Today Disney revealed some new details about Splash Mountain’s future and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Splash Mountain is set to be transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure sometime in 2024 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. To prep for the reimaging of this attraction, Imagineers have done research to create an immersive experience inspired by The Princess and the Frog along with the heart and culture of New Orleans. Details were released earlier this year about the attraction at both the ESSENCE Fest and the D23 Expo 2022. At both of these events, Imagineers demonstrated how their research took them to New Orleans in an effort to maintain authenticity with the experience. Anika Noni-Rose will also be returning to her role as Tiana in the attraction.
As Imagineers prepare to transform the attraction, a closing date for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World has now been announced. The last date guests will be able to experience the attraction at Magic Kingdom is on January 22, 2023. It will be closed on January 23, 2024, and begin the process of becoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. A date for when the Disneyland version of the attraction will close has not been announced yet.
When Tiana’s Bayou Adventure reopens, there will be new scenes in the attraction, along with new characters. Disney shared one of these new scenes today. In the attraction, guests will join Princess Tiana and the jazz-loving alligator Louis during Mardi Gras season as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans. The new scene will be found the exciting moment guests drop into the bayou and get to see some old friends and new ones.
In the new scene, there will be fireflies lighting up the night and inviting guests to go deeper into the bayou. According to Disney, it will be like “they’re waving you forward.” There will also be beautiful zydeco music playing. Zydeco is a blend of rhythm and blues that was born in Louisiana. Hearing this music will make guests feel like they are right in the middle of Tiana’s world.
Louis will be there to explain where the music is coming from. The Disney Parks Blog shared that, “Tiana made some new friends out here – a band full of adorable critters, including an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and others. The band members sing and play instruments made of natural materials they found in the bayou. It feels like they may have a bigger role to play in this story … but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.”
Disney shared about why zydeco was used in the attraction saying, “Like so many musical genres, zydeco brings together the sounds and styles of many cultures. We wanted that spirit reflected in this scene (and throughout the attraction) so that all our guests feel welcome to join in the celebration. It’s emblematic of what we’re always striving for with our attractions – bringing people of different backgrounds together through timeless Disney stories. This new musical adventure provides us with a song sheet to write that concept into reality.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take guests on a journey inspired by The Princess and the Frog. It picks up right where the film’s story left off. Are you excited about experiencing this attraction when it opens in 2024 at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts? What do you think of the new concept art and description of this scene that was revealed today? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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