Are you ready to dive deep into the bayou? As a black woman and Disney enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my personal journey with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the Magic Kingdom.
From my rollercoaster experience during the Annual Passholder Preview to insider tips on making the most of this magical new attraction, I’ve got you covered.
This is going to be a mixture of a dedication post with a quirky side of me mixed with my expert theme park tips for you and some parts will include moments of me venting about my not-so-fun experience trying to ride this attraction.
So, let’s explore what makes this ride so special and why it’s a game-changer for representation in the Disney parks.
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Key Takeaways
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride is based on Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” film and replaces Splash Mountain at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland
- I had a bunch of low moments on my journey trying to ride this new attraction for 5 days which I will discuss later
- The ride features 48 Audio-Animatronics figures and a 50 feet drop height
- This attraction’s development involved research trips to Louisiana, consultation with local experts, and a focus on cultural authenticity
- You can expect new music, a detailed queue, a virtual queue system, and themed merchandise and treats
Keep reading to get my full story on this exciting yet challenging journey ahead!
Allow Me to Introduce You to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride
So, let me tell you about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – it’s not just a ride, as I previously mentioned, it’s a celebration of representation that had me grinning from ear to ear!
As a black woman and Disney fanatic, seeing Princess Tiana take center stage at the Magic Kingdom feels like a dream come true and I’m just so happy to see her have a dedicated ride in the parks.
This attraction isn’t your average splash-and-dash, antebellum log flume ride.
It’s a journey through the heart of New Orleans, complete with jazzy tunes, mouth-watering aromas (one of my favorite parts), and a whole lotta Disney magic.
Here you will take a plunge down a 50-foot drop, with 48 audio-animatronics that’ll give you the vibe like you’re smack dab in the middle of Louisiana.
As soon as you join the line, you’re whisked away to Tiana’s world. And I’m not going to spoil all of the major surprises for you but I will give you a few hints of things to look for on your adventure.
I have put a full video of the ride above just in case you want to take a sneak peek!
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Exploring Tiana’s World (Storyline)
According to Disney, Princess Tiana is gearing up for a huge party, but there’s a little hiccup with Prince Naveen and Louis and now the princess needs a band right away.
You’ll then join Tiana and Louis on a quick bayou adventure to find the missing music for her party!
As the ride continues to take you through her journey of being a restaurant owner, you begin to experience the vibrant culture of the Big Easy with features such as:
- Jazzy tunes that’ll have you tapping your toes throughout the queue and ride (I looooove all of the new music from the queue and especially in the big finale scene)
- Mouthwatering scents of Tiana’s famous cuisine
- Fireflies twinkling in the bayou
- Louis’ trumpet serenading you as you float by
- A thrilling plunge that’ll leave you screaming, soaked, and smiling (in that order!)
- And so much more!
Trust me, this ride is more than just a splash – it’s an expedition that’ll leave you feeling proud and inspired just like I felt.
But hold onto your beignets, my friend – getting on this ride during the Annual Passholder Preview was quite the adventure itself!
A journey that TRULY tested my love for the Disney brand as a whole.
Story of My Struggle Trying to Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during Disney Passholder Preview
First, let me tell you about my wild ride trying to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during the Annual Passholder Preview! It was like trying to catch a greased pig at a county fair (in my best Charlotte La Bouff impersonation, haha!).
The Virtual Queue System had me refreshing my phone like a madwoman at 7 a.m. sharp and after four days of disappointment, I finally snagged my spot through this bayou venture on the fifth day!
I was one of the lucky ones to score a Virtual Queue reservation for Thursday, June 13th; however, after 6 hours of waiting for the ride to come back up, I had to sadly throw in the towel and head back home.
For the next four days I would try to score a Park Reservation (to no avail) to get the 7 a.m. Virtual Queue spot but I didn’t have any Disney magic on my side and the 1 p.m. slots went away in a flash!
I was finally able to grab a park reservation for the following Tuesday and I scored a Virtual Queue spot being in the number 47 group.
It’s not over yet…
Unfortunately, it was another LOOOOONG day of waiting with me arriving at the park around 9:45 a.m. but not actually boarding the ride until 3:43 p.m.
I had to try to stay positive as I was starting to lose hope again and to be honest, I was getting quite sad about this situation.
However, I could also see the frustration of other Passholders in the Facebook Groups as they were going through the same thing.
Although this wasn’t an ideal situation for us all, it let me know that I wasn’t alone in my frustration.
During the constant checking of my phone, battling the Florida heat, and trying to find things to do that were not too far from the ride I thought to myself…
“…maybe this was my own little Tiana-like adventure and just maybe I needed to tell myself that I’ve climbed the mountain, I’ve crossed the river, and I’m almost there.”
After I spoke those words of encouragement to myself, the ride was testing again, the Disney Cast Members began to put out their welcome signs and my boarding group was FINALLY called!
Hallelujah, let the good times roll!
But the real emotional rollercoaster didn’t really hit me untilI saw Princess Tiana in all her glory.
As a black woman, seeing myself represented in such a grand way at Disney World brought tears to my eyes and it seemed like the frustrating journey to get here all went away in a flash.
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Historical Context and Development
Let’s now jump into the debut of our favorite Princess and the new place she calls home.
The journey to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been longer than a Louisiana summer!
It all started back in June 2020 when Disney announced they were giving Splash Mountain a much-needed makeover.
The old ride’s ties to “Song of the South” were problematic, to say the least. But Disney didn’t just slap on a new coat of paint.
They dove deep into Louisiana culture, sending Imagineers on research trips to get everything just right.
Timeline and Key Milestones in the Development Process
- June 2020: Disney drops the bombshell about the retheme
- January 2023: Splash Mountain takes its final plunge at Magic Kingdom
- May 2023: Disneyland’s Splash Mountain follows suit
- June 2024: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park
From concept to creation, it was a labor of love. And honestly, the wait has been worth it and truly appreciative!
Transition from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or should I say, the “frog in the bayou?”
Why did Splash Mountain close at Disney?
As I previously mentioned, Splash Mountain was inspired by the movie “Song of the South” from 1946, which stirred up some controversy due to its romanticized portrayal of plantation life and Black Americans after the Civil War.
Experiencing Splash Mountain as a Kid
When I was a kid I thought the characters were just another fun Disney creation but the context of their origins is/was something that I just could not stand behind.
And although I was a big fan of Splash Mountain the ride, I no longer rode it after I learned about the film.
So, gone are the problematic characters and storylines. In their place, Imagineers gave us a celebration of black excellence alongside Louisiana charm.
The Imagineers also didn’t just slap Tiana’s face on the old ride (as some online critics like to argue) – they reimagined it from the ground up, infusing every nook and cranny with an authentic New Orleans flavor true to Tiana’s story. So…
- Out with the old: Br’er Rabbit and friends bid farewell
- In with the new: Princess Tiana and Louis jazzing up the joint
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Reactions from the Public and Critics
If you’ve been online, then you know that the response to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been hotter than Louisiana asphalt! There are lots of critics and online creators praising the ride’s authenticity and attention to detail.
Disney fans happy about the changes, with many sharing emotional stories of seeing themselves reflected in a major attraction.
Other folks, including myself, are also raving about the immersive storytelling and the way it celebrates black culture. Below are some highlights I’ve heard and read online:
- “It’s like stepping into New Orleans!”
- “Finally, a princess who looks like me!”
- “The music had me dancing in my seat!”
Sure, there’s always gonna be a few grumpy gators missing the old ride and their arguments don’t really have any substance to them, but most fans agree – this is a magical step forward for Disney.
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8 Incredible Secrets and Fun Facts about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Now that we’ve gone through all of the details along with my experience with this ride, I wanted to give you a few secrets and cool fun facts to know before you go.
- Look out for hidden Mickey’s with a Creole twist
- Try to spot all 48 audio-animatronics (it’s harder than you think!)
- Sniff for the scent of beignets – they’re pumping in that sweet aroma!
- Listen out for familiar voices such as Anika Noni Rose and the original cast are back, bringing our favorite characters to life
- All the mentions of “Leah” point back to Leah Chase, a well-known chef from New Orleans who inspired part of Tiana’s character.
- Check out the water tower that stands 32 feet tall that was created by Imagineers and Icarus (one Florida-based small businesses contracted to supply products and services to Disney World)
- Look for all of the fun 19 little critters on the ride that’s there to help Tiana (especially Lari the Armadillo)
- Check out the children’s garden to see the vegetables such as: Celery, Onions, Green Peppers (also known as the trinity in traditional New Orleans dishes)
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10 Expert Tips for Riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Alright, let’s talk about the strategy for conquering Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
First things first, set those alarms for 6:55 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. to snag a virtual queue spot.
Believe me, getting up early is totally worth it and gives you a better chance of getting that coveted spot on the ride!
Once you’re in, here’s the tea:
- Have a poncho or wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet in
- Bring a waterproof phone case for those epic selfies
- Arrive early to soak in the ride’s atmosphere and get all of your off ride photos and videos
- Get the cute merchandise before it sells out
- Explore the queue and look for fun little nods to Tiana’s story
- Disney did state that the Virtual Queue wouldn’t last long for this attraction but no date has been announced
- Don’t forget to check out your ride photo at the end
- Try Tiana’s Famous Beignets at the Golden Oak Outpost from June 28th through August 8th
- Meet Princess Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Have fun!
And here’s my secret weapon: hit the ride during fireworks for shorter wait times and a spectacular view.
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My Final Thoughts
As you can see, this ride isn’t just ticking boxes; it’s celebrating our culture in all its vibrant glory.
From the music to the food to the characters, it’s an authentic slice of joy right in the heart of Disney World that’s inspiring young black girls and boys to see themselves as royalty.
It’s a small step for Disney, but a giant leap for representation in the theme park world.
So, grab your crew, set those alarms for the virtual queue, and get ready to laissez les bon temps rouler!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!