Disney took the unusual step of releasing a full POV (point of view) ride-through video today of their highly anticipated new attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, nearly a month before it opens at Walt Disney World on June 28.
The ride, which replaces the iconic Splash Mountain, has sparked a wave of mixed reactions among YouTube viewers. We reviewed the first 1500 YouTube user comments submitted in the first 6 hours of the video's debut to compile this summary.
It should be noted that the comments we reviewed are all based on Disney's official POV, not in-person ride experiences, and they are the opinion of the YouTube users and not WDWMAGIC. We will hear many more in-person reviews once previews begin on June 2, and we will also have an in-depth WDWMAGIC review after we get to experience the ride in-person.
While the animatronics and some visual aspects of the ride have been praised, the overall sentiment has skewed negatively, with many YouTube viewers expressing disappointment in the new attraction's storytelling and overall experience.
Story and Narrative: A Missed Opportunity?
One of the most frequent criticisms centers around the ride's storyline. Viewers find the plot—centering on Tiana searching for party musicians—lacking depth and coherence. Many feel the story does not capture the magic of "The Princess and the Frog" and misses an opportunity to include more iconic elements from the film.
"The storyline is a miss for me. You could've worked in Dr Facilier and his voodoo friends. While searching for a band for the party we could've taken a wrong turn in the bayou and had the evil, dark tension leading up to the drop," one viewer comments.
Another viewer echoes this sentiment, stating, "There's like 3 stories in this ride, 1st we are looking for people/creatures aka musicians to play in a band 2nd we get shrunk or turned into frogs to look for tiny musicians, 3rd we are a special ingredient/spice for Tiana's party."
Comparisons to Splash Mountain
Many fans can't help but compare Tiana's Bayou Adventure to its predecessor, Splash Mountain. The new ride is frequently unfavorably compared to the old, with viewers lamenting the loss of the original's cohesive story, dramatic tension, and memorable music.
"Splash Mountain had a story with an ANTAGONIST. This one… did not, instead you are looking for some kind of spice… Off to Japan I go. ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH EVERYONE," one comment reads.
"From a fun zipadeedodah story that starts with a nice leisurely ride through Brer Rabbit's home… And now we have… food," another user remarks.
Ride Experience: Criticisms of Empty Spaces
The new ride is also criticized for having too much empty space and dead air, making parts of it feel dull and lifeless. Viewers note that certain sections feel underwhelming and lack the engaging elements that made Splash Mountain a beloved attraction.
"Some portions are awkwardly quiet…" one viewer points out.
"Except for the finale it just seems so empty. There seems to just be a lot of dead space that they really had no idea what to do with," another review states.
No Dr. Facillier
Fans are particularly vocal about the missed opportunities in the ride's design and storytelling. The absence of Dr. Facilier, a key antagonist from the movie, is a common point of contention. Many feel his inclusion would have added much-needed tension and excitement.
"The greatest missed opportunity in Disney parks history is to leave out Facilier and not have 'are you ready!???' playing while going up the lift hill for the final drop," one disappointed fan notes.
"Spent all the money on the plastic plants and Christmas lights to hide all of the dead space. Bayou magic? Magic it is not. The word 'boring' comes to mind," another adds.
Praise for Animatronics and Visuals
Despite the criticism, several aspects of the ride receive praise. Viewers appreciate the high-quality animatronics and visual design, which many find to be a significant improvement over Splash Mountain.
"The animatronics are beautiful and well done. I love Tiana and think it's awesome that she's getting some love. That last scene is beautiful and impressive," one user remarks.
Another viewer adds, "Visually, it's fantastic, and 'Special Spice' is a fantastic earworm."
Fans also note the ride's appeal to younger audiences who may not have experienced Splash Mountain, with some expressing excitement to see it in person. "The animatronics look amazing! I can't wait to ride it next month!" one comment reads.
Mixed Reactions
The overall reaction from viewers so far is one of disappointment, with many expressing that the ride does not meet their expectations. Despite some praise for the animatronics and visual effects, the lack of a compelling story and the numerous missed opportunities leave many fans yearning for Splash Mountain.
"This is so disappointing, Tiana deserved waaaay better than this snooze fest," one user comments.
"A beautiful, dull, muddled mess. No sense of drama, pace, excitement. So much dead air and plastic flowers. But lots and lots of fireflies," another review concludes.
As Tiana's Bayou Adventure prepares to open, it remains to be seen how the attraction will be received by the wider public. For now, the mixed reactions from the official POV video highlight the challenges Disney faces in reimagining beloved attractions while meeting the high expectations of its fans.
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