Despite Splash Mountain Backlash, Guests Are Obsessed With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
On Tuesday, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure saw some of its busiest crowds since the removal of the Virtual Queue, proving that Disney Parks fans are fully embracing the revamped Walt Disney World Resort attraction.
Opening in June 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaced the iconic Splash Mountain ride in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park, and the Disneyland Park version followed in November. For several months, both Disney parks used the Virtual Queue system to help manage the ride’s line. Disneyland Resort was the first to eliminate the system, and Walt Disney World Resort followed suit in February.
Though some fans of the original Splash Mountain raised concerns over shorter standby lines, pointing to it as evidence that the retheme had not lived up to expectations, it seems the tables have turned. As the weather warms up, Disney Park guests have clearly developed a newfound affection for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
This week, crowd levels across Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park have surged as families take advantage of spring break. Amidst the crowd frenzy, Disney Park guests lined up for up to 90 minutes to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Despite the attraction’s extensive queue, Disney cast members had to extend the waiting area beyond the original line, winding it beneath the Walt Disney World Railroad tracks, past the Critter Co-Op, and across the bridge into the rest of Frontierland. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @laughing_place shared images of the extended line, where cast members were directing guests with a posted wait time of 80 minutes:
It’s shaping up to be a busy day at the #MagicKingdom. The standby line for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure stretches all the way back to the lower bridge in front of the drop!
It’s shaping up to be a busy day at the #MagicKingdom. The stand by line for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure stretches all the way back to the lower bridge in front of the drop! pic.twitter.com/OdhgGFaqpl
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) April 15, 2025
With spring break in full swing, expect longer wait times at other popular Walt Disney World Resort attractions such as TRON Lightcycle / Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage. Those looking to skip the longer queues can use Lightning Lanes or take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort hotel guests.
Do you prefer Splash Mountain or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Disney Dining would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
