PHOTOS & VIDEO: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Model Reveals Reimagined Splash Mountain
A model of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure reveals the reimagined ride replacing Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. This post shares photos and video from this detailed model, along with additional new details we now know about the overhauled attraction coming to the parks in 2024.
If you’re looking for all of the latest news about this ride, see Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride at Walt Disney World & Disneyland: Everything We Know. That’s regularly updated with new concept art, construction progress, info about characters, Audio Animatronics, music, scents, and more.
As previously shared, the reimagined ride will be named Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and will bring guests into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film The Princess and the Frog. According to the company, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California by Late 2024. However, we have our doubts about both versions making this deadline…
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure — featuring some of the powerful music from the film — as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. During this celebration, guests will hear original music inspired by songs from the film. Tiana is leading the way and guests will be able to encounter old friends and make new ones along the way as well.
If you’re looking for more current info about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as of 2023, see the above ‘Everything We Know’ post. Walt Disney Imagineering has revealed a lot more in the months since this model debuted on the show floor at the D23 Expo.
With that said, here are our photos of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model, which show quite a bit about the reimagined ride:
Finally, here’s a video shot by Sarah that puts all of the above photos into better context:
Phew, that’s a lot to digest. There’s a ton of detail in this model, and I’m not sure I’ve done it justice. Given that there are two days left in the D23 Expo, I’ll probably return to this model many, many times, so if there’s anything else you’d like to see in better detail, please let me know and I’ll try to take additional photos.
Above all else, it’s nice to finally see something real and tangible for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The model and its surrounding placards reveal a few new details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. First, you might notice a few reference to something called “Tiana’s Foods.” In particular, there’s the tiara-topped water tower emblazoned with that logo.
Tiana’s Foods is an employee-owned community food co-op established by Tiana in 1927. She establishes Tiana’s Foods as a follow-up on the success of Tiana’s Palace Restaurant.
According to the backstory, the co-op is housed inside the aging salt mine within the former Splash Mountain with growers planting crops along the waterway that flows around the famed mountain peak.
During the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, logs ascend through a mill house built into the side of the mountain.
At the top of that famed peak, you might notice bottles strung from the ceiling.
According to Disney’s backstory, magical lighting effects triggered by the film’s voodoo priestess Mama Odie will fill the hilltop cavern with glowing colors just before riders descend the log ride’s dramatic drop.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature Audio Animatronics, including Princess Tiana. It will also introduce 16 new characters; it’s unclear whether these are all-new, or recycled Audio Animatronics from Splash Mountain that can be repurposed (again) for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Musical critters seen in the show scenes of the reimagined ride will include an otter audio-animatronic playing a fiddle made from a tin can, tree bark, and fishing line. I think I speak for everyone when I say that Walt Disney World and (especially) Disneyland have a serious otter shortage. Otter Grotto just isn’t cutting it!
With that said, my initial impression of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model is that’s it?!
One of the things that I thought was cool about the original concept art was that it used the existing tree as a jumping off point for something even bigger, with an impaled boat perched atop the tree a la the Miss Tilly at Typhoon Lagoon. In this model, that’s all gone and there’s no real personality to the peak.
To the contrary, it appears as if Imagineering is trying to minimize the mountain. This is unfortunate but understandable. One of the most common refrains we’ve heard from fans is that “there are no mountains in New Orleans.”
Personally, this never bothered me. Disney always plays fast and loose with theme and topography, and real world places are always romanticized. My ideal version of the real New Orleans would most certainly have a big tree with a boat stuck in it–just like it’d have pillaging pirates and haunted homes–so why shouldn’t the Disney version?!
Then again, I’m not a stickler for thematic purity. It’s certainly important, but it’s okay to break the rules when something just works or achieves the right aesthetic, atmosphere, or other important goals. Look no further than the Matterhorn towering over Sleeping Beauty Castle with both adjacent to a small street in the Midwest. All of that should be thematically jarring on paper, but it is not in practice.
Same idea here, I think. Beyond thematic integrity, fun experiences and eye-catching visuals are also important. The original design would’ve delivered on the latter front much better than a design that’s more accurate to the real world landscape of New Orleans.
Ultimately, I’ll withhold judgment until seeing it in person, and perhaps it’s one of those situations where I’m so familiar with the iconic Chickapin Hill that anything else would be jarring. Change sometimes takes time to accept–it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve started ambivalent towards the new-look of something in the parks (or downright hostile) and warmed to it over time. And to be clear, I don’t actively dislike the “mountain” of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, I’m just indifferent to it. There’s nothing iconic or memorable about its shape or landscape for me.
With that said, what’s inside is what really counts (my grandma was right again, I guess). I’m still cautiously optimistic about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, even after seeing the model. Imagineering and the company as a whole undoubtedly realize that the reimagining of Splash Mountain must be ambitious. Both the movie inspiring it and the beloved attraction deserve the very best creative talent, budget, time, and all other resources. Disney is cognizant of the fact that the Splash Mountain reimagining is going to be under a microscope, from fans in favor of it and against it, as well as mainstream audiences. I remain hopeful that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure delivers an exceptional experience that effectively silences critics and wins over skeptics.
If you are planning a Walt Disney World or Disneyland trip to visit New Orleans or the Bayou, check out our planning resources! The best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide or Disneyland Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
YOUR THOUGHTS…
What do you think of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model? Disappointed that it doesn’t have the big tree and impaled boat, or happy that it’s more “thematically accurate” to real world New Orleans? Does this exceed your expectations, or were you expecting more? How much of the current attraction (e.g. random musical critter AAs) are you expecting to appear in the reimagined version? Excited for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Expectations regarding the Splash Mountain reimagining timeline? Keep the comments civil, as this is not the place for politically-charged arguing, culture wars, antagonism, personal attacks, or cheap shots. We will be heavy-handed in deleting any comments that cross the line, irrespective of viewpoint. You are not going to change anyone’s mind via the comments section on this blog, nor are you going to change Disney’s priorities. If you wish to shout your outrage into the internet abyss, that’s why Facebook was invented.
Every time I find myself thinking “oh no! They are changing things!” I try to remember Walt Disney saying that things will keep changing and evolving. As I grow old and realize that the world goes on without stopping for anyone, I remember that these changes that I find silly or pointless will lead to new things that a new generation of kids will love. Tiana is one of my favorite Princesses but I actually wish the movie had stayed with the old fairytale of the selfish girl with the golden ball and the frog that wanted a kiss.
Not super thrilled at the current trajectory of this overhaul. The Tiana’s Foods backstory in particular feels like a recycled pitch for a “The Land with Tiana & Friends” overhaul at Epcot (which I could get behind!)
I feel they have gone about this all wrong. Trying to put a square in a circle. If it needed to be reimagined there were other great stories that would have fit better. Including Moana, Pocahontas, or just a tribute to American and travel through our country with different landscapes. They could have put Tiana over at Tom Sawyer Island and made that ride for the whole family. Little ones can not ride this ride. I feel like they are just rearranging the furniture. Hoping for better though. And not more screens!
Any word if the employee-owned community food co-op will be unionized? I’m a bit worried they didn’t include that tidbit in the sneak peak of the ride.
The hardworking salt miners who all lost their jobs for this undeground farming boondoggle aren’t amused at your comment.
The H stands for Hoffa right?
I was similarly disappointed when I first saw it, but it’s starting to grow on me. Definitely giving avatar vibes with the diverse greenery and foliage.
Not going to lie, I was so excited for the Princess and the Frog theme, until I found out it won’t be based on the original storyline. Why would they try to reinvent the wheel with a post-chapter? Splash is a thrill ride, so base the reimagining on the movie plot, which had some thrills. I mean, c’mon…no Naveen, Dr. Facilier, or Ray?!? Plus, I love the music from the movie, which they could have incorporated without reinventing the wheel. Meh, I’m disappointed.
I’m keeping optimism riding high for this one. I agree that, regardless of position, all sides are going to scrutinize the heck out of this ride, and Disney is going to have to bring it. I rode Splash Mountain last week and couldn’t help noticing how many of the original animatronic effects have broken or been abandoned over the years. I’ve been pretty delighted by the immersive and technological effects of Disney’s modern animatronics, from the Navi Shaman, to the new red head, Olaf, and Mickey & Minnie in their little convertible. I’d have to guess that a from-scratch version of this ride today would be 85% screens, and it feels like there is exciting potential for this to deliver a 15-minute long, upgraded installation of a traditional dark ride.
Good things happen when Disney invests the time and money to do them right. The formed an Oceanic Story Trust for Moana. They worked to tell that story right and it shows. I do hope they will find some way to save the chickens on the showboat though. They are my fav.
Hmm nothing so far assuages my fears that the drop/thrill aspect are not going to be well integrated or properly “arced” within the narrative, but we’ll see I guess. Hoping this isn’t yet one more of modern Disney’s theme park blandifications.
Honestly, the current Splash Mountain narrative never made much sense to me. It always seemed to me to be an excuse to use a bunch of singing animals they had laying around on a ride. And the drop always seemed obviously there to be in service to the ride experience as opposed to the narrative. BUT that hasn’t changed the fact that I love the ride! The theming is fun! The animatronics are fun! The drop is fun!
I also think that so much of the love I have for the ride comes from the wonderful music- and the music from Princess and the Frog is great toe-tapping and uplifting music, so that bodes well.
My hope is that the narrative is more serviceable than the current iteration, but that the fun and theming doesn’t suffer for it.
It’s a fair point that the current Song of the South stuff is not tightly integrated with the ride in that the show scenes don’t involve the guests in any way, but the tension level of the story does generally vary appropriately with the altitude of the log, and the drop matches (more or less) Brer Rabbit getting flung into the briar patch, so that never bothered me at all. And I always loved the undertaker buzzards and intense music on the way up. I got a sneaking suspicion that tone is not going to survive the transition.
As someone from New Orleans, nothing about this says New Orleans. We don’t have otters here. The landscape on the model looks more grassy than swampy. Hate the idea of what used to be outdoorsy/mountainous being turned industrial/salt mine-y. It’s not even a mountain anymore. Sigh. Hope it looks better in person but I sure will miss Splash.
Louisiana is ideal river otter habitat, there are lots of them! https://www.louisianafur.com/otter.html
Super underwhelming. It just looks like a mountain with tianas name here and there. It took me a minute to realize the boat on the tree was missing and I’m with you Tom, at least that gave it some character. Maybe they are saving all the money for inside but personally I’m not holding my breath…
I hate it, it like the movie Song of the South never happened. Does this mean that the characters of Song of the South will no longer be seen around Frontier Land?
How is that a bad thing? Song of the South came out in 1946. Disney has made dozens and dozens of more popular and beloved movies in the 76 years since then, many of which are also not represented anywhere in the parks. I hardly see how removing an old niche movie that the majority of visitors have never even seen (or heard of) is a negative.
Am I the only one who still think it’s mad they didn’t do a Moana retheme? The movie is literally all about water! The drop could easily have been guests breaking over the reef…
The Moana theme what a titan so much better! I agree with you 100%.
Thanks for the glimpse! I’m excited to see how it all turns out! I really hope the logs are bigger than that though….. I’m already envisioning the long queue lines because of 6 people per log. :/
I’m pretty impressed with your miniatures photography, Tom. Considering your usual subject media is pretty macro, the fact that you have such good compositions in the micro is impressive – especially when there is not much that is worth featuring in the model itself. My personal favorite is the lady screaming into the brown void of some kind of order window.
Boo. Not thrilled with any of this. Millhouse? Aging salt mines? Crops? Like…what? I HATE the idea of making up some futuristic world based on the movie…we love the MOVIE. It has a GREAT story that literally fits the current ride setup, so what does Disney do? Let’s come up with a future story of Tiana (instead of the beloved story), try to fit all the songs and people into the new storyline (instead of just fitting them into something that already makes sense) and have to explain it all through a drawn-out pre-show. Whyyyy? They did the same with Frozen Ever After…and even though I really enjoy that ride, there’s huge spaces that are just…purposeless. Olaf skating around, Anna and Kristoff randomly singing with little to no scenery – why didn’t they just use the story and take us through that? I love, love, love Splash Mountain (racism and origin and “The briar patch is where you were born, and the briar patch is where you’re gonna stay ASIDE!) and I just hope they realize all the things you mentioned, Tom. I was so excited when this came out, and now…I’m bummed. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I think Splash is being redone because it is a politically incorrect attraction that has been known to offend some people. Song of the south displays enslaved people dancing and happy and acting as though they love being slaves. In today’s times the story offends a large portion of our population who understand very well that enslaved people never enjoyed their lives in slavery and depicting them in this way is simply glorifying a great crime that is shameful and not something to be proud of. Even if there are no enslaved people being depicted in any way in the attraction it is still a reference and dedication to a movie and story that though is supposed to be fiction it is still a reference to a past in our history that we should never repeat or glorify. Its time to evolve into a better nation. I love splash mountain too but I think Disney is doing the right thing in doing this as long as they make the remake as good as or as much fun as the original by using a different theme that is inclusive to all human kind.
I don’t think your reply was meant for me?
I love the New Orleans Square part of Disneyland, the architecture, restaurants, attractions, trees, the riverboat, mint juleps, the whole thing. Seems fitting to make this part of it. Of course they have their social/political reasons to change it, as I am sure has been commented about plenty. We are on our way to Disney World soon, and will get one more ride of zippity doo da.
Super Underwhelming! I hope the inside is as magical as I think it could be!
I would except that they would have the means ($) to hit a home run with this – getting rid of a favorite attraction from an idealistic theory is tricky. So while I’ve been skeptical I’ve been optimistic.
Now I’m *really* hoping they do this to DL before rolling it out to WDW as it looks like a swing and a miss.
Not gonna lie, I had really hoped the final ascent to the big drop would feature Dr. Facilier singing about his friends on the other side – then riders drop just in time to escape. Oh well…
Huge opportunity missed by not doing this. Why not use the original story and original songs?? It seems so simple that it makes no sense that they are going this direction.