For a ride built on dreams and gumbo, the journey of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been anything but smooth. Since its controversial inception as the replacement for Splash Mountain, the attraction has served as a litmus test for how Disney reconciles progress with nostalgia. But this week, a new chapter in Princess Tiana’s story took to the skies—quite literally.
To say Tiana’s Bayou Adventure sparked a reaction would be putting it lightly. The ride, which reimagines a beloved log flume once rooted in the problematic Song of the South, divided Disney fans from the moment it was announced. While some decried the removal of a childhood staple, others welcomed the change as a long-overdue step toward meaningful representation in the parks.
The rollout of the ride itself, however, failed to shift the conversation entirely. When it opened in 2024 at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, guests encountered a slew of mechanical issues—from stalled boats to frozen animatronics—that undercut the narrative magic. Despite a setting that sees Tiana throwing a festive post-film celebration for New Orleans, technical glitches have become the main headline.
But Disney isn’t backing down just yet
Disney Takes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the Skies
This week, Disney and Alaska Airlines introduced Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer, a Boeing 737-800 featuring hand-painted artwork inspired by the attraction. Debuting at Portland International Airport and flying its inaugural route to Santa Ana, the plane showcases Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, and a host of new animal characters created for the ride, including Beau the Opossum and Rufus the Turtle.
“Every journey should be as magical as the destination, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer brings that wonder to the skies,” said Eric Edge, Vice President of Brand and Marketing at Alaska Airlines. “This aircraft captures Princess Tiana’s love for exploration and adventure, inspiring our guests to embrace new possibilities and create memories along the way.”
Alaska Airlines revealed a new Disneyland-themed plane “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer” featuring artwork inspired by The Princess and the Frog and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park. The aircraft’s first flight will be today from Portland to Santa Ana, Calif.
Alaska Airlines revealed a new Disneyland-themed plane "Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer" featuring artwork inspired by The Princess and the Frog and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park. The aircraft's first flight will be today from Portland to Santa Ana, Calif. pic.twitter.com/5pzTQE6wPQ
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 25, 2025
The aircraft is set to travel throughout Alaska Airlines’ network for several years and will even offer an exclusive themed snack pack onboard starting this summer. According to Disney, the elaborate design took over 2,000 hours to complete—an investment meant to reinforce the company’s faith in the Tiana brand.
A Celebration in the Air and on the Ground
The plane’s arrival aligns with the upcoming 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort, a milestone the company plans to mark with a slate of special offerings beginning May 16. The return of Wondrous Journeys and Paint the Night will coincide with the debut of Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a new show featuring Disney’s first animatronic of Walt himself.
“For more than 25 years, Alaska Airlines and Disneyland Resort have collaborated to bring magic and happiness to the skies,” said Sybil Crum, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at Disneyland Resort. “This latest addition honors our legacy and looks ahead to a bright future with Princess Tiana leading the way.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Flyer joins a long line of Disneyland-themed aircraft. Other liveries include the cheerful Mickey’s Toontown Express, the galaxy-hued Star Wars Transport, and Friendship and Beyond, which brings Pixar characters to life in larger-than-life form. Tiana, it seems, is now part of that airborne legacy—proof that her story is far from finished.
Are you a fan of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
I don’t care what people reply to my comment, bring back splash mountain, even though it broke down here and there, the ride had WAY more animatronics and the song was cool, I didn’t see anything racist or offensive