulators at Hollywood Studios at Disney World, Disneyland California, and Disneyland Paris will all be adding the new scenes, bringing the possible story combinations to more than 250.
The new scenes will feature characters and locations from the Disney+ series Ahsoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to board a Starspeeder 1000, you’ll grab your 3-D glasses, and settle in for your flight. Protocol droid C-3PO takes the controls, but then things go terribly awry. You are intercepted by Imperial or First Order forces, who are searching for the Rebel spy. Is it you? C-3PO will help you try to escape, but the trip is going to be a bumpy one.
The plot twists to the ride are randomly generated, so you never know what planet you’ll be heading to, or what Star Wars saga characters you may encounter along the way. You just might run into Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Master Yoda, Boba Fett, or Poe Dameron on your daring journey.
According to Scott Trowbridge of Walt Disney Imagineering, “Urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, Din Djarin and Grogu may soon be part of your next Starspeeder flight.”
The ride has a height requirement of 40 inches.
__________
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
https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
February 13, 2024
Today is Mardi Gras – the festive celebration that takes place in cities like New Orleans just before the somber season of Lent, which begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. It’s fitting, then, that Disney chose today to announce the planned opening for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (sort of).
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World will be opening sometime “Summer 2024,” and “later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California.” Not terribly specific, but a narrower window than we had before, and earlier than originally anticipated.
The attraction is being constructed on the footprint of the former Splash Mountain, with the original ride track staying the same. Yes, the 50-foot drop at the end of Splash Mountain will still be part of the attraction! There will be lots of changes to the vignettes along the ride path, however. Now, you’ll be floating down the bayou, surrounded by musical critters, playing instruments they’ve made from natural bayou materials.
The new ride follows Tiana just after the events of the 2009 animated The Princess and the Frog movie. In “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” it’s Mardi Gras, and Tiana is throwing a party to thank her family and friends for helping her to get her new business, “Tiana’s Foods,” up and running. There will be lots of New Orleans-inspired music, and appearances from a number of the characters from the movie, in the form of dozens of fresh animatronics, including Tiana, Naveen, Louis, and Mama Odie. Music legends PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard created upbeat original music for the ride, but there will also be some of the fan-favorite songs from The Princess and the Frog. Tiana herself has a special new adventure outfit for the occasion.
With construction continuing on a daily basis at the Magic Kingdom, and new signage popping up for the Mardi Gras season, it’s nice to see that they’re “almost there.”
__________
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
https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner.
