TIANA’S BAYOU ADVENTURE: UNCORKING THE MAGIC BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEWEST ATTRACTION TO EXPLODE ONTO THE DISNEY UNIVERSE

EMBARKING ON THE JOURNEY: A WELCOME INTRODUCTION

It’s not hard to hear the excitement in the air as Disney fans drown in anticipation of the long-awaited Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, arriving at Walt Disney World and Disneyland this year to replace Splash Mountain. Disney’s Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando will debut the new attraction on 28 June 2024 – Disneyland in California will follow later in the year. Named after the protagonist of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (2009), Walt Disney Imagineering promotes it as an immersive experience that embraces nostalgia, innovation and, more importantly, music.

THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIANA'S WORLD

Discover the Enchantment

According to Disney Parks themselves: ‘Tiana’s Bayou Adventure invites you to join Princess Tiana and her friend Louis – a jazz-loving alligator – for a journey into the beating heart of a glistening bayou, where the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras season are coming to life – complete with all of your favourite characters and new friends, as well as the start of a brand-new Tiana story!’

A Journey of Sights and Sounds

This is an audio as well as a visual experience; not only am I treated to an old-school 50-foot drop (in homage to Splash Mountain) but I’m also greeted by many Audio-Animatronics – the robotic Disney figures that are used in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and have been modified to accommodate both new and old characters. Interspersed with classic songs from The Princess and the Frog are all-new tunes, such as ‘Special Spice’, a song by PJ Morton (credited to the fictional band Papa Louie and the Blooze Brothers) that’s sung by the voice of Princess Tiana, Anika Noni Rose.

THE CHARACTERS ON OUR JOURNEY

Old Friends and New

The journey brings back a variety of old friends (Tiana, Louis, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie), but also plenty of new critters: Byhalia the Beaver, Gritty the Rabbit, Beau the Opossum and more. All of them are fleshed out and delightful and convincing, and there is much to spot in the busy, busy background. The journey itself is suddenly rich, multidimensional.

THE CULINARY JOURNEY

A Taste of Culture

No ride through Tiana’s Bayou Adventure could be complete without a taste of the foods that embody New Orleans and Mardi Gras Jeffrey LaRosse, lead producer of the movie The Princess and the Frog for Disney, says the aroma of Beignets will help guests find their way not only to Golden Oak Outpost and The Friar’s Nook on opening day but will also be pumped through the queue: ‘It’s yet another level of theming and a sensory experience … a sense of immersion.’

THE MELODIC JOURNEY

Harmonizing the Past and Present

The tour, taking the form of a radio broadcast of jazz takes on songs from The Princess and the Frog, is just the start. Guests find themselves immersed in the sounds of New Orleans. A vocal cameo by Leah Chase Jr, the widow of Dooky Chase, singing ‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans,’ makes a moment even more affecting.

AWAITING THE JOURNEY: THE ANTICIPATION BUILDS

Approaching the scheduled opening date, excitement for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is palpable: it will be as much a journey into the story itself as it will be a journey of invention, as Disney shows fans and animation aficionados alike that New Orleans – and Princess Tiana – won’t soon be forgotten.

ABOUT THE JOURNEY

What makes a journey? That question might have a more profound answer than you think. A journey is about what we’re supposed to be doing when we experience it. A ride is about ‘just’ going somewhere. A journey is about building anticipation, discovering something, and embarking on an adventure. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a chance to absorb yourself into a story and a larger-than-life narrative, meet and interact with a cast of characters worthy of any tale, and absorb a feast for the senses you will remember for decades afterwards. Disney doesn’t just make rides. The boys were going on a classic rollercoaster ride. We were embarking on a journey.