- Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a wellness ride ideal for families.
- It's not a roller coaster, but guests may want to bring a poncho to stay dry.
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens June 28 at Walt Disney World in Florida and later this year at Disneyland in California.
At the beginning of Disney's “The Princess and the Frog”, Tiana's father James said to him: “Do you know good food? It brings people from all walks of life together. It warms them up and gives them little smiles.
Instead of food, insert Tiana's Bayou Adventureand you'll know what to expect when the highly anticipated attraction officially opens on June 28 at Walt Disney World in Florida and later this year at Disneyland in California.
USA TODAY got a sneak peek at Disney World's new ride, which replaces Splash Mountain in both parks. Here's what guests need to know.
What does Tiana's Bayou adventure look like?
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a feel-good ride.
Unlike “The Princess and the Frog,” the ride does not feature villains, like Dr. Facilier. Guests with children who are afraid of the dark should be aware that it is quite dark for several periods, but there is nothing else to worry about. Even the big fall is more exciting than scary. Upbeat music plays all the time and the bayou creatures that guests see along the way are as endearing as Louis the alligator in the film.
The exterior of the attraction is covered in lush foliage that extends to parts of the interior. Inside are on-screen digital visuals mixed with physical sets, but not as much as on Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad Or Rémy's Ratatouille adventure. And the swaying, swinging audio-animatronics are just what fans were asking for after seeing the technological advances at Disney international parks.
Is Tiana's Bayou Adventure the same as Splash Mountain?
The structure of the attraction may be similar and there are few Splash Mountain Easter eggs, but it's a completely different story. The great landing is still there, but the mountain has been redesigned as a salt dome. Avery Island, Louisiana, which the Imagineers visited on one of their research trips for Tiana's Bayou Adventure. This salt dome shelters Tiana's foodsan employee-owned cooperative that customers discover in the queue.
“She continued to expand her business, but this time she included members of the community,” said Ted Robledo, one of Disney's creative leads on the attraction. Robledo explained that a cooperative was chosen because it was appropriate for the time and region of Tiana, and that cooperatives gave power to the historically disenfranchised.
Inclusion, authenticity and representation are important elements of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, which fellow creative director Charita Carter called “a true love letter to New Orleans.”
Who is Tiana inspired by?
“Tiana wouldn't be possible if we weren't Leah Chase“said Carmen Smith, another Disney creative director. Chase was the famous executive chef and owner of Dooky Chase's restaurant in New Orleans. “It wasn't just a restaurant. It was a gathering place that has inspired so many people.
Chase's grandson and current executive chef of the restaurant, Edgar 'Dook' Chase IV, said his grandmother invited everyone into the kitchen. “That’s where her true gift was: not only her passion for food, but she just loved people.”
He said she would have been humbled and humbled to be a part of Tiana's Bayou adventure. “Whenever she was recognized, she always said, 'I have to work even harder.' I need to do more to showcase this honor that I am receiving,” he said.
Smith said the Chase family was an “important part of this project.” Louisiana artists like Sharika Mahdi and Malaika Favorite inspired the vibe of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and some of their work is featured outside. New Orleans music legends PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard worked on the music.
“It makes me feel seen and that they took so much care to not only enjoy using the culture, but to understand it and involve the people who help carry on the legacy of that culture” , said Victoria Wade, a Disney fan and theme park influencer who previously spoke with USA TODAY about the cultural impacts Splash Mountain and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. “It's important, and honestly, it's a great way, especially with this particular princess, to continue a legacy for New Orleans and for black people in general.”
Why did Disney close Splash Mountain?
Br'er Rabbit's story from Splash Mountain was linked to “Song of the South”, a 1946 Disney film, which was criticized for its idealized representation of life on plantations. A petition to rename Splash Mountain went viral in 2020.
That same year, Disney announced the reinvention of the ride, saying: “The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect and be inspired with, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.” Disney also noted that changes have been in the works since 2019.
Wade was one of the first to a preview of the new ride.
“There’s a sign when you come in, and it says everyone is welcome,” she remembers. “I love this message so much because it's not just about, you know, black people. It's ultimately about welcoming everyone to be joyful and celebrate each other in our cultures and what makes us unique.
Tiana may be Disney's first black princess, but Carter noted, “Tiana is everyone's princess.” It's from a real place in America. She wasn't born into royalty. She has a working mother. She has military ties. And there are so many things in his life that are relevant.
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Done:Why some Disney fans are done with Splash Mountain
What is Tiana's Bayou Adventure based on?
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the next chapter in the story that begins with “The princess and the Frog.”
Spoiler alert: At the end of the film, Tiana's dream of owning a successful restaurant finally comes true. Today, she gives back to her community and throws a big Mardi Gras party, to which everyone is invited.
The only problem is that it's missing a key ingredient. Mama Odie shrinks the guests to the size of a frog to help them search the bayou for them. Along the way, they'll see familiar characters played by the same actors from the film and meet new musical creatures.
“From a technology standpoint, it was phenomenal,” Wade said. “Their movements are very realistic. I was particularly impressed by the Louis the Alligator animatronic.
Is Tiana's Bayou Adventure a Roller Coaster?
No, it's a log flume style water ride like Splash Mountain was. Guests may want to bring a poncho to stay dry, although there are plenty Tiana themed merchandise for sale if they need a change of clothes.
“I didn’t get wet, but I think that’s because I was in the back of the boat,” Wade said with a laugh. “I actually love what they did with the drop. I feel like, from the look of Mama Odie's bottles, it's reminiscent of the (movie) “Dig a little deeper” scene. I have a feeling that at night, especially, it's going to be absolutely amazing.
Can I meet Tiana at Disney World?
Yes. Princess Tiana greets guests in her iconic ball gown at Princess Fairy Tale Room in the Magic Kingdom.
Guests can also meet her outside of the parks with a character dinner at Price of the park 1900 at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. She is wearing her new pantsuit.
What is Tiana's restaurant called at Disneyland?
Like in “The Princess and the Frog”. Tiana's Restaurant at Disneyland is called Tiana's Palace. The quick-service restaurant opened last September and serves iconic New Orleans dishes like gumbo, po'boys, muffaletta sandwiches and doughnuts.
Although there is no Tiana's Palace at Disney World, guests can get Tiana's Bayou Adventure Treats at Magic Kingdom from June 28 to September 6 and at select locations throughout the resort for a limited time.
They can also take home Mama Odie's Hot Sauce and Dooky Chase's Seasonings, which were previously only sold at Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans.
The reporter for this story received access to the event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.
