Change happens at Disney Parks. There are always going to be new attractions at Disney World and that often means replacing old ones. Sometimes it even means replacing popular attractions. Many would have believed that since Splash Mountain was considered one of the best rides at Disneyland at Walt Disney World it would never be touched.
But Splash Mountain is gone. Tiana's Bayou Adventure has arrived at Walt Disney World and is currently under construction at Disneyland. The Princess and the Frog is one of the best animated Disney movies, and now it's found a home in one of the best attractions.
Why Splash Mountain Has Been Rethemed
It was in the spring of 2020, while both Disneyland and Disney World were closed due to the pandemic, that a sort of grassroots organization sprung up on social media that suggested that Splash Mountain should be rethemed. The original attraction had been based on Song of the South, a movie that had been controversial in its depiction of the Reconstruction-era American South since it had been released in 1949. While the attraction only contained the animated character from the film, many felt that was not sufficient.
It was suggested by some fans, and in a popular online petition, that The Princess and the Frog could serve as the inspiration for a new version of the ride. Somewhat surprisingly, a few weeks after the initial call for change, Disney announced plans to do exactly what fans had been asking for and actually claimed plans for exactly this change had already been in the works. However, due to the slow speed in ramping back up during and after the pandemic, it would be years before things would really move forward with the change.
When Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Will Open At Disneyland
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on June 28. 2024. Disneyland's version of the attraction has been confirmed to open "later" in 2024 and at the recent D23 Disney Fan Event it was finally announced that date will come November 15, 2024
The Story Of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Splash Mountain took its Song of the South inspiration and simply told a version of one of the animated sequences from the film, in the way that most traditional dark rides do. Other Disney Parks' dark rides, like Rise of the Resistance, tell original stories that are not directly related to the canon of the franchise. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is planning to do something a little different, as the ride is being promoted as a direct sequel to The Princess and the Frog.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of the film, when she has started a new business, following her successful Tiana’s Palace restaurant. Tiana’s Foods is an employee-owned business that she started, even buying an old salt mine in order to transform it into a garden and kitchen where ingredients for recipes are grown and the food is actually created.
She wants to throw a party to thank everybody, and it’s Mardi Gras season, the perfect time for it. Unfortunately, Tiana is missing some key ingredients, the perfect band. This is where the guests on the ride come in, as they will be dispatched through the old mine to find what she needs. This will include guests shrinking down to the size of animals, and needing to take a big plunge to return to normal size.
The Princess And The Frog’s Voice Cast Returned
If you’re going to make a ride based on The Princess and the Frog movie, you’re going to need to bring those popular characters to life, and that includes their voices. One of the most exciting things about the new ride is that nearly all of the key voice actors from the movie will be back for the new ride.
Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana in the original film, is back to play the same role for the new attraction. In addition, Bruno Campos will be back as Prince Naveen, and Michael Leon Wooley will return to voice the jazz-loving trumpet player who happens to be an alligator, Louis. Jenifer Lewis, who voices Mama Odie is also on hand.
A few more characters from the movie, including Tiana’s mother Eudora, her best friend Charlotte, and her father, “Big Daddy” are confirmed to appear in the ride, though the voice actors have not yet been confirmed to be back.
One character conspicuous by his absence is the villain of The Princess and the Frog. Dr. Facilier, a.k.a. the Shadowman, has not been referenced and voice actor Keith David is not part of the attraction. The character was taken to “the other side” at the end of the original movie, so he's not on hand.
Animatronics Are A Big Part Of Tiana's Bayou Adventure
One of the reasons that Splash Mountain was a popular attraction for many was that it was the place to see more of Disney's audio-animatronics technology than anywhere else. Splash Mountain at Disneyland reused dozens of animatronics from the defunct America Sings shows in Tomorrowland. While Disney Parks have continued to use animatronics in attractions, we have seen instances where popular rides that used a lot of them have been closed, to be replaced by new attractions that use far fewer, or none at all.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure doesn't include as many animatronics as Splash Mountain, but it still has many of them, and they're all incredible.
The New Attraction Features Classic Princess And The Frog Songs, As Well As New Music
The Princess and the Frog has some of the most memorable, and fun, music in the Disney animated canon. Fans are certainly going to want to hear some of that music while getting on the attraction. But, there will also be brand new music on the ride.
Maroon 5 keyboardist P.J. Morton has produced a brand new piece of music for it called"Special Spice." Trumpet player Terence Blanchard, who played all of Louis’ trumpet parts in the original movie, handled arrangements for the music that guests hear while waiting in the queue. This includes classic New Orleans jazz music as well as, apparently, new arrangements of music from the movie.
Tiana's Palace At Disneyland
While most attention is obviously on the brand new attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure isn't the only Princess and the Frog-themed new addition to a Disney Park. Tiana's Palace, a new quick-serve dining location has opened at Disneyland in New Orleans Square, just a few yards from where Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be located.
Disneyland's version of Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be slightly different, so it may include a handful of surprises when it opens. We'll have to wait and see.
