Yahoo Lifestyle Tiana's Bayou Adventure Is Now Open At Walt Disney World, And Here's Everything You Need To Know About "The Princess And The Frog" Themed Flume Ride
Florida theme park fans have a fresh way to cool off this summer thanks to the recent opening of Walt Disney's World's Tiana's Bayou Adventure. The former Splash Mountain ride has been completely re-themed to pay tribute to the titular princess and her passion for all things New Orleans, but its iconic, clothes-drenching drop remains intact.
At a recent preview event ahead of the attraction's opening, I braved the flume ride's front row – without a poncho – and got a behind-the-scenes peek at the merch, food, and everything else fans can expect when they head down to the bayou this summer. Here's the breakdown!
1.Before you take that first 50-foot plunge down the new flume ride, let's go back a few years to find out why Splash Mountain got a Princess and the Frog makeover.
Way back in 2020, Disney announced it would re-theme its Splash Mountain attractions in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. While popular with park-goers, the original ride – which opened in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland in 1992 – was based on the cute critters from the controversial Song of the South film. In an effort to make the attraction more contemporary and inclusive, Disney decided to give Bre'r Rabbit and his bear and fox frenemies the boot.
2.Like any good Disney World attraction worth waiting in the Florida heat for, Tiana's Bayou Adventure isn't merely a fun ride with a thrilling drop, but a narrative-driven romp packed with colorful characters, cinema-rivaling storytelling, and immersive set pieces.
Continuing Tiana's tale from 2009's The Princess and the Frog, the attraction takes place in 1920s New Orleans, where her restaurant has become so successful it's allowed her to expand her culinary business into "Tiana's Foods." Before guests even board their flume logs, they'll get a taste of this sequel story in the queue, where they'll visit Tiana's accolades-filled office, pass through her test kitchen, spy some of her family-oriented keepsakes, and even catch the scent of freshly-baked beignets.
3.Of course, as a fan-pleasing Magic Kingdom attraction, it's also packed with fun Easter eggs and cool call-outs only the most dedicated Disney diehards might discover.
And while I wouldn't spoil all those secrets for you here, I will point to one – which a kind Imagineer clued me in on – that plays a prominent role in both the story and the guests' part in it. Tiana's Bayou Adventure is all about the grateful princess throwing a party for her community, but as her "To Do" list in the queue suggests, jazz-loving alligator Louis has yet to hire a band for the event. And because it wouldn't be a proper New Orleans party without a live band, guests are quickly recruited to put one together.
4.Upon boarding their flume logs, fans will travel to the bayou in search of a band to play at Tiana's celebration. In addition to the attraction's signature drop – and several smaller plunges – they'll encounter plenty of familiar characters and adorable critters, listen to memorable music from the film, including “Dig a Little Deeper” and “Down in New Orleans,” and even be shrunk down to the size of frogs.
That latter effect is just one of many that leverage Disney's latest tech to immerse guests in the experience. In addition to Mama Odie's magic reducing riders to the stature of amphibians, they'll encounter state-of-the-art audio-animatronics, high-fidelity screen projections, and a show-stopping finale accompanied by a new tune, “Special Spice,” sung by Tiana's voice actor Anika Noni Rose.
5.While Tiana's Bayou Adventure is brimming with cute characters, slick effects, and cool tech, its neatest trick is its ability to firmly place fans' hearts in their throats as their log makes that slow, steep ascent before pivoting vertically and plummeting 50 feet.
Retaining the pulse-spiking thrills of Splash Mountain's infamous guest-soaking descent, the moment is still one of the ride's – and park's – absolute best. Riders looking to commemorate the sharp drop can also pony-up for a limited Disney PhotoPass package. Nestled in a triptych-like design, the $33 souvenir surrounds your personal 8X10 ride pic with recipe cards, character photos, and a note from the princess.
6.If you prefer to save your cash for a less-personalized keepsake, the attraction's official merchandise shop – dubbed “Critter Co-Op" – is happy to oblige. Whether you want to adopt one of the ride's adorable animal band members, walk the parks with a glowing firefly atop your shoulder, or score some Tiana-inspired kitchen tools, the heavily themed shop has you covered like powdered sugar on a beignet.
7.Speaking of New Orleans' beloved sweet treat, the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure also brings a host of inspired snacks to the Magic Kingdom. Located just a stone's throw from the attraction – at the Golden Oak Outpost – you'll not only find the princess's signature beignets, but also two types of gumbo.
But you needn't be right by the ride to enjoy the foods it's inspired, as multiple dining locations – from Fantasyland's Pinocchio Village Haus to The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street – have spiced up their menus with both savory and sweet selections inspired by the attraction and its loving celebration of Louisiana culture.
8.If you've ridden the attraction, eaten the themed food, adopted a plush critter, and you're still craving more Tiana-inspired immersion, you can eke a bit more fun from the ride with a MagicBand+. As longtime Disney nerds know, these all-in-one wearables feature plenty of convenient functions, from working as your park admission to linking to your PhotoPass account.
But the smartwatch-like devices – sold in a variety of fan-servicing styles – also interact with rides and experiences throughout the parks. Tiana's Bayou Adventure is no different, as the MagicBand+ will flash and vibrate during key moments of the attraction.
9.Of course, no amount of cute souvenirs, yummy treats, or wearable tech can match the magic of actually riding the attraction – and briefly spying Cinderella's Castle from the tippity-top of that vertical drop. But as a popular, new addition, Tiana's Bayou Adventure isn't exactly begging for eager participants. Securing a spot, especially during the busy summer season, won't be easy. But not to worry – here's everything you need to know to ensure you experience the park's latest E-ticket.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure currently does not have a standby line, so even if you're willing to spend the day waiting, you don't have that option. The best – and cheapest – way to secure a spot is to join its virtual queue. For first-timers, this system allows you to use the My Disney Experience app to essentially make a reservation. That said, availability fills up fast, so you'll want to have your phone powered on and your thumb at the ready when the first virtual queue opens at 7 a.m. If you miss that early opportunity, you'll get another chance at 1 p.m. Those who pay for Disney's line-skipping Genie+ service can also secure a place in line. But again, you'll want to do this early, before other impatient parkgoers beat you to the plunge, er, punch.
Did you get a chance to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure? Let me know what you thought about it in the comment section below!
