The Walt Disney Company has officially clarified the current status of its polarizing theme park addition: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
In January 2023, Disney bid farewell to the iconic Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, a staple for over thirty years. Originally inspired by the contentious 1946 film Song of the South, this water-based attraction was slated for reimagining in 2020. The transformation promised to infuse Frontierland with the vibrant characters and rich narrative of The Princess and the Frog (2009).
The decision to close Splash Mountain ignited intense debate, with critics accusing Disney of promoting a “woke agenda” prioritizing diversity and inclusion.
In June 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially debuted, showcasing Princess Tiana, Louis the saxophone-playing alligator, and Mama Odie—brought to life by the talents of Anika Noni Rose, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Jenifer Lewis, respectively.
Featuring the attraction’s hallmark 52-foot drop, the revamped ride introduced a fresh storyline set after The Princess and the Frog. Alongside its new plot, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure also premiered an original song titled “Special Spice.” In response to fan feedback regarding absent characters, Walt Disney Imagineering recently added two beloved fireflies, Ray and Evangeline, to the attraction.
Last month, the addition of Ray and Evangeline to the finale mural was unveiled at Walt Disney World Resort, earning praise from fans who felt it added a missing layer of charm and storytelling. However, some Disney enthusiasts expressed disappointment over the lack of broader updates to the resort.
Sharing the enhancement via Instagram, Disney’s official post read: “Look how they light up the sky! Imagineers added extra magic to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at @WaltDisneyWorld with this addition of Ray and Evangeline!”
Ray, voiced by Jim Cummings, is a beloved firefly who assists Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and Naveen (Bruno Campos) during their journey to Mama Odie in the 2009 film. His unrequited love for Evangeline, the Evening Star he believes to be another firefly, serves as a poignant theme in his character arc. At the movie’s conclusion, Ray joins Evangeline in the night sky, a moment cherished by fans.
Social media responses were swift and varied. On Instagram, one fan gushed, “How awesome! Imagineers are the best and most talented people!!!” Yet over on X (formerly Twitter), some critiques emerged. User @jasonlanori commented, “LOL at the things they ‘announce’ now. WDW is a joke of its former self.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure also opened at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on November 15, 2024. Months after this major redevelopment of Splash Mountain, the reimagined attraction secured its place as one of Disney’s defining moments of the year.
“One of the biggest moments for Disney Experiences last year was the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in June and at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in November,” The Walt Disney Company wrote in its 2024 highlights. “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure features dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a sensational soundtrack (including music from the film and new compositions), and an exhilarating 50-foot drop.”
Other standout moments for Disney in 2024 included the record-breaking box office successes of Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, the debut of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Resort, strides in Disney+ profitability, record Emmy wins, and its partnership with Epic Games.
What’s Next for Disney World?
As for future developments, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro hinted at an ambitious roadmap during last year’s D23 Expo.
“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places. And we have Imagineers in place right now all around the world because everything we’re going to share with you is in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight,” D’Amaro shared.
Among the major announcements is the transformation of Frontierland, which will soon include a Cars-themed expansion alongside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This update will come at a price—the permanent closure of Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America to make way for Radiator Springs.
While the promise of new family-friendly attractions has generated excitement, some Magic Kingdom fans have expressed dismay over the loss of these classic elements. The Cars expansion will also coincide with the unveiling of a much-anticipated Villain-themed land, marking one of the most ambitious projects in park history.
What do you think about the addition of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney parks in the United States? Let us know in the comments below!
In the image above it shows Louis with a trumpet. Yet, your article says he plays the saxophone.
TBA is raci$t too. Look up the history of salt mines and $lavery.
A very true statement and yeah, I Still think the song of the south should be put on Disney plus to be able to watch It. It is just stories of uncle Remus. But Disney, as the got so far out there, woke and Di and so scared that some clown made up person, it won’t come in their park so yeah. They lost me now. My grandkids will probably still go. But grandbaby, he’s not giving him money to go I still think splash mountain was one of the best rides that got added in my lifetime, how at Disney World, the first year they opened. It’s a small world. This is my favorite ride, then Peter PAN. And I know it’s not a ride, but the country bears. Yeah, it’s always a great place to take a little breather from the hot weather. And it’s a great show, and splash mountain was a great ride. It has a great song and Al Remus, and the little bluebird was one of the best.
We agree Splash Mt was the greatest. Tiana is a poor replacement. It’s dull and the music is hard to understand. If you have no knowledge of the movie the whole thing makes no since. At least you could have a song everyone could sing along with. We never saw the Uncle Ramus movie but still ENJOYED the ride and the HAPPY feeling one had from the ride. We will assume most of those that objected to the old Splash Mt. regret their decision but are too embarrassed to say so. Thank goodness they left the Splash, otherwise if would be a FLOP.
Bear Country was always enjoyable, but the new update is better, especially for the smaller kids, esp. “what a friend you have in me”. Another disappointment is the long awaited 7 Dwarf Ride, spend up to 3 hours in line for a 2 second ride, better planning with all the space available, why such a short ride?
Taking away Rivers of America to put in Radiator Springs is BS as they already have a cars land in dca!
Exactly. This is a horrible idea. The Riverboat fits with the New Orleans theme. It’s one of the prettiest areas in the park. Plus as you said they alread have an entire Cars land. It makes zero sense.
They’re talking about DisneyWorld, not Disneyland.
Well zippity doo da to You too! Erasing Walt Disney legacy to cater to Igers dei agenda continues the ruin of Disney Co. No one wanted TBA ” instead of” splash mountain. And no one wants rivers of America gone either… What about fantastic in California? Cause that will be gone too.
They have no problem sacrificing nostalgia for an opp to sell cheap foreign made Cars merch.
Their inclusion is a joke. Where’s the inclusion for the handicapped who can’t get DAS any more or the non wealthy unable to afford exorbitant tickets, food and lightning lanes?
Current management is chipping away at the Disney experiences I love. Sad.
Change is the one of the only constants in life. Walt’s legacy was Keep Moving Forward. To keep things the same forever is boring.
Well the woke have finally won and the Walt Disney dream is dead ! A park for the rich and woke generation. Why not tear anything original thats left and let your woke, gay engineers have a go at designing a place they alog with their friends are happy…….bye Walt great idea……but its time for its funeral ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so sorry
They won’t be missing you!
The article says that Disney replaced splash Mountain with Tiana’s adventure, which has a “fresh storyline.” STOP GASLIGHTING US! THERE IS NO STORYLINE AND TIANA’S ADVENTURE! That’s why it’s so incredibly BORING! And it’s exactly what you expect from something done merely for inclusion rather than for merit. You put them in there, they occupy the space, and they do nothing. It’s a testimony to the folly of what affirmative action has become.
Walt Disney was incredible, but the current people running that company are totally incompetent, and yet they have deluded themselves into thinking that they are just like Walt Disney. They are NOT! They shouldn’t be allowed to dismantle anything else in Walt Disney World, because everything they touch the ruin. Rather, Disney World should be purchased and these people should all be fired, and that wonderful company should be restored to its historic grandeur.
Should we feel bad for the current Disney management and creative staff that would be out of jobs? No. They can always go back to their more natural careers asking people the question “would you like fries with that?”
Disney is very sad shell of it’s self!!!!
At WDW in October we rode TBA. I thought it was extremely underdone. Besides the 50 ft drop and the party scene as you near the end of the ride, the story was unimaginative, unclear, and unintelligible. There were gaps with no discernable decor components. Section after section looked like they bought a bunch of silk flowers from Micheals and slapped them in. The sound was muffled. The music choice didn’t have that sing a long hum a long feel building up to the mome.tum of the drop.
I’m okay with updating rides, but it needs to be done well and this one just was not.
Disney CEO Bob Iger was overheard saying the new ride was boring after riding it during a preview. Ironic considering he was the one who ordered the change.
Disney needs to go further with TBA. More of the secondary characters need to be added with “Marc Davis” moments throughout. Simply seeing Tiana and Louis several times along the flume route is not adequate. And Dr. Facilier must be added as a fully realized AA character. The doctor being omitted along with the Friends on the Other Side song is a huge fail.