First Detailed Look Inside Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World

May 29, 2024 in "Tiana's Bayou Adventure"

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'We Call It Imagineering' Tiana's Bayou Adventure sneak peek

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Posted: Wednesday May 29, 2024 7:38pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The latest installment of Disney's 'We Call It Imagineering' YouTube series takes us behind the scenes of how music is created for attractions and entertainment and includes the first detailed look inside Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

'We Call It Imagineering' Tiana's Bayou Adventure sneak peek

These first glimpses inside Tiana's Bayou Adventure confirm the mixed use of Audio-Animatronics, detailed physical sets, and projections.

'We Call It Imagineering' Tiana's Bayou Adventure sneak peek

The ride's story marks a new chapter for Tiana as she grows her business and as a thank you to her community for their support, she's throwing a party during Mardi Gras season. When it turns out there's been a mix up in the preparations and she's missing a band, Tiana invites us on a journey through the bayou discovering both friends familiar and anew for this last ingredient – musical critters!

After the thrilling drop, you'll soon approach Tiana and friends at her mansion, where Louis conducts a jazz band filled with all the critters we met on our journey. They play "Special Spice" along with Prince Naveen playing his ukulele and Prince Ralphie the drums. We've discovered the "Special Spice" making this joyful, one-of-a-kind celebration complete is in fact YOU. The melody continues as we approach Mama Odie, who acknowledges that this party wouldn't be what it is without you.

'We Call It Imagineering' Tiana's Bayou Adventure sneak peek

The sneak peek video from Imagineering, which you can watch below, shows the ride's loading area, show scenes, animatronics, the finale scene, and a listen to the all-new original song "Special Spice," composed for the ride by PJ Morton with vocals by Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Princess Tiana.

Disney has announced preview opportunities for Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, which will run from June 2 through June 26, 2024, for various groups, including Cast Members, DVC members, media, Club 33 members, and Annual Passholders. The official opening for all guests is set for June 28, 2024.

Watch another short video below from Walt Disney Imagineering that shows more views of the ride during composer PJ Morton's visit.

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splah4 hours ago

that's a good comparison to looney tunes. The character designs didn't seem "disney" to me and i couldn't really figure out why. I think you especially see it with the fox (looks like sylvester). it has sharp points to the outline. they aren't as approachable as classic disney. if i stretch it further the design reminds me of the terrifying new monkeys in the jungle. there's such a focus on real/authentic that it misses out on the levity and make-believe. (i really don't like the monkeys)

WorldExplorer5 hours ago

They seem to really not like the idea of Tiana being in the log. All the merchandise I've seen opts for the animals (rarely including Louis) instead. It's also probably worth noting that all merchandise is nothing but smiling, happy faces for this thrill ride with a 50 foot drop. So Splash had funny and memorable merchandise and artwork featuring the main characters reacting to the giant drop. Tiana's has generic animals smiling while Tiana stands nearby grinning at nothing.

Speedy716 hours ago

erasure fan114 hours ago

It's funny because I very much think the ride is a downgrade but I would definitely buy one if it was the characters of the film. Because I just love the film.

Bocabear14 hours ago

Exactly...If it were characters we knew, it would make a better souvenir... They look like Loony Tunes/Warner Brothers/ Six Flags characters... The funny thing is, if it were still Splash I would have bought a souvenir with the possums...the characters were cuter and made more sense... Maybe in time people will know who these character are...

LittleBuford15 hours ago

Whereas I would prefer this one purely because I think the animals are cute. Ironically, it’s their association with the ride (which I have no real fondness for in its rethemed state) that would prevent me from buying it.

erasure fan115 hours ago

True, but personally I wouldn't get one though. If it had Tiana, Louis and Naveen I'd be onboard. It does seem like a odd choice. Disney is all about that merch cash. And this seems like a missed opportunity. And if was Tiana and Naveen as frogs in front, then Ray then Louis, I'd probably buy 3.

BagOfGroceries16 hours ago

The point is that the rabbit head topper is gone. Not who the characters are.

Homemade Imagineering16 hours ago

Lifeformations (LF Studios) made the critter figures for this. For context, they’re the same company who built those animatronic bands for Ripley’s Believe it or Not back in the day

LittleBuford16 hours ago

I very much doubt the plan is for people to recognise these characters in the sense you're suggesting. They're meant as a general evocation of the ride's critter population; one doesn't have to know their names or backstories to get the point of the figure.

Bocabear16 hours ago

meaning I don't recognize the characters from the movie...or any other media I have seen....They are not plotline characters that everyone recognized from Splash... I don't know their names, whet they do or why they are important...or riding in the log...except you say they are in the ride. Aside from Louie, Tiana , Odie and her snake and a few characters in the last scene, I have no idea who any of those other characters are. And Tiana is so off model she doesn't look like the character we know either... Maybe in time people will recognize these characters...They could probably be sold in a Six Flags park that has a log flume and no one would know or care who they are...

LittleBuford16 hours ago

This is just silly. One can prefer Splash to Bayou Adventure (as I do) without pretending that people are going to be confused as to who these characters represent. The whole ride is about rounding up critter musicians. Seriously, where’s the confusion? Why play dumb when it’s perfectly clear what’s going on?

EagleScout61016 hours ago

You mean the animals they wrote entire books about and then have us zip past in the blink of an eye and don't even have them contribute to the plot beside stand there? Color me shocked nobody remembers them,