FULL Ride-Through Video of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is almost there. With the reimagined ride’s official opening on June 28, 2024, construction on the reimagined ride is now finished. Not only that, but Walt Disney World has shared a full ride-through video of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
This is the longest and most spoiler-heavy sneak peek at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to date. The biggest update before this was the First Look at Imagineering’s Innovative Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This featured a look at Audio Animatronics of Mama Odie, Louis the Alligator, Eudora, Charlotte, Ralphie, Prince Naveen, Byhalia the Beaver, and Princess Tiana in person and they are incredible.
Well, now we have footage of those impressive Audio Animatronics actually installed inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, so we can see how they look in the refreshed and brand-new show scenes. Together with the first critter crew, second critter crew, and the third critter crew of musicians, these characters bring to life Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
With previews are slated to begin in the coming days, Walt Disney World has now released a full POV ride-through video of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This is a relatively unprecedented move for a new attraction that features staged show scenes and Audio Animatronics, so it’s somewhat surprising.
Less surprising is that first reactions to the ride-through video are decidedly mixed. In fact, that’s probably charitable. We’re anti-spoiler and thus not only have we not watched the video, but we also have ‘spoiler shields’ (e.g. keyword muting) on social media. Despite our best efforts, reactions have broken through our defenses, and most haven’t been exactly positive.
We’re still withholding judgment until riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ourselves next week, but it’s still disappointing to hear such a high volume and intensity of negative assessments. Our hope is that it presents better in person or that the ride-through is being review-bombed (obviously that wouldn’t be ideal for Disney, but it’d be better than the alternative).
Regardless, our full review is coming soon. For now, you can watch the full ride-through POV of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure–and pick up a pitchfork or sing its praises, as the case may be. Here it is:
We’d still recommend watching the second episode of the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube series, which takes viewers behind-the-scenes of how music is created for Disney attractions and entertainment including at the finale of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, featuring the new original song “Special Spice.”
Watch the “We Call It Imagineering: Soundscapes” video for yourself here:
The Soundscapes episode isn’t merely marketing for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It delves into the history of music in the parks, starting with how Walt Disney understood the power of music and what it could convey. When he established Walt Disney Imagineering to help build Disneyland, Walt brought his filmmakers on board, envisioning the parks as immersive versions of his films.
The Imagineers’ approach to music is deliberate and meticulous, and has stood the test of time as a result. This attention to detail is evident in the work of songwriters like the Sherman Brothers, who were among the first songwriters for Disneyland attractions, creating classics like “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” and “It’s A Small World (After All),” which debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and has been an earworm ever since.
The illustrious careers of the Sherman Brothers continue to be remembered and revered by generations of fans, and with the passing of Richard last weekend, the release of Soundscapes this week offers a lovely tribute to the Disney Legends.
Turning to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, there’s an extensive and (fair-warning) spoiler-heavy look inside the attraction starting at 16:16 of the “Soundscapes” episode. I’m not posting screenshots here because I’m pretty anti-spoiler…and because I stopped watching the video myself once it became clear there would be major spoilers.
With a new story, there was a need for new music to go along with it. Imagineers worked with Grammy-winner, PJ Morton, in New Orleans to score a lyrical love letter to the city for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. These recording sessions resulted in both new renditions of favorite tunes from the film and an all-new, original song, “Special Spice” with vocals by Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Princess Tiana and Disney Legend.
This is 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. (Not literally–Tiana is not catching and cooking adorable animals in this attraction.)
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 you. The melody continues as we approach Mama Odie, who acknowledges that this party wouldn’t be what it is without you.
As we near the attraction’s opening on June 28, 2024 at Magic Kingdom, PJ recently stopped by to hear his song alongside the Imagineering project team. “Seeing my song on the ride for the very first time was mind blowing to me,” recounted PJ. “It’s surreal to be in this world after a long time writing this song and finally seeing it in action, it’s a dream come true.”
Not only does the latest episode of “We Call It Imagineering” feature a sneak peek of this catchy song, but the full version of “Special Spice” will also release on Walt Disney Records this Friday, May 31, 2024 across all streaming platforms.
Before even boarding the attraction, you’ll hear a radio program on a New Orleans station playing authentic jazz versions of familiar songs, including “Down in New Orleans,” “Ma Belle Evangeline” and more from “The Princess and the Frog”! Listen closely, you might catch the radio host sharing an important message to listeners, Tiana needs help finding musicians for her big party tonight.
Terence Blanchard, a featured musician in “The Princess and the Frog,” seven-time Grammy-winner and twice-Oscar nominated composer, helmed the music in the attraction’s queue. This is just one of the many ways Imagineers have leaned into local New Orleans voices to tell Tiana’s story — both artists are natives to this musical city.
“We really wanted to showcase New Orleans music, give people who are going to be in the queue line an experience of being in New Orleans,” shared Terence. “It will hopefully create a lasting memory and a relationship with the city.”
The Chase family is another center stone of the city and provided inspiration for “The Princess and the Frog.” Singer Leah Chase Jr. and daughter of Chef Leah Chase who was one of the inspirations of Tiana, sings “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.”
In other Tiana’s Bayou Adventure news, Walt Disney World has taken down the construction walls from in front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, revealing the attraction marquee out front. This is the first time we’ve seen the signage in real life, but it was first revealed in the attraction model (albeit the Disneyland version) for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure back at the 2022 D23 Expo.
The construction walls coming down and marquee being revealed almost a month in advance are not particularly surprising. Although Tiana’s Bayou Adventure doesn’t officially open until June 28, there are pretty much non-stop previews between now and then. In just a few days, previews for Cast Members begin in early June.
Following that, there are previews for Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, D23 Gold Members, and more Cast Members. Magic Kingdom park reservations for the Annual Passholder preview dates filled up fast, but as we explain in How to Register for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Preview Dates (STILL OPEN!), you can still ‘register’ for the previews (hence the parenthetical in the title).
With these previews starting soon, we wouldn’t be surprised if Walt Disney World releases even more footage soon. It’s expected that Cast Members will be allowed to take photos and video on the ride (and even if they weren’t, something would inevitably leak once one of their guests “accidentally” broke the rules), so the floodgates on footage are opening next week one way or the other. It probably makes sense for Disney to get out ahead of that and release official video that isn’t shot like a found footage horror movie.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the ride-through footage of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World? Surprised by the quality and quantity of Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Excited for the new-look ride? How much ‘inspiration’ from the former Splash Mountain are you expecting to appear in the reimagined version? Agree or disagree with our assessment of the attraction? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
There are quite a few dark areas, but the video was filmed at night. Maybe adding a few more lights in those areas would help that. Overall, seems a little boring, but is that actually so bad? I kinda like having a few low key rides to slow down, relax and cool off for a bit. Carousel of Progress is boring, but we ride it every trip for that same reason. And the quick view of the castle and Space Mountain just before the drop…OMG…so beautiful! Looking forward to experiencing it in person.
First error, a POV video at dusk when it’s difficult to see the outside features of the ride. The majority of the negative comments are most likely due to sentimentality and not based on the ride itself. There are areas where more could have been done; either with animatronics or simple additions to the decor. The best part is the end with the New Orleans street scene, love that! I’ll have to watch it again, was the storyline clear? It didn’t seem to be… if I didn’t know the movie, would I understand the ride? Maybe the audio wasn’t clear in the video. I’ll see in August with the family.
Splash mountain was historically always our families number one or two ride whenever we made a Disney world trip. Thinking this politically correct revision/change will likely now simply become a one and done ride. Shame Disney no longer understands a fun ride and song didn’t have to change, simply because a few wanted to complain or take offense…..just to push an agenda.
How is this an agenda? You don’t have to love the new ride, but there is no nefarious agenda here. Princess and the frog is a popular film beloved by many.
I, too, am interested to hear what “agenda” is being “pushed” by this ride, J.R.
For those who don’t understand agenda, may want to check with and ask Disney specifically why they felt they needed to make a complete story change, instead of a simple refresh. From a popularity and monetary business standpoint, highly doubt Tiana will ever generate the type of revenue or public interest…… Disney obtained with Splash Mountain.
I think there are some people out there for whom Disney can’t do anything right. Whatever they came up with for this ride would be berated. I expect that explains some of the negative reviews.
However, I find myself wishing they had followed the original story and included Dr Facilier to give the ride more of a plot and some stakes. The plot they chose of looking for musicians/an ingredient (which is it?!) is not that exciting.
The animatronics look incredible though, and I was really impressed with the final show scene!
Yes to this ride getting reviews that were pre-decided. It cracks me up to see all these people claiming Splash was the greatest, bestest, most important ride at MK/DL, and their day at the park is ruined without it.
I know they had concerns about some people not liking or being offended by “voodoo,” but surely Dr. Facilier could have been included without mentioning dark magic. On YouTube, someone mentioned how cool it would have been to hear him singing “Are you ready?” as you climb to the splashy drop, and I would have loved that.
I think if they were really worried about offending people with voodoo they would have left mama odie out! I totally agree Dr facilier singing that right before the drop would have been fantastic!
This ride looks very dark with lots of very long empty spaces where there is literally nothing to see except maybe some plants. The animations may be new and higher quality but there is definitely less quantity..
There is definitely a lot less to look at than on the old Splash Mountain ride. From watching this long clip it seems like this new ride is very boring. The music sounds good, when you can hear it, but thats about it. Very disappointed. They could have done better.
There is no suspense at all. There is no villain. Nothing to get excited about. The story line is very boring and doesn’t make much sense. I could be wrong, but are there not an abundance of musicians available in New Orleans? Why would it be hard to find a band to play at Tiana’s party??
It’s kind of funny to me that Disney went from having almost no content related updates on Tiana’s (as you’ve pointed out – just the trips to New Orleans and similar ones) to spoiling the entire ride in a video.
I’m old enough that I actually saw The Song of the South in a theater, but I never got to ride Splash Mountain, so I have zero nostalgia for that.
I think Tiana’s actually does look better overall. I like the New Orleans vibes, anyway. I normally avoid water rides, but I’ll probably give this one a try.
But I’m surprised Disney didn’t get better audio for their video. It’s kind of hard to make out some of the dialogue over the background sounds.
I feel like this ride is a one and done. There is no real storyline and the characters are hard to understand. All of the action and theming don’t fit into Splash Mountain’s layout. In reality, there is no action. Zip. I would have to see the queue line and boarding and I would have loved to have had that included with the video as it might have helped me to understand the very vague storyline. I mean, are you looking for a band, some spice (nice Dune retort below-LOL!) And you have this cute, cheery, sucrose sweet storyline and then a scary drop for many small kids for no real reason and then right after that NOTHING HAPPENS for like a hundred feet, like the creators were going BRB, give us a sec…. we’ll get to it, the ending is near, just a moment more…… til you finally get to join the party. It seems like a painfully slow unfolding of an uninteresting story. Not a great use of dollars. Though the fireflies bit with the screens was nice and reminded me of the tech they used in Navi. There were several scenes that I felt were there simply because they were prominent spaces and since there were large close ups of the characters in Splash there, they just substituted the gator instead of a Splash Character. When you rode Splash you had a real storyline that had the impending doom of will Brer Rabbit make it? And when the evil birds cackled at you before you went over the falls, it built the suspense in the story….”What’s going to happen to him???” and “What’s going to happen to US???” The whole thing seems like an overly long, winding, drawn out, uninteresting tale. It’s sad, because they could have done better, much better. But thanks for the POV! We love your reporting and keeping us up to date with all Disney news! I think if we ever saw you in the park our reaction would be much like my daughter’s when she sees Mickey! 😀
Can’t watch this. It hurts too much. Splash Mountain forever in my heart.
I will not be watching this or any of the footage until I experience it myself at Disneyland in a few months. I can’t believe how many people are OK with spoilers!
ok but seeing the drop scene right out there with no warning on Instagram this morning annoyed me. like release all the footage you want but do it in a way that people that want to avoid spoilers can… like a splash screen before the footage that says something would be enough
They should have shown the ride in its entirety at the beginning without them cutting away instead of waiting towards the end and then not letting us see it in full. If you don’t want to wait, go to about 17-18 minute mark. Wasn’t enough for me to make a judgement as to whether I’d want to wait 15 minutes in line or an hour.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for writing such fantastic content! Your commentary is the best!
Tom, I used to work a for an ad network. YOU control the content, availability, and number of ads on a given page on YOUR site. Honestly, it’s not an ad network problem, it’s your problem, you’re the one monetizing the traffic and you control the supply and density. Quit being greedy and just reduce to inventory on the site. it’s honestly ridiculous that you’re trying to blame the ad networks.
You’re getting free content (and a lot of it at that). Calm down, Francis.
It’s honestly ridiculous that you feel entitled to berate the creator of the blog in such a way.
Awesome to include Terrance Blanchard and Leah Chase & family in the music. New Orleans has a special magic only New Orleanians can bring to the party. Looking forward to joining in the ride party when it opens! Thanks for the background information and updates!
What are the odds TBA “soft opens” sometime before the 28th? We will be in the Magic Kingdom on the 19th and looks like we will just miss it this year unless there is some kind of slow roll out beforehand. Not sure if that has ever even been done before. Thanks!
I agree it’s to challenging to read on this site from a phone! I have to really really REALLY want to read the article to navigate pop up windows ads reloading etc.
Can’t you reach out to Apple News and get picked up? I would read every article then!
That whole 21 minute video was great! Unlike Tom, I could take or leave the old Country Bears (mostly leave), but the new music sounds awesome and I’m looking forward experiencing the updated version! And I might have to plan another trip for late this summer to see the drone show before it’s over. The segment on TBA was icing on the cake. Take my money, Disney lol.
Tom
The pervasive ads, scrolling/trolling are TOO MUCH!!!
I can’t hardly read a post anymore…
I was just about to leave a comment asking Tom if he’s ever tried to read this page from a phone. It’s challenging to say the least! In fact the page reloaded and cleared this comment before I could post it. This is my second attempt. Haha.
Yes, the ads have become extremely intrusive over the past few months. I just had the same thing happen (a pop-up blocked my comment). The ad graphics and videos also make this site extremely slow to load on a browser. I honestly would pay what I pay Touring Plans to have NO ADS!
Sorry about this, everyone.
I’ve been working with the ad network on this issue on and off since last November–most notably in the last 2 weeks as complaints had started to increase again. I’ve reduced the density/number of ads several times–including on Tuesday. I thought that had resolved the issues, as I wasn’t experiencing them myself. Obviously, I was wrong.
I’ve reached out to the ad network again to further reduce the number of ads and see what other changes (e.g. types) can be implemented to eliminate the issue. Again, I’m sorry. I know there needs to be a balance between ads and readability. I don’t want to write so many words (well, this post is a poor example of that) only for people not to be able to read them!
By way of update, I spoke with the ad network and they’ve disabled a couple of ad types of mobile that were apparently consuming inordinate amounts of memory. They advised that the crashing and reloading is occurring because those types of ads are exceeding memory limits (typically on Safari mobile) and causing the browser to force reload.
I’m going to continue monitoring and make additional changes as necessary–please let me know if the issue persists! Again, sorry that this is happening in the first place.
Agree I can hardly type a response without the site crashing from pop-up ads. In fact, this is my third attempt to write this comments as the first first two have resulted in that very situation please Tom fix this. I love your site but it has crossed some sort of line into insanity with the ads.
Subscriber tier without ads! Please!
Just wanted to note again that it can be useful to have more than one browser on your phone – often you won’t deal with the same issues (e.g., DuckDuckGo). I’m not suggesting that this is something anyone must do and no doubt it’s helpful to provide respectful feedback (I’m sure Tom and Sarah don’t want anything discouraging readers from coming to the site!), but just giving another suggestion!
Special spice? I didn’t expect them to theme Splash Mountain to Dune, but now I’m kind of sad that they didn’t. It does look pretty good, though.