The first thing that struck us about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagination of a classic ride coming to Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, wasn’t the tidal wave of water at the bottom of the log flume attraction’s 50-foot drop. It was the fact that the recently updated ride doesn’t include a villain in its story.
If you’ve ridden any number of attractions spread across Walt Disney World’s four theme parks, you’ve probably faced plenty of fictional danger, made some narrow escapes, and maybe even bested a few baddies.
But unlike, say, Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise, Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, or Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the resort’s latest E-ticket experience never puts guests in any supposed peril or sees them evading–or chasing–a central antagonist.
Although you won’t encounter any angry hippos, evil-doing Celestials, or lightsaber-swinging Sith Lords in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure–now open at the Orlando park–you will discover plenty of positivity, inspiration, and inclusivity in its celebration of New Orleans’ community, culture, food, and music.
A Whole New, Welcoming World
It’s that aforementioned inclusivity that served as the impetus for transforming the park’s popular Splash Mountain attraction into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Opened in 1992 in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, Splash Mountain was a beloved ride. But 30 years later, its ties to 1946’s controversial Song of the South weren’t a great fit for the family-friendly theme park. In the summer of 2020, it was announced both the Disney World and Disneyland versions of the attraction would be re-themed.
When asked about the update, Imagineering Project Coordinator Cory Clancy elaborated on Disney’s goals for transforming the attraction: “We’re constantly learning from conversations, and we’re constantly seeing what’s going on in the world. So we really wanted what we were presenting to be more for everybody and inclusive of all people.”
But more than just making that necessary change, Disney double-downed on the positive vibes, creating an experience that’s not only more inclusive, but inspirational to anyone who’s ever had a dream that might seem out of reach.
“We brought in a new story that everyone can get behind,” added Imagineering Show Mechanical Engineer Sean Poluah. “Tiana’s a great princess, with a true American backstory about working hard to get where she wants to be.”
The titular princess continues that hard work in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with the ride serving as a sequel to 2009’s The Princess and the Frog. Not long after the film’s conclusion, she’s expanded beyond her successful restaurant opening, and has her sights set on significantly evolving her business into an entire brand, dubbed Tiana’s Foods.
And while you won’t find the nefarious Dr. Facilier interfering with her big plans, the witch doctor’s absence has less to do with his unfortunate fate in the film and more with Disney’s desire to craft a fun, thrilling attraction that doesn’t rely on a typical hero-versus-villain conflict.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure doesn’t suffer for its lack of an antagonist or a high-stakes story. In fact, its more uplifting tale–about rounding up a band of cute critters to perform at a party–fits well with Disney’s self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth” motto, while its southern-flavored story, setting, and characters feel right at home in Frontierland.
New Ride, New Tech
But there’s also much more to its makeover than simply giving the old Splash Mountain a shiny-happy-people paint job. Disney Imagineering’s audio-animatronic tech has made significant strides since guests first took the plunge with Bre’r Rabbit, and–according to Principle Show Mechanical Engineer Karin Hanson–the attraction has leveraged the latest advancements to help shape its narrative.
“We’ve added so many new things…the ride has the highest density of electric figures we’ve ever had in one of our attractions,” Hanson said. “We have about 50 figures that are electric.”
Now, before you bring up The Hall of Presidents’ nearly 50 Commander in Chiefs, it’s important to elaborate on that “electric” distinction. Previous park figures were primarily brought to life with pneumatics and hydraulics, but this latest technology drastically ratchets up the realism.
“The biggest change you’ll see is a lot of the fidelity in the motion. We now have such great control over the articulation, so we can get much more lifelike performances that feel like they’re truly out of the film,” added Hanson.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s characters are also borrowing some of the best elements from Tokyo Disney’s recently opened Fantasy Springs land, like facial animations that aren’t simply projected, but are fully dimensional and articulated. Slick, story-fueling effects–such as Mama Odie “shrinking” guests down to the size of frogs–inject additional layers of immersion that feel comparatively cutting-edge to the simpler tricks used in Splash Mountain.
Fresh Approach, Familiar Charm
In addition to the updated theme and latest tech, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure includes a new song, “Special Spice,” performed by Anika Noni Rose, who voiced the princess in the film. The tune is a bit of an earworm, as it accompanies a rousing, celebratory finale to rival Splash Mountain’s big steamboat finish.
It doesn’t hurt that the musical, feel-good conclusion includes an adorable rabbit playing a stolen license plate like a washboard. The strumming bunny–and the sneaky armadillo that acquires the “instrument” for it to jam on–are two of nearly 20 original critters created for the attraction. More than just adorable set dressing, though, the wildlife play a big part in the ride’s narrative. As Tiana’s continuing tale goes, she’s throwing a bash for her friends, but has forgotten to book a band. Thankfully, there’s an entire bayou full of musically inclined creatures just begging to be discovered.
And while the film’s primary players–from Tiana and Prince Naveen to Mama Odie and fan-favorite alligator Louis–are the attraction’s real stars, it’s these furry friends Hanson believes perfectly represent its new, contemporary direction while also retaining some of that classic Disney park charm.
“We’re always looking to please our guests, old and new, so we’re really plussing it, but still having some old-school style fun,” Hanson said. “The characters here are just as charming as any in our other attractions. We’re especially pleased with our critters, 19 brand-new characters that are absolutely relatable to anybody of different shapes, sizes, and personalities.”
Of course, the critters’ relentless cuteness might also cost you, as several of them are available in plush form at the Tiana merchandise shop. Good luck deciding between the harmonica-blowing turtle, accordion-squeezing raccoon, and an opossum that’s apparently learned to play a gourd like an upright bass. Damn you, Disney.
