Disney has announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening this summer at Walt Disney World Resort. Along with making the announcement for the opening timeline, it shared a first look at Tiana’s audio-animatronic figure. This is the first audio-animatronic for this character. Along with showing a picture of Tiana, Imagineer Charita Carter shared a video of the Tiana audio-animatronic. Check them both out here:
Along with the first look at the Tiana audio-animatronic, a new mural has been added in front of the attraction in the Magic Kingdom. It announces that the attraction will be opening in the Summer of 2024 and Louis encourages guests to “come join the party!”
This new attraction will “dig a little deeper” into the story of Princess Tiana after the events of The Princess and the Frog. Now it is Mardi Gras season at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The bayou will light up for a journey that promises to be full of music, Mama Odie’s magic, and a bunch of new friends. All of this comes together in preparation for a celebration that everyone is welcome to.
As is true in the movie and New Orleans, music is a central part of this experience. As guests experience this attraction, they will enjoy music that comes to life with the help of some adorable critters who are singing and playing instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. Some of these new friends will include an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, a turtle, and others. The music they bring to life will use a variety of spirited stylings to turn the bayou into a party that includes zydeco and other types of music that are authentic to the region around New Orleans. There will be some favorite songs from the movie along with new, original music that was created in collaboration with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
Critters won’t be the only ones bringing music to the bayou, however. Guests on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will hear some familiar voices returning from the movie. This includes Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.
Throughout the attraction, guests will be floating through cypress trees and Spanish moss in this beautiful Louisiana bayou, they will see some familiar faces as well. These will be brought to life through entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures that were created entirely for this attraction. Guests will see Princess Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen, and others!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also be highlighting the authentic New Orleans artistry throughout the attraction as well. There will be artwork from Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite found throughout the queue. There will also be an original metalwork weathervane from third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s artworks has also been inspiring the attraction from the very beginning. Guests will also get the sweet aroma of beignets frying as they stroll through the attraction queue, reminiscent of a stroll through the French Quarter.
At the end of the day, Tiana’s story is all about reminding everyone that they have the potential to make dreams into a reality. This is a new attraction that has been created by Imagineers, Disney Animation artists, Cast Members, and Louisiana artisans all coming together to create a magical experience. While it is now known that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in the summer of 2024, Disneyland will have to wait a bit longer. The Disneyland iteration will be opening later in 2024 in California.
What do you think of what you are seeing of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Are you excited to experience it later this year? What are you most looking forward to experiencing when it opens at Walt Disney World Resort and then Disneyland Resort? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
