A Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model was unveiled at D23, offering new insight and views of the Splash Mountain refresh…
Goin’ down the bayou! Goin’ down the bayou! Fans of Princess and The Frog and miniatures are rejoicing today as the first details of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure were revealed at D23 via a huge scale model.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Model Photos
If you need a refresher on what the ride is all about, check out our blog on the name and backstory. Imagineers went to great lengths to research and retell a story of family, friends, and New Orleans culture aboard the new ride.
Photo by Danny Shuster
In this celebratory adventure, Tiana, (now a Princess and proprietor of Tiana’s Place) Prince Naveen, and Louis the alligator (and musician) embark on a journey down the bayou to get ready for the big Mardis Gras celebration coming up.
We can’t wait to experience the new chapter in the Princess and the Frog story.
Photo by Danny Shuster
Photo by Danny Shuster
A water tower will be one of the most striking new additions. It reads, “Employee Owned, Tiana’s Foods, Est. 1927.” You might not be able to tell right away from the model, but this water tower will have an amazing replica of Tiana’s tiara right on the top. Read on to discover more about the backstory and see why…
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Backstory Revealed
This “placing the tiara” concept art alludes to the backstory. Photo by Danny Shuster
A plaque on the panel surrounding the ride model offered some never-before-seen backstory for the ride. Here are some excerpts from our reporters on the ground at D23:
Tiana’s Palace Opens to Royal Praise
With its mouthwatering menu, exceptional entertainment, and warmhearted hospitality, Tiana’s Palace quickly became a treasured meeting place in New Orleans. Princess Tiana used her newfound success to support surrounding neighborhoods, which led to her role as a community leader.
Princess Expands “Palace” Into a Business Empire
Following the success of Tiana’s Palace, Tiana continued to grow her business with Tiana’s Food—an employee-owned cooperative. She combined her talents with those of locals to transform an aging salt mine and build a beloved brand that bolstered neighboring communities.
Princess Tiana Throws a Party for All of New Orleans
To celebrate Carnival season, Princess Tiana is hosting a party for the people of New Orleans. When she discovers her celebration is missing a key ingredient, she requests the help of guests to find it. Familiar faces join Tiana and guests on an adventure to the bayou, where they meet unexpected new friends who have a special role to play at the party.”
Disney Parks released a statement during the D23 festivities to give even more insight into the refacing of Splash Mountain: “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will bring guests down the bayou along with Tiana, Naveen, and their friends. Here you can see a model of the upcoming attraction and new artwork that expands upon the next chapter in Tiana’s story.”
The Briar Patch is Gone
Photo by Danny Shuster
The climax of a ride on Splash Mountain is the tip of your vessel into the Briar Patch. Tangled thorns and vines threaten your very existence, and every fake-out hill on the way there has you wondering about the looming drop.
But Tiana’s Bayou Adventure appears to have a different tone altogether: This is a celebratory jaunt rather than a rollicking adventure. The plot doesn’t seem to include impending doom, so it makes sense that the briar patch was removed.
For the first time ever, we will get a clear view of the entire log flume drop down Splash Mountain. We think that with no thorns, the full height of the hill is accentuated and actually makes this ride even more intimidating to those queuing up to brave the waters. Here at WDW Magazine we are waving goodbye to thorns and ready to hop onboard this new collaborative adventure!
Eudora’s Chic Boutique to Open at Disneyland
You won’t have to wait for the Mardis Gras party aboard Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to take home a piece of the festival. Opening on September 20, 2022, Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets (now that’s a mouthful!) will offer goods to New Orleans Square revelers.
Here, Tiana’s mother, Eudora, will show off her newest creations for sale. As you may remember from Princess and the Frog, Eudora is quite the dressmaker, employed by Big Daddy to make beautiful frocks for Tiana’s affluent friend, Charlotte “Lottie” La Bouff. At Eudora’s Chic Boutique, Disneyland guests can get their hands on what Disney describes as, “… accessories to create and serve masterful Orleans-style cuisine and more.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Date
Disney Parks confirmed earlier this year that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open sometime in late 2024. We can’t wait to take our first trip down the bayou and help Tiana find that special ingredient needed to complete the celebration.
