Legendary Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter and creator of Splash Mountain comments on its transformation into Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Apr 12, 2023 in "Tiana's Bayou Adventure"

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Tiana's Bayou Adventure construction - April 10 2023

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Posted: Wednesday April 12, 2023 1:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Update 7:00-pm April 12 - The comments by Tony Baxter referenced in the LA Times article were from 2020, and are not new.

In an article by the Los Angeles Times, legendary Walt Disney Imagineer and creator of Splash Mountain Tony Baxter comments on the ride's transformation into Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept model - D23 Expo exhibit

Baxter told the LA Times, "When Splash Mountain came to life over 30 years ago, the wave of Disney Animation that started with 'The Little Mermaid' had not yet begun. New stories would give us characters, music and wonderful places that now reside in the hearts of audiences everywhere. Following conversations with Imagineering's leaders about the new attraction's scope and resources, I had a great sense of reassurance — the attraction will be one to be proud of ... bringing to life places, characters and music from the animated classic 'The Princess and the Frog.'" You can read more at the LA Times.

The comments come alongside news today that Splash Mountain will close at Disneyland on May 30, and the unveiling of more details about Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept art - April 2023

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Unbanshee32 minutes ago

Annual Passholders can still participate in the soft opening preview for the 1pm drops if they book any other theme park. It's still wide open

Sirwalterraleigh35 minutes ago

Somebody explain to me what the hell for? …please use small words

NickMaio1 hour ago

Rrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiggggghhhhhhhttttttttt....

sixbagelboy1 hour ago

There are several people on FB who claim they were able to book reservations for all 5 days. Reservations closed fast so it’s amazing people can do that. And typical Disney, they couldn’t think of a way to get all AP’s a chance to participate in the soft opening.

nickys1 hour ago

You won’t like this answer. ☹️ The info says you have to have a reservation for a Disney Resort made on your membership - so a points stay, cash booking through Member Services, or using points to stay at a non DVC resort. But you can only book for the number of guests on your reservation as of May 12th. So it’s too late to book in order to register for the previews. You have to have been booked by the end of Sunday night.

ToTBellHop2 hours ago

They may have been TOO aggressive with the animation on this one. Leave SOME of the actual salt dome!

Tha Realest2 hours ago

This looks like one of those magazine covers you could get at Pleasure Island in the early 90’s.

Disney Glimpses3 hours ago

Anecdotally, people I visit with avoided Splash late because they didn't want to get wet when there was no sun to dry them off. Edited by mod - So people might not want to get wet on TBA after sundown. I don't want your post to be reported as OT. ;)

Disney Glimpses3 hours ago

My hope is that it goes standby every night after 9pm or so.

ToTBellHop3 hours ago

You don’t think that’s just because all lines shorten at 9 pm?

Brer Oswald3 hours ago

You say this, but if history is to be believed for any and all water rides in central Florida, they still drop in demand after the sun goes down. It has less to do with the temperature, and more with the fact that the sun dries out your clothes. People don’t want to ride home (or watch the fireworks) soggy.

The Mom3 hours ago

Just FYI, boarding procedures, opening dates, etc all fall under the latest details and construction progress part of the thread title. So discussing how guests can access this ride is OK.

Gillyanne3 hours ago

Doesn't the ride shut down for weather/lightning? VQ is the "chance" to ride if/when your boarding is called. With weather they could 'by chance' not get to all the boarding groups; and that's the chance you take when you book it and may be more expected/outlined. If you booked a timeslot and weather shuts it down it would be treated different, possibly with one of those "anytime" fast passes, but possibly not even for TBA. I'm sure it would have some kind of stipulation just like VQ would; but I think people treat the "but I booked a specific time" a lil differently than waiting for their number to be called (Hopefully that makes sense, I couldn't think how to word it well)

brettf224 hours ago

Fair enough. And looks as if, with the lack of ILL, everybody is going to be playing the G+ and/or VQ 7am button dance each morning, at least until things settle down.