Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will replace Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and there are already details about the upcoming Princess and the Frog ride surfacing online. Anyone who frequents Disneyland will have noticed that Splash Mountain is currently closed for renovations. The classic attraction will be very different when it reopens, as it’s getting a story update and name change. Given all the problems with Disney’s Song of the South, which Splash Mountain was based on, the changes are long overdue.
And Tiana’s Bayou Adventure offers an exciting opportunity to introduce a new ride to Disneyland, all while adding to the theme park’s lineup of movie-inspired attractions. The Princess and the Frog is a great story to build a ride around, and it offers hope that other modern Disney movies will eventually make their way to the parks. With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure still under construction, it’s unclear just how different the water ride will be from its predecessor. However, the new attraction will be open soon enough — and Disneyland has offered some details in the meantime.
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When Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Open At Disneyland?
The Splash Mountain Replacement Is Slated For A 2024 Opening
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure doesn’t have a specific opening date as of this writing, but Disneyland.com confirms that the renovated ride will be up and running sometime in 2024. Given that the year is halfway over, parkgoers can assume it’ll be during the latter half of it. A summer debut would be fitting, considering the water elements of the ride. This is the approach Walt Disney World Resort in Florida seems to be taking, as its version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in summer 2024.
For Disneyland California, it’s possible that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will begin running during Disneyland’s fall 2024 season or even later. Parkgoers should keep an eye out for more updates about the ride. And until Disney makes an official opening announcement, it’s probably best to avoid purchasing Disneyland tickets with this attraction in mind.
What Kind Of Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Will Be
The Princess And The Frog Attraction Will Still Be A Water Ride
For all intents and purposes, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure shouldn’t be all that different from Splash Mountain — at least not when it comes to the physical elements of the attraction. Although the exterior of Splash Mountain was partially torn down (via Inside the Magic), it’s still listed as a water ride on Disneyland’s website. Disneyland also categorizes the upcoming attraction under “big drops,” suggesting it will keep this element of its predecessor. While Tiana’s Bayou Adventure might differ in appearance from Splash Mountain due to its recent renovations, it will still bear some resemblance to it. Its story, however, will not.
What’s Been Revealed About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Theme & What Guests Can Expect
It Will Take Visitors On A Journey With Princess Tiana From The Princess And The Frog
In addition to the opening timeline and nature of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disneyland has revealed some story details about the upcoming ride. The attraction is set during “the next chapter of Princess Tiana’s story” in The Princess and the Frog, and it will see riders embarking on an adventure through the Louisiana bayou with her. Concept art suggests they’ll ride in log boats, much like the ones used in Splash Mountain. Disneyland.com also confirms that the ride will be a musical experience, so parkgoers can anticipate songs — likely ones from The Princess and the Frog.
Disneyland’s website also reveals that characters from the 2009 Disney movie will appear, helping Princess Tiana and the riders prepare for Mardis Gras. It’s unclear who will crop up, but Louis the Alligator and Prince Naveen seem like safe bets. In fact, Louis is even confirmed for Disney World’s version of the ride, so it seems inevitable he’ll show up in California, too. The most surprising element of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure revealed online is that there will be major twists. These will remain under wraps until the ride opens, but they offer something to look forward to when it does.
Why Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Is Replacing Splash Mountain
The Movie Splash Mountain Was Based On Featured Offensive Racial Stereotypes
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is an exciting addition to Disneyland California, but those less updated on Disney news might be wondering why it’s replacing Splash Mountain. After all, Splash Mountain was as popular as attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. Unfortunately, the movie Splash Mountain was based on — 1946’s Song of the South — featured racial stereotypes that were rightfully criticized by modern parkgoers and audiences. There was even a petition to change the theme of the ride, and it seems Disneyland listened to the backlash and vowed to fix it. The result is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Source: Disneyland.com, Inside the Magic
